SSS.6.212 - Precision Armament TiTrex 300 and the Savage Model 10 PC .308
/Precision Armament TiTrex 300 on a Savage Model 10 .308 with 20-in Barrel
The TiTrex is designed and manufactured by Precision Armament. It is a 30 caliber centerfire rifle silencer, intended to suppress many cartridges with projectiles appropriately sized to travel through the bore, up to .300 RUM with no barrel length restrictions. It has a 1.65-inch diameter and is 5.9 inches long; the length increases to 6.19 inches with the included direct-thread mount installed. Other mounting options are possible due to the rear of the silencer body being HUB compatible (1.375-24 tpi threading). The silencer is 3D-printed Grade 5 titanium and contains a stainless steel Xband (the serialized part) permanently attached to the core. Upon core damage, the core may be destroyed to recover the serialized Xband, and a new core built and attached to the Xband, without modifying the serialized Xband component. The silencer weighs 8.1 ounces, and the 5/8-24tpi threaded direct-thread mount weighs 1 ounce, for a total system weight of 9.1 ounces, as tested. The TiTrex can be obtained from Precision Armament.
Silencer Hazard Map:
The predicted personnel hazards generated by the tested weapon system in this report, in the free field, are shown in the adjacent Silencer Hazard Map. Click or tap the Map to enlarge. Please reference Silencer Hazard Map Brief 8.1.9 for further details. The PEW-SOFT HD Blast Hazard Prediction Tool and Hazard Mapper is presented in Report 8.1.1.
Precision Armament TiTrex 300 20-in barrel .308 Bolt-Action Free Field Hazard Map Produced by PEW-SOFT HD Blast Hazard Prediction Tool using PEW Science Test Data
PEW Science is an independent private testing laboratory and also hosts the world’s only independent public 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 analysis production for this Sound Signature Review was funded in part by PEW Science Project PEW-PA-133-001-25. Therefore, data pertaining to the TiTrex 300 in this Sound Signature Review is published with the express written permission of Precision Armament.
This review contains single test results using the Precision Armament TiTrex 300 with the direct-thread mount on the Savage Model 10 Precision Carbine rifle, chambered in .308WIN with a 20-inch barrel. Federal XM80 149gr ammunition was used in the test.
Section 6.212.1 contains the Precision Armament TiTrex 300 test results and analysis.
Section 6.212.2 contains Suppression Rating comparisons with selected .30 rifle silencers in the same size class.
Section 6.212.3 contains the review summary and PEW Science laboratory staff technical opinions.
Summary: When paired with the Savage M10 20” .308 and fired with Federal XM80, the Precision Armament TiTrex 300 with the direct-thread mount achieved a Suppression Rating™ of 44.3 in PEW Science testing.
As with all weapon systems, the user is encouraged to examine both muzzle and ear Suppression Ratings.
Relative Suppression Rating Performance is Summarized in SSS.7 - PEW Science Rankings
6.212.1 Precision Armament TiTrex 300 Sound Signature Test Results
A summary of the principal Silencer Sound Standard performance metrics of the Precision Armament TiTrex 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. Precision Armament TiTrex 300 Sound Metric Summary
6.212.1.1 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.
The primary sound signature pressure histories for all 5 shots with the Precision Armament TiTrex 300 are shown in Figure 1a. The sound signatures of Shot 1, Shot 2, and Shot 3 are shown in Figure 1b, in early time. The real sound impulse (momentum transfer potential) histories from the same 5-shot test are shown in Figure 2a. In Figure 2b, a shorter timescale is shown comparing the impulse of Shot 1 to that of Shot 2 and Shot 3.
Fig 1a. Precision Armament TiTrex 300 Bolt Action Rifle Muzzle Sound Pressure Signature
Fig 1b. Precision Armament TiTrex 300 Bolt Action Rifle Muzzle Sound Pressure Signature, Short Time Window
Figure 2a. Precision Armament TiTrex 300 Bolt Action Rifle Muzzle Sound Impulse Signature
Figure 2b.Precision Armament TiTrex 300 Bolt Action Rifle Muzzle Sound Impulse Signature, Short Time Window
The Precision Armament TiTrex 300 is a midsize centerfire rifle silencer and classified as a conventional design in the PEW Science research taxonomy, in that the internals of the silencer do not possess venting or ducts, annular cavities, or any gas-rerouting flow paths. However, the primary baffle geometry of the TiTrex system is relatively complex. The geometries of the baffle cones are radially asymmetric and the surfaces have been numerically (computationally) optimized through repeated experimentation. This type of design process is somewhat common, though parametric studies including complex geometric optimization of baffle surfaces are somewhat uncommon. It should be noted that DMLS (3D printing) is required to manufacturer the resultant geometries.
