SSS.6.12 - Rugged Radiant and the Savage M10 PC .308
/Rugged Suppressors Radiant on the Savage Model 10 .308 with 20-in Barrel
The Radiant is manufactured by Rugged Suppressors. It is a 30 caliber centerfire rifle silencer, intended to suppress many cartridges with projectiles appropriately sized to travel through the bore, up to and including .300 Remington Ultra Magnum, with no barrel length restrictions. It has a 1.5-inch diameter and is modular, in that it can be configured in the user’s choice of two lengths. The length in the long configuration is 7.5 inches and the length in the short configuration is 5.1 inches. The silencer mounts to the host firearm with a proprietary mounting system; the user may choose from various Rugged flash hider and muzzle brake mounts. The outer tube is constructed of Grade 5 titanium. The first two baffles (located within the main section) are cast of Stellite and are fully welded. The remainder of the baffles (the forward, removable section) are constructed from Grade 5 titanium and also fully welded; the forward section is tubeless. The end-cap is also titanium. The silencer weighs 14 ounces or 10.9 ounces in the long or short configurations, respectively, with the included M2 muzzle brake. The Radiant can be obtained from Silencer Shop.
This review contains test results using the Radiant in both its long and short configurations 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 Rugged Radiant achieved a Suppression Rating™ of 32.9 in PEW Science testing. In its short configuration with the same host weapon and the same ammunition, the Radiant achieved a Suppression Rating of 20.3.
6.12.1 Radiant Sound Signature Test Results (Long Configuration)
A summary of the principal Silencer Sound Standard performance metrics of the Radiant in its long configuration 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. Rugged Radiant (Long Configuration) Sound Metric Summary
6.12.1.1 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.
Figure 1 shows a one millisecond long portion of the first round sound pressure signature of the Rugged Radiant 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 140.8 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 150.8 dB.
This is the typical sequence observed when firing supersonic .308WIN ammunition from a bolt-action rifle with an attached silencer that exhibits moderate flow restriction (back pressure); however, internal silencer design can significantly influence the measured timing and pressure amplitudes.
Fig 1. Radiant (Long) First Round .308 Bolt Action Rifle Muzzle Sound Pressure Signature, 09-MAY-2020
Closer views of the first peak of all shots (Fig 2a) and highest peak of the first shot (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 moderate gas flow restriction exhibited by the Rugged Radiant 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 displayed in Figure 2a is 0.24 milliseconds (240 microseconds) and the total timescale in Figure 2b is only 0.18 milliseconds (180 microseconds). PEW-SOFT provides a sampling point every microsecond and the individual data points are shown in Figure 2b to illustrate this.
Fig 2a. Rugged Radiant (Long) First Round .308 Bolt Action Rifle Muzzle Sound Pressure First Peaks 1, 09-MAY-2020
Fig 2b. Rugged Radiant (Long) First Round .308 Bolt Action Rifle Muzzle Sound Pressure FRP Peak, 09-MAY-2020
The primary sound signature pressure histories for all 5 shots with the Radiant 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. Rugged Radiant (Long) .308 Bolt Action Rifle Muzzle Sound Pressure Signature, 09-MAY-2020
Fig 3b. Rugged Radiant (Long) Peak View of Muzzle Sound Pressure Signature, 09-MAY-2020
Figure 4a. Rugged Radiant (Long) .308 Bolt Action Rifle Muzzle Sound Impulse Signature, 09-MAY-2020
Figure 4b. Rugged Radiant (Long) .308 Bolt Action Rifle Muzzle Sound Impulse Signature, 09-MAY-2020
The measured first-round-pop (FRP) is evident in the pressure regime. Note that after the initial impulse step peak occurs at approximately 30 ms, the impulse of Shot 1 continues to increase, whereas the impulse of subsequent shots reverts to a shallower slope (Fig. 4b). The fastest rise-time to peak impulse occurs in Shot 1, as expected.
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 relatively consistent. Note the slight irregularities in first peak time-phasing (Fig 2a) measured at the muzzle with the Radiant, similar to that noted in the test measurements of the Dead Air Sandman-S in the previous review (6.11). These irregularities can be compared to that of the SilencerCo Omega 300 in review 6.10. The baffles of the Radiant are similar to the baffles in the Omega 300, but of slightly different shape and configuration. This results in differing early-time pressure waveform shapes. Despite these anomalies, the consistency of the waveform amplitudes highlight 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 short rise-time to peak impulse exhibited by the long configuration of the Radiant in this test, when compared to that of the SilencerCo Omega 300. The rise-time to peak impulse (peak momentum transfer potential) measured 1.0 meter left of the muzzle, of the Radiant in its long configuration, after the first shot when firing supersonic .308WIN ammunition, is measured to be faster than that of the Omega 300, but slower than the Energetic Armament VOX S (Sound Signature Review 6.3), the Dead Air Sandman-S (6.11), and the Q Trash Panda (6.4). This is one objective measurement that indicates the Radiant exhibits relatively moderate gas flow rate and therefore relatively moderate back pressure characteristics. More detailed and direct comparisons are provided in Section 6.12.3 of this review.
