Choosing a Silencer - Caliber

Caliber is probably the easiest answered but potentially most misunderstood information about suppressors. While there is a caliber on the suppressor and a rating on the website, what does that mean? What can I actually put the silencer on?

The best way to explain what caliber your suppressor would be appropriate for is to look at the max rating on the website. The suppressor may say something like 7.62mm or 300 on the side of the body, but the website may say 300 RUM. This leads us to the two MAXIMUM numbers that can fit through the suppressor without damage. This means that the maximum bore diameter is .308 caliber. It also means that the 300 Remington Ultra Magnum produces an average of 65,000 PSI at the chamber according to SAAMI specs. So, a suppressor that is warrantied for 300 RUM will handle everything under the 65,000 PSI pressure, as well as bullet diameters up to .308 diameter.

So what this means is that the 308 Winchester will absolutely be fine (.308, 62,000), as will 270 Winchester (.270, 65,000) and 6.5 Creedmoor (.264, 62,000). The mild 35 Remington (.358, 35,000) and the 9mm Luger (.355, 35,000) are not suitable for this example, as the bullets are too large to fit down the opening of the suppressor. The new 277 Fury and the 7mm Backcountry both exceed the 65,000 PSI rating, making the example unsuitable for these cartridges.

If you ever have a question about what is appropriate to shoot through your suppressor, call the manufacturer. Suppressor manufacturers are all based in the US (suppressors cannot be imported for civilian use), and are usually very knowledgeable and helpful.

Be well friends.