SSS.6.20 - Q Thunder Chicken and the Savage Model 10 PC .308
/Q Thunder Chicken on a Savage Model 10 .308 with 20-in Barrel
The Thunder Chicken is manufactured by Q. 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 1.75-inch diameter and is 8.13 inches in length. The silencer mounts to the host firearm with the Q Cherry Bomb muzzle brake. The silencer is tubeless and constructed of titanium, while the muzzle brake mount is constructed of 17-4 PH stainless steel. The silencer weighs 16.7 ounces with the muzzle brake. The Thunder Chicken can be obtained from Silencer Shop.
This review contains single-test results using the Thunder Chicken 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 Thunder Chicken achieved a Suppression Rating™ of 41.5 in PEW Science testing.
6.20.1 Q Thunder Chicken Sound Signature Test Results
A summary of the principal Silencer Sound Standard performance metrics of the Thunder Chicken 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. Q Thunder Chicken Sound Metric Summary
6.20.1.1 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 1.8 millisecond long portion of the first round sound pressure signature of the Q Thunder Chicken 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 147.7 dB peak.
The measured sound pressure diminishes, and a secondary peak forms at an amplitude of 143.7 dB.
As gas continues to exit the silencer from the primary combustion event, a significant but latent peak of 147.4 dB is measured.
This is an atypical sequence observed when firing supersonic .308WIN ammunition from a bolt-action rifle with an attached silencer exhibiting significant overall flow restriction (back pressure). Although high flow-rate is observed initially in early time, significant latent peaks indicate an overall significant back pressure potential in the supersonic flow regime. As always, internal silencer design can significantly influence the measured timing and pressure amplitudes. Preliminary back pressure comparisons are shown in Section 6.20.2 of this review.
Fig 1. Q Thunder Chicken First Round 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, which is coupled with the highest gas flow peak for every shot; again, an atypical waveform characteristic of the silencers tested by PEW Science, to date. This event is plainly visible and although coupled with the initial jetting, is decoupled from the remainder of the primary combustion event. This delineation is clear due to the sample rate used with PEW-SOFT. Figure 2b shows the discreet sample points during Shot 1 as the maximum sound pressure occurs from the primary combustion event in early time. Note that the total timescale in Figure 2a is 0.2 milliseconds (200 microseconds) and the total timescale in Figure 2b is only 0.11 milliseconds (110 microseconds). PEW-SOFT provides a sampling point every microsecond and the individual data points are shown in Figure 2b to illustrate this.
Fig 2a. Q Thunder Chicken Bolt Action Rifle Muzzle Sound Pressure Early-Time Peaks, 09-MAY-2020
Fig 2b. Q Thunder Chicken Bolt Action Rifle Muzzle Sound Pressure Shot 1 Peak, 09-MAY-2020
The primary sound signature pressure histories for all 5 shots with the Thunder Chicken 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 (early time). 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. Q Thunder Chicken Bolt Action Rifle Muzzle Sound Pressure Signature, 09-MAY-2020
Fig 3b. Q Thunder Chicken Bolt Action Rifle Muzzle Sound Pressure Signature, Short Time Window, 09-MAY-2020
Figure 4a. Q Thunder Chicken Bolt Action Rifle Muzzle Sound Impulse Signature, 09-MAY-2020
Figure 4b. Q Thunder Chicken Bolt Action Rifle Muzzle Sound Impulse Signature, Short Time Window, 09-MAY-2020
The measured first-round-pop (FRP) is evident in both the pressure and impulse regimes. When comparing the overall early-time pressure histories of Shot 1 to Shot 2 (Fig 3b), the gas jetting in Shot 1 has a higher magnitude and faster rise-time than the jetting in Shot 2. This is best illustrated in the impulse regime in Figure 4. Note that after the initial impulse step peak occurs at approximately 29.9 ms, the slope of the impulse rise of Shot 1 is steeper than that of the subsequent shots. The initial impulse step peak due the bullet end-cap exit event is significantly more pronounced than typically observed, due to the combined early-time gas jet from the silencer.
