A Tale of Two Rifle Suppressors
There are basically two styles of rifle suppressors. Duty suppressors are designed for heavy firing schedules in operation with semi and full-automatic platforms. These suppressors are typically heavy and made of robust materials that can withstand the heat from constant use.
The other style of suppressor is geared more toward hunting and target shooting, especially with bolt rifles. Just as it is important to protect your ears in a training or duty environment, it is equally important to protect the ears of those around the shooter, especially in hunting parties.
While hunters don’t typically shoot high volumes of fire, they trek in and out of difficult spots while carrying lots of gear. With that in mind, a hunting suppressor should be light, reduce recoil, and drop the decibel level to prevent noise pollution. These suppressors are normally constructed with lightweight materials like titanium, which do not have high heat ratings.
The RXD30Ti
The RXD30Ti is a .30-caliber titanium suppressor that is part of the RXD (Ruger X Dead Air) collaboration. Dead Air has an extensive catalog of duty-style suppressors, but this joint campaign takes all the firearms engineering experience from Ruger to create a can that expands Dead Air’s hunting line.
The RXD30Ti is 3D-printed, which allows for more elaborate and complex baffle designs that are also stronger, as they are one solid piece with no weak points from welds. The RXD30Ti uses Dead Air’s Triskelion and Nomad baffle designs. The Triskelion baffle system helps push the gas forward inside the sleeve, reducing gas backpressure venting in the shooter’s face. The Nomad system is designed to harness the pressure structures of both high and low-pressure cartridges, reducing the felt recoil.
This .30-caliber suppressor can handle anything from .22 rimfire all the way up to .300 PRC. It weighs just 12.4 ounces and is 7.34 inches long. There are a few barrel length restrictions: 20-inch barrel minimum for Magnum cartridges, 12.5-inch minimum for full rifle cartridges, and 6-inch minimum for intermediate subsonic calibers like .300 Blackout.
Dead Air is constantly innovating quick-detach mounting systems for suppressors, offering both the KeyMo and Xeno QD system. With QD mounting systems, the tradeoff is that easier mounting comes at the cost of added parts and weight. Most QD systems require a HUB-compatible suppressor, an adapter mount that threads into the HUB mount, and then the mounting device itself.
The RXD suppressor is HUB compatible and features the Dead Air integrated mount, where the muzzle device mounts directly into hub mount threads. This eliminates the need for an adapter, so you only need the muzzle device and a HUB-compatible suppressor.
Field Notes
I gave the RXD30Ti a workout on several different platforms from the Guns.com Certified Used inventory, from 6.5 Creedmoor to .300 Win Mag.
The first noticeable feature of the suppressor is its light weight. On a long hunting rifle, especially with a scope mounted, weight matters – especially if you are taking unsupported offhand shots in the field.
The second noticeable feature is the recoil reduction. From .300 Blackout to 6.5 Creedmoor and even up to .300 Win Mag, the suppressor causes a noticeable difference in recoil. Ports around the muzzle end of the can vent gas pressure equally to help reduce felt recoil. With that, there is some sparking, as with any titanium suppressor.
On the Range
I had a chance to run the can on a CZ 600 TA1, which might be one of the quietest platform combinations for this suppressor. When shooting subsonic .300 Blackout rounds, racking the bolt is the loudest part of shooting this rifle and suppressor combination.
I have also been reviewing a Beretta BRX1 straight-pull rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor. The smooth, speedy action of the BRX makes this platform ideal if you need to take quick follow-up shots. The other limiting factor with follow-up shots is resetting your reticle from recoil, and the RXD reduces that felt recoil, making it easier to reacquire the target.
The Ruger American II in .300 Win Mag is the platform I was most excited to pair with the RXD can. A Ruger rifle deserves a Ruger can, and what better caliber to push the limits of a .30-caliber suppressor than .300 Win Mag? I decided to shoot the American indoors, because I wanted to see how much of a difference the suppressor makes to the shooter. Man, was I impressed.
