Thunder Beast Ultra 9 and the SilencerCo Omega

[Little Dutch]

I am debating between the Thunder Beast Ultra 9 and the SilencerCo Omega. Accuracy is my number one concern, and while everyone seems to agree TBAC is accurate, I have not found much of anything on the Omega's POI shift and accuracy.

Any thoughts on the Omega's accuracy?

[Great-Kazoo]

If you don't mind the short drive to Danger Lee Ind / Tim in Elizabeth. Check with him, I think he might have a few of each on hand . Possibly give you more in put.

[Brian]

Is this your first/only suppressor, or are you getting something dedicated for precision long-range?

If you are truly interested in accuracy above all else, (as in long-range target shooting), I doubt there is anyone who will argue against a TBAC direct thread suppressor. TBAC has led that market for years, rightfully so. Their service and reputation is excellent, and their product is built with the long-range crowd in mind.

The Omega on the other hand is one of the most popular suppressors ever, also rightfully so. An increasing number of long-range guys are showing up with Omegas, with good results too. So definitely you can get good results from either. Old-school wisdom would say get the direct thread mount for the Omega and leave it on the gun for best accuracy, but honestly I think most people are having pretty darn good results with the ASR system at this point too. POI shift will vary depending on what mounts/gun/barrel you're using it on, but it should usually be predictable and repeatable. If not, SiCo will help you sort out what is going on. I mostly leave my suppressors on the guns, but have always had a predictable POI shift with my Omegas when I don't.

So I'd say if you have other suppressors already, or plan to get more soon and you want a precision long-range can, get the TBAC. On the other hand if it's your first or if you might use it on more than one gun, then go the Omega. You can't beat the flexibility there - you can direct thread, use the ASR, or even use the Dead Air system too, or mix and match depending on what you want to do.

Or just buy both. You know you want to. I wouldn't trade either of mine.

[Hoser]

Easy.

TBAC.

[C Ward]

TBAC and don't look back

[Blowby]

Never had anything but TBAC. Cold Bore and follow up stay in the same location on both the .308 and 6mm Creed. I guess no need to look any further.

6mm @ 100 yards

http://powerstrokearmy.com/photopost/data/542/Zero.jpeg

.308 @ 200 yards

http://powerstrokearmy.com/photopost/data/542/medium/200_yards.jpg

[vossman]

I have an Ultra 9, its pretty awesome.

[Delfuego]

TBAC is the best!
Shameless plug:
https://www.ar-15.co/threads/166454-WTS-50-off-Thunder-Beast-Certificate
Save a couple hundred bucks ;)

[Tim K]

Why fool with something that MIGHT be as good as the gold standard? Just buy the gold standard. My Ultra 9 is the brake attach version, and it returns to zero every time. My other 9” TBAC is direct thread. I wish I’d done all my cans in brake attach. The brake becomes the first baffle and receives most of the wear. Nice having it be something so readily replaceable.

[Little Dutch]

TBAC is the best!
Shameless plug:
https://www.ar-15.co/threads/166454-WTS-50-off-Thunder-Beast-Certificate
Save a couple hundred bucks ;)

I am still on my probationary 30 day period, so I can't view that thread yet!

This will be the first .30 caliber suppressor I get. I have an integral on a subgun I bought about 10 years back, but it's dedicated. I don't have the money to buy more than one at this time. More will come, but I may only be able to afford one a year (we have a first child and student loans, so...priorities).

This started because I am tired of hunting without a suppressor, and I will almost certainly want to swap it to my hunting rifles when I take them out. Rifles with 1/2x28 and 5/8x24 threads in .243, .222, .223, .308, and .30-06. The different threads look to be mildly problematic, since the .30 cal TBAC CB system only comes in 5/8x24 (unless I am mistaken). I will need a thread adapter between the barrel and the CB flash hider. The multi-caliber and easy swap is where the Omega stands out.