Regardless of the unique and pronounced early time jetting, 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 combination of significant initial impulse “step peak” with overall relatively long rise-time to peak impulse exhibited by the Thunder Chicken in this test. The overall rise-time to peak impulse (peak momentum transfer potential) measured 1.0 meter left of the muzzle of the Thunder Chicken when firing supersonic .308WIN ammunition is measured to be approximately 19% longer than that of the SilencerCo Omega 300 (Sound Signature Review 6.10) and approximately 3% shorter than that of the CGS Helios QD with its Solid end-cap (Sound Signature Review 6.13). The rise-time to peak impulse is 1% shorter than that of the Dead Air Sandman-Ti (Sound Signature Review 6.19). This is one objective measurement that indicates the Thunder Chicken, in the supersonic flow regime, exhibits higher gas flow restriction and therefore higher back pressure characteristics than the Omega 300 but is on-par with the back pressure of the Sandman-Ti and marginally lower than that of the Helios QD with its solid end-cap. The measurably non-significant back pressure differential occurs despite the measured phenomenon of early time gas jetting. More detailed and direct comparisons are provided in Section 6.20.2 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. The FRP signature of the Thunder Chicken measured in this test is pronounced, relative to subsequent shots. Further analysis of this phenomenon and shooter/bystander perception is presented in Research Supplement 6.21.
6.20.1.2 SOUND SIGNATURES AT SHOOTER’S EAR
Real sound pressure histories from the same 5-shot test of the Q Thunder Chicken suppressor 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. Q Thunder Chicken Bolt Action Rifle Ear Sound Pressure Signature, 09-MAY-2020
Figure 5b. Q Thunder Chicken Bolt Action Rifle Ear Sound Pressure Signature, Short Time Window, 09-MAY-2020
Figure 6a. Q Thunder Chicken Bolt Action Rifle Ear Sound Impulse Signature, 09-MAY-2020
Figure 6b. Q Thunder Chicken 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 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.
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.
PEW Science note: As typical on this host weapon, the impulse measured at the shooter’s ear exhibits a third major peak. However, after the first shot, the Thunder Chicken exhibits a measured impulse at the shooter’s ear that is lower than the first two peaks, demonstrating a significant difference in sound signature after FRP, to the shooter. This is degree of difference between FRP and subsequent shots on this host weapon is atypical.
For the given weapon system and ammunition configuration, the Q Thunder Chicken earns the same overall Suppression Rating as the Dead Air Sandman-Ti, but differs in its muzzle and ear performance. Both those silencers are objectively louder, overall, than the CGS Helios QD with the tested host weapon and ammunition. Detailed comparisons of the sound signatures of these three silencers are provided in Research Supplement 6.21.
6.20.2 Relative Back Pressure and Detailed Suppression Rating Comparisons (.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 Q Thunder Chicken suppressor is intended to be light for its size, and to exhibit lower back pressure than silencers of comparable sound performance. PEW Science is currently conducting silencer back pressure research. Figure 7 shows preliminary relative supersonic suppression and back pressure comparisons between selected 7.62mm (30 caliber) rifle silencers shown in public PEW Science Sound Signature Reviews, as of the date of this review publication. The results shown in Figure 7 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 waveform characteristics of unsuppressed shots with the same ammunition used in the respective tests are used in the calculations and the unsuppressed relative back pressure and Suppression Rating quantities are shown.
The first shot from each silencer 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. All unsuppressed shots are included.
Data is normalized to the silencer with the highest back pressure and Suppression Rating shown, which is the CGS Helios QD with its Solid end-cap (Sound Signature Review 6.13).
Figure 7. Back Pressure And Detailed Suppression Rating Comparisons Of .308 Rifle Silencers Using PEW-SOFT Data
From the above data, it can be concluded that the Thunder Chicken suppressor may produce significant back pressure, when compared to shorter (louder) silencers in the supersonic flow regime. It exhibits approximately 3% lower back pressure than the CGS Helios QD with solid end-cap, which may not be significant, but the difference is measurable. It is important to note that the back pressure potential of silencers may not be significant in practical use with semi-automatic and automatic hosts, depending on the respective metric magnitudes; this is the subject of future PEW Science research. For example, it is postulated that there is a threshold relative back pressure metric below which adequate semi-automatic weapon function on 5.56x45mm host weapons may be achieved. Whether that threshold is 0.39 in Figure 7 (Sandman-S) or 0.47 (Trash Panda), for example, will depend on the particular host weapon configuration.
PEW Science note: The relative back pressure percentages described in this section are only valid when examining the data normalized to the CGS Helios QD with its solid end-cap in Figure 7. PEW Science back pressure research is ongoing. Membership contributions to PEW Science help fund such research.
