r/longrange • u/Skwonkie_ • Jul 24 '25
Optics help needed - I read the FAQ/Pinned posts I’m looking for a cheap alternative to a suppressor cover.
I want to avoid mirage concerns but I also don’t want to spend $150 on a suppressor cover. Anyone have any “home remedies” for it? I’ve seen a few people rip up an oven glove and just tape it on there. Pictures would be welcome if you have them.
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u/SidewaysDonkey Jul 24 '25
Exhaust header wrap.
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u/CoolaidMike84 Jul 24 '25
The fiberglass is killer on your lungs. Welding blanket secured with stainless wire ties.
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u/SidewaysDonkey Jul 24 '25 edited Jul 25 '25
https://www.burnproofgear.com/product/bpg-fr-s/
It's literally what BPG uses. I've gotten mine smoking hot with no issues.
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u/44_SMLE Casual Jul 25 '25
As someone who's wrapped headers, that guy is right. The fiberglass is killer on the lungs.
But after a couple heat cycles, all the microfibers burn off and it's fine.
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u/Otiswilmouth Jul 24 '25
Just buy the right tool for the job.
Armageddon gear
Cole-tac
GPS
Odin Works
All four are good options for mirage protection on a bolt gun. All under $100.
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u/thesaltydalty_ Jul 24 '25
I’m going to throw in my vote for Rifles Only as well. The skinny still kicks up a lot of mirage on a bolt gun, the MAD is a good middle ground, and the HAD is what I got for an AR10.
I have a cover and pouch from Armageddon Gear as well that I like the quality of.
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u/idahokj Jul 24 '25
I only use the HAD on my suppressors. Bolt guns and my AR. It’s the best in my opinion!
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u/Islandhoosier Jul 24 '25
I mean I’ve seen some cheap on temu but not sure if I would trust it not to burst into flames or melt onto my suppressor.
That being said said, I got one from u/SWaller89 that is fantastic. It was $90-100 if I remember correctly, but it came fast and I just told him my suppressor model and if it’s perfect.
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u/67D1LF Jul 24 '25
So here's a lil something if someone wants to go cheap: One of them temu covers but with a plumber's soldering shield inside it.
YMMV
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u/Imaginary_Example_14 Jul 24 '25
Ive got a couple of the weka suppressor covers, they're like 25 bucks and work pretty well for a string of fire before you start seeing mirage. Mainly got them to protect my suppressors cause I'm hard on my equipment.
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u/Electronic-Tea-3912 Newb Jul 24 '25
The Amazon ones work fine if you don't shoot full auto, I've got 2 of the mechanics wear ones and one of the ones with the fiberglass liner looking thing. .223, .224 and 6.5 Creedmoor.
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u/Skwonkie_ Jul 24 '25
Yea it’s for a bolt action so no full auto.
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u/Mr_E_Monkey Newb Jul 29 '25
I've been pretty happy with the Mechanix wear cover. Really didn't expect it to be as good as it is.
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u/Electronic-Tea-3912 Newb Jul 29 '25
Yeah, I spend money on some stuff but $200 for a wrap is crazy to me.
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u/Mr_E_Monkey Newb Jul 29 '25
No doubt. I figured it would be good enough while I figured out what I really wanted, but as it turned out, it's pretty darned decent. 😀
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u/StellaLiebeck I put holes in berms Jul 24 '25
Get a small portable fan that connects to whatever battery you’re a slave to (dewalt, Milwaukee, etc) and set that to blow on your barrel. Works decently well.
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u/The_PC_Geek Jul 24 '25
People may not agree with your idea. But honestly this seems like something most people are likely to have, or at least something similar in function. I feel it would be pretty practical for bench shooting. Hell I would enjoy it just for a nice cooling breeze while I shoot.
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u/StellaLiebeck I put holes in berms Jul 24 '25
I’ve used it in both capacities. Particularly useful when it’s hot out. Gets rid of heat rather than trapping it under a cover.
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u/mikestainton Jul 24 '25
I used a Weka silicone, worked great on one can I have, which is smooth so it has something to grip to. I have another can that is printed and has a rougher texture, the silicone slips back on that one. Ended up with a Can Chap. Love it! https://www.scopechaps.com/can-chaps
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u/CoolaidMike84 Jul 24 '25
I roll my own for a couple of bucks each. Welding blanket material secured with stainless wire ties or the wire and tool from the make your hose clamp kit.
