Good afternoon stealthy shooters and welcome back to another edition of TFB’s Silencer Saturday brought to you by Yankee Hill Machine, home of the new NITRO N2O modular rifle suppressor. Last week we explored the inherent problems with federal agencies interpreting laws that are rooted in subjective characteristics. Short Barrel Rifles, Machine Guns and Silencers all rely on extremely grey area interpretations (might as well drop the restrictions all together). This week we shift gears back into a review – the Dead Air Nomad LT combines the weight savings of the Nomad T with the added length of the Nomad L – both of which are fantastic suppressors.

Dead Air @ TFB

• ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS: Silent Night Edition – Dead Air Nomad-TI
• SILENCER SATURDAY #131: Dead Air NOMAD-TI Review
• NEW Dead Air Nomad Titanium Silencer Review at Thunder Ranch!
• SILENCER SATURDAY #111: Size Matters! The New Dead Air Nomad-L
• Brown Bear 7.62x39mm SUBSONIC Ammunition Now Available
• Discreet Ballistics .300 AAC Blackout 188gr Subsonic Load

I found 300BLK late in life, but when I finally saw the light it was a religious experience. Subsonic rounds out of a solid semiautomatic platform like the SIG MCX is high-power type fun. And if you are lucky enough to own a bolt action chambered in 300BLK, the right ammo makes pulling the trigger a blessing. But like the locusts descending on our crops, 2020 has created a wasteland of ammo supply. Where is our Saviour?

I’ll stop with the biblical analogies, I promise.

While my supply of 300BLK is still relatively deep, I’m reluctant to blast through a few hundred rounds in a single range trip like the good old days. When my man Austin alerted me to the availability of some subsonic 7.62×39 Brown Bear, I had to give it a run. Let’s see how the Dead Air Nomad LT handles the relative newcomer 300BLK and the Cold War veteran 7.62×39. First, the specs.

SILENCER SATURDAY #157: 300BLK Vs. 7.62×39 – The Dead Air Nomad LT

Exclusive to Silencer Shop, the Nomad-LT is Dead Air’s ultra-quiet and incredibly lightweight 30cal rifle suppressor. Constructed primarily of titanium, the Dead Air Nomad-LT only weighs 12.6 ounces with an overall length of 8.4 inches, making it not only light, but also incredibly durable and robust. This Dead Air suppressor works well on low pressure cartridges, like 300BLK subs, but its bread and butter is high pressure rifle calibers, up to 300 Norma Mag.

The Dead Air Nomad-LT is the love child of the Nomad-L and the Nomad-Ti. Coming from a long lineage of suppressors known for their performance, the Nomad LT is no different. Dead Air’s Nomad series features a unique baffle design specifically constructed to reduce blowback while still providing tremendous noise reduction. This Dead Air suppressor is also versatile in that it is compatible with the well-known and well loved Key Mo mount (sold separately), or you can just use the provided 5/8×24 direct thread mount already installed. Versatility, performance, and durability all just met their match.

• Weight: 12.6 ounces
• Length: 8.4 inches
• Diameter: 1.735”
• Installed Mount: 5/8×24 Direct Thread
• Build Materials: Grade 5 Titanium (body) and 17-4 Stainless Steel (thread mount and end cap)
• Finish: Raw Titanium Satin Bead Blasted
• Minimum Barrel Length: .300 BLK – Any barrel length; 5.56 – 12.5″ minimum barrel w/intent to keep temp down
• Rating: Up to 300 Norma Mag
• $1099 – Silencer Shop Exclusive 

Platforms And Ammo

Brown Bear Ammo – 7.62x39mm 196 Grain Subsonic – 500 Round Case – $289 @ KVar

• Ballistic Coefficient (G1) 0.383
• Muzzle Velocity V0, m/sec (ft/sec) 340 (1,115)
• Muzzle Energy E0, J (ft/lb.) 734 (541)
• Radius of dispersion R50, cm (inch) @ 100 m (109 yds.) 4.5 (1.77)
• Maximum Powder Pressure, bar (lb/inch2) 3,550 (51,488)

Discreet Ballistics 300 AAC Blackout 190gr Subsonic Load Target – 300 Round Case – $419

• 190gr Sierra Match King HPBT Projectile (.533G1 BC)
• Muzzle Velocity 1000 fps

Remington Model 7 Kuiu – 300BLK – (out of production)

• 16” Barrel; 1:10”
• Internal magazine

CZ-USA CZ 527 American – 7.62×39 – $789

• 16” Barrel; 1:9.5”
• Removable magazine

Shooting the Dead Air Nomad LT

It has been a while since I’ve suppressed anything chambered in 7.62×39. About a year ago we used the SilencerCo Saker 762 on the IWI Galil ACE with the KNS adjustable gas piston. But at the time I did not have a good supply of subsonic ammo and the Saker is built for suppressing high velocity rounds. Today l wanted to give the Nomad LT every possible advantage.

The results were expectedly nice with a pleasant tone and report that didn’t require additional hearing protection (for me). If you ignore the bullet hitting the backstop, the suppression levels were just above a suppressed rimfire rifle. Initially I was concerned that the published 1115fps velocity ratings might push the bullets into transonic territory, but I never heard a crack.

Some of the rounds had an uneven buildup of lacquer that made chambering slightly stiff. Informal accuracy observations were acceptable.

The 190gr 300BLK rounds were just slightly quieter, but noticeably so. If the human ear can only discern sounds in three decibel increments, I’d have to say that this 300BLK round is 3 dB quieter than the 7.62×39 subsonic Brown Bear subsonic when using the Nomad LT. Eliminating the bullet on backstop noise, the Nomad LT brought the 300BLK down to suppressed rimfire levels. It’s pretty exciting to launch 190 grains of copper and lead so stealthily.

Again, with unscientific testing, the Discreet round produced solid groups at 50 yards.

Having shot all versions of the Dead Air Nomad I am definitely a fan. The baffle design is tuned for both supersonic and subsonic ammo. While the Nomad-30 and the Nomad-T are top notch performers, shooters looking for ultimate suppression should opt for either of the longer versions. Hunters with extended stalks or bench rest shooters who are trying to avoid balance and POI changes will want to look at the Nomad LT. This silencer will have no problem with semiautomatic hosts as long as the shooter adheres to the barrel length restrictions. However, it’s sweet spot is bolt guns up to 300 Norma Magnum. Pricing is in line with other respected market options  If the specs of Dead Air Nomad LT fits your needs, get on the wait list at Silencer Shop – they sold out in a few hours the last time they were in stock.

Thanks for reading. Be safe, have fun and we’ll see you here next weekend 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