The TiTrex 300 uses non-uniform rational basis splines (NURBS) in its baffle geometry. NURBS are very common models used in computer-aided design (CAD) and define surfaces through mathematical formulae instead of, for example, defining surfaces as a collection of individual polygons as would be accomplished through a “mesh.” Precision Armament uses the NURBS™ acronym to also reference their Non-Uniform Reconvergent Baffle Stack.
PEW Science Research Note 1: As discussed above, it stands to reason that the flow restriction in both early-time and late-time (Omega Metric) from the TiTrex would not be low. There exist no gross stagnation relief features in the silencer other than inherent blast load reflection mechanisms. For example, the first expansion (blast) chamber of the silencer has no venting and most likely will induce higher back pressure on semiautomatic weapon systems than some purposefully high flow silencers. The late-time flow restriction from the TiTrex is advantageous to significant signature reduction and is showcased in the raw test data, above. The following observations are noted:
Relatively long duration pressure blowdown presents at low peak amplitude (Fig. 1a).
Consistent internal combustion signatures are noted with defined coupled bullet shock and initial jetting components, followed by momentary primary jet onset and immediate controlled blowdown (Fig. 1b).
First-round-pop (FRP) divergence is minimal and confined to primary pre-peak accumulation (Fig. 1b and Fig. 2a).
Post-FRP signatures are extremely consistent both in accumulation and maxima (Fig. 2b).
PEW Science Research Note 2: The Precision Armament TiTrex 300 is an extremely optimized silencer with both FRP and gross signature suppression being a primary design driver. This is demonstrated in the measured performance. Personnel risk is not elevated during FRP with the TiTrex; it is effectively masked.
PEW Science Research Note 3: In addition to the pure suppression performance of the TiTrex 300, it is important to note that the silencer, with the mount installed as tested, is only 6.19 inches long. Suppression performance at these levels from a silencer this size, in this combustion regime, is relatively uncommon in the research pedigree. It is likely that the TiTrex represents one of the most optimized performance examples for length that currently exist. As an example, the Precision Armament TiTrex 300 matches the Liberty Precision Machine Anthem-S QD (6.170) in muzzle (bystander) Suppression Rating on this host weapon, and the TiTrex is over an inch shorter than the Anthem-S QD in the tested configurations. The TiTrex also possesses superior FRP control. These performance factors are significant, given not only the size of the two silencers, but the technologies used. Further comparisons of the TiTrex 300 performance with similarly sized silencers is provided in Section 6.212.2 of this report.
PEW Science Research Note 4: As alluded to above, the Omega Metric of the TiTrex 300 is not low; it is computed as 0.67 [1/Pa x 10] from the measured blast impulse signatures in Figure 2a, above. This places the silencer in Omega Zone 6, very close in external momentum transfer behavior to silencers like the Diligent Defense Enticer S-Ti (6.68), though the TiTrex 300 outperforms the Enticer S-Ti in signature suppression and is shorter than the Enticer S-Ti. It is likely that the early-time internal flow rates of the two silencers are relatively similar, given their internal designs. Please refer to the referenced research report for guidance. Omega metric technical details can be found in PEW Science Public Research Supplement 6.40.
PEW Science Research Note 5: Examples of other silencers that are close performance competitors with the Precision Armament TiTrex 300 on the 308 bolt-action rifle in suppression performance include the aforementioned Anthem-S QD, along with the Silencer Central Banish 30 Gold (6.69), Boss Silencers Chairman (6.132), the FOR Monarch 7.62 (6.155), and others. Note that all of these silencers are longer than the TiTrex 300. The reader is encouraged to examine the sortable and filterable table in the Rankings Section of the Silencer Sound Standard and the member visualization tool which allows length and weight filtering. Further comparisons with silencers of similar length are provided later in this report.
