SSS.6.10 - SilencerCo Omega 300 and the Savage Model 10 PC .308
/SilencerCo Omega 300 on a Savage Model 10 .308 with 20-in Barrel
The Omega 300 is manufactured by SilencerCo. It is a 30 caliber centerfire rifle silencer, intended to suppress most cartridges with projectiles appropriately sized to travel through the bore, up to and including 300 Winchester Magnum. It has a 1.56-inch diameter and is 6.9 inches in length with the included Active Spring Retention (ASR) mount and flat end-cap. Multiple end-cap options are available for use with the Omega. The user may also choose to use other third-party mount adapters compatible with the 1.375”-24tpi system. The blast baffle of the silencer is cast of Stellite, while the remainder of the fully-welded baffle stack is machined from stainless steel. The baffle stack assembly is shrouded in a titanium outer tube, which threads onto the rear portion of the stack, forward of the mount interface. The silencer mount and end-cap are threaded into the welded baffle stack assembly. The silencer weighs 18.4 ounces with the ASR mount and muzzle brake. The Omega 300 can be obtained from Silencer Shop.
This review contains single-test results using the Omega 300 with the ASR mount, 3-port muzzle brake, and flat end-cap on the Savage Model 10 Precision Carbine rifle, chambered in .308WIN with an 20-inch barrel. Federal XM80C 149gr ammunition was used in the test.
Summary: When paired with the Savage M10 20” .308 and fired with Federal XM80C, the SilencerCo Omega 300 with the ASR muzzle brake achieved a Suppression Rating™ of 38.3 in PEW Science testing.
6.10.1 SilencerCo Omega 300 Sound Signature Test Results
A summary of the principal Silencer Sound Standard performance metrics of the Omega 300 is shown in Table 1. The data acquired 1.0 m (39.4 in) left of the muzzle is available for viewing to all. This is a members-only review and includes pressure and impulse waveforms measured at the shooter’s ear. PEW Science thanks you for your support; further testing, research, and development of PEW-SOFT and the Silencer Sound Standard is made possible by members like you!
Table 1. SilencerCo Omega 300 Sound Metric Summary
6.10.1.1 SOUND SIGNATURES AT THE MUZZLE
Real sound pressure histories 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.
Figure 1 shows a 1.3 millisecond long portion of the first round sound pressure signature of the SilencerCo Omega 300 as measured 1.0 m left of the muzzle. There are three significant waveform features labeled:
An initial pressure pulse out of the silencer, after the bullet exits the end-cap, causes a 141.2 dB peak.
As gas continues to exit the silencer from the primary combustion event, the measured sound pressure caused by gas jetting increases relatively linearly.
The gas continues to vent to atmosphere with increasing pressure magnitude, eventually reaching a peak sound overpressure of 148.9 dB.
This is the typical sequence observed when firing supersonic .308WIN ammunition from a bolt-action rifle with an attached silencer that exhibits significant flow restriction (back pressure); however, internal silencer design can significantly influence the measured timing and pressure amplitudes.
Fig 1. SilencerCo Omega 300 First Round Bolt Action Rifle Muzzle Sound Pressure Signature, 09-MAY-2020
Closer views of the first peak (Fig 2a) and highest peak (Fig 2b) are shown below. Figure 2a illustrates the consistency of the bullet end-cap exit event between all 5 shots during the test, prior to the influences of internal silencer gas environment. This event is plainly visible and decoupled from the majority of the primary combustion event due to the significant gas flow restriction exhibited by the Omega 300 silencer. Figure 2b shows points later in time during Shot 1 as the maximum sound pressure occurs from the primary combustion event. Note that the total timescale in Figure 2a and Figure 2b is only 0.1 milliseconds (100 microseconds). PEW-SOFT provides a sampling point every microsecond and the individual data points are shown in Figure 2b to illustrate this.
Fig 2a. SilencerCo Omega 300 Bolt Action Rifle Muzzle Sound Pressure Early-Time Peaks, 09-MAY-2020
Fig 2b. SilencerCo Omega 300 Bolt Action Rifle Muzzle Sound Pressure Shot 1 Peak, 09-MAY-2020
The primary sound signature pressure histories for all 5 shots with the Omega 300 are shown in Figure 3a. The sound signatures of Shot 1 and Shot 2 are shown in Figure 3b, in the regions of peak sound pressure. Note the same peak events are labeled for Shot 1 that were previously labeled in Figure 1. The real sound impulse (momentum transfer potential) histories from the same 5-shot test are shown in Figure 4a. In Figure 4b, a shorter timescale is shown comparing the impulse of Shot 1 to that of Shot 2.
