SSS.6.219 - Magco Arms EDS-30L and the Savage Model 10 PC .308
/Magco Arms EDS-30L on a Savage Model 10 .308 with 20-in Barrel
The EDS-30L is designed and manufactured by Magco Arms. It is a 30 caliber centerfire rifle silencer, intended to suppress many cartridges with projectiles appropriately sized to travel through the bore including 300 Winchester Magnum. It has a 1.6-inch diameter and is 7.8 inches long; the length increases to 8 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 tubeless and constructed of fully-welded 17-4 heat treated stainless steel. The silencer weighs 17.2 ounces, and the .625-24tpi threaded direct-thread mount weighs 1.4 ounces, for a total system weight of 18.6 ounces, as tested. The EDS-30L can be obtained from Magco Arms.
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 8.1.16 for further details. The PEW-SOFT HD Blast Hazard Prediction Tool and Hazard Mapper is presented in Report 8.1.1.
Magco Arms EDS-30L 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-MA-143-001-25. Therefore, data pertaining to the EDS-30L in this Sound Signature Review is published with the express written permission of Magco Arms LLC.
This review contains single test results using the Magco Arms EDS-30L 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 6.219.1 contains the Magco Arms EDS-30L test results and analysis.
Section 6.219.2 contains Suppression Rating comparisons with selected .30 rifle silencers in the same size class.
Section 6.219.3 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 Magco Arms EDS-30L with the direct-thread mount achieved a Suppression Rating™ of 53.3 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.
6.219.1 Magco Arms EDS-30L Sound Signature Test Results
A summary of the principal Silencer Sound Standard performance metrics of the Magco Arms EDS-30L 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. Magco Arms EDS-30L Sound Metric Summary
6.219.1.1 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 Magco Arms EDS-30L 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. Magco Arms EDS-30L Bolt Action Rifle Muzzle Sound Pressure Signature
Fig 1b. Magco Arms EDS-30L Bolt Action Rifle Muzzle Sound Pressure Signature, Short Time Window
Figure 2a. Magco Arms EDS-30L Bolt Action Rifle Muzzle Sound Impulse Signature
Figure 2b. Magco Arms EDS-30L Bolt Action Rifle Muzzle Sound Impulse Signature, Short Time Window
The Magco Arms EDS-30L is a full-size 30 caliber centerfire rifle silencer that uses a patent-pending optimized curved and stepped cone baffle geometry with porting to annular cavities throughout. The blast baffle is radially symmetrical and the remainder of the baffles are notched. The baffle stack is highly efficient; system back pressure is significant. The EDS-30L is intended to be used on bolt action weapon systems. The principle of operation of the EDS-30L is somewhat similar to Omega-type baffle derivatives adopted by manufacturers throughout the industry in many models over the past several decades. The stagnation relief enabled by the EDS-30L design features pay significant performance dividends for high pressure, high volume flow.
The silencer is constructed of stainless steel and has a moderate weight of 18.6 ounces with its included direct-thread mount. The length of the silencer is relatively short for its performance class. At only 8 inches long, the EDS-30L possesses suppression performance that very high. The Magco Arms EDS-30L produces the highest suppression on the tested weapon system in the 8-in long size class by a significant margin. The closest competing silencer in the size class is the Liberty Precision Machine Anthem-S QD (6.170), which is 7.5 inches long with its included mount coupler and brake muzzle device. The Magco Arms EDS-30L outperforms the Anthem-S QD by a notable amount on this host.
PEW Science Research Note 1: Highly optimized high back pressure bolt-action rifle silencers are capable of significant signature suppression due to enacting extreme delay of pressure blowdown. Producing this delay when blast load input pressure and duration are relatively high is challenging. Stagnation relief to increase efficiency through porting and optimized baffle geometries are the gross performance drivers; volumetric expansion in the silencer is only one mechanism. Increased volume, alone, is not sufficient to achieve the performance showcased by silencers like the EDS-30L. The following observations are noted in the above test data:
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 immediate jet throttle of unusually long duration before controlled blowdown (Fig. 1b).
First-round-pop (FRP) divergence begins immediately during the first coupled jet, continuing through throttling, and throughout the blowdown phase (Fig. 1b and Fig. 2).
The blowdown momentum accumulation is extremely gradual. Post-FRP impulse accumulation rate is significantly slower than other silencers in the size class (Fig. 2b).
The FRP to bystanders from the Magco Arms EDS-30L may be considered significant for the performance class. The FRP hazards to personnel adjacent to the silencer are approximately 50 percent more severe than during subsequent shots. FRP hazard differential to the operator is less pronounced and discussed in the analysis presented in Section 6.219.1.2 of this report.