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.
PEW Science has made a concerted effort to characterize the FRP phenomenon with true physiological human inner-ear response analyses. Additional PEW Science Member Research Supplements containing this information are released periodically.
The Precision Armament TiTrex 300 shooter’s ear suppression performance is examined in Section 6.212.1.2, below.
6.212.1.2 SOUND SIGNATURES AT SHOOTER’S EAR
Real sound pressure histories from the same 5-shot test of the Precision Armament TiTrex 300 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 3. 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, Shot 2, and Shot 3. The real sound impulse (momentum transfer potential) histories at the ear from the same 5-shot test are shown in Figure 4. Again, full and short timescales are shown.
Figure 3a. Precision Armament TiTrex 300 Bolt Action Rifle Ear Sound Pressure Signature
Figure 3b. Precision Armament TiTrex 300 Bolt Action Rifle Ear Sound Pressure Signature, Short Time Window
Figure 4a. Precision Armament TiTrex 300 Bolt Action Rifle Ear Sound Impulse Signature
Figure 4b. Precision Armament TiTrex 300 Bolt Action Rifle Ear Sound Impulse Signature, Short Time Window
The significantly high suppression performance measured 1.0 m left of the silencer’s end gives way to significant shooter’s ear suppression performance in this host weapon, as showcased in the above test data. The highest peak blast overpressure components of the measured signatures are almost entirely confined to primary jetting coupled with the Mach wave of the projectile; this is a significant performance driver for such a short silencer on this weapon system.
PEW Science Research Note 6: For the weapon operator in the free field, the TiTrex 300 produces similar risk with this weapon system to the aforementioned silencers in Research Note 5, as well as to the CGS Helios QD (6.13), Rugged Surge, Long (6.22), and almost to the TBAC ULTRA 9 (6.24). These comparisons are significant.
The reader may examine the overall performance spectrum in the PEW Science Rankings Section. The reader is encouraged to use the Suppression Rating Parametric Visualization Tool in Section 7.2 below the table on that page to filter for length, weight, and other parameters.
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.
PEW Science Research Note 7: Elevated operator risk during FRP is not present with this silencer, similar to how bystander risk is not elevated. Again, this type of performance from a 6 inch long silencer on this host weapon is atypical.
It is extremely important to note that muzzle signature influences the signature to the weapon operator. This is a test on a bolt-action rifle. Similar jetting phenomenon measured at the muzzle propagates toward the shooter. The standoff of the endcap to the shooter, as well as angle of incidence of the pressure (blast) waves, result in exponential decay of hearing damage risk when compared to personnel adjacent to the muzzle.
6.212.2 Relative Suppression Rating and Length Comparisons (.30 Rifle Silencers)
The Precision Armament TiTrex 300 suppressor is intended to offer competitive sound signature suppression across the pressure field, in a compact size.
Figure 5 and Figure 6 show supersonic suppression 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 5 and Figure 6 are calculated from real test data acquired with PEW-SOFT.
Figure 5 presents a performance comparison of the TiTrex 300 with silencers less than or equal to 6.5 inches long, inclusive of mount. Figure 6 presents a performance comparison of the TiTrex 300 with silencers between 6.5 and 7 inches long. Again, the presented length metrics are inclusive of mount, as tested.
The figures present the silencers in order of total tested system length.
Figure 5. Suppression Rating and Length Comparisons Of .308 Rifle Silencers less than or Equal to 6.5 inches long Using PEW-SOFT Data and Analysis
Figure 6. Suppression Rating and Length Comparisons Of .308 Rifle Silencers between 6.5 and 7 inches long Using PEW-SOFT Data and Analysis
As previously stated, examples of other silencers that are close performance competitors with the Precision Armament TiTrex 300 on the 308 bolt-action rifle in suppression performance include the aforementioned Anthem-S QD, along with the Silencer Central Banish 30 Gold (6.69), Boss Silencers Chairman (6.132), the FOR Monarch 7.62 (6.155), and others. Note that all of these silencers are longer than the TiTrex 300. In the two figures above, performance is presented of silencers with similar lengths as the TiTrex 300. The 6.2 inch long Precision Armament silencer outperforms notable competitor models, such as:
Dead Air Nomad-Ti (6.44) - 6.5 inches long
Liberty Precision Machine Anthem-S (6.79) - 6.5 inches long
Otter Creek Labs Infinity (6.178) - 6.8 inches long
These performance comparisons are notable not only considering the size of the silencers, but also considering the type of performance potential demonstrated by the TiTrex; it has little to no FRP and also weighs only 9.1 ounces with the tested mount. The FRP suppression performance of the competing models is generally not as robust, and they are also heavier.
