Over-barrel Suppressors: The New AccuCan AC30 B.O.B.

When you think of suppressors, you often think of a long can on the end of your rifle. However, there’s more than one way to suppress a rifle. Over-barrel suppressors are more compact, easier to maneuver, and still help protect your hearing. Whether you're deep in the woods tracking a buck, clearing a tight corridor in tactical training, or just enjoying a quiet day at the range, these innovative suppressors are designed to enhance the capabilities of your rifle. And we’re doing just that here at Savage, with the new AccuCan AC30 B.O.B.  

The B.O.B. – short for “back over barrel” – is about more than suppressing sound. It’s about reducing overall length, eliminating excessive muzzle flash, improving balance, and delivering a superior user experience across the board. Let’s dive into what makes over-barrel suppressors like the AC30 B.O.B. an excellent choice for your rifle. 

What Is an Over-Barrel Suppressor? 

Let’s run through what exactly an over-barrel suppressor is. Like the name suggests, an over-barrel suppressor fits over the barrel of your rifle. The attachment point is inside the suppressor, as opposed to the end of the barrel, allowing it to be threaded on after the suppressor has been fitted over the barrel. This helps to shorten the overall length of the suppressor by integrating some of the length of the end of your barrel. They are also commonly called reflex suppressors. 

Compact and Effective 

The main appeal of an over-barrel suppressor is the substantial reduction in length versus using a standard end-of-barrel suppressor. On the AC30 B.O.B., there is a reduction in length by over 3 inches when compared to using a standard suppressor. What does this mean for you? It means no more wielding 30+ inch barrels through the field, better performance in compact spaces, and less impact on the balance of your rifle. 

The 110 Ultralite Elite with our standard AccuCan AC 30 suppressor measures in just over 48 inches in total length. 

With the AC 30 B.O.B. equipped, the overall length of the rifle is reduced to just over 45 inches!

Staying Quiet 

Despite the reduction in length, over-barrel suppressors like the AC30 B.O.B. still offer substantial sound reduction benefits with a baffle design that maintains the same effectiveness. Decibel reduction levels from over-barrel suppressors closely match those of standard suppressors, with the AC30 B.O.B. having a 133 dB rating at the shooter’s ear using a .308 caliber rifle with a 20-inch barrel. This allows you to stay quieter in the field, or on the range, to help protect your hearing and the hearing of those around you.  

Shooting Performance 

Any time you add an attachment to your barrel, a concern can be shifting the point of impact of your shots. Over-barrel suppressors like the AC30 B.O.B. do an excellent job in minimizing point of impact shift, so you’ll stay on target and accurate with or without the suppressor attached. If you need to throw the suppressor on quickly in the field, you can have confidence that the performance of your rifle won’t be negatively affected. 

Over-barrel suppressors are also excellent for reducing muzzle flash, perfect for shooting in early morning or late evening conditions. Muzzle flash can be blinding when it gets dark enough outside, so reducing the muzzle flash can help you continue to see your target after the shot and give you the chance to make necessary corrections.  

Using an Over-barrel Suppressor 

So, where does an over-barrel suppressor shine? While it can be used anywhere a standard suppressor is used, over-barrel suppressors are ideal for both hunting and tactical shooting scenarios due to their compact size.  

Over-barrel suppressors are ideal for hunting from the western mountains to eastern woodlands. Their compact size profile keeps the overall length of your rifle shorter, helping to prevent hang-ups both while carrying the rifle and preparing for a shot. The AC30 B.O.B. is the perfect hunting suppressor for calibers that are optimized for shorter barrels, like Federal’s new 7mm Backcountry cartridge. The balance of your rifle is also not as impacted, so shooting off-hand can be easier. 

The other obvious advantage to using an over-barrel suppressor for hunting is the decibel reduction from your rifle. By reducing your sound, you can prevent wild game in the area you are hunting from spooking after the shot. If your shot is off the mark, using a suppressor may allow you to have an additional opportunity for a follow-up shot.  

An over-barrel suppressor is also great for competitive shooting sports! In events like the Precision Rifle Series, shooters will often find themselves shooting over, around, or through obstacles to hit their targets. Over-barrel suppressors like the AC 30 B.O.B are perfect for shortening the length of your suppressed rifle, making it easier to maneuver around these barriers and get on target faster. 

The Technology in the B.O.B. 

So, what makes the B.O.B. different from other over-barrel suppressors? The B.O.B. is rated for .30 caliber rounds up to 300 Win Mag, so you can use any rifle threaded 5/8 x24 for all calibers from 223 Remington to 30 caliber magnum cartridges. Like other AccuCan suppressors, the B.O.B. has integrated carbon cutters for easy tube cleaning and is easily user-serviceable for cleaning in the field. 

The AC30 B.O.B. is threaded 5/8x24, making it easily compatible with a wide variety of rifles, including many Savage rifles! The B.O.B. is constructed of 7075 aluminium with a Grade 5 Titanium thread insert, so not only is it lightweight, but it’s durable for lasting season after season. With a total length of 7.9 inches and an after-muzzle length of 4.9 inches, it’s the perfect choice to suppress your hunting rifles. 

The over-barrel suppressor is a practical, performance-boosting upgrade that can help enhance your hunting and shooting experience. Over-barrel suppressors deliver the same accurate, quiet performance in a compact and easy-to-handle package.  

If you’ve been holding off on adding a suppressor to your loadout—or if you're just ready to upgrade—now’s the time to take a serious look at the new AC30 B.O.B. It’s the perfect choice for improving the performance of your rifle without major impacts to how it handles or performs on target.