PEW Science Research Note 2: This length class of 30 caliber rifle silencers represents an extremely competitive section of the market. As silencers reach and eclipse the 8-in total length threshold, performance begins to greatly increase. Note there are outliers (some shorter silencers provide exemplary performance) but this general rule holds true. The reader is encouraged to use the Suppression Rating Parametric Visualization Tool (Members Only) in the Rankings to filter by length and weight and view the competition spatially. The Magco Arms EDS-30L, at 8 inches total length with mount, provides the highest performance for that length (and shorter). Increasing the tested length threshold to 8.5 inches long results in the inclusion of silencers like the recently evaluated Inert Haze Dreyse-30 (6.215), Diligent Defense Enticer L-Ti (6.67), CAT JL (6.147), and Dead Air Nomad-L (6.55). The Resilient Suppressors Jolene (6.137), Otter Creek Labs Hydrogen-L (6.81), Liberty Precision Machine Mach-L (6.163), and PTR VENT 1 (6.160), are all over 9 inches long. The tested configuration of the CGS Hyperion (6.27) is approximately 10 inches long.
To illustrate these comparisons further, please see Figure 5 and Figure 6 in Section 6.219.2 of this report.
PEW Science Research Note 4: The Omega Metric of the EDS-30L is relatively high; it is computed as 2.94 [1/Pa x 10] from the measured blast impulse signatures in Figure 2a, above. This places the silencer in Omega Zone 7, very close in external momentum transfer behavior to silencers like the CGS Hyperion. It is interesting to note that the Magco Arms EDS-30L produces an average hazard field that is extremely comparable to the Hyperion on this host weapon, even though the EDS-30L is over 2 inches shorter, as tested. This is a significant performance conclusion and benchmark. It is likely that the early-time internal flow rates of the two silencers are different, 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.
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 Magco Arms EDS-30L shooter’s ear suppression performance is examined in Section 6.219.1.2, below.
6.219.1.2 SOUND SIGNATURES AT SHOOTER’S EAR
Real sound pressure histories from the same 5-shot test of the Magco Arms EDS-30L 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 and Shot 2. 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. Magco Arms EDS-30L Bolt Action Rifle Ear Sound Pressure Signature
Figure 3b. Magco Arms EDS-30L Bolt Action Rifle Ear Sound Pressure Signature, Short Time Window
Figure 4a. Magco Arms EDS-30L Bolt Action Rifle Ear Sound Impulse Signature
Figure 4b. Magco Arms EDS-30L Bolt Action Rifle Ear Sound Impulse Signature, Short Time Window
The operator signatures from the Magco Arms EDS-30L show extremely unusual characteristics for an 8-in bolt action silencer. It is intuitive that the FRP divergence is mirrored at the shooter’s head, and that heavy divergence is displayed prominently in Figure 3a and Figure 3b. However, the blast wave momentum transfer potential (impulse) in Figure 4 is similar in amplitude to that measured using a Hyperion. The overall pressure field is biased to produce momentum forward of the operator. This is displayed in the Hazard Map at the beginning of this report. Detailed Hazard Mapping of the Hyperion risk field on this host weapon has not yet been performed. It is anticipated that such mapping will reveal a broader risk field consistent with similar operator risk as produced by the EDS-30L, but at a standoff distance that is 2 inch further from the primary pressure origin. It is somewhat typical for highly optimized bolt action rifle silencers to produce asymmetry in their hazard fields. Hazards are driven by pressure, impulse, duration, frequency, and waveshape; the gas jetting behavior from each silencer directly influences not only the severity of the field adjacent to the exit aperture, but the spatial nature of the pressure field around the shooter.
The FRP divergence shown in the above data is visible and does result in a hazard differential to the operator. The risk increase for the shooter is on the order of 10% lower than it is for personnel adjacent to the silencer, during the first shot. In other words, the bystander FRP severity increase is approximately 50% and the operator FRP severity increase is approximately 40%. It should be noted that this FRP suppression performance is not as robust as some other silencers in the performance class. However, those silencers are longer than the EDS-30L.
PEW Science Research Note 5: For the weapon operator in the free field, the Magco Arms EDS produces similar risk with this weapon system, on average, to the CAT JL (6.147). It also produces comparable signatures to some of the silencers mentioned in Research Note 3.
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.
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.
6.219.2 Relative Suppression Rating and Length Comparisons (.30 Rifle Silencers)
The Magco Arms EDS-30L suppressor is intended to offer high sound signature suppression across the pressure field, in a length shorter than the longest 30 caliber silencers.
