Continuing down the list of the hunting pack contents from my deer hunting load out to review leads to a few tools that I carry specifically to support the SilencerCo Harvester suppressor that I also carry in the pack. Rather than writing a separate review for each item, I’m going to review the silencer instead and include some tidbits about the supporting tools. Honestly, I can’t see how I can write a full review on a 9/16 wrench and I doubt many readers would care to read such a thing. I will add that I’m still in the honeymoon phase with suppressors and I’m still learning a lot about them, so please keep that in mind as you read this review.
While I was waiting for the approval to take possession of the first silencer I purchased, I started shopping for a second one with the intent to pair it with my wife’s hunting rifle. The selection criteria was a bit different for this can. The criteria included:
- .264 caliber compatibility
- Direct thread mountable to avoid having to install a QD muzzle device on the hunting rifle
- Compatibility with the 7/16×28 thread pitch of the hunting rifles threaded barrel
- Lightweight preferred to keep the overall weight of the hunting rifle down
- Slim diameter to minimize blocking the field of view of the scope mounted with low profile scope rings
That criteria quickly narrowed the search down to a handful of cans and I eventually landed on the SilencerCo Harvester 300.
Out of the box, the silencer isn’t ready to mount to any rifle as it does not include any mounts whatsoever. They are all sold separately. However, one does get:
- The .30 caliber silencer itself,
- a bravo multitool,
- a nifty canvas bag,
- a manual,
- and the cardboard box packaging.
Those who purchase their silencers from Silencer Shop also get a suppressor removal tool. The tool is simply a purpose designed pot holder with a fancy name, which is a very welcome aid when removing a hot suppressor from a firearm. Even with the aid of this tool, I suggest letting the suppressor cool before attempting to remove it because they do get extremely hot.
The suppressor is 8.80″ in total length which includes the permanently fixed muzzle brake. The suppressor is longer than most and adds about 8″ to the length of a rifle after it has been attached. This is something to keep in mind as it can make an already long rifle even more difficult to maneuver in a small hunting blind. For those that will want to order a custom suppressor cover like the Rauch Precision BMOD wrap I am using with this can (which I recommend as it helps to significantly reduce heat induced mirage), a suppressor cover length of 7.75″ is what I found to be just right for this suppressor without covering the break.
In terms of diameter, the Harvester is slimmer than most at 1.37″. Even with this slim profile I still found the suppressor to obstruct a small amount of the optics field of view when using low profile scope rings. The amount is so minute that I’m not going to change the 0.76″ height scope rings on the rifle. However, I suspect that going with medium profile rings will be sufficiently high to avoid any field of view obstruction with this scope.
The can weighs in at exactly 11 oz making this suppressor one of the lightest suppressors I considered and found during my search. While this is only a few ounces lighter than many other suppressors, the reduced weight will be appreciated by hunters who are looking to keep their rifle as light as possible.
The Harvester is not rated for full auto. I didn’t find this to be a big deal personally as I’m only planning on using this suppressor for deer hunting on a bolt action rifle. While I haven’t attempted to use it on a semi-auto rifle, I suspect it will work just fine for all applications that don’t require full auto. However, some folks may have a need for, or simply prefer, a silencer rated for full auto.
As I mentioned previously, the silencer doesn’t include a mount. However, direct thread mounts are available in various thread pitches including: 1/2×28, 5/8×24, 9/16×24, 3/4×24, and 7/16/x28. This gives the can quite a bit of versatility to fit a variety of rifles without having to get the barrel rethreaded. Additionally, this provides the owner with the ability to attach the silencer to several different rifles.
Shooting the hunting rifle with this silencer is fantastic. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the already soft shooting 6.5mm Creedmoor from the hunting rifle was even softer shooting when suppressed. I’ve heard that suppressors do reduce some of the felt recoil but hadn’t experienced it myself. I suspect the fixed muzzle brake also played a role in reducing the felt recoil, but since the brake fixed I was unable to test that theory. Perhaps there was also a psychological component to the perceived recoil due to the noise reduction of the muzzle blast. Regardless, the shooting experience was noticeably improved at the cost of the additional weight, overall rifle length, and a minutely obstructed field of view.
Given the rifle will not fit in the rifle case with the suppressor attached (due to the added length), I make it a habit to keep the removal tool, the bravo multi tool, and a 9/16 wrench with me since I will be attaching and removing the suppressor in the field. I keep the removal tool around in the event I am forced to remove the suppressor from the rifle while it is still hot. Sometimes when removing the suppressor, the direct thread adapter will remain firmly attached to the barrel and can be difficult to remove by hand. Fortunately, the design of direct thread mounts allow for the use of a wrench to assist in breaking it free. The size of the wrench accepted by the direct thread mount depends on the thread mount size. In my case, it’s a 9/16″ wrench size. However, it could be an 11/16″ or a 7/8″ wrench. The bravo multi tool is required to properly tighten the direct thread mount on the suppressor when its reattached.
Overall, I’m very happy with the SilencerCo Harvester. It met all the criteria I had established for the deer hunting applications I intend to use it for and it has certainly improved the shooting experience with the hunting rifle. Perhaps my opinion will change as I learn more about suppressors and gain more experience with them. For the time being however, I feel this was an investment well worth the money.