Those of us who shoot 6.5 Creedmoor guns — and there are a lot of us — have been shooting them through .30 caliber suppressors. That’s been the can that makes the most sense. Depending on what you own, you could even be using a .36 or a .46 caliber can. The bigger the bore, the more calibers you can shoot, but the less effective the suppressor is in reducing noise.
Now BANISH is taking a more targeted approach. Given the number of 6.5 (and 6mm) shooters out there using their rifles for hunting, long range and competition shooting, they see a market for dedicated 6.5 (.264 caliber) cans. They’ve just announced two, one in stainless steel and one in titanium. They can be used for everything from .22LR to 6.5 PRC and both ship with standard end caps for maximum noise reduction as well as a tunable brake for recoil control.
BANISH Suppressors, an industry leader for pursuit-driven firearm suppressors, introduces the BANISH Competition Series, or COMP, beginning with the BANISH COMP 6.5 SS and BANISH COMP 6.5 TI, its first suppressors built around a dedicated .264-caliber bore. Both models ship with a two-port brake and a flat 6.5mm muzzle cap, letting precision shooters configure the suppressor for recoil control and a faster return to target with the brake, or maximum sound reduction with the muzzle cap.
While many 6.5 shooters have run a .30-caliber suppressor over a .264-caliber bullet, the COMP 6.5 lineup is optimized specifically for 6mm and 6.5mm short-action cartridges, keeping expanding gas working against the six-baffle stack instead of escaping past the projectile.
“For years, 6.5 shooters have had to give up performance by running a .30-caliber can over a .264 bullet because that’s what was on the shelf,” said Kelly Streiff, BANISH Suppressors chief revenue officer. “The COMP 6.5 models close that gap. Plus, shipping them with a two-port brake and a flat muzzle cap means customers can configure them to their specific needs.”
The BANISH COMP 6.5 SS is built for high round counts through a match rifle. Made from welded stainless steel, it weighs 12.2 ounces and measures 5.5 inches with the flat muzzle cap installed, or 14.6 ounces and 6.65 inches with the two-port brake. It has an MSRP of $1,129.
The BANISH COMP 6.5 TI delivers identical suppression in welded titanium for hunters and shooters counting every ounce. It weighs 8.7 ounces and measures 5.5 inches with the flat muzzle cap installed, or 10.4 ounces and 6.65 inches with the two-port brake. It has an MSRP of $1,499.
Testing with a 20-inch 6.5 Creedmoor bolt-action rifle produced an average of 130.8 decibels at the shooter’s ear with the flat muzzle cap installed. With the two-port brake in place, that average measures 142.9 dB, a deliberate and optional trade for the brake’s recoil reduction and flatter tracking through the shot.
Each model measures 1.61 inches in diameter, utilizes industry-standard HUB mounts, ships with a 5/8×24 direct-thread adapter, and features a Cerakote finish. Both are made in the United States, are compatible with centerfire cartridges from .22 Creedmoor up to 6.5 PRC, and are backed by the BANISH lifetime warranty, which protects against all manufacturing defects and damages caused by normal use. Owners can also use the BANISH Service Program for a comprehensive maintenance check within a year of ownership.
The BANISH COMP 6.5 SS and BANISH COMP 6.5 TI are available now through BANISH Suppressor dealers. To learn more about the new lineup or to shop the brand’s full offering, visit BANISHsuppressors.com.