The Q Thunder Chicken is significantly quieter than mid-size 30 caliber rifle silencers, like the Trash Panda and Sandman-S, but is predicted to exhibit significantly higher back pressure. The Thunder Chicken achieves the highest level of sound suppression measured at the muzzle, in its class, in PEW Science reviews published, to date. However, it does not reach the level of sound signature suppression exhibited by the CGS Helios QD with its solid end-cap, at the shooter’s ear. The average sound performance of the Thunder Chicken and Dead Air Sandman-Ti, at the shooter’s ear, is very similar. However, FRP performance of those silencers differs, especially at the shooter’s ear. Detailed FRP analysis is presented in Members-Only Research Supplement 6.21.
6.20.3 Review Summary: Q Thunder Chicken on a Savage Model 10 .308 with 20-in Barrel
When paired with the Savage M10 20” .308 and fired with Federal XM80C, the Q Thunder Chicken achieved an overall Suppression Rating™ of 41.5 in PEW Science testing.
PEW Science Subjective Opinion:
The Q Thunder Chicken is a full size but relatively lightweight 30 caliber rifle silencer that possesses high sound signature suppression performance with relatively high back pressure, but marginally lower back pressure for its suppression and size. The silencer must be used with the Cherry Bomb muzzle brake and has a system weight of 16.7 ounces, as tested.
Like the shorter Q Trash Panda, the Thunder Chicken uses numerous simple cone baffles with a generous center orifice and radial porting. These features, along with its large volume due to its larger diameter, result in marginally lower back pressure than other full-size rifle silencers with similar sound performance, in the supersonic flow regime. Because the Thunder Chicken is longer than the Trash Panda, and contains more baffles, the flow rate increase (and thus back pressure reduction) of the design is less pronounced. Nonetheless, the flow rate increase is measurable, and achieving measurably lower back pressure potential than silencers in the same suppression class is notable. Note that PEW Science has not yet completed comprehensive testing of the Q rifle silencers in the subsonic flow regime, as of the date of this review publication.
As stated in the previous review of the Trash Panda, it is important to note that the Cherry Bomb brake used with the Thunder Chicken acts as a diffusing element which helps to reduce the impingement of combustion products onto the leading edges of the first baffles in the silencer. As the silencer is fully constructed of titanium, the brake may help to prevent significant baffle erosion and will prolong service life when compared to similar silencers that do not utilize a stainless steel brake mount, on shorter barrels. The durability of titanium silencers used with heat-treated stainless steel blast-shielding muzzle brakes has not been experimentally evaluated by PEW Science and is a subject of continued research interest. When used on longer barrels or on weapons with less severe firing schedules, such as the bolt-action host weapon used in this test, muzzle break mounts such as the Cherry Bomb offer less functional benefit and may be considered ancillary “thread protectors” for the primary barrel threads. Direct-thread variations of the Q rifle silencers are available.
The back pressure generation of the Thunder Chicken is higher than that of the SilencerCo Omega 300 but marginally lower than that of the Dead Air Sandman-Ti and 3% lower than that of the CGS Helios QD in the Helios’s solid end-cap configuration. It is interesting to note that the Thunder Chicken outperforms the shorter CGS Helios QD in muzzle suppression, but not in at-ear suppression on the bolt-gun host. As stated in other reviews, PEW Science postulates that this is due to the internal design of the Helios; particularly the outer annulus and flow linkage geometry, as well as the varying baffle geometry in the primary section. The internal design utilization of a larger outer diameter in the design of the Thunder Chicken / Trash Panda and the Helios is radically different, and the performance parameters reflect clear difference in gas flow. Gas flow characteristics in the supersonic and subsonic flow regimes of “large diameter” silencer designs are continued subjects of ongoing research.
The relatively light weight of the Thunder Chicken is well suited to use on precision rifles, and the Cherry Bomb brake is well suited for use on shorter barrel applications in which protection of the leading edges of the titanium baffles is desired, as stated above. However, the user is cautioned to be mindful of heat during sustained fire with supersonic centerfire rifle cartridges; PEW Science urges users to consider barrel length, cartridge, and silencer characteristics when deciding on specific silencer/host configurations. Silencers completely constructed of titanium are not appropriate for extremely abusive firing schedules or flash reduction due to the nature of titanium alloys.
The relatively large internal volume of the titanium Q rifle silencers, in conjunction with the use of the Cherry Bomb brake, may offer acceptable durability on short barrel hosts for some users with supersonic cartridges such as 5.56x45mm, 7.62x39mm, and 7.62x51mm. The Thunder Chicken is rated to 300 Winchester Magnum. PEW Science encourages the user to contact the silencer manufacturer prior to use with high power magnum rifle cartridges.
In this review, the Thunder Chicken 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.