Fig 3a. SilencerCo Omega 300 Bolt Action Rifle Muzzle Sound Pressure Signature, 09-MAY-2020
Fig 3b. SilencerCo Omega 300 Bolt Action Rifle Muzzle Sound Pressure Signature, Short Time Window, 09-MAY-2020
Figure 4a. SilencerCo Omega 300 Bolt Action Rifle Muzzle Sound Impulse Signature, 09-MAY-2020
Figure 4b. SilencerCo Omega 300 Bolt Action Rifle Muzzle Sound Impulse Signature, Short Time Window, 09-MAY-2020
The measured pressure regime first-round-pop (FRP) is evident when comparing the overall early-time pressure histories of Shot 1 to Shot 2 (Fig 3b). Note the behavior of gas jetting after a time of 30.25 ms, in which the pressure of Shot 2 is slower to rise. This is best illustrated in the impulse regime in Figure 4. Note that after the initial impulse step peak occurs at 30 ms, the slope of the impulse rise of Shot 1 is significantly steeper than that of the subsequent shots. It is important to note that when only viewing the sound pressure regime at the muzzle, Shot 5 exhibits the highest sound pressure with an amplitude of 149.2 dB.
The shape, timing, and magnitudes of the early-time pressure pulses and overall shape of the impulse waveforms measured at the muzzle, from shot-to-shot, are extremely consistent, highlighting the silencer’s overall sound performance consistency at the muzzle after the FRP, as well as the relative consistency of the tested bolt action rifle firearm configuration.
PEW Science note: One notable observation from the measured data is the relatively long rise-time to peak impulse exhibited by the Omega 300 in this test. The rise-time to peak impulse (peak momentum transfer potential) measured 1.0 meter left of the muzzle of the Omega 300 when firing supersonic .308WIN ammunition is measured to be approximately 22% longer than that of the Energetic Armament VOX S (Sound Signature Review 6.3) and approximately 63% longer than that of the Q Trash Panda (Sound Signature Review 6.4). This is one objective measurement that indicates the Omega 300 exhibits higher gas flow restriction and therefore higher back pressure characteristics than the VOX S and the Trash Panda. Further comparisons of the Omega 300 and other 30 caliber centerfire rifle silencers will be presented in future PEW Science Research Supplements.
As typically indicated, 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. Ammunition consistency can play a role in the determination of FRP, however, the close examination of measured pressure and impulse waveforms typically excludes ammunition from the possible factors influencing true FRP, due to the relative consistency of most high quality factory ammunition.
6.10.1.2 SOUND SIGNATURES AT SHOOTER’S EAR
Real sound pressure histories from the same 5-shot test acquired with PEW-SOFT at the shooter’s ear are shown below. Again, 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 primary sound signature pressure histories at the ear for all 5 shots are shown in Figure 5. The primary sound signature history is shown on the left. A zoomed-in timescale is displayed on the right, in the region of peak sound pressure for Shot 1 and Shot 2. The real sound impulse (momentum transfer potential) histories at the ear from the same 5-shot test are shown in Figure 6. Again, full and short timescales are shown.
Figure 5a. SilencerCo Omega 300 Bolt Action Rifle Ear Sound Pressure Signature, 09-MAY-2020
Figure 5b. SilencerCo Omega 300 Bolt Action Rifle Ear Sound Pressure Signature, Short Time Window, 09-MAY-2020
Figure 6a. SilencerCo Omega 300 Bolt Action Rifle Ear Sound Impulse Signature, 09-MAY-2020
Figure 6b. SilencerCo Omega 300 Bolt Action Rifle Ear Sound Impulse Signature, Short Time Window, 09-MAY-2020
Similar to the measurements at the muzzle, there is FRP evident when examining the waveforms measured at the shooter’s ear (Figure 5b). Note that, again, the fast rise-time to peak impulse is evident in Shot 1 (Figure 6). Also note the very similar pressure and impulse magnitudes prior to the gas completely exiting the weapon system (between 27 and 28 ms). The supersonic .308WIN platform creates significant sound signature even before the gas completely exits the weapon system, as was shown in the measured muzzle sound pressure and impulse signatures in the previous section.
