to thread, or not to thread

[sgt_zim]

I'm planning on starting to thread my smaller bores like my 6.5x55SE, but my 404J, 9.3x62, and 45-70 means I'm going to have to have the front sight removed. They're all scoped, but I wonder is it worth it to have that much done. And especially on my 45-70, I'm not even sure it would be possible - it's an 1895GBL, so the barrel only extends past the mag tube by about 3/8"/

Insights appreciated.

 

[BeeMaa]

I’m a firm believer in having back up iron sights (BUIS) on my hunting rifles. If I were to have them removed for having the barrels threaded, I’d have them reinstalled further back on the barrel.

Then the question is height of the sights because most normal sights will not be visible when a suppressor is used. Or when using the iron sights, you could take off the suppressor. I’d keep the same height and remove the suppressor to avoid having extra tall front and rear sights. Taller rear sight might also interfere with scope clearance.

 

[Inline6]

Like @BeeMaa suggested, have the sights moved back. As far as the magazine tube. I would think it can be shortened to accommodate the threads. Depending on what suppressor you plan on running, it may or may not handled the volume of your 404J. That would be my only concern.

 

[Bonk]

Big/medium bore rifles have their own unique desirability. The report and recoil are integral to the experience. I understand why some folks want to suppress smaller hot magnums but anything .375 and up should be enjoyed as they are.

 

[sgt_zim]

Like @BeeMaa suggested, have the sights moved back. As far as the magazine tube. I would think it can be shortened to accommodate the threads. Depending on what suppressor you plan on running, it may or may not handled the volume of your 404J. That would be my only concern.

Looking at the Silencerco 46 Hybrid.

My 280AI is already threaded, so is my 308.

 

[Inline6]

Looking at the Silencerco 46 Hybrid.

My 280AI is already threaded, so is my 308.

You should be good it's rated up to 338LM, they both burn close to the same amount powder.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I wouldn't do that. Reminds me of the old days when skeet shooters all had to have Cutts Compensator barrel boogers attached to their fancy shotguns to reduce recoil and give them different chokes for different venues (e.g. trap and sporting clays). A lot of very fine Model 12 and Browning A5 shotguns were ruined that way. Those guns are hardly worth a plugged nickel today. Similarly, no one with the money to go to Africa would buy a gun with a can on it, especially dangerous game rifles.

 

[Inline6]

This is a lot different than that. When a can is not in use, put a thread protector on it. Some smith's blend them in and you can't even tell it has a cap.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

This is a lot different than that. When a can is not in use, put a thread protector on it. Some smith's blend them in and you can't even tell it has a cap.

Well then, that would mean he'd have to move the front iron sight back down the barrel away from the muzzle. Very un-DGR looking. Or just scope the gun and remove the iron sights altogether? Right. Make it look like an oversize deer rifle. Both options will work but what happens to the value of the guns?

We all know how important appearances are for this "style" of hunting. Look at the recent silly discussion about the utility or lack thereof for choosing classic straight bolt DGR vs swept back bolt. I think it will be a long time before anything so stylistically "disfiguring" as threads for a suppressor are acceptable to those culture conscious consumers.

 

[sgt_zim]

Well then, that would mean he'd have to move the front iron sight back down the barrel away from the muzzle. Very un-DGR looking. Or just scope the gun and remove the iron sights altogether? Right. Make it look like an oversize deer rifle. Both options will work but what happens to the value of the guns?

We all know how important appearances are for this "style" of hunting. Look at the recent silly discussion about the utility or lack thereof for choosing classic straight bolt DGR vs swept back bolt. I think it will be a long time before anything so stylistically "disfiguring" as threads for a suppressor are acceptable to those culture conscious consumers.

I'm not too worried about the aesthetics.

A) I'm a lefty, so beggars can't be choosers
B) the 404J is a Montana Rifle Company Alaskan - synthetic stock, SS barrel
C) the 9.3x62 is a Zastava, cuz they're the only game in town who makes lefties in that caliber
D) the 45-70 is a Marlington 1895GBL. About to put new furniture on it anyway because I don't like the laminate; and this may be off the table anyway.

A buddy of mine just got his 375 Ruger threaded yesterday, I'll talk to his guy and see what it would take to do any of those.

