Preface
As suppressors continue to become a part of normal use, competition is driving costs down and features up. That competition is leaving no area of the suppressor market threads unturned. One of the different suppressor markets is the big-bore group. ELR and similar rifles using large cartridges like the Cheytac’s, Barrett’s and Hellfire’s are particularly expensive to suppress. Entry level suppressors for these sized rifles start around 1500-dollars and go up to over 5000-dollars for the more fancy ones. Today we are reviewing a new offering from a company that has been in the business for some time. Elite Iron has been making suppressors and big bore cans long before the suppressor craze began. Our subject today is one of their newer offerings; the Elite Iron Asset suppressor, a configurable big bore suppressor available in .375, .408 or .416 bore sizes.
The Elite Iron Asset Suppressor
No stranger to suppression, the folks at Elite Iron have been cranking suppressors out of Montana for over twenty years. In more recent years they started manufacturing big bore cans like their Alpha 50 suppressor.
As the suppressor market has grown massively over the last two or three years, options and customization have increased with it. New unheard of companies and old names alike have offered so many new models and options that its tough to keep up. That is where the Asset comes in.
Suppressors in general have become incredibly adaptable to different purposes. Whether it be the industry standard hub mounting system, or the multi-caliber craze. Big bore suppressors being a little more expensive and specialist, are a little slower to change I suppose. But the Elite Iron Asset brings all of that into a big bore can. The Asset has two stages that can be used or removed, as well as a muzzle that can be configured with a plain end-cap or a two-port muzzle brake. This in addition to the interchangeable threaded mounting hub.
Specifications
| Caliber Rating | .375/.408/.416 caliber |
| Compatible Cartridges | .300 Norma Magnum through .416 Barrett |
| Construction | Titanium, 7075 aluminum, and heat-treated 4140 steel |
| Overall Configuration | Two-stage modular suppressor |
| Weight (Fully Assembled w/ Muzzle Brake) | 40 oz (2.5 lb / 1.13 kg) |
| Weight (1st Stage w/ Muzzle Brake) | 32 oz (2.0 lb / 0.91 kg) |
| Weight (1st Stage w/ Castle Nut Plain End Cap) | 27 oz (1.69 lb / 0.77 kg) |
| Mounting System | Direct-thread, interchangeable thread adapters |
| Configurations | Four factory-supported configurations |
| Included Components | 1st-stage module, 2nd-stage module, muzzle brake, castle nut cap, two disassembly tools |
| Primary Application | Extreme Long-range (ELR) and Similar rifles |
| MSRP (Launch) | $1,795 |
The Asset can be configured in various ways to best fit the application. I find it is a pretty large suppressor for something like a 300NM, and therefor it could likely be used in its shortest configuration if you are looking for minimal addition to the profile. Or if you are going for maximum suppression, both stages of the suppressor can be used. And the user indexable muzzle brake can be added for additional recoil mitigation. All this for an American made price comparable to many 338 sized suppressors. If the Asset sounded good, I thought this would be an unstoppable combination.
Mounting the Asset can be done by selecting one of the many thread options available from Elite Iron. As well as several Cerakote color options including: Black, Burnt Bronze, FDE, Glacier Forge, and OD Green.
Threaded Hub options:
1″-14 TPI, 3/4″-24 TPI, 7/8″-14 TPI, 7/8″-20 TPI, M22x1.5, M24x1.0
Unboxing an Asset
Inside the box, I found the semi-disassembled Asset with a manual, tools, and the Elite Iron velvet sock to safely protect it. With such a surprising amount of options to configure, I evaluated each piece. I completed the assembly using both stages of the main can, and added the muzzle brake to the end to get the whole ensemble. They even included a threaded aluminum cap to protect the threads of whichever component you aren’t using.
The hook spanner wrench included can be used to tighten either of the splined rings used to attach hubs or stages to each end of the suppressor body. It is also used to tighten the locking ring when timing the muzzle brake to the firearm. Not shown is the secondary tool clamping wrench tool.
The Host Rifle
To test the Elite Iron Asset, I had only one choice; the Desert Tech HTI chambered in .408 Cheytac. The HTI is a compact platform in a bullpup configuration, it incorporates a multi-caliber option allowing the user to quickly change between calibers like .375CT, .408CT, .416B, and .50BMG. The Asset would be a perfect companion for all of those less the 50.
The model tested today has the .408 bore, which wouldn’t work for the .416 Barrett, but would for the 375 and 408 Cheytac models. And to be honest thats all that personally interests me, as I don’t care for 50’s.
With the M22x1.5 thread hub in the Asset, it was a perfect fit for the HTI’s barrel threads. After snapping the suppressor against the barrel, I visually aligned the muzzle brake before tightening the locking ring to secure it. Then it was time to just step back and take in how sexy this whole thing was.
Initial Shots
Just to get an idea of how the different configurations sounded, we ran the suppressor a few rounds in each of its stages. Short with no brake, short with brake, long with no brake, and long with brake. As you might imagine, the long configuration gave the best sound suppression.
Even in an indoor range, I found it to be tolerable without hearing protection. Though it may or may not be a bit quieter without the brake. But that of course increased the felt recoil slightly.
The shorter configuration was a touch too loud for me indoors, but was perfectly fine in the open country where it is likely to be used. And in the open, it sounded amazing. When hearing the report of the 408 Cheytac from as close as 20 yards downrange from the muzzle it didn’t sound much different than a suppressed 5.56 or .308. For a real test in the field, we would take the whole kit into the dry deserts of the west and stretch it out.
