The Banish Buck 30
The “Buck Commander” signature suppressor apparently gets its name from a popular media personality that I am not familiar with as I avoid television and its influence. Luckily, that has no effect on the function of the suppressor.
The Buck 30 is optimized for hunters. At only 13.8 ounces, it won’t add a lot to your hunting rifle, and its simple industry-compatible hub system allows you to mount it to the host firearm any way you choose.
Related: Harvesting with Suppressors – All About Safer Hunting
The suppressor is rated for up to .300 Winchester Magnum, which will cover most of your typical hunting rifles. According to the manufacturer, the accuracy baffle used in the Buck 30 helps reduce the impact shift when switching between suppressed and unsuppressed.
Specifications
- Caliber: .30 caliber (.17 HMR – .300 Win Mag)
- Length: 6.9 inches
- Diameter: 1.54 inches
- Baffles: 8 baffles, with first being an accuracy baffle
- Weight: 13.8 ounces
- Material: Stainless steel
- Thread Pitch: Various direct mounts
- Self-Service: No
- Color: Black
- Finish: Cerakote
- dB Readings: .308 with 18-inch barrel – 131 dB to ear; 6.5 CM with 20-inch barrel: 132 dB
- Mount Style: Industry standard hub
- Full-Auto Rated: No
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Lifetime Warranty: Yes
Shooting the Buck 30 Suppressor
I decided to test the Buck 30 on a variety of firearms, as I imagine many of you might do. I am starting to think of this suppressor as a great first suppressor for some folks. The ability to change out the mounting configuration makes it easy to switch from one host to another.
The first rifle I used the Buck 30 suppressor on was my bolt-action .223 Remington, a custom rifle mainly used for varmint hunting and target shooting. The Buck 30 fit perfectly using the provided 5/8x24 TPI direct-thread hub. Next was a Bergara HMR Carbon chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. This rifle is also threaded 5/8x24, so the same thread cap was used and matched well to the muzzle thread tenon.
On the bolt-action rifles, the suppressor was fantastic, keeping the report down to a pleasant ruckus. It didn’t add much length to the rifles, though I rarely shoot unsuppressed, so that could just be my bias. One of the two rifles is particularly heavy, so the weight of the Buck 30 wasn’t even noticeable.
Semi-Auto
I also used the Buck 30 on a few semi-auto carbines. My Desert Tech WLVRN is also chambered in .223 Remington, and this required swapping out the threaded end cap for a 1/2x28. I ran it on my AR using a YHM QD mount, which required swapping out the end cap for the ratcheting QD mount that attaches to a flash hider.
Since the Buck 30 is rated for up to .300 WM, I figured I’d shoot it on something bigger, too. Using the direct thread cap, I attached it to my BCA Huntmaster .30-06 rifle. The suppressor did a fine job of quieting this much bigger cartridge and making it pleasant to shoot.
The Buck 30 is bigger than the average 5.56 can, so it did a great job suppressing the .223 rifles. Plus, on the semi-autos, there wasn’t as much back pressure as there could have been. The overall experience was great, which I expected with a .30-caliber can on a .223 rifle.
The experience was duplicated on the larger caliber rifles. Sound reduction was well within my margin of acceptable, and in the open country of these Rocky Mountains, it was quite pleasant.
Accuracy
I wanted to see how the accuracy changed when shooting with the Buck 30. Most of my rifles shoot better when suppressed, so I figured the Buck 30 would have similar results. I also wanted to see if the impact shift claim was true.
As with most of my suppressors, the Banish Buck 30 seemed to aid in accuracy. The reduction in recoil, muzzle concussion, and noise helps settle down both the rifle and the shooter. Smaller cartridges like the .223 and 6.5 CM were less affected by impact shift, whereas the .30-06 was a little more noticeable. An inch or two of shift between unsuppressed and suppressed is acceptable in my book, and the Buck 30 would fit right in there.
Related: Top Reasons to Own a Suppressor
Reliability
The can heated up a bit more when running heavier calibers, while the smaller .223 rifles kept it pretty mild when shooting at a slow cadence. One of my major concerns with interchangeable hub mount suppressors is them coming loose. When I go out shooting, I usually set up my suppressors in my garage using a vise.
I always use anti-seize on the threads, and using the manufacturer provided tools, I tighten down the end caps to ensure they don’t come out unexpectedly. So far, I’ve never had one come loose on me using this practice.
One wish I have for the Buck 30 would be to accommodate industry tooling a little better. Many of my other suppressors use the same tools that allow you to put a proper amount of torque on the suppressor body to ensure the hub is tight. The Buck 30 could use some additional tool lugs so a person could tighten or loosen it a little easier.
Compatibility
Happily, various suppressor manufacturers use common patterns on their suppressors, making it easy for you to use the mounting system you like. I removed the Banish thread cap and tried a variety of different options from other manufacturers, and it was satisfying to see everything line up and fit nicely.
Since the hub mounting accessories from other manufacturers worked well, I can only assume they work with the rest of the compatible systems, as they also interchange.
I frequently use oversized suppressors on smaller caliber rifles. Adding the different mounting options of the Banish Buck 30 greatly enhances the ability to use it across a collection of firearms.
Pros & Cons
For those new to suppressors, the Buck 30 offers a good value. With an MSRP just shy of $700, the Buck 30 is cheaper than many of its competitors. To be honest, the hub mounting system of the Buck 30 is a leg up against its competitors as well. Few other suppressor options weigh less and use an adaptable mounting system like this.
As a true suppressor fanatic, it’s hard for me to come up with something I dislike about the Buck 30. It’s not the lightest suppressor, but it’s certainly light enough. It did a great job suppressing the various rifles I used it on and didn’t negatively affect the function of those rifles. I felt it was more than quiet enough to use without hearing protection as I often do while hunting.
Obviously, I can’t recommend you do that, or you’ll end up a deaf old person like me. All of this for a modest price from a big name in the industry.
If I must give the Buck 30 a demerit, I suppose I don’t care for the decorative engraving. While it’s a subtle and insignificant feature, I would have forgone it. Same with the text on the muzzle of the suppressor – it reminds me of the “front towards enemy” muzzle devices you get from Temu. As mentioned, I’d also like a better tool engagement for servicing the suppressor.
Conclusion
Overall, I have been very happy with the Banish Buck 30. It’s a great place to start if you are new to the world of suppressors, and even if you are a seasoned suppressor veteran, it has a place in your collection.
The Buck 30 brings lightweight modularity and reliability from a rising name at a good price. What’s not to like? I’m excited to see what comes next in the Banish line of suppressors. Stay tuned.