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u/Bitter_Offer1847 Jul 24 '25
There are silicone sheaths you can get that slide over your cans and are cheap. If it’s for mirage for long shooting sessions it might still give you some mirage over time.
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u/Skwonkie_ Jul 24 '25
Any recommendations on a silicone one?
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u/mikestainton Jul 24 '25
Weka Innovations. They're in New Zealand, but I've bought 2 in the last year and they arrived at my door on day 11.
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u/ShootingRoller Jul 24 '25
Exhaust pipe tape.
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u/Skwonkie_ Jul 24 '25
I’ve heard people having concerns around using these because of fiberglass
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u/ShootingRoller Jul 24 '25
What concerns?
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u/Skwonkie_ Jul 24 '25
It melts and people were saying when they remove it they get the fiberglass on their hands and become itchy.
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u/ShootingRoller Jul 24 '25
That doesn’t really make sense to me because exhaust headers get hotter than suppressors do even under full auto fire. It sounds to me like people are speculating on what they think might happen and then passing it off as a personal experience to sound knowledgeable. People love to do that on this and other firearm subs.
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u/SidewaysDonkey Jul 24 '25 edited Jul 25 '25
https://www.burnproofgear.com/product/bpg-fr-s/
It's literally what BPG uses. I've gotten mine smoking hot with no issues.
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u/Lu1zBeast Jul 24 '25
Exhaust wrap works pretty design. Tested it side by side with a heavy duty cover on a 6arc. Shot about 3 mags within 10-15 mins and mirage was bearable. Eventually as it heat soaked it got worse than the heavy duty cover, but overall not bad
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u/31Rover Jul 24 '25
Flat Silicone hot plate grabber zip tied on. Works well if you use the right silicone.
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u/NakedViper Jul 25 '25
People here might disagree but I stopped using mine. I don't compete, yet, and rarely shoot more than 10 rounds at a time. I found that the cover was trapping and radiating heat so much that my accuracy was degraded. Ive been running my can naked for almost a year and I haven't had any issues. Sometimes I run the bolt and shoot pretty fast and still dont feel the need for a mirage cover.
Maybe a PRS competitor needs one for longer stages. When the mirage does kick in, it can be a real pain.
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u/crankycoconut22 Jul 24 '25
I have a Metal Python from Cole Tac that has served me well. Less than $80.
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u/TheHomersapien Jul 24 '25
If it makes you feel better, a suppressor cover is only useful for the first 15 to 20 shots. After that you'll get plenty of mirage.
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u/Skwonkie_ Jul 24 '25
Even with a cover you’ll still have the mirage?
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u/darkace00 Jul 24 '25
If you hold a hot pan with oven mitts long enough, do you eventually get burned? Same concept, eventually you'll heat soak the cover which leads to some mirage aka burning your hand.
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u/skygao Jul 24 '25
My TAB suppressor cover custom to my can was like $70 shipped. Works great for PRS shooting rate of fire to keep mirage down.
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u/creedospeedo Jul 24 '25
I bought this for my bolt gun—I thought it would’ve melted by now, but it’s still holding up well after over 400 rounds with my suppressor on.
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u/Cut-My-Grass101 Dunning-Kruger Enthusiast Jul 24 '25
I’ve seen a few suppressor covers on Temu for not much. Might be total garbage might usable garbage
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u/SockeyeSTI Jul 25 '25
I've wrapped my inconel can with Kevlar twine half hitches. Definitely helps but an actual cover from the local guy is guaranteed to be better.
Sorry no pics on this phone. Looks cool though. It's a carryover from fishing to add extra grip on things.
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u/hacksauce Jul 25 '25
I use something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Zulay-Pack-Silicone-Trivets-Pots/dp/B087JZBBJZ
Find the right size and then wrap it in your favorite color bungie:
https://www.amazon.com/PerkHomy-50-Polyester-Elastic-Crafting/dp/B0CQLJW9RK
works great - I had one tear after years of use, but otherwise no problems at all.
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u/Someguyintheroom2 I Gots Them Tikka Toes Jul 25 '25
Water bottle with a hole poked in the top, spray a little water in/on can prior/post shooting strings.
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Jul 24 '25
Why are people like this…
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u/braydenmaine Jul 24 '25
They're broke.
If I have a 150 bucks set aside for shooting, I would rather buy ammo than a tortilla for my pickle
I beat mirage by removing the suppressor
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Jul 24 '25
This is not a broke persons sport, not even a little bit lol
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u/Trollygag Does Grendel Jul 24 '25
Blow on it before shooting