Rationale behind FI company level .338 choice

[HJu]

Using Trg-42 with a suppressor creates its own difficulties in real world too. Its a beast to carry and use in the woods.130cm with close to 700 gramms extra weoght upfront which will glow like a lamp with thermal imaging after the first round. It does have its place but it's not allways the best option. Even recoil becomes bigger when compared to the muzzle brake.



Anyway suppressors can be bought easily if needed. Why FDF has no suppressors for the Rk95 is a good question too.

[polarlander]

Still TRG+suppressor+ammo is not bulky compared to many 50 BMG systems. I would not consider heat signature huge problem with trained sniper, there are still insurgents in Afganistan and Iraq fighting against troops who have tons of thermal imaging equipment.

338 LM has very big sound and blast signature and significant flash, with suppressor one can use more easily ad hoc positions. Beside lowered combat capacity if half deaf because of zero hearing protection.

Best option would be Accuracy International type break+suppressor, where recoil shy and high rate of fire personnel can remove the can and those who need more concealment use it. Ase Utra new borelock is very nice option. I think as armchair theorist that since US has started deploying suppressors on semi-automatic sniper rifles, technology might be mature enought after 100+ years.

As far as I have understood assault rifles didn't get suppressors since there were barrel breakage (weight on the end of the barrel and telescope suppressor over the barrel) problems only with couple hundred rounds (means that you change magazine 6 times) of fully automatic fire. Normally one can run 700-800 before total system crash. Probably those who were making the acquiring that it's not conscipt proof as it is with suppressing TRG (one more small separate part to be lost by end user).

This is partly "matter of preference", I'm huge suppressor zealot and see no advantage on muzzle flash. One can perform most of the tasks without it, but I believe it will make user perform better.

[HJu]

I have shot 338LM both with suppressor and muzzle brakes for over 10 years. Suppressor is nice when shooting but not so much when carrying the rifle if attached. AU Borelock is workable solution but POI changes must be taken into account.



Muzzle flash is not a big problem with TRG-muzzle brake IMHO.



Professionals use electronic muffs also in battle because integrated radios and  better communications improve battlefield performance. Same goes for 50 BMG teams. A deaf soldier is not a very beneficial asset for his team.