Modularity
I mentioned the different stages you can use to configure the suppressor. These are to adapt to suppression and recoil mitigation requirements. On the breach end of the suppressor you will find a different design than most of the hub system suppressors. The first stage of the Asset is a mono-core design, and the mounting threads are actually part of of a blast chamber that threads onto the back of the mono-core.
So to change the thread pitch, you would remove the rear cap (called encapsulator ring in manual) with the tool. Then pull the entire mono-core out the back, and unthread the rearmost portion of it. You could then change it to a different thread pitch part, threading it back onto the core. Then reinstall the core and tighten the ring again. This is an interesting design, and one I expect to be a bit more stout than a simple hub that threads into the back of the suppressor.
Sound Suppression
A precision rifle like the HTI or any other chambered thusly would likely be used for either extreme distances or for crushing targets at closer ranges. Either of those scenarios could be enhanced by the anonymity of sound suppression. From modest distances like 800-yards, the impact of the bullet striking targets was just as loud as the shot from the rifle when heard from 100-200 yards away.
It really didn’t give the impression you were shooting such a large cartridge when you heard it go off. The Asset made the report of the rifle sound much more like any typical suppressed rifle shot. This to me is a huge advantage over previous versions of suppressors for this rifle. In the open and arid desert we had no use for hearing protection while shooting this rifle.
Since I am but a humble rifle junkie, I do not have the expensive testing equipment to show dB readings. But Elite Iron does have them listed on their website, so I will share them here:
- 167 dB* without a suppressor
- 1st stage with end cap 24 dB*
- 1st and 2nd stage with end cap 31 dB*
- 1st stage with muzzle break 22 dB*
- 1st and 2nd stage with muzzle break 30 dB*
Recoil Reduction
In the very first shots while testing the difference between the muzzle brake and a plain end cap it became very obvious. The muzzle brake was very effective at reducing felt recoil. While the HTI in 375 or 408 isn’t particularly heavy recoil, it was even more modest with the Asset and its brake. I would compare the recoil to something like an average hunting rifle, something I could shoot all day (provided I had thousands of dollars to spend on ammo).
I expect the recoil reduction is perhaps a little more noticeable on larger cartridges like the .416 Barrett. Also, if you are trying to maximize the compact nature of your rifle, you can run the shorter configuration while incurring a little more felt recoil. The impact shift of the Asset seemed to have minimal horizontal shift, favoring to the right. It also seemed to be repeatable as advertised by Elite Iron, which is a big deal for those who know.
Durability
One question I have often asked myself is how durable all these modular suppressor designs are. After all, the more sub-assemblies and threaded together parts there are, the more there is to go wrong. I have made peace with the fact that it is simply worth the trouble of keeping an extra eye on all this, to get the modularity I crave. I think it would be a good idea to put indexing marks on every stage of the suppressor to be able to visually see if something begins to come loose. Something as simple as a paint pen witness mark. As I can’t fathom the gut-wrenching scene of part or all of this can going downrange.
The threads of each piece seem more than adequate for engagement. And the locking rings give good purchase to tighten them properly.
The Titanium and aluminum construction give the Asset its incredibly lightweight feel. I expect testing from the manufacturer would show the suppressor to endure years of shooting. Our initial shots did show a few sparky fireworks coming from the muzzle, which I have seen many times with titanium cans. This went away with additional use, as later when I watched there was no sparks shown at all. This is likely just titanium particles being ignited under the high temperature and heat of the. shots.
Weight
So many of the big bore cans feel like an artillery shell. I totally understand overbuilding suppressors for these massive cartridges, but it seems like technology and suppressor design has shown it not be so necessary.
I was very impressed with how light the Asset was, considering the firearms it is destined to yoke. And even with its light weight, it still did an excellent job at taming all the pressure and volume of gas expelled.
Value
I must admit, I was partially stunned when I saw the price of the Elite Iron Asset. Many of us are used to seeing price points in the 1500-1900 dollar range for even magnum cartridge ratings like 338LM or 300NM. Albeit with some bells and whistles.
With all the modularity of the Asset, I would have expected it to handily clear the two-thousand dollar mark. It wouldn’t have surprised me if the price had been $2500. So when I saw the MSRP of only $1795 I was impressed. There is an incredible amount of big bore dexterity in the Asset’s application, for the price of can that is only a tax stamp or two away from suppressors folks are using on their 8.6Blk hog rifles.
Pros and Cons
| Very Reasonable Price | Many Potential Parts to Loosen |
| Modular Design | Maybe Some Titanium Sparks at first |
| Various Caliber Compatible | |
| Lightweight for Size | |
| Great Recoil Reduction | |
| Various Color options | |
| Made in America | |
| Broad Threading Options | |
| Excellent Sounds Reduction |
My Verdict
If I was in the market for a .375, .408 or .416 suppressor, I would be furious with myself had I not tested this one before buying another. Those who shoot big cartridges like these are fewer than most shooting enthusiasts. But those that know a little bit about it can understand the value of a great suppressor. And those that don’t understand the value are the kind of people who don’t care about prices at all.
I think the Elite Iron Asset is exactly that, a fantastic asset for a big bore rifleman or ELR enthusiast. And a big step ahead of previous Elite Iron big bore suppressors.