The overall sound signature measured at the shooter’s ear possesses significantly less amplitude in both the pressure and impulse regimes than the signature measured at the muzzle (refer to Table 1). Furthermore, the application of both pressure and impulse at the shooter’s ear is delayed when compared to the pressure and impulse at the weapon muzzle. The combination of varying amplitude and rise time to peak amplitude influences the response of the human ear.
Note the lower average pressure and impulse measured at the weapon muzzle and at the shooter’s ear in this test of the Omega 300 when compared to that of the VOX S and Trash Panda. The Omega also exhibits a more favorable human inner ear response than those two silencers when suppressing a .308 bolt action rifle. Therefore, for the given weapon system and ammunition configuration, the Omega 300 is an objectively quieter silencer to both the shooter and to bystanders.
6.10.2 Review Summary: SilencerCo Omega 300 on a Savage Model 10 .308 with 20-in Barrel
When paired with the Savage M10 20” .308 and fired with Federal XM80C, the SilencerCo Omega 300 with the ASR muzzle brake achieved a Suppression Rating™ of 38.3 in PEW Science testing.
PEW Science Subjective Opinion:
The SilencerCo Omega 300 is a compact 30 caliber rifle silencer that possesses high sound signature suppression performance with measured consistency. The silencer has many mounting options, making it a relatively versatile silencer for centerfire rifle use.
Some material selections and implementations in the Omega 300 design may enhance its durability. One design feature is a Stellite blast baffle, which is intended to exhibit high abrasion and wear resistance at elevated temperatures, and another is a fully-welded stainless steel baffle stack which is advertised to maintain integrity during automatic fire of centerfire rifle cartridges. However, it is important to note that the Omega 300 is not warrantied by SilencerCo for use on 300BLK barrels shorter than 8 inches, 5.56mm barrels shorter than 10 inches, .308WIN barrels shorter than 16 inches, nor magnum rifle caliber barrels shorter than 20 inches. The superfluous use of the outer non-functional serialized titanium tube “sleeve” would not seem to influence use on machine guns. However, PEW Science has not evaluated the Omega 300 for automatic weapon use and that is a subject of continued research interest.
The weight of the Omega 300 is advertised as 14 ounces, which is relatively lightweight for a 30 caliber silencer with the above features and suppression performance. However, it is important to note that the actual weight of the Omega 300 with its mounting system, as tested, is approximately 18.4 ounces. As the Omega 300 possesses a 1.375”-24tpi mount threading, lighter mounts than the included ASR mount may be used. However, it is also important to note that silencer mounting may influence the maximum internal overpressure rating at various temperatures of a silencer. PEW Science encourages the user to contact the silencer manufacturer prior to using various third-party mounting systems with the Omega 300.
The ASR mount has undergone a non-trivial amount of public scrutiny due to reported malfunctions from users. PEW Science did not experience any malfunctions during testing of the Omega 300 with the included ASR mount and noted no anomalies other than the locking collar being very easy to rotate. One could surmise that excessively easy or free rotation of the locking collar could result in inadvertent system unlocking. However, it is important to note that the locking collar is intended as a secondary retention mechanism and if the ASR mount is threaded onto the muzzle device securely, is not the only point of mounting failure. PEW Science has not evaluated the SilencerCo ASR mount under prolonged use and the phenomenon of “carbon-lock,” in which a mount may become fused to a muzzle device requiring excessive torque to remove, is the subject of further research interest.
The relatively slow gas flow rate through the Omega 300 is evident in the measured data from this test. There is an observed relatively slow rise to maximum peak sound pressure and impulse (momentum transfer potential) for all shots and the measured impulse peaks are extremely consistent. Slow gas flow rate is common in silencers exhibiting high sound signature suppression performance. “Blow back,” or increased “back pressure” on a particular host weapon is increased when using a silencer that possesses slow gas flow rate for a given cartridge, barrel length, and weapon system configuration. On a bolt action rifle, the Omega 300 achieves a relatively high PEW Science Suppression Rating for its size, largely due to its high-suppression baffle configuration at the expense of high back pressure.
In this review, the Omega 300 performance metrics depend upon suppressing a supersonic centerfire rifle cartridge; no easy task. PEW Science encourages the reader to remain vigilant with regard to all supersonic centerfire rifle suppression claims. The gas volume and combustion products created by the firing of the supersonic .308WIN cartridge are significant; the measured pressure and impulse magnitudes, and their durations, illustrate this fact.
The hearing damage potential of supersonic centerfire rifle use is significant. PEW Science encourages the reader to consider the Suppression Rating when deciding on an appropriate silencer and host weapon combination for their desired use.
