Why I Bought a Suppressor for My Hunting Rifle (and What You Should Know Before You Do)

Dave Hansen
Apr 14
3 min read

Updated: May 9

Why I Bought a Suppressor for My Hunting Rifle (and What You Should Know Before You Do)

Introduction: Why I Made the Jump

For years, I hunted with a traditional bolt-action rifle. It worked, it was accurate, and it got the job done. But over time, I found myself wanting more control—especially when it came to sound, recoil, and follow-up shots. I started diving into the suppressor world, and what I found changed how I’ll hunt for the rest of my life.

This blog post is a full breakdown of:

Why I bought a suppressor
What the NFA process really looks like
How a gun trust makes your life easier
My experience with Silencer Central
The real-world benefits of suppressors in hunting
What I’d do differently next time

What Is a Suppressor, Really?

Let’s start with basics. A suppressor (aka silencer) doesn’t turn your rifle into a Hollywood "pew pew" stealth weapon. Instead, it reduces the sound signature—by roughly 20 to 35 decibels, depending on caliber—and dramatically lowers felt recoil.

Most importantly for hunters, a suppressor:

Makes follow-up shots easier
Helps preserve hearing
Reduces spooking nearby animals
Improves shooting accuracy under pressure

The NFA Process: What It Takes to Get a Suppressor

Buying a suppressor isn’t like buying ammo. It’s regulated under the National Firearms Act (NFA), which means:

You’ll need:

A Form 4 submitted to the ATF
A $200 tax stamp
A background check and fingerprinting
A lot of patience (approval can take 6–12 months)

Sounds intimidating? It was… until I used Silencer Central.

How Silencer Central Made It Stupid Easy

After researching options, I decided to go through SilencerCentral.com — and I can’t recommend them enough. Here’s why:

They Handle the Paperwork

They walked me through every step of the Form 4 process, including:

Fingerprint cards
ATF paperwork
- (currently through silencer central as of this post, they estimate 27 days through their electronic process, from the time the paperwork is filed. Click Here to see current estimates)
Electronic signatures
State compliance

They Give You a Free Gun Trust

That’s huge. A gun trust makes it way easier to:

Legally share your suppressor with family members
Pass it down to heirs
Avoid extra legal red tape

Most companies charge $100–$200+ for a trust. With Silencer Central, it was included free.

They Ship Direct to Your Door

Once approved, they sent the suppressor directly to my house—legally and without a trip to an FFL. That alone is worth it.

Why I Went with a Gun Trust

Even if you're hunting solo, a gun trust is the smart way to go.

It allows:

Your spouse or adult kids to use your suppressor legally
Easy transfer if you ever want to sell or gift it
Multiple people to be on the trust for shared ownership

Trusts also help avoid accidental felonies if someone else handles your suppressor without being listed. Bottom line: it’s cleaner, safer, and more flexible. And if you use Silencer Central, you’re already covered.

Suppressor Pros for the Backcountry Hunter

Here’s what I’ve personally noticed since running suppressed:

Less Recoil

That extra length out front acts like a mini brake. Shooting a 7mm mag now feels more like a .308.

Better Shot Placement

With reduced noise and kick, I stay on target better for follow-ups or watching impact.

Protects My Hearing

Especially when hunting in timber or shooting prone off a ridge—there’s no time to throw on ear pro.

Doesn’t Spook Animals as Easily

I’ve seen elk freeze or jog off slowly instead of blowing out of the basin after the first shot.

Legal in Most States

Hunting with a suppressor is now legal in over 40 states. (Check your local regs.)

Any Downsides? Yeah, a Few

I wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t mention a couple of things:

Weight: A suppressor adds 8–20 oz to your barrel. Not a dealbreaker, but you feel it.
Length: Add 6–10 inches to your rifle—can snag in timber or brush.
Wait Time: Approval can still take several months, even with E-forms.

That said, every one of these trade-offs is manageable—and in my opinion, worth it.

My Final Verdict: Get One

If you’re serious about backcountry hunting, a suppressor is a game-changer. For me, it’s about ethical, accurate shots and preserving my hearing over a lifetime of hunts. It’s also about having tools that don’t punish you for taking a second shot when the moment counts.

Going through Silencer Central made the process nearly frictionless. If you’re on the fence, that’s where I’d start.