Issues with running suppressed
I’ve never had issues with grouping while shooting unsuppressed. I typically get 1.5-2 MOA at 100 yards with PMC X-TAC 147 grain. I’ve gotten down to .8-1 MOA with IMI 168 grain HPBT.
Recently, I’ve decided to go suppressed. Got the KNS gas piston, swapped out the OEM MD for the KAC QDC MD, and added the KAC CRS-PRG suppressor.
When suppressed, first 1-2 shots are slightly off by .5-1” (given the expected POI shift when sighted unsuppressed); however, any more subsequent suppressed shots cause an erratic pattern without any kind of grouping. I am talking about 10+ inches drift in random directions (I.e 1-2 rounds will be high left or right followed by 1 round low left/right then almost on target and so on when aiming dead center).
The range RO guessed that I am getting baffle strikes. I looked inside the can with a bore cam and there were no signs of any contact with the baffles. I tried adjusting the gas settings to no avail. I’ve also tried allowing the rifle to completely cool before shooting again and there was a pattern forming but distinctly away from POA (center of the target) and I didn’t make any scope adjustments.
Is the barrel getting too hot even though I am using a flow through can? Is the suppressor too heavy and changing the barrel harmonics? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. I own numerous other rifles that are suppressed and never had a similar problem. I’ve also tried Googling for similar issues and haven’t found an answer. TIA.