SSS.6.27 - CGS Hyperion and the Savage Model 10 PC .308
/CGS Hyperion on a Savage Model 10 .308 with 20-in Barrel
The Hyperion is designed by CGS Group. It is a 30 caliber centerfire rifle silencer, intended to suppress most cartridges with projectiles appropriately sized to travel through the bore, including 300 Norma Magnum. It has a 1.75-inch diameter and is 9.5 inches in length. The silencer is available as a 5/8”-24tpi 25-degree tapered direct-thread model that may also be used with Hyperion Thread Adapters. The adapters may be used for barrels with outer diameters less than 0.735 inches or for host weapons with other thread diameters and pitches, such as 1/2”-28tpi. The use of the adapters adds approximately 0.8 inches to the length of the silencer. The Hyperion core is constructed of Direct Metal Laser Sintered (DMLS, or “3D Printed”) heat treated 6AL4V (Grade 5) titanium. The front endcap is interchangeable and also constructed of Grade 5 titanium. The thread adapters are made of 17-4 stainless steel. The silencer weighs 15 ounces and the thread adapters weigh 1.6 ounces or 2 ounces (5/8”-24tpi or 1/2”-28tpi, respectively). The Hyperion can be obtained from Silencer Shop.
PEW Science is an independent private testing laboratory and also the world’s only publicly funded 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 data production for this Sound Signature Review was funded in part by PEW Science Project PEW-CGS-006-001-20. Therefore, data pertaining to the Hyperion in this Sound Signature Review is published with the express written permission of CGS Group, LLC.
This review contains single-test results using the Hyperion mounted with a thread adapter on the Savage Model 10 Precision Carbine rifle, chambered in .308WIN with a 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 CGS Hyperion with thread adapter achieved a Suppression Rating™ of 52.3 in PEW Science testing.
Test data for the compact version of this silencer, the CGS Hyperion K, can be found in Sound Signature Review 6.28.
6.27.1 CGS Hyperion Sound Signature Test Results
A summary of the principal Silencer Sound Standard performance metrics of the Hyperion 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. CGS Hyperion Sound Metric Summary
6.27.1.1 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 5.4 millisecond long portion of the first round sound pressure signature of the CGS Hyperion as measured 1.0 m left of the muzzle. There are five significant waveform features labeled:
Firing system manipulation results in a peak amplitude of approximately 107.5 dB.
The endcap exit event results in the the highest overpressure amplitude with a magnitude of 141.1 dB.
The pressure expediently decays to 113.4 dB.
Secondary jetting begins and reaches an intermediate peak of 133.1 dB.
Latent jetting reaches a magnitude of 139.1 dB.
This is an atypical sequence observed when firing supersonic .308WIN ammunition from a bolt-action rifle with an attached silencer that exhibits significant flow restriction (back pressure). The magnitude of the early time peak relative to that of the latent peaks is very significant, with expedient initial decay. Internal silencer design can significantly influence the measured timing and pressure amplitudes. Preliminary back pressure comparisons are shown in Section 6.27.2 of this review.
Fig 1. CGS Hyperion First Round Bolt Action Rifle Muzzle Sound Pressure Signature, 24-OCT-2020
For reference, the reader is also encouraged to review the performance data of the Q Thunder Chicken in Sound Signature Review 6.20 and the Thunder Beast ULTRA 9 in Sound Signature Review 6.24. The Thunder Chicken and the ULTRA 9 are the only two other full-size center-fire rifle silencers, shown in PEW Science testing so far, to exhibit combined endcap exit and primary jetting peaks of significant magnitude and then suppresses further jetting at or near the level of those initial peaks. The Hyperion is observed to provide expedient decay like the ULTRA 9, while keeping latent peaks lower than the initial peak, like the Thunder Chicken. This is the first time these performance characteristics have been observed to coexist in a silencer sound signature by PEW Science, to date.