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.
As shown above, FRP significantly influences rise time to peak impulse. Therefore, FRP waveforms must be excluded from the data set when formulating flow rate (back pressure) calculations that utilize the waveform data from subsequent shots.
6.12.1.2 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. Rugged Radiant (Long) .308 Bolt Action Rifle Ear Sound Pressure Signature, 09-MAY-2020
Figure 5b. Rugged Radiant (Long) .308 Bolt Action Ear Sound Pressure Signature, Short Time Window, 09-MAY-2020
Figure 6a. Rugged Radiant (Long) .308 Bolt Action Rifle Ear Sound Impulse Signature, 09-MAY-2020
Figure 6b. Rugged Radiant (Long) .308 Bolt Action Rifle Ear Sound Impulse Signature Peaks, 09-MAY-2020
Similar to the measurements at the muzzle, there is FRP evident when examining the waveforms measured at the shooter’s ear in early time (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 30 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.
As typical, 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.
6.12.2 Radiant Sound Signature Test Results (Short Configuration)
A summary of the principal Silencer Sound Standard performance metrics of the Radiant in its short configuration is shown in Table 2. The data acquired 1.0 m (39.4 in) left of the muzzle is available for viewing to all. As stated in Section 6.12.1, 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 2. Rugged Radiant (Short Configuration) Sound Metric Summary
6.12.2.1 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.
The primary sound signature pressure histories for all 5 shots with the Radiant in its short configuration are shown in Figure 7a. The sound signatures of Shot 1 and Shot 2 are shown in a smaller time window in Figure 7b. The real sound impulse (momentum transfer potential) histories from the same 5-shot test are shown in Figure 8a. In Figure 8b, a shorter timescale is shown comparing the impulse of Shot 1 to that of Shot 2.
Fig 7a. Rugged Radiant (Short) .308 Bolt Action Rifle Muzzle Sound Pressure Signature, 09-MAY-2020
Fig 7b. Rugged Radiant (Short) .308 Bolt Action Rifle Muzzle Sound Impulse Signature, 09-MAY-2020
Figure 8a. Rugged Radiant (Short) .308 Bolt Action Rifle Muzzle Sound Impulse Signature, 09-MAY-2020
Figure 8b. Rugged Radiant (Short) Bolt Action Rifle Muzzle Sound Impulse Signature, 09-MAY-2020
As was shown in the test of the long configuration, the measured pressure regime first-round-pop (FRP) in the short configuration is evident when comparing Shot 1 to Shot 2 (Fig 7b). Figure 8b also shows FRP in the impulse regime.
Again, the 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 firearm configuration. Note that the sound overpressure and impulse measured at the muzzle with the short configuration of the Radiant are significantly higher than that with the long configuration. The back pressure is also significantly lower; that data is presented in Section 6.12.3 of this review.
PEW Science note: 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. Note the differences in pressure and impulse from the first to second shots in the test of the long configuration versus the difference measured in the test of the short configuration. Silencer internal volume, baffle design, overall size, and other parameters influence both the amplitude and duration of FRP in the pressure and impulse regimes.
6.12.2.2 SOUND SIGNATURES AT SHOOTER’S EAR
Real sound pressure histories from the same 5-shot test of the Radiant’s short configuration 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 with the Radiant in its short configuration are shown in Figure 9a. A zoomed-in timescale is displayed in Figure 9b, 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 10. Again, full and short timescales are shown.
Figure 9a. Rugged Radiant (Short) .308 Bolt Action Rifle Ear Sound Pressure Signature, 09-MAY-2020
Figure 9b. Rugged Radiant (Short) .308 Bolt Action Rifle Ear Sound Pressure Signature, Short Time Window, 09-MAY-2020
Figure 10a. Rugged Radiant (Short) .308 Bolt Action Rifle Ear Sound Impulse Signature, 09-MAY-2020
Figure 10b. Rugged Radiant (Short) .308 Bolt Action Rifle Ear Sound Impulse Signature Peaks, 09-MAY-2020
The previously observed FRP characteristics measured at the muzzle are evident in the ear measurements in both the magnitude and durations of the overall pressure and impulse signatures shown in Figure 9b and once again in Figure 10a with the large impulse rise and duration for Shot 1.
As typical, 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 2). 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 significantly higher average pressure and impulse measured at the weapon muzzle and at the shooter’s ear in this test of the short configuration when compared to that of the long configuration of the Radiant. This significantly more intense sound signature results in a significantly reduced Suppression Rating when using the Radiant in its short configuration.
