Hunting and Wildlife Magazine - Issue 233 - Winter 2026
Words by: Ivan Pavich
Relatively unheard of in the NZ suppressor market until recently, Norwegian maker Hausken has manufactured suppressors in Norway since 1992. The company has amassed over three decades of expertise. The Jakt (Norwegian word for 'hunt') JD224 Xtrm Mk2 sits at the top of Hausken's core hunting line. The '224' designation refers to its total length of 224mm, while 'Xtrm' denotes the inclusion of a stainless steel mesh baffle lining inside the suppressor body. This mesh is Hausken's secret weapon: it dramatically improves gas pressure distribution within the suppressor, adding even more sound reduction to the already-capable standard JD224 Mk2. The 'Mk2' designation marks the current-generation design with refined baffle geometry over the original.
The suppressors are machined from high-grade aluminium alloy with a hard-anodised finish, resulting in excellent build quality. Performance is where the JD224 earns its stripes. Range testing was conducted primarily on a rifle chambered in .22-250 Remington - a notoriously loud cartridge to shoot unsuppressed - alongside several other popular NZ-manufactured suppressors, and the sound reduction is excellent. The 'Xtrm' designation is not marketing fluff: the stainless-steel mesh baffle system delivers!
The JD224 Xtrm Mk2 has a 50mm outer diameter. The new 'Lite' variant (JD224L) reduces the outer diameter from 50mm to 45mm, matching the external profile of many locally manufactured suppressors that Kiwi hunters have become accustomed to, while minimising the field of view obstruction that can occur on the 50mm version with lower magnification scopes. Along with the smaller diameter, there is also a slight weight reduction.
Hausken suppressors use a thread-adaptor system to accommodate different rifle barrel thread pitches by installing a removable thread bushing inside the suppressor body - changing thread pitches requires only swapping the internal bushing.
Verdict
The Hausken JD224 Xtrm Mk2 is a genuine performer, with an excellent build quality and sound reduction second to none. Hausken's 30-plus years of suppressor development show in the finished product. The introduction of the 45mm Lite variant is a welcome addition. Buyers choosing between the standard 50mm and the 45mm Lite version should make their decision primarily based on their intended use and the optics they plan to run. The internal thread bushing system remains my only question mark, with many NZ-made suppressors largely adopting the alternative - dedicated suppressors with integral, non-interchangeable threads - which appears a simpler but less flexible option.
The Hausken JD224 Xtrm Mk2 is one of the better-performing hunting suppressors in New Zealand and is worth serious consideration.
|
Model |
Jakt JD224 Xtrm Mk2 |
|
Total Length |
224mm |
|
Barrel Extension (Muzzle Forward length) |
136mm |
|
Diameter |
50mm |
|
Weight |
~380g |
|
Body Material |
Hard-anodised aluminium alloy |
|
Design |
Over-barrel |
|
Sound Reduction |
~34 dB |
|
Origin |
Norway |
|
RRP |
From $659.99 |
Also available in 184L and 151L (shorter length options). MD30 version available for rimfire calibres (.17 & .22).
Proudly distributed by Berettanewzealand.com
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