Good day suppressor lovers and welcome back to the 123rd edition of Silencer Saturday brought to you by my friends at Yankee Hill Machine, manufacturers of the Resonator and Turbo lines of suppressors.  Last week we finished off the Rex Silentium review series with the MG7 K 5.56mm rifle suppressor. Today we get a special look at the Innovative Arms integral bolt action rifle, the REM700. How much quieter an we get subsonic 300BLK? Keep reading and find out.

Past Innovative Arms coverage @ TFB:

• [SHOT 2020] Innovative Arms Integral CZ Scorpion Suppressor
• [SHOT 2019] Innovative Arms The Deception X, Prototypes And More
• Innovative Arms Integrally Suppressed Ruger MKIV
• Review: Innovative Arms Integrally Suppressed M&P15-22
• Innovative Arms 9mm submachine gun

SILENCER SATURDAY #123: Innovative Arms Integral Bolt Action In 300BLK

Located in South Carolina, Innovative Arms manufactures a complete line of of suppressors from rimfire to 50BMG. They are family owned and operated by some of the nicest people in the business who are more than happy to help buyers find a suppressor who fits their needs. We now have a solid set of Innovative Arms silencers in house, enough to last us through the summer, but I’m going to start of with the integrally suppressed firearms so we can get them shipped back to South Carolina sooner rather than later. Plus integrals are just freaking sweet.

I personally own one Innovative Arms suppressor – the Apex 22LR Micro – that I use as a compact pistol can on the Walther PPK/S. For a small monocore silencer, the Apex 22LR performs very nicely with minimal first round pop.

But back to today’s topic: the REM700 Integrally Suppressed 300BLK bolt action rifle.

As we have discussed in the past, the topic of integrally suppressed guns in 2020 is slightly controversial. In the last decade, manufacturing processes, materials, designs and innovative thinking has carried suppressor designs farther than what was previously possible. In the past, real quiet was achieved mostly with volume rather than engineering and designs – large diameter tubes, long shrouds and ported barrels gave integrally suppressed weapons a distinct advantage over muzzle attached cans. For the most part, that is no longer the case; more traditional thread mount silencers can compete with integrals in terms of signature reduction.

However, there are still valid reasons for picking an integrally suppressed firearm over a stand alone suppressor.

Avoiding additional SBR Taxes

Some rounds have peak efficiency for subsonic use in barrels less than 16″ in length. For instance, the perfect barrel length for 300BLK is somewhere around nine inches. A non-NFA 16.1″ gun plus a six to eight inch suppressor is completely unnecessary. Rather than investing in another stamp, or having a platform that does not play well will pistol stabilizing braces, an integrally suppressed gun can have a combined barrel and suppressor permanent length of greater than 16″.

Covertness

I’m not talking about the grey man assassin, but thread-on silencers can draw unnecessary attention. A well executed integral firearm will appear to be a factory bull-barrel with unique styling rather than a James Bond’s or a sniper’s weapon. Perception can be important to some people.

Pump Up The Volume

All things being equal, additional internal volume for suppressors is never a bad thing and many integrally suppressed guns take full advantage of longer and larger tubes.

Innovative Arms REM700

The REM700 is built on the Remington 700 AAC-SD platform which starts with a 16″ barrel. Innovative Arms cuts the barrel down to length, pins and welds a monocore stack to the muzzle and sandwiches a large diameter tube over the whole system with a threaded cap that screws into the muzzle of the core. The Hogue pillar-bedded overmolded stuck is professionally trimmed to accept the larger diameter tube. The complete gun looks like a factory offering. Very slick.

For reference, I measured the suppressor monocore at eight inches and the barrel at 8.5 inches.

Note: You’ll have to forgive my optic/mount choice. The mount is borrowed from a Remington Model 7 and the Trijicon MRO is the only glass I have available at the moment.

https://innovativearms.com/portfolio/rem700/

This integral suppressor features a titanium tube and a one piece mono core machined from 17-4ph stainless steel. Each integral is user serviceable and comes with a tool for disassembly. However, you can also use any standard 1/2″ drive wrench. Available in .300 blk or .308. Firearm model, color, and furniture may vary. Specify with your dealer before ordering.

• Model: REM700
• Caliber: .300 blk or .308
• Material: Titanium Body/ Stainless Steel Core
• Standard Length: Total Barrel/Suppressor Length 20″
• Weight: 6lbs 3.4oz (based on Remington model #84205 )
• Color: Remington’s  .308 model is all Black. The .300 blk model is Black with Ghille Green synthetic stock.
• MSRP: $1,767 -$2,200 – Pricing varies by firearm model.
• Dealer Locator – https://innovativearms.com/dealer-locator/

The pinned and welded monocore:

The pinned and welded monocore:

 

 

Here’s Hogue overmold stock with pillar-bedding reshaped by Innovative Arms to accept the larger suppressor tube/barrel shroud.

Fielding The Innovative Arms Integral 300BLK Bolt Action REM700

I probably don’t need to remind you of my love for subsonic 300 blackout (I’ve professed my feelings in writing). But the REM700 from Innovative Arms is like renewing my vows and subsequent wedding night with the purpose-built little cartridge. The setup is smile-inducing quiet.

Ammunition used:

• Discreet Ballistics – 190gr Target 
• SIG Sauer – 220gr Elite Match
• Hornady – 190gr Sub-X

Each round tested did have a bit of first round pop, typical of monocore suppressors with large blast chambers. But it was quieter than I had expected. Subsequent shots were near firing-pin level quiet, with the felt recoil of a stout airgun. Hitting the the backstop is louder than the actual report. Smack like a sledge hammer.

Observations:

The 700 AAC-SD in 300BLK has a 1:7 twist. Obviously this has nothing to do with Innovative Arms, but I’d like to see a move towards 1:5 twist to support longer (heavier) bullets.

The monocore mount that attaches to the barrel is a full-diameter, non-perforated piece. This may mean that the REM700 isn’t taking full advantage of the volume inside the silencer tube between the receiver and the monocore. Remember, I am not an engineer and their may be reasons for the design as is. Heck, maybe it can’t realistically get any quieter.

With a red dot, I’m not exactly shooting for accuracy, but the REM700 held realistic group sizes at 50 yards.

Obviously not an Innovative Arms issue, but I had problems with ejection. I’m not a Remington 700 guru, so I’ll need some time to investigate.

I caught this little bastard making a move. I hate mosquitoes.

The first of many, unfortunately.

Conclusions:

The REM700 from Innovative Arms is a joy to shoot. Forget your neighbors not hearing you, with the right ammunition you won’t wake a sleeping baby laying behind you. As with any purpose-built gun, it has it’s limitations, mostly that the silencer can’t be swapped between hosts. But this is a great looking gun that is a dreamy quiet. When factoring in the cost of the rifle and the custom manufacturing, the price per decibel seems fair to me.

Enjoy the weekend everyone. Be safe, stay healthy and we’ll see you back here next week for another Silencer Saturday.

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Silencer Saturday is Sponsored by Yankee Hill Machine:

Buy YHM silencers and accessories at:

Silencer Shop – Hansohn BrOthers – dead eye gun supply –

Mac tactical

All YHM Products At Brownells

DEALERS: If you want your link to buy YHM suppressors included in future Silencer Saturday posts, email: silencers@thefirearmblog.com

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special Thanks: Mac Tactical

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