6.12.3 Relative Back Pressure and Suppression Rating Comparison (.30 Rifle Silencers)
PEW Science Research Note: As of February 2021, back pressure characterization has undergone refinement and Rev.2 of the Back Pressure Metric has been developed. Research is ongoing. Please see back pressure research updates starting with Sound Signature Review 6.36.
The Radiant is marketed to possess design characteristics that result in reduced back pressure. PEW Science is currently conducting silencer back pressure research. Figure 11 shows preliminary relative back pressure comparisons between each of the 7.62mm (.30) rifle silencers shown in public PEW Science Sound Signature Reviews, as of the date of this review publication. The results shown in Figure 11 are calculated from real test data acquired with PEW-SOFT. Please note the following:
The time to reach peak gas momentum transfer potential, as measured 1.0 m left of the weapon muzzle, is the objective quantity used to generate the back pressure data summary.
The first shot from each test is omitted from the back pressure computations due to internal gas environment characteristics within the silencer (FRP) that influence peak impulse amplitude, wave-shape, and timing.
Data is normalized to the silencer with the highest back pressure and Suppression Rating shown (the SilencerCo Omega 300 from Sound Signature Review 6.10).
Figure 11. Back Pressure and Suppression Rating Comparisons of .308 Rifle Silencers using PEW-SOFT Data
From the above data, it can be concluded that the Rugged Radiant does reduce back pressure, when compared to using the SilencerCo Omega 300. The Radiant in its long configuration has 20% lower back pressure potential than the Omega 300 and 66% lower back pressure potential when used in its short configuration. However, the Radiant in its long configuration has higher back pressure potential than both the Q Trash Panda and Dead Air Sandman-S. The Radiant achieves a higher Suppression Rating than the Sandman-S and a slightly lower rating than the Trash Panda. All of these silencers achieve a lower Suppression Rating than the Omega 300. When the Rugged Radiant is used in its short configuration, its back pressure potential is significantly lower, but it is significantly louder.
6.12.4 Review Summary: Rugged Radiant on the Savage Model 10 .308 with 20-in Barrel
When paired with the Savage M10 20” .308 and fired with Federal XM80C, the Rugged Radiant achieved a Suppression Rating™ of 32.9 in PEW Science testing. In its short configuration with the same host weapon and the same ammunition, the Radiant achieved a Suppression Rating of 20.3.
PEW Science Subjective Opinion:
The Rugged Radiant is a compact, modular, 30 caliber machine gun rated rifle silencer that possesses moderate sound signature suppression performance with moderate back pressure. In its short configuration, the Radiant may be considered sub-compact. The silencer is advertised to possess extreme durability and is one of the lighter silencers on the market for its size, at a total system weight of 14 ounces in the long configuration, as tested. In the short configuration, the Radiant is extremely light, with a total system weight of 10.9 ounces. The weight of the Radiant may be a significant benefit for some users. When used in its short configuration on a supersonic .308 bolt action rifle host weapon, the Radiant is significantly louder than when used in its long configuration.
The baffles of the Radiant are varied; the first two Stellite baffles are an iteration of a feature-reduced and modified stepped-cone baffle, similar to the feature-reduced curved-cone baffle used in the Omega 300 from SilencerCo and other companies. The baffles in the forward titanium section have different slope and orifice geometry; undoubtedly used to take advantage of the real estate in the forward section’s tubeless design. The larger mill cuts in the forward section are present to facilitate increased gas flow rate. This is done in a different, albeit similar fashion to the Dead Air Sandman series. As in those designs, the influence of the larger center orifice on rise-time to peak impulse is as expected. This flow rate enhancement, evident from the impulse histories measured in the test, results in moderate sound suppression with lower “back pressure.” However, the back pressure generation of the Radiant is higher than that of the Q Trash Panda and Sandman-S, for example. The Radiant achieves a lower Suppression Rating than the Trash Panda, and a higher Suppression Rating than the Sandman-S on a supersonic .308 bolt action rifle host weapon.
The proprietary mount used by the Radiant and other Rugged centerfire rifle silencers is relatively simple to operate. The mounting system is similar to that of the SilencerCo ASR system, but offers the advantage of more secure rear-taper cam-locks pushed into place by the rotation of the locking collar. The Radiant includes the Rugged M2 muzzle brake mount which weighs only 1.5 ounces; a very light weight and compact mount that can also be used with other rifle silencers from Rugged.
The Radiant is marketed to be durable and is advertised to not have any restrictions on barrel length; therefore, it may be used with aggressive semiautomatic and automatic firing schedules. The combination of durability, light weight, and moderate back pressure makes the Radiant a reasonable choice for semiautomatic and automatic centerfire rifle use, particularly for cases in which back pressure is a concern. However, some weapon systems or users may require even more back pressure reduction than offered by the Radiant; PEW Science has not evaluated the Radiant on all semiautomatic or automatic small arm weapon systems.
In this review, the Radiant 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.