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 Magco Arms EDS-30L with silencers between 8 and 8.5 inches long, inclusive of mount. Figure 6 presents a performance comparison of the EDS-30L with silencers greater than 8.5 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 Greater than or Equal to 8 inches and Less than 8.5 inches long Using PEW-SOFT Data and Analysis
Figure 6. Suppression Rating and Length Comparisons Of .308 Rifle Silencers greater Than 8.5 inches long Using PEW-SOFT Data and Analysis
As previously stated, the Magco Arms EDS-30L, at 8 inches long, provides the highest performance for that length (or shorter) in the research, on average. Increasing the tested length threshold to 8.5 inches long results in the inclusion of silencers like the recently evaluated Inert Haze Dreyse-30 (6.215), Diligent Defense Enticer L-Ti (6.67), CAT JL (6.147), and Dead Air Nomad-L (6.55). The Resilient Suppressors Jolene (6.137), Otter Creek Labs Hydrogen-L (6.81), Liberty Precision Machine Mach-L (6.163), and PTR VENT 1 (6.160), are all over 9 inches long. The tested configuration of the CGS Hyperion (6.27) is approximately 10 inches long. In the two figures above, performance is presented of silencers with similar lengths as the EDS-30L silencer which outperforms notable competitor models, such as:
CGS Hyperion (6.27) - 10.3 inches long
Dead Air Nomad-L (6.55) - 8.5 inches long
Diligent Defense Enticer L-Ti (6.67) - 8.5 inches long
Resilient Suppressors Jolene (6.137) - 9.1 inches long
PEW Science Research Note 6: It is clear that design optimization in the traditionally (subtractive) manufactured silencer space is still possible. Though highly optimized, the Magco Arms EDS-30L design demonstrates high performance achieved through relatively simple geometric modifications to somewhat conventional baffle geometries. Though the silencer does possess high back pressure, it is intended for bolt action rifles where that performance attribute may be of little consequence to the weapon operator. For its length, the silencer is one of the most efficient rifle silencers evaluated in the research pedigree.
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.
6.219.3 Review Summary: Magco Arms EDS-30L on a Savage Model 10 .308 with 20-in Barrel
When paired with the Savage M10 20” .308 and fired with Federal XM80, the Magco Arms EDS-30L with the direct-thread mount achieved a Suppression Rating™ of 53.3 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 Magco Arms EDS-30L is a full-size centerfire rifle silencer that possesses extremely high performance for its length. At 8 inches long and 18.6 ounces with its included direct-thread mount, the stainless steel EDS-30L outperforms some silencers that are 25% longer. Though the silencer does have some noticeable first-round-pop on the tested weapon system, its overall performance is strong and its stainless steel construction is likely durable enough for firing schedules more severe than typically allowed with competing titanium models. The HUB-compatible rear of the silencer allows the user to choose different silencer mounts, to their preference.
The Magco Arms EDS-30L is a full-size 30 caliber centerfire rifle silencer that uses a patent-pending optimized curved and stepped cone baffle geometry with porting to annular cavities throughout. The blast baffle is radially symmetrical and the remainder of the baffles are notched. The baffle stack is highly efficient; system back pressure is significant. The EDS-30L is intended to be used on bolt action weapon systems. The principle of operation of the EDS-30L is somewhat similar to Omega-type baffle derivatives adopted by manufacturers throughout the industry in many models over the past several decades. The stagnation relief enabled by the EDS-30L design features pay significant performance dividends for high pressure, high volume flow.
The silencer is constructed of stainless steel and has a moderate weight of 17.2 ounces with its included direct-thread mount. The length of the silencer is relatively short for its performance class. At only 8 inches long, the EDS-30L possesses suppression performance that very high. The Magco Arms EDS-30L produces the highest suppression on the tested weapon system in the 8-in long size class by a significant margin. The closest competing silencer in the size class is the Liberty Precision Machine Anthem-S QD, which is 7.5 inches long with its included mount coupler and brake muzzle device. The Magco Arms EDS-30L outperforms the Anthem-S QD by a notable amount on this host.
This length class of 30 caliber rifle silencer represents an extremely competitive section of the market. As silencers reach and eclipse the 8-in total length threshold, performance begins to greatly increase. Note there are outliers (some shorter silencers provide exemplary performance) but this general rule holds true. The reader is encouraged to use the Suppression Rating Parametric Visualization Tool in the Member Rankings to filter by length and weight and view the competition spatially. The Magco Arms EDS-30L, at 8 inches total length with mount, provides the highest performance for that length (and shorter). Increasing the tested length threshold to 8.5 inches long results in the inclusion of silencers like the recently evaluated Inert Haze Dreyse-30, Diligent Defense Enticer L-Ti, CAT JL, and Dead Air Nomad-L. The Resilient Suppressors Jolene, Otter Creek Labs Hydrogen-L, Liberty Precision Machine Mach-L, and PTR VENT 1, are all over 9 inches long. The tested configuration of the CGS Hyperion is approximately 10 inches long.
The EDS-30L is appropriate to use with cartridges like 300 Winchester Magnum. The user is encouraged to contact the manufacturer for information requiring barrel length and firing schedule limitations for desired use cases.
In this review, the Magco Arms EDS-30L 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.
