SSS.6.35 - Richmond Tactical RT30Ti and the Q mini FIX 300 BLK Subsonic (Free Version)
/Richmond Tactical RT30Ti on a Q mini FIX 300 BLK with 8-in Barrel
The RT30Ti is designed and manufactured by Richmond Tactical. It is a 30 caliber centerfire rifle silencer, intended to suppress most cartridges with projectiles appropriately sized to travel through the bore, including 300 Winchester Magnum. It has a 1.61-inch diameter and is 8.375 inches in length. The silencer mounts to a proprietary two-port muzzle brake mount; the attachment of the silencer to the mount is facilitated by coarse threads behind a forward seating taper. The silencer is also available with a rear modular threading option in 1.375″ x 24 tpi for use with third-party mount options. The silencer has a removable end-cap that may be fitted with a wipe, if desired. The silencer is tubeless and constructed of 6AL-4V titanium and the muzzle brake is constructed of 17-4 heat treated stainless steel. The silencer and brake weigh 12.8 and 1.5 ounces, respectively, for a total system weight of 14.3 ounces, as tested. The RT30Ti can be obtained from Richmond Tactical.
PEW Science is an independent private testing laboratory and also the world’s only publicly funded suppressed small arms research cooperative. Testing, data analysis, and reporting is generated with funding provided by PEW Science members. Any test data that is generated with any portion of private funding contains this disclosure. The testing and data production for this Sound Signature Review was funded in part by PEW Science Project PEW-RT-007-001-20. Therefore, data pertaining to the RT30Ti in this Sound Signature Review is published with the express written permission of KSSM Industries, LLC (dba Richmond Tactical).
This review contains single-test results using the RT30Ti mounted with the Dual Port Muzzle Brake on the Q mini FIX bolt action pistol, chambered in 300 BLK with an 8-inch barrel. Discreet Ballistics 190gr ammunition was used in the test.
Summary: When paired with the Q mini FIX 8” 300 BLK and fired with Discreet Ballistics 190gr Subsonic Target ammunition, the Richmond Tactical RT30Ti with Dual Port Muzzle Brake achieved a Suppression Rating™ of 55.7 in PEW Science testing.
The performance of the RT30Ti on supersonic .308 is detailed in PEW Science Sound Signature Review 6.34, in which it achieved a Suppression Rating of 40.3.
Relative Suppression Rating Performance is Summarized in SSS.7 - PEW Science Rankings
6.35.1 RT30Ti Sound Signature Test Results
A summary of the principal Silencer Sound Standard performance metrics of the RT30Ti is shown in Table 1. The data acquired 1.0 m (39.4 in) left of the muzzle is available for viewing to all. The data acquired 0.15 m (6 in) right of the shooter’s ear is only available to membership supporters of PEW Science and the Silencer Sound Standard. You can support PEW Science testing, research, and development with a membership, here. State-of-the-art firearm sound signature testing and research conducted by PEW Science is supported by readers like you.
Table 1. Richmond Tactical RT30Ti Sound Metric Summary
6.30.1.1 SOUND SIGNATURES AT THE MUZZLE
Real sound pressure histories from a 5-shot test acquired with PEW-SOFT™ are shown below. The waveforms are not averaged, decimated, or filtered. The data acquisition rate used in all PEW Science testing is 1.0 MS/s (1 MHz). The peaks, shape, and time phasing (when the peaks occur in relation to absolute time and to each other) of these raw waveforms are the most accurate of any firearm silencer testing publicly available. PEW-SOFT data is acquired by PEW Science independent testing; the industry leader in silencer sound research. For more information, please consult the Silencer Sound Standard, here.
Figure 1 shows a 2.6-millisecond long sequence of events during the first test shot with the RT30Ti, as measured 1.0 m left of the muzzle. There are five significant events shown:
During firing system manipulation (trigger and striker actuation) the signature reaches a 108.0 dB amplitude.
The next peak of 124.0 dB occurs during combustion within the weapon system.
As the pressure pulse exits the silencer, an initial peak of 125.4 dB is measured.
Jetting increases out of the silencer end-cap, and a 139.8 dB peak occurs.
The maximum peak pressure amplitude of the first shot is measured to be 141.8 dB.
This is a somewhat atypical sequence observed when firing subsonic 300 BLK ammunition from a bolt-action weapon system with an attached silencer. Internal silencer design can significantly influence the measured timing and pressure amplitudes.