I have a rifle or 2 that will shoot almost as well as Blowby's do. As you know, punching paper can lead to an accuracy obsession. I punch paper a whole lot more than I go hunting, so it makes sense to get something that won't be detrimental to the accuracy.

In an ideal situation, I would be able to swap an accurate suppressor between rifles of various calibers at will. The easy swapping QD system and replaceable end-caps are where the Omega stands out. If I get one, I would absolutely use it. A lot. My drive for best accuracy is leaning me towards the TBAC as a first suppressor though.

[Tim K]

They make brakes in all thread sizes. Call them. Oh, and buy peter's cert. It's a good deal.

[C Ward]

The TBAC brakes can be had in 8 different thread pitches / sizes ,
https://thunderbeastarms.com/products/accessories

[zimagold]

TBAC vote here as well.

If your going to be hunting, definitely recommend you take a hard look at the Ultra 7. I have both a recore with Ultra 9 baffle stack and the Ultra 7, both 30cal. For me, the added length is not worth the modest improvements in performance. Buying today I would own an Ultra 7 30cal and Ultra 7 6.5 or 22.

Current hosts are 223, 6.5 Grendel, 6.8SPC, 260Rem, 270Win, 7 Rem Mag. They have a lot of thread pitches to cover most applications. The brakes are lighter when looking at overall weight for hunting.

[Little Dutch]

They make brakes in all thread sizes. Call them. Oh, and buy peter's cert. It's a good deal.
I will do that.
I would much prefer the flash hider to the brake. That wasn't clear in the last post, my apologies. I didn't see the same options for the flash hider.


Edit: I've had some time to think on it. While I would prefer the flash hider, the brake isn't a deal breaker.
As a sidebar - I made the mistake of taking a rifle with a brake on it hunting last year. I didn't have my ears on when I made my shot, and it was punishingly loud. It sort of gave me an aversion to muzzle brakes that isn't all that rational. If it's suppressed it won't matter what's attached to the muzzle.

[Little Dutch]

If you don't mind the short drive to Danger Lee Ind / Tim in Elizabeth. Check with him, I think he might have a few of each on hand . Possibly give you more in put.

Elizabeth is pretty darn close. I will give him a call and set up an appointment to come in.

[SouthPaw]

TBAC is the best!
Shameless plug:
https://www.ar-15.co/threads/166454-WTS-50-off-Thunder-Beast-Certificate
Save a couple hundred bucks ;)

Well played...

From what I hear/found, TBAC for absolute best accuracy. I am very happy with my omega but it just sits on SBR AR-15.

[Blowby]

My .223 has the flash hider for legal length reasons. It’s longer than the brake. Just an FYI.

[SAnd]

I will do that.
I would much prefer the flash hider to the brake. That wasn't clear in the last post, my apologies. I didn't see the same options for the flash hider.


Edit: I've had some time to think on it. While I would prefer the flash hider, the brake isn't a deal breaker.
As a sidebar - I made the mistake of taking a rifle with a brake on it hunting last year. I didn't have my ears on when I made my shot, and it was punishingly loud. It sort of gave me an aversion to muzzle brakes that isn't all that rational. If it's suppressed it won't matter what's attached to the muzzle.
Check into a Blast Shield type thing. They attach to your brake with the quick disconnect that the silencer uses. It is an open ended short tube that directs most of the sound and gas blast forward. It helps a lot. It does add a little weight though. Here is a link to the Silencerco version.

https://www.store.silencerco.com/collections/silencer-accessories/products/blast-shield?variant=6863718340

It would be easy to make if your silencer manufacturer doesn't offer one.

[Little Dutch]

When I first looked up the CB flash hiders, it looked like they were designed specifically for a suppressor of their respective caliber, ie the .223 CB flash hider wouldn't fit the .30 caliber suppressor. But that doesn't really make sense. The .223 CB flash suppressor pretty much has to fit the Ultra 9 CB suppressor. I think I need more sleep.

So, they make a CB .223 flash hider in 1/2x28 and a CB .30 flash hider in 5/8x24. That should meet my needs.