How Quiet Are the Different Bushmaster Suppressors?
People often ask which suppressor model is the quietest. The short answer is: more internal volume means better sound reduction. You can increase volume in two ways:
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Make the suppressor longer
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Make the suppressor wider
Both help — but in my experience, extra length makes the biggest difference.
So here’s the simple ranking based on real field use.
1. Big Boy — Quietest
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Diameter: 60 mm
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Length: 180 mm
This model has the most internal volume. In normal use, it is the quietest option.
2. Core 180 mm — Next Best
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Diameter: 40 mm
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Length: 180 mm
Same length as the Big Boy, but smaller diameter. Still very quiet, just slightly less effective.
3. Core 150 mm — Quiet, But Less Than the Two Above
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Diameter: 40 mm
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Length: 150 mm
Shorter length means less volume, so it reduces noise less than the 180 mm models.
How Big Are the Differences?
How “quiet” something sounds is always a bit subjective. The environment matters too — woodland, open terrain, and buildings all behave differently for sound.
As a practical rule of thumb, each size step gives roughly about 15% difference in perceived sound reduction.
So in simple terms:
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Big Boy → quietest
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Core 180 mm → about 15% louder than the Big Boy
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Core 150 mm → about 15% louder than the 180 mm Core
This isn’t lab data. It’s consistent field experience across many replicas and setups.
And very important (as also demonstrated in the Rummbolt video): if you want to know how silent you are, let your buddy shoot while you stand 15 / 20 meters away!
Silencers With Tracer Units
The Big Boy, Core and HEX models are designed so you can also install a tracer unit inside them.
Just be aware of one simple fact:
A tracer unit takes up space that would otherwise be filled with acoustic foam.
So the suppressor will be slightly less quiet with a tracer fitted than without one. It still reduces sound very well — just not as much as a fully-foamed setup.
If you want both a tracer and maximum sound reduction, choose the longer suppressor, because the extra length helps compensate for the foam you lose.
Why Volume Works the Way It Does
For the more technical readers:
My working model is that suppressors behave a bit like an inverted exponential curve.
In plain English:
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The first few centimetres of foam already remove a large part of the noise
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After that, you need more and more volume to keep gaining extra reduction
So the gains don’t scale linearly. You get big wins early, then diminishing returns as you add volume — but the gains are still real.
If anyone has done controlled measurements on this, or recognises this pattern from their own tests, I’m always interested to hear about it.
Independent Testing
The YouTuber Rummbolt has a “Silencer Masterclass” video where he compares different suppressor models.
https://youtu.be/Ottg45njL_I?si=A7NjMFtvaQhkWOK7
He lets you hear the difference and also uses a decibel meter. It’s a useful external reference if you want another perspective.
Want to Test Them Yourself?
At some fields there’s a Bushmaster test centre, for example at Airsoft Brothers, where you can try the different models and hear the differences yourself.
When I’m at events, I also bring test suppressors with me.
So if you see me — come and try them.