My 6.5 Swede is a no-brainer. It doesn't have iron sights.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I'm not too worried about the aesthetics.

A) I'm a lefty, so beggars can't be choosers
B) the 404J is a Montana Rifle Company Alaskan - synthetic stock, SS barrel
C) the 9.3x62 is a Zastava, cuz they're the only game in town who makes lefties in that caliber
D) the 45-70 is a Marlington 1895GBL. About to put new furniture on it anyway because I don't like the laminate; and this may be off the table anyway.

A buddy of mine just got his 375 Ruger threaded yesterday, I'll talk to his guy and see what it would take to do any of those.

My 6.5 Swede is a no-brainer. It doesn't have iron sights.

Ah, working guns! Then make em work. (thumbs up emoji)

 

[Daisy]

I got my 375 and 416 Ruger Blaser r8 threaded. No problems and I’ve never missed front sights.

 

[BeeMaa]

I got my 375 and 416 Ruger Blaser r8 threaded. No problems and I’ve never missed front sights.

I suppose if you have two DG legal rifles in Africa, the probability of both scopes being damaged is slim.

Call me old fashioned but for the extra couple of ounces (or dollars) that BUIS add, I see no reason to forgo that option. For the record - those with BUIS are best served with having them ACTUALLY sighted in and practiced with.

Blaser R8 300WM (17mm standard profile) barrel threaded M15-1.

 

[Daisy]

I’ll give you a reason my friend.

I use over the barrel suppressors. Saves anywhere from 2-5” of barrel length.

In my opinion, which is worth next to nothing, 5” less barrel length could save life in Africa with getting your barrel around for a good shot, not getting caught on bush, quicker target acquisition. This with the theoretical scope busted on charge, you take off qd scope, and use iron sites.

 

[BeeMaa]

I’ll give you a reason my friend.

I use over the barrel suppressors. Saves anywhere from 2-5” of barrel length.

In my opinion, which is worth next to nothing, 5” less barrel length could save life in Africa with getting your barrel around for a good shot, not getting caught on bush, quicker target acquisition. This with the theoretical scope busted on charge, you take off qd scope, and use iron sites.

Valid point.

And there's more than enough room for both of our opinions on a hunt. Cheers my friend.

 

[F. Vaccaro]

Cans are very popular these days, but , personally, I wouldn't thread an unthreaded bbl. ESPECIALLY A 95 MARLIN!

 

[Daisy]

Valid point.

And there's more than enough room for both of our opinions on a hunt. Cheers my friend.

Absolutely. You’re a fine gentleman and I appreciate your posts.

And thinking aloud for dangerous game really you only need a short suppressor to take the edge of recoil and sound. It’s not like anyone shoots those a ton. So a regular suppressor and sights makes sense.

 

[Daisy]

I think someone posted about silencerco 46. I think it’s a great all purpose suppressor that can be used on many firearms. My first supressor was silencerco.

That said, I think you can get better value with more features with some other brands these days

 

[CBH Australia]

Absolutely. You’re a fine gentleman and I appreciate your posts.

And thinking aloud for dangerous game really you only need a short suppressor to take the edge of recoil and sound. It’s not like anyone shoots those a ton. So a regular suppressor and sights makes sense.

Yes, BeeMaa is a fine Gentleman indeed.

I will throw a spanner in the works. What about a double? Since they are are often associated with big bore and dangerous game I haven't seen a suppressor suited to a double or a double fitted with a suppressor.

I did consider early on that some have over the barrel suppressors. I don't have any due to our laws prohibiting them.

Yes, gunsmiths can match the cap to be blended.

I think open sights look the part on DG rifles. I also think barrel bands look the part.

 

[Daisy]

Yes, BeeMaa is a fine Gentleman indeed.

I will throw a spanner in the works. What about a double? Since they are are often associated with big bore and dangerous game I haven't seen a suppressor suited to a double or a double fitted with a suppressor.

I did consider early on that some have over the barrel suppressors. I don't have any due to our laws prohibiting them.

Yes, gunsmiths can match the cap to be blended.

I think open sights look the part on DG rifles. I also think barrel bands look the part.

Please don’t add to my recent large caliber obsession. I’m sure I will get there. Ha.