It is important to note that early time peaks of significant magnitude are common in small (loud) silencers with extremely low back pressure such as the Dead Air Sandman-K (6.15) and the Rugged Radiant in its short configuration (6.12), but even with those small silencers, there is a decoupling of the end-cap exit event and the main flow. The Hyperion, Thunder Chicken, and ULTRA 9 remain the only centerfire rifle silencers to possess this unique early-time signature characteristic relative to their latent jetting. However, all three silencers have significantly different performance. Unlike the ULTRA 9 and Thunder Chicken, the Hyperion accomplishes the coupled exit and muzzle blast event with the aforementioned attributes; PEW Science postulates this is due to a combination of generous bore aperture and flow dynamics of the Hyperion Technology (see Section 6.27.3).
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 unusually extreme consistency of the coupled bullet end-cap exit and jet event, between all 5 shots during the test. Note the consistency in both amplitude and wave shape which are captured accurately due to the sample rate and raw, unfiltered data stream from PEW-SOFT. 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 is 0.17 milliseconds (170 microseconds) and the total timescale in Figure 2b is only 0.07 milliseconds (70 microseconds). PEW-SOFT provides a sampling point every microsecond and the individual data points are shown in Figure 2b to illustrate this.
Fig 2a. CGS Hyperion Bolt Action Rifle Muzzle Sound Pressure Early-Time Peaks, 24-OCT-2020
Fig 2b.CGS Hyperion Bolt Action Rifle Muzzle Sound Pressure Shot 1 Peak, 24-OCT-2020
The primary sound signature pressure histories for all 5 shots with the Hyperion 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 and Shot 3.
Fig 3a. CGS Hyperion Bolt Action Rifle Muzzle Sound Pressure Signature, 24-OCT-2020
Fig 3b. CGS Hyperion Bolt Action Rifle Muzzle Sound Pressure Signature, Short Time Window, 24-OCT-2020
Figure 4a. CGS Hyperion Bolt Action Rifle Muzzle Sound Impulse Signature, 24-OCT-2020
Figure 4b. CGS Hyperion Bolt Action Rifle Muzzle Sound Impulse Signature, Short Time Window, 24-OCT-2020
The CGS Hyperion does not exhibit perceptible first round pop (FRP). There is no FRP in the pressure regime, and the significantly unique performance of the Hyperion is further evident upon examination of the impulse waveforms in Figure 4. Although the impulse waveforms in Fig 4b indicate a slightly higher impulse peak for Shot 1 than with Shot 2, in addition to a faster rise-time to peak after the impulse leaves the weapon system after a time of 30 ms, PEW Science inner ear modeling indicates a bystander may not be able to perceive a difference in signature after the first shot is fired. This phenomenon was noted in the Sound Signature Review of the Thunder Beast ULTRA 9, albeit with differences in impulse peak timing and shape.
Despite the lack of probable human FRP perception, the phenomenon is still measurable. The fastest rise-time to the greatest peak impulse is noted in Shot 1. This is typical, and indicative of the atmosphere within the silencer, which changes after the first shot. This measured impulse slope change after the first shot is always present.
PEW Science Note 1: This is the second time such behavior has been observed in PEW Science testing. As stated above, the Thunder Beast ULTRA 9 is also capable of masking FRP. While the ULTRA 9 accomplishes this by keeping latent impulse below the initial first shot jet impulse accumulation amplitude, the CGS Hyperion accomplishes it by keeping all shots below an amplitude regime in which human perception is capable of properly differentiating signatures on a supersonic centerfire rifle host. The Hyperion sound signature is of low enough amplitude that humans may not be able to easily differentiate the peak shot signature amplitudes from one shot to another on supersonic rifles. This type of FRP suppression, and the ability of silencers to mask FRP perception in this way, is the subject of future PEW Science research.
PEW Science Note 2: Another notable observation from the measured data is the relatively long rise-time to peak impulse exhibited by the Hyperion in this test, that is actually shorter than that of the ULTRA 9. This is one objective measurement that indicates the Hyperion actually exhibits lower gas flow restriction (and thus lower back pressure) than the ULTRA 9, while being significantly quieter. More detailed and direct comparisons are provided in Section 6.27.2 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. It is important to note, again, that PEW Science data indicates FRP may not be of practical concern for bystanders when using the Hyperion in the supersonic flow regime. The Hyperion is also significantly quieter than any centerfire rifle silencer shown in PEW Science Sound Signature Reviews in the supersonic flow regime, to date.
