.30 Cal Muzzle Device On a .223

[Valera]

Good afternoon.

My friend and I were discussing the options of muzzle devices that are out right now and we went on a tangent that neither of us could answer. This occurred when we saw DSA's FAL-inspired AR-15 upper with Belgian FAL flash hider. Is there any loss in performance when using muzzle device for a larger caliber (eg. .308) for a smaller caliber (eg. .223, 6.5, 6.8)?

Thanks in advance for your responses and I look forward to reading your responses.

 

[Rail Driver]

This is something I've wondered at myself, though I never looked into it. I look forward to seeing the responses.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

I'm not certain that it directly answers your question, but, I don't think many manufacturers deviate far from .223 muzzle devices being 1/2 X28 threads and .308 muzzle devices being 5/8 X24 threads. 9mm, 7.63X39 and others differ still more. relative performance is kinda moot if they're not interchangeable.

 

[rcmodel]

The biggest problem is, they won't fit.

Various caliber muzzle threads are pretty much all different so it becomes impossible to put a small caliber device on a larger caliber barrel.
That would result in a series of unfortunate events!

.223/5.56 is 1/2" x 28TPI.
Most AK variants are 14mmx1.0LH
9mm is generally 1/2"x36TPI
.308 is generally 5/8"x24TPI.

If you saw a .223 with a FAL type flash hider, it was specially made with 1/2"x28TPI threads to fit the .223 barrel.

rc

 

[Rail Driver]

I don't see why it would be very difficult to fabricate a collar or adapter to mount a larger caliber muzzle brake to a smaller caliber rifle barrel, given the proper tools. I don't think that's what they were asking about...

 

[rcmodel]

I agree it "could" be done.

A flash hider would probably still work pretty much as designed.

However a muzzle break wouldn't, as the .224" bullet in .30 cal hole would not be able to pressurize the brake baffles to the same amount a .30 cal bullet in a .30 cal hole would.

rc

 

[68wj]

If you must, http://www.precisionreflex.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=186810&CAT=4274

Thanks to some 6.8 barrels using 5.56 barrel threads, but most muzzle devices use the 7.62x51 size, PRI and a few others make the adapters.

 

[helotaxi]

.30cal suppressors can be effectively used on .22cal rifles. In fact most companies that market QD suppressors make their adapters such that a .30 suppressor will fit on a .22 adapter but not the other way 'round.

 

[Valera]

Hmm, I see that I forgot how threading is not universal across calibers. Ceteris paribus, if threading was not part of the compatibility problem, quoting rcmodel, there would be pretty much (interpreted as virtually no) difference in performance from a flash hiding perspective, but there would be pressurization differences and a resultant deterioration in recoil mitigation capability of a muzzle brake. Is that my understanding? This is all fascinating.

 

[68wj]

Hmm, I see that I forgot how threading is not universal across calibers. Ceteris paribus, if threading was not part of the compatibility problem, quoting rcmodel, there would be pretty much (interpreted as virtually no) difference in performance from a flash hiding perspective, but there would be pressurization differences and a resultant deterioration in recoil mitigation capability of a muzzle brake. Is that my understanding? This is all fascinating.

Well, if you want to dumb it down you could say that.

 

[helotaxi]

Of course, I'm not sure how you'd tell that the recoil mitigation was reduced considering that .22 cal rifles, regardless of chambering, don't have any recoil

 

[Fullboar1]

I hope Zak Smith posts his findings as he uses a supressor on his Accuracy International sniper rifle (AE) that was originally a 30 cal (308) but has been rebarrelled to a 6.5mm (.260). He also makes Supressors so he would probably know a little more then most of us. I know a 30 cal can be used on say a 22 cal, but I dont know if it gives the same level (%) of sound suppression?

 

[BruceB]

When I bought my Ruger "Deluxe" Mini-14 (walnut stock), the factory flash-hider REALLY turned me off.

Doing some research, it seemed that the thread on the Mini is 9/16x24. This is identical to the British L1A1 FAL rifle, and the British flash-hider is available for about ten bucks.

It took VERY little effort to substitute the L1A1 'hider on the Mini, and it looks FAR better. It also offers bayonet-mounting capability, if THAT matters.

About one hour's work, and ...VOILA! A new (and much better) look. The different caliber doesn't matter at all.

 

[Zak Smith]

Thread adapters are not the ideal setup but they can work. We have some customers who use them with success.

The hole size has less to do with suppression performance than most people think. In the .260 vs. .30 cal suppressor example, it's quieter than shooting .308 through the same suppressor.