How loud is a rifle down range when silenced?

Published on November 19, 2018
Duration: 13:43

This test reveals that suppressors have minimal impact on downrange rifle noise due to the dominant sonic crack of supersonic bullets. At 25 yards, suppressors reduced decibels from 139 to 132-133. However, at 200 and 400 yards, both suppressed and unsuppressed shots registered around 130-131 decibels, indicating the bullet's flight path is the primary audible factor at distance.

Quick Summary

Suppressors have minimal impact on downrange rifle noise because the sonic crack of supersonic bullets is the dominant sound source. At 200 and 400 yards, suppressed and unsuppressed shots registered nearly identical levels around 130-131 decibels.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Test Setup
  2. 01:3825-Yard Baseline Test (Unsuppressed)
  3. 02:4625-Yard Suppressor Comparison
  4. 05:23200-Yard Sound Testing
  5. 09:09400-Yard Sound Testing
  6. 11:19Conclusion: The Sonic Crack

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a suppressor make a rifle silent downrange?

No, suppressors do not make a rifle silent downrange. While they reduce muzzle blast, the dominant sound source at distance is the sonic crack of the supersonic bullet, which remains largely unaffected by the suppressor.

How loud is a suppressed rifle at 25 yards?

At 25 yards, a suppressed AR-15 firing 5.56mm registered approximately 132-133 decibels. This is a reduction from the unsuppressed level of around 139 decibels.

Does suppressor effectiveness change with distance?

Yes, the effectiveness in reducing perceived noise downrange diminishes significantly with distance. At 200 and 400 yards, the sound levels of suppressed and unsuppressed shots were nearly identical, around 130-131 decibels.

What is the main sound source from a rifle at long range?

At longer ranges (200+ yards), the primary sound source from a rifle firing supersonic ammunition is the sonic crack or sonic boom created by the bullet traveling faster than the speed of sound, not the muzzle blast.

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