6.27.1.2 SOUND SIGNATURES AT SHOOTER’S EAR
Real sound pressure histories from the same 5-shot test of the CGS Hyperion 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. CGS Hyperion Bolt Action Rifle Ear Sound Pressure Signature, 24-OCT-2020
Figure 5b. CGS Hyperion Bolt Action Rifle Ear Sound Pressure Signature, Short Time Window, 24-OCT-2020
Figure 6a. CGS Hyperion Bolt Action Rifle Ear Sound Impulse Signature, 24-OCT-2020
Figure 6b. CGS Hyperion Bolt Action Rifle Ear Sound Impulse Signature, Short Time Window, 24-OCT-2020
When examining the impulse waveforms measured at the shooter’s ear with the Hyperion (Figure 6), it exhibits similar low latent peaks as seen ULTRA 9, but at a significantly lower amplitude. There is, again, no FRP in the pressure regime, and although FRP can be identified in the data in the latent impulse histories (Fig 6b), the magnitude is so low and so late in time after the initial impulse peaks, that the signature difference is postulated to be inconsequential to human perception. Once again, the presence of FRP is masked by the Hyperion; this time, to the shooter, and again in a much more significant fashion than with the ULTRA 9.
This is second time, in PEW Science testing, that the impulse magnitudes at the shooter’s ear, prior to the gas completely exiting the weapon system (between 27 and 28 ms), are higher than the latent impulse for all shots.
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. The Hyperion is significantly quieter at the ear than any centerfire rifle silencer shown in PEW Science Sound Signature Reviews in the supersonic flow regime, to date.
6.27.2 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 Hyperion suppressor is intended to possess extremely high sound suppression performance, without regard for back pressure. 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.
Back Pressure Data is normalized to the silencer with the highest back pressure shown, which is the Thunder Beast ULTRA 9 from Sound Signature Review 6.24.
Figure 7. Back Pressure And Suppression Rating Comparisons Of .308 Rifle Silencers Using PEW-SOFT Data
From the above data, it can be concluded that the Hyperion suppressor may produce significant back pressure. The reason for this increased back pressure is most likely the significant flow rate restriction which allows the Hyperion to possess extremely high sound signature suppression performance. However, it is important to note that the Hyperion is postulated to possess approximately 2% lower backpressure than the Thunder Beast ULTRA 9, even though the Hyperion is significantly quieter than the ULTRA 9.
It is also important to note that the back pressure potential of silencers, in general, may not be significant in practical use. For example, the Hyperion is intended for use on bolt-action rifles in which back pressure should not be of practical concern with proper silencer mount sealing. For an example of severe performance differential when mount sealing is compromised due to mount design, see the PEW Science data with the Surefire WARCOMP mount and SOCOM762-RC2 in Sound Signature Review 6.26.
The influence of back pressure characteristics on a silencer’s performance on semi-automatic and automatic hosts may depend on the respective metric magnitudes; this is the subject of future PEW Science research. For example, it is postulated that there is a threshold back pressure metric below which adequate semi-automatic weapon function on typical 5.56x45mm host weapons may be achieved. Whether that threshold is 0.73 in Figure 7 (Helios with its solid end-cap) or 0.57 (Omega 300), for example, will depend on the particular host weapon configuration. Recent PEW Science research at the time of this review publication indicates that a back pressure metric threshold is probable for gas operated 5.56x45mm small arms. Current research indicates that host weapon component dynamics (AR15 platform bolt carrier, buffer mass, and gas port size) can significantly influence suppressed weapon system performance. Further research is ongoing.
PEW Science note: The relative back pressure percentages described in this section are only valid when examining the data normalized to the ULTRA 9 in Figure 7. PEW Science back pressure research is ongoing. Membership contributions to PEW Science help fund such research.
