Silencers 101
3 Best Suppressors for a .30-06 Rifle
Adopted in 1906 by the US Government and lauded by shooters and hunters for more than a century, the venerable "thirty-ought-six" is a caliber that has certainly stood the test of time.
Of course, it's a big cartridge, and it makes a lot of noise. Going all the way to Hiram Maxim's first silencer in 1909, he initially marketed it for the .30-06 bolt-action rifles being used by the military. Maxim knew that there was a need to quiet this caliber down, and for more than 100 years, companies have been building upon what he started.
Today, the market for a suppressor that is suited to the .30-06 cartridge is plentiful - something that Mr. Maxim would certainly be proud to know! However, all those choices can make it hard to pick the right one for your needs.
To help you sort things out, we're going to take a look at three of the best suppressors for the .30-06 on the market right now. They are by no means the only options, but the ones on this list are certainly some of the best-selling .30-06 suppressors - and for good reason.
So, let's take a look!
Dead Air Sandman-S
Dead Air's Sandman suppressors have great reputations and with good reason. The Sandman-S is the "little brother" to the Sandman-L, and while it may be smaller, it still retains all of the performance. Featuring a low blowback design, the Sandman-S is touted for not only its compact construction but also for its impressive noise reduction at the ear. It does a great job at taming the decibels you hear when a shot from a .30-06 goes off.
The Dead Air Sandman-S features a quick-detach mounting system that incorporates an index pattern for ease of mounting and removal. It's also outfitted with a removable front-end cap, making the Sandman-S extremely user-serviceable, allowing for quick disassembly, cleaning, and fast reassembly.
Dead Air Sandman-S Specs:
- Weight: 17.7oz
- Length: 6.8"
- Finish: Cerakote
- Material: Stainless Steel and Stellite
- MSRP: $999
Banish 30
The Banish 30 is a direct-thread suppressor that mounts on conventional 5/8x24 threads and comes out of the box as a 9" suppressor holding eight baffles.
If, however, you’ll be shooting suppressed in tighter, more confined spaces, or you just don't want as much can hanging off the end of your barrel, then you'll benefit greatly from this suppressor's modularity. It can easily break down and assemble into a 7" configuration with six baffles. Either way, you'll still get great sound suppression with minimal added length on your .30-06 rifle in either configuration.
Weight is just as important as the overall length in this situation. The Banish 30 is made from a strong titanium alloy for unmatched durability at an extremely lightweight. In the full configuration, it weighs 13 ounces; in the short configuration, it weighs just 10 ounces. You’ll be hard-pressed to even feel it on the average .30-06 rifle!
When it comes time for cleaning, the Banish 30 easily comes apart from both ends and is ready to be tossed in a tumbler, ultrasonic cleaner, or cleaned manually. Reassembly is a breeze due to the baffles being keyed and indexed for exact alignment.
Banish 30 Specs:
- Weight: 10 oz or 13 oz
- Length: 7" or 9"
- Finish: GunKote and DLC
- Materials: Titanium
- MSRP: $999
SilencerCo Omega 300
SilencerCo's Omega 300 is the lightest, shortest, quietest, full-auto rated, titanium silencer in its category. If you like to have choices and options, it even comes complete with direct thread and fast-attach mounts, as well as a removable Anchor Brake to reduce recoil, which can be replaced with a flat front cap if you don't need the brake.
The Omega 300 is popular for all sorts of .30-caliber chamberings, including the .30-06 cartridge. That makes it one of the best multi-caliber suppressors in its class, so it will be right at home on a variety of other rifles, too. You aren't just limited to the .30-06, so try it out with .308, .300 Blackout, etc.
SilencerCo Omega 300 Specs:
- Weight: 14.8 ounces
- Length: 7"
- Finish: Black or FDE
- Materials: Cobalt, Inconel, Stainless Steel, and Titanium
- MSRP: $939
How to Choose the Right Silencer for Your .30-06
Finding the perfect silencer is an exercise in futility; the "one size fits all" concept doesn't apply here, but don't let that discourage you. Instead of finding the "perfect" silencer (which varies from person to person and from application to application), focus on finding the "right" silencer for your .30-06 rifle.
There are a bunch of things to consider in this area, but we will go over two of the biggest ones that you'll need to keep in mind: price and intended use.
Price of the Suppressors
For most of us, money is a big concern and the price tag on a suppressor is going to definitely play a role in what is ultimately chosen. Of course, just because a can is inexpensive doesn't mean it's of poor quality, and the opposite is also true. Just because it costs a bunch, doesn't mean it has the best performance.
Also, don't forget to factor in the $200 NFA tax stamp that you'll have to get to complete the suppressor purchase, too. Unfortunately, that price is fixed and there's no shopping around for a better deal on one.
Use of the Gun
How you'll be using the gun that hosts the suppressor will also play a role in what one you choose. For example, if you're doing bench rest shooting, then the weight is of less importance than if you would be hiking all over the place on a big game hunting trip. The same goes for the length of the suppressor. Tight quarters necessitate a shorter suppressor, and with some options, you can choose from long or short configurations depending on your needs.
Find the Best Silencer for the .30-06 Cartridge
The market for suppressors is plentiful, and narrowing it down to the right one for you can be confusing. Thankfully, our staff has been shooting and selling suppressors for more than 15 years. Suffice it to say that we’ve got a pretty good handle on which silencers pair best with certain guns and calibers, like the .30-06 cartridge. If you’re having trouble deciding, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’ll happily talk you through the options and then, when you’re ready, get you on your way to silencer ownership and suppressed shooting!