The user is encouraged to be mindful of the degree to which sound signature suppression, and resulting personnel hazards, can vary across designs. Small arm weapon system suppression performance is a spectrum. The PEW Science Suppression Rating and the Silencer Sound Standard help quantify this spectrum for end users and industry, objectively.
6.212.3 Review Summary: Precision Armament TiTrex 300 on a Savage Model 10 .308 with 20-in Barrel
When paired with the Savage M10 20” .308 and fired with Federal XM80, the Precision Armament TiTrex 300 with the direct-thread mount achieved a Suppression Rating™ of 44.3 in PEW Science testing.
As with all weapon systems, the user is encouraged to examine both muzzle and ear Suppression Ratings.
PEW Science Laboratory Staff Opinion:
The Precision Armament TiTrex 300 is a midsize centerfire rifle silencer that possesses very high performance for its size. At only 6.2 inches long with the included direct-thread mount, the HUB compatible silencer is only 9.1 ounces, has exemplary first-round-pop suppression, and outperforms many larger silencers. The geometries of the baffle cones have been highly optimized through repeated experimentation. A unique feature of this 3D printed titanium silencer is the stainless steel Xband (the serialized part) permanently attached to the core. Upon core damage, the core may be destroyed to recover the serialized Xband, and a new core built and attached to the Xband, without modifying the serialized Xband component. In the same fashion, core upgrades would be possible.
The Precision Armament TiTrex 300 is classified as a conventional design in the PEW Science research taxonomy, in that the internals of the silencer do not possess venting or ducts, annular cavities, or any gas-rerouting flow paths. However, the primary baffle geometry of the TiTrex system is relatively complex. The geometries of the baffle cones are radially asymmetric and the surfaces have been numerically (computationally) optimized through repeated experimentation. This type of design process is somewhat common, though parametric studies including complex geometric optimization of baffle surfaces are somewhat uncommon. It should be noted that DMLS (3D printing) is required to manufacturer the resultant geometries. The TiTrex 300 uses non-uniform rational basis splines (NURBS) in its baffle geometry. NURBS are very common models used in computer-aided design (CAD) and define surfaces through mathematical formulae instead of, for example, defining surfaces as a collection of individual polygons as would be accomplished through a “mesh.” Precision Armament uses the NURBS™ acronym to also reference their Non-Uniform Reconvergent Baffle Stack.
It is likely that the TiTrex represents one of the most optimized performance examples for length that currently exist. As an example, the Precision Armament TiTrex 300 matches the Liberty Precision Machine Anthem-S QD in muzzle (bystander) Suppression Rating on this host weapon, and the TiTrex is over an inch shorter than the Anthem-S QD in the tested configurations. The TiTrex also possesses superior FRP control. These performance factors are significant, given not only the size of the two silencers, but the technologies used. Examples of other silencers that are close performance competitors with the Precision Armament TiTrex 300 on the 308 bolt-action rifle in suppression performance include the Silencer Central Banish 30 Gold, Boss Silencers Chairman, the FOR Monarch 7.62, and others. Note that all of these silencers are longer than the TiTrex 300. The reader is encouraged to examine the sortable and filterable table in the Rankings Section of the Silencer Sound Standard. The TiTrex 300 outperforms the Dead Air Nomad-Ti, which is a notable competitor.
The silencer is relatively light and constructed of titanium. Though there are no barrel length restrictions listed by the manufacturer, the user is encouraged to contact the manufacturer for information requiring firing schedule limitations for desired use cases.
In this review, the Precision Armament TiTrex 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.