Fig. 1 Early-Time Shot History, Richmond Tactical RT30Ti Bolt Action 300 BLK Muzzle Sound Pressure Signature, 24-OCT-2020
One distinguishing feature of the signature shown in Figure 1 is the delayed rise to a significant peak amplitude during the end-cap exit event. This is postulated to occur as a result of the length and baffle quantity of the RT30Ti. For comparison, the reader is encouraged to examine the subsonic 300 BLK test first round signatures of the Q Half Nelson in Sound Signature Review 6.29 and the Energetic Armament VOX S in Sound Signature Review 6.25. One notable difference between the early-time signature of the RT30Ti and those two silencers with subsonic 300 BLK is the significantly lower amplitude of the end-cap exit event with the RT30Ti. Overall subsonic 300 BLK performance comparisons of the two silencers are shown in Section 6.35.2 of this review.
The primary sound signature pressure histories for all 5 shots are shown in Figure 2a. A zoomed-in timescale displays the region of peak sound pressure in Figure 2b, for the first two shots. The real sound impulse (momentum transfer potential) histories from the same 5-shot test are shown in Figure 3. Again, full and short timescales are shown.
Fig 2a. Richmond Tactical RT30Ti Bolt Action 300 BLK Muzzle Sound Pressure Signature, 24-OCT-2020
Fig 2b. Richmond Tactical RT30Ti Bolt Action 300 BLK Muzzle Sound Pressure Signature, Short Time Window, 24-OCT-2020
Figure 3a. Richmond Tactical RT30Ti Bolt Action 300 BLK Muzzle Sound Impulse Signature, 24-OCT-2020
Figure 3b. Richmond Tactical RT30Ti Bolt Action 300 BLK Muzzle Sound Impulse Signature, 24-OCT-2020
Figure 2 shows a slight pressure regime first-round-pop (FRP). Figure 3 shows a more exaggerated FRP in impulse space. The first round pop is postulated to be noticeable to bystanders, as determined by PEW Science inner-ear response analysis. However, it is interesting to note that although the FRP is noticeable, the overall magnitude of the FRP impulse with the RT30Ti is similar to the impulse of all shots with the Energetic Armament VOX-S; that is, the VOX-S exhibits a sound signature at the muzzle that is always louder than that of the RT30Ti. The Q Half Nelson has more FRP impulse at the muzzle than the RT30Ti.
PEW Science Note 1: There is a very smooth, relatively featureless rise in impulse at a time of 29.6 ms with the RT30Ti that is not observed in the signatures of the VOX S, Half Nelson, or Resonator K. This is a reflection, in impulse space, of the low amplitude of the early-time endcap exit event pressure.
PEW Science Note 2: First-round sound signatures always differ from subsequent shots, as the atmosphere within the silencer changes. The FRP phenomenon cannot always be shown by viewing only the peak sound pressure. This is one of the reasons why The Silencer Sound Standard requires examining multiple sound signature metrics.
With subsonic 300 BLK, the RT30Ti is quieter to bystanders than the Energetic Armament VOX S, the YHM Resonator K, and the Q Half Nelson. Direct comparisons are provided in Section 6.35.2, below. The FRP of all four silencers is noticeable to bystanders, with that of the RT30Ti being the least noticeable. In-depth comparison of the sound signatures of these silencers with subsonic 300BLK is the subject of a future PEW Science Member Research Supplement. PEW Science has also evaluated the RT30Ti on the supersonic 7.62x51mm bolt action platform in Sound Signature Review 6.34.
6.35.2 Suppression Rating Comparison - Subsonic 300 BLK
The Richmond Tactical RT30Ti suppressor is intended to possess high sound suppression performance. Figure 6 shows a performance comparison of the four .30 rifle silencers tested with the subsonic 300 BLK cartridge shown in public PEW Science testing, to date. Unsuppressed and suppressed Suppression Ratings are shown for both the shooter and bystanders.
