Key Info
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Get a suppressor that has a larger bore than what you are shooting.
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Larger bore suppressors can shoot almost every smaller caliber through it, if it is rated for the smaller bullets pressures.
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If the rated bore size is larger than the caliber being shot you will see noticeable performance loss.
Need Help Knowing what Bullets fit in Common Suppressor Sizes?
We put together a quick reference chart to help Identify what calibers fit in what size suppressor. It is important check with a manufacturer to make sure their suppressor is actually sized and rated to use on your caliber.
Why get a suppressor that is larger than my caliber?
All manufacturers overbore their suppressors to some degree to prevent baffle strikes in the case of misalignment or bad ammo. When we talk about selecting a "overbored" suppressor, we mean picking one that is advertised as a caliber much larger than our own.
One good reason to buy an over bored suppressor is that you plan to use this can on a larger bullet in the future. Or maybe you have two calibers and want to use a quick-detach system to move the suppressor between them. Just keep in mind: the smaller caliber will have compromised performance out of the larger can. It won't be as efficient as a can rated for that specific caliber.
Let's look at an large bored can like the Otter Creek Universe, a multi cal can rated for 9mm, on a .223/5.56, a smaller diameter caliber. This can when used on a mk18 achieves a peak decibel reading at the muzzle of 147.3. See this Pew Science Article For Detail Then consider this Otter Creek Polonium designed for .223/5.56. Despite being older and slightly smaller than the Universe it is just 144.7 decibels at the muzzle making efficient use of it's smaller volume on .223/5.56. Link To Pew Science
ConsiderA manufacturer will advertise a can as ".223" per say, this does not mean the bore is .223 exactly. The bore will be larger than this.