Nice
IIRC you live in New Zealand?
I'll assume it's legal to hunt with a suppressor there. Do you have to have a special permit for the suppressor? How much does it quiet down the shot, and how much does it effect accuracy? Are they (suppressors) expensive, and where is it made?
Yes NZ. All you need is a firearms license (you sit a simple test about firearm safety, two references are called, your storage area is checked). Suppressors are not restricted in any way. Mine cost US$126 + threading on the barrel ~ $50. There are dozens of brands to choose from home, many made locally. The only thing you need to flash your license for is firearms and ammo.
Click here for some examples
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http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/SearchResults.aspx?searchType=0005-0386-&searchString=suppressor&type=Search&generalSearch_keypresses=10&generalSearch_suggested=0The suppressor takes the boom out of the shot. You still get the supersonic crack but not the ear ringing boom. So for a start it saves your hearing.
Generally the suppressor improves accuracy, it lowers recoil and lowers turbulence at the muzzle. Most people find muzzle velocity goes either way by 50-100fps (sometimes up, sometimes down).
As far as animals go only .22 subs are dead quiet (I have a Savage 22 as well). Anything centerfire is still noisy with the supersonic crack. However farm livestock are not spooked by it. I hunt on and around the fringe of some farms for rabbits, hares (you call them jack rabbits I think), goats and pigs, for deer we have our national parks (hunting is free).
Game animals cannot place direction on a supersonic crack, so tend to hesitate on fleeing. It gives you time for follow up shots - in case you miss or for any other animals nearby.
So the suppressor is great no matter which way you look at it (I cannot understand why you guys restrict their use when their benefits are so great). I put the latex camo tape on mine to cut down on noise it makes brushing past trees and scrub (aluminum is a bit 'tinky').