Figure 6. Suppression Rating Comparisons Of .30 Rifle Silencers Using PEW-SOFT Data 300 BLK Subsonic Test Data
Note that the performance of the RT30Ti at the weapon muzzle, which is an indicator of nearby bystander sound signature perception, is higher than that of both the Energetic Armament VOX S and Q Half Nelson. At the shooter’s ear, the performance gap with the Half Nelson is smaller, with its at-ear Suppression Rating approximately 0.5 points away from that of the Half Nelson, on average. This indicates that although bystanders will experience a quieter sound signature suppressing subsonic 300 BLK with the RT30Ti when compared to the Half Nelson, the difference to personnel firing the weapon may not be as great. However, it is important to note that the difference in FRP signature between the RT30Ti and Half Nelson with subsonic 300 BLK is noticeable, and the Q Half Nelson silencer has significantly louder FRP to the shooter than does the RT30Ti. In-depth FRP signature evaluations of these silencers in the subsonic flow regime is the subject of a future PEW Science Member Research Supplement. The Resonator K and VOX S are objectively louder silencers. Bolt-action host weapon testing allows strict isolation of sound suppression performance variables.
Back pressure characteristics of the Richmond Tactical RT30Ti in the supersonic flow regime is reported in Sound Signature Review 6.34.
6.35.3 Review Summary: Richmond Tactical RT30Ti on a Q mini FIX 300 BLK with 8-in Barrel
When paired with the Q mini FIX 8” 300 BLK and fired with Discreet Ballistics 190gr Subsonic Target ammunition, the Richmond Tactical RT30Ti with Dual Port Muzzle Brake achieved a Suppression Rating™ of 55.7 in PEW Science testing.
PEW Science Subjective Opinion:
The Richmond Tactical RT30Ti is a relatively light weight centerfire rifle silencer with a diameter in-between the popular 1.5-inch and 1.75-inch categories, with a proprietary muzzle brake taper mount and an end-cap that can facilitate the use of an optional wipe if the user is so inclined. With tubeless construction, a relatively efficiently ported baffle stack, and a simple mounting system, the silencer offers features and performance that may be attractive to some users.
The RT30Ti contains eleven baffles at varying spacing. The baffles are single-step straight cones, ported and notched, circumferentially welded, forming the “tubeless” body. It is interesting to see this type of baffle in a tubeless format with a 1.61” outer diameter; this is the first silencer of that configuration evaluated by PEW Science. In addition to the somewhat uncommon diameter in the market, the option to use a wipe in the silencer endcap is somewhat unique to a full size rifle silencer. The supersonic suppression performance and postulated backpressure generation of the RT30Ti is competitive with many other full size silencers on the market that possess traditional straight cone or curved cone baffles. The subsonic suppression performance is also competitive. As stated in the previous review of the RT30Ti, one subjective highlight is the high quality machining of the silencer; PEW Science observed subjectively high quality fit-and-finish of the test sample.
As on the .308 bolt action host, the version of the silencer tested by PEW Science was mounted with the proprietary Richmond Tactical tapered muzzle brake on the 300 BLK host; this mount is similar to others on the market, in that it has coarse threads that are isolated from fouling by a forward seating taper. Features of this mount that are different than some others on the market include functional brake porting and rear wrench flats for installation/removal on the host weapon. It is important to note that Richmond Tactical also offers version(s) of their rifle silencers with the popular 1.375″ x 24tpi rear mount threading. This may be attractive to users who wish to use third-party mounts with the silencer. A note that bears repeating is that users have provided anecdotal reports indicating that different mounting solutions may result in different back pressure characteristics with different silencers. This phenomenon has not yet been investigated by PEW Science.
First round pop (FRP) in the subsonic flow regime continues to be a significant phenomenon observed by PEW Science. The RT30Ti is observed to address it better than some other silencers, such as the Q Half Nelson and Energetic Armament VOX S. It is important to note that the subsonic 300 BLK cartridge is intended to excel at highly reduced sound signature. Users primarily concerned with sound signature suppression on this platform should know that FRP can be a significant performance factor.
PEW Science has performed wiped testing of Richmond Tactical rifle silencers. That data is the subject of a future Sound Signature Review publication.
In this review, the RT30Ti performance metrics depend upon suppressing a subsonic intermediate rifle cartridge. While the sound signature of such cartridges can be suppressed to levels that may result in the desire of the shooter and bystanders to not wear hearing protection, PEW Science encourages the reader to remain vigilant with regard to all subsonic rifle cartridge suppression claims. The gas volume and combustion products created by firing a subsonic intermediate rifle cartridge such as 300 BLK are still significant; the measured pressure and impulse magnitudes, and their durations, illustrate this fact.
The hearing damage potential of subsonic rifle use is not insignificant. PEW Science encourages the reader to consider the Suppression Rating when deciding on an appropriate silencer and host weapon combination for their desired use.