The CGS Hyperion is quieter than all 30 caliber centerfire rifle silencers shown in public PEW Science supersonic testing, to date, by a significant margin. The Hyperion exhibits significant back pressure, but not the highest back pressure. In-depth comparative analysis of the Hyperion and its competitors is the subject of future PEW Science research.
6.27.3 Review Summary: CGS Hyperion on a Savage Model 10 .308 with 20-in Barrel
When paired with the Savage M10 20” .308 and fired with Federal XM80C, the CGS Hyperion with thread adapter achieved a Suppression Rating™ of 52.3 in PEW Science testing.
PEW Science Subjective Opinion:
The CGS Hyperion is a full-size 30 caliber rifle silencer that possesses extreme sound signature suppression performance with high back pressure. The silencer has no perceptible first round pop and is significantly quieter than any rifle silencer shown in PEW Science Sound Signature Reviews in the supersonic flow regime, to date. The silencer, as tested with the thread adapter, has a total system weight of 16.6 ounces, making it one of the lighter full-size .30 silencer systems on the market. Most rifle barrels may not need the thread adapter, lowering the system weight to 15 ounces.
The Hyperion exhibits advanced sound signature suppression and is the second centerfire rifle silencer tested by PEW Science that is postulated to almost completely mask human perception of first-round-pop, the other being the Thunder Beast ULTRA 9; a silencer with performance that has been eclipsed by that of the Hyperion. The Hyperion has a 1.75-inch diameter with a 9.5-inch length (8.9 inches added to the weapon system). Given the performance characteristics highlighted in this review, the Hyperion illustrates a possible upper bound of sound signature suppression performance for that length and diameter design envelope.
The Hyperion is 1.6 ounces lighter than the Q Full Nelson and 1.5 ounces lighter than the Thunder Beast ULTRA 9 with flash hider. All three silencers are of comparable length, but the Hyperion’s supersonic suppression performance is not comparable; it is in a different class. This comparison, with two of the highest performing rifle silencers on the current market, illustrates the significance of the Hyperion Technology. Comparisons with lower performing full size titanium rifle silencers are even more significant. For example, the Hyperion possesses a Suppression Rating at the shooter’s ear over 10 points higher than the Dead Air Sandman-Ti. For perspective, that performance differential is greater than that between the Sandman-Ti and Sandman-S, or between the Sandman-S and the Sandman-K. The Hyperion has a Suppression Rating of above 50 at the ear with supersonic 7.62x51mm ammunition on a 20-inch barrel, which is a level of performance never before observed in PEW Science testing.
The internal baffle geometry of the Hyperion is patented and present in all CGS rifle silencers. The blast chamber immediately vents flow into two primary directions; a main axial flow path and a coaxial outer flow path. The utilization of the coaxial chamber is unique, in that main axial flow is introduced into existing coaxial flow approximately halfway forward of the blast baffle. In addition to this secondary flow introduction, the coaxial chamber may be vented to atmosphere at the forward section of the silencer by using a vented end-cap. An optional vented end-cap significantly changes the functionality of the silencer. It is important to note that the vented flow with the vented end-cap originates only from the coaxial chamber. PEW Science has not yet tested the Hyperion in the vented configuration as of the date of this review publication.
The Hyperion is constructed of 3D printed titanium; continued research shows that the grain structure of DMLS produced titanium and other similarly produced alloy components can actually exhibit uniformity that is superior to that of traditionally produced alloy structures, which is the subject of continued research. Due to the gas flow path geometry which vents gas expediently to the outer annulus, coupled with the uniform construction and proprietary heat treat process, it is postulated that the Hyperion exhibits higher durability not typically characteristic of titanium silencers.
PEW Science has not yet evaluated and characterized the sound signature of the Hyperion on semi-automatic or automatic 5.56mm weapon systems. Those evaluations are forthcoming. PEW Science has evaluated other CGS silencers with the Hyperion Technology on 5.56 host weapons.
In this review, the Hyperion 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.
