Suppressor Accuracy on a Previously Unthreaded Barrel

[Ought Six]

I’ve got a rifle that shoots really, really well, but the barrel isn’t threaded.

Has anyone found a decrease in a rifle’s shooting accuracy from messing with the barrel and threading a suppressor on? Can changes in barrel harmonics or other factors have a big impact on a rifle’s shooting ability?

 

[belshawelk]

If it shoots really ( really) well why add suppressor?

I wouldn't touch it. Unless your bench shooting al the time.

If I wanted a suppressor I would put in on a different gun thats already threaded.

 

[elkfanatic]

I've had a couple of mine threaded for suppressors with no loss of accuracy, if any thing it got better but that's probably due to me not having to deal with the noise and concussion of the muzzle blast.

 

[Forkyfinder]

@p_ham would know if anyone would

 

[SticksMcKinley]

Yes, I had a Tikka barrel in 7mm-08 cut and threaded for a suppressor by a gunsmith who’s done other great work for me and I could not get decent accuracy with it after that. I don’t know what was wrong with it. I primarily use a CA Ridgeline now with a suppressor and get fantastic results with it. That’s not a plug for CA, just my experience.

 

[brymoore]

I had my rifle threaded for a suppressor. My accuracy got a little better.

 

[WapitiBob]

I chopped 2 inches off 26 inch barrel and added a can. I ended up adding 3/10 of a grain to tighten the groups back up.

 

[Chingon]

I’ve only seen increases in accuracy personally. Usually tames barrel whip and reduces recoil and muzzle blast.

With that said - I’d take a 1 MOA suppressed rifle over a 1/2 MOA ear blaster all day long.

 

[ridn9high]

I have a few that I had chopped and threaded and the accuracy with the can was even better. Have two more that are not threaded and they shoot great. Both will be getting threaded shortly, because my wife and kids will be shooting them suppressed.

 

[cgasner1]

I’d be willing to bet when you guys are chopping and threaded the accuracy getting better is probably from having a new crown put on the gun. Even having a factory crown touched up while being threaded for a can has the potential to help a lot

 

[Seamaster]

Two barrels threaded recently - one slightly better, and one much worse.

 

[BAKPAKR]

Two barrels threaded recently - one slightly better, and one much worse.

On the one that shot worse, did you also have the barrel shortened? I wouldn’t think that threading, by itself, would have much of an effect on accuracy, but combining that with cutting off a couple inches/adding a brake/adding a suppressor could change harmonics. And, that could result in the need to either work up a new load or find a new factory round the modified rifle liked.

 

[rogerthat]

I have threaded every gun I own with no loss in accuracy. As others have said accuracy might have increased with the suppressor on. I wouldn’t be afraid of threading it one bit.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

There are people who've had negative results but there's lots of factors at play..

Harmonics change, might not matter, might matter.
Some barrels have looser and tighter spots in a bore, don't want a loose spot at the muzzle.
Sometimes a suppressor on a given barrel just doesn't play nice where a different can might work well. Hard to say why exactly.. Could be harmonics or something else.
New crown and other aspects when you chop/thread.

I wouldn't be worried about it though if I wanted a shorter tube with a suppressor. I have longer barreled rifles that dont get shot anymore, largely due to them not being short and suppressed.

 

[Bigjay73]

If your rifle becomes more accurate, you can bet it's due to being a more comfortable experience while shooting. If your rifle loses accuracy, and you had the barrel threaded, verify if it's the suppressor, or the crown by shooting with and without the suppressor. If it's worse with the suppressor, try different ammo, especially if you're shooting hand loads.

 

[brockel]

Never seen one get worse after threaded and I’ve had quite a few done

 

[steelheadmike]

It may change your POI but accuracy doesn't usually decrease

 

[TreeDog]

I had a barrel that shot really well cut from 24" down to 18" and threaded. It shoots better now. Part of that could be harmonics/whatever and part of it could be that shooting suppressed is so much nicer.

 

[seeth07]

I didn't think I would have much to contribute to this thread as I'm 3 for 3 with success putting a suppressor on a rifle. Now I may be 3/4.

Without the suppressor and with a muzzle brake on, it's shooting sub moa, 3 inches high at 100 yards - right where I sighted it into. Couldn't be happier. Factory ammo that I've been super happy with another gun and this new gun likes it too.

Today, my second suppressor showed up in the mail and I put it on the gun and my first two shots were at least two feet low and into the dirt below the target. I don't think that's normal or good and I'm afraid to continue to shoot it anymore. Could the suppressor really cause the barrel to that be far off balance? This is a barrel that isn't stock threaded.

 

[perma]

I didn't think I would have much to contribute to this thread as I'm 3 for 3 with success putting a suppressor on a rifle. Now I may be 3/4.

Without the suppressor and with a muzzle brake on, it's shooting sub moa, 3 inches high at 100 yards - right where I sighted it into. Couldn't be happier. Factory ammo that I've been super happy with another gun and this new gun likes it too.

Today, my second suppressor showed up in the mail and I put it on the gun and my first two shots were at least two feet low and into the dirt below the target. I don't think that's normal or good and I'm afraid to continue to shoot it anymore. Could the suppressor really cause the barrel to that be far off balance? This is a barrel that isn't stock threaded.

Is the bullet hitting the suppressor inside somehow? Someone else on the forum had that happen with a muzzle brake.