Pls. critique my DIY 308 suppressor

[9zeta]

Hi this is my first post in this site. I'm posting photos of my newly built 308 suppressor for use in a bolt action rifle. It's loosely based on Delta's 300 Win Mag suppressor which I saw on one of the threads here. Anyway, I used 613 stainless steel for the end caps, main tube and spacers. For the stepped cone baffles I used aluminum alloy (not sure which specific alloy) since I ran out of stainless steel.
Here are the photos:
#1

#2

#3

#4

#5


Here are some measurements:
Outer diameter: 1 5/8 inches
tube thickness: 1/16 inches
number of baffles: 6
baffles thickness: 1/8 inches
tube length without endcaps 9.5 inches
inner diameter of spacer: 1 3/8 inches
blast chamber spacer length: 2 3/8 inches
length of other spacers: 1 inch
height of baffle: 1 1/8 inches
bullet hole diameter: .350 inches

Comments and suggestions on how to improve this build are welcome. Thanks guys.

[fishman]

Aluminum baffles won't last forever. Stainless or titanium would've been better choices, but for light use it should be fine. Do not let that thing get hot or else they'll erode really fast, the strength of aluminum plummets when it gets hot.



If you aren't happy with it's performance clipping all the baffles except the blast baffle should help.

[9zeta]

Thanks for the reply.

I only plan to use this with perhaps something like 2 minutes between each shot. I hope the aluminum baffles hold. By clipping you mean carving a U shaped groove on the lip of the baffle yes?
What size would you recommend? and would it make the bullet yaw if I clip the blast baffle? Again thanks for your suggestions...

[fishman]

Yes, and yes. Mil the entire half of the tip of the cones off, 1/8" deep

[9zeta]

Also, looking at the photo where the can is attached to the rifle, it does seem to be slightly out of proportion.And when carrying the rifle, it feels somewhat heavy at the muzzle making it feel unbalanced. Would decreasing the length by 1.5 inches result in a significant decibel increase? And among the top brands, would you consider 8 inches as a "standard" or typical length for 308 suppressors? thanks, hoping for more feedback from anyone.

[T-Rex]

It looks like you're going to use this on a benchgun and not a hunting rifle, although, you may have this intent as well. So, I honestly wouldn't worry about what the weight/balance feels like, carrying it from the car to the range. The little bit of extra weight can help w/ recoil reduction, provided it's not too much for the barrel profile and causing all sorts of POI issues.

Removing 1.5" of tube and spacer (you'll need to shorten a spacer as not to lose a baffle) could drop almost 4oz, of weight.
Would this decrease suppression? I would think so.
By how much? Only you will know.

You could thin the wall thickness of the spacers (say to .03", all but blast) as well as step the outer tube (keep it full profile until after the blast chamber, then take 10thou from wall for 3", then take 10thou more for the rest of the way. You wouldn't affect suppression, only weight. You could remove about 5oz doing it this way.

[Rich V]

Where did you get the 613 SS tube?

[9zeta]

From a machine shop in Manila...my hometown.

[Rich V]

From a machine shop in Manila...my hometown.

Are you sure it is 613 SS and not 316 SS? 613 SS (17-7) is a precipitation hardening SS that is expensive and uncommon in tubing form.