Moderator for woodland stalking

[Nick1976]

This is my rifle with mod. As you can see, it is very long. This has been fine for stalking on the hill, or sitting in a high seat, which is what most of my stalking has been until now. However, I recently got permission on some ground with a few acres of woodland and unsurprisingly, my mod hits every branch going. I need to sort this out as it's making stalking this ground very difficult, which is a pain as there are plenty of deer in there.

I've had a few suggestions as to what to do - a shorter mod is the obvious one, also over the barrel mods, but then others have said they don't like them, though gave no particular reason why. One person even told me to have my barrel professionally shortened. Others just said don't use the mod at all, but I feat that would deafen me!

So, I'm turning it over to you guys. What's the best route to go down to make my rifle usable for woodland stalking? I can't justify buying a new rifle and scope just for the wood by the way, so that is out.

Thanks in advance for all useful suggestions!

 

[scotch_egg]

What calibre is the rifle?

Get it shortened and fit an Ase Utra SL5I muzzle can. That’s the best bet.

 

[malmick]

I've got a DPT over barrel mod on my 20" barrelled .308 and intending to do the same to my .223 and 6.5. The latter two are 24" barrels and currently sharing an over barrel DM80 but it's over twice the weight of the DPT on the .308 so the feel of it on them is very weighty.

 

[Klenchblaize]

Just purchase a stutzen and a pair of active ear plugs.

K

 

[VSS]

This is my rifle with mod. As you can see, it is very long. This has been fine for stalking on the hill, or sitting in a high seat, which is what most of my stalking has been until now. However, I recently got permission on some ground with a few acres of woodland and unsurprisingly, my mod hits every branch going. I need to sort this out as it's making stalking this ground very difficult, which is a pain as there are plenty of deer in there.

I've had a few suggestions as to what to do - a shorter mod is the obvious one, also over the barrel mods, but then others have said they don't like them, though gave no particular reason why. One person even told me to have my barrel professionally shortened. Others just said don't use the mod at all, but I feat that would deafen me!

So, I'm turning it over to you guys. What's the best route to go down to make my rifle usable for woodland stalking? I can't justify buying a new rifle and scope just for the wood by the way, so that is out.

Thanks in advance for all useful suggestions!

I have a similar very long end-of-muzzle mod on my 243. Like you, I found that it snagged on every branch, and the problem couldn't be solved by carrying muzzle down because I risked ploughing a furrow wherever I went.
I now use my 270 for stalking, which isn't screwcut, and it's much nicer and easier to handle. Give it a try without the mod - you might be pleasantly surprised.

 

[lochty]

Carry it muzzle down, with a piece of insulating tape over the mod to stop crap getting in. Simples.....

 

[VSS]

Carry it muzzle down, with a piece of insulating tape over the mod to stop crap getting in. Simples.....

It's like walking with a crutch when it's that long

 

[Sash]

The worse I have heard is that over-barrel moderators might be a few decibels less effective than the equivalent end of barrel mod.
Even if that is true, I have not noticed it in practice.
And the improvement in balance, with no need to chop the barrel, is excellent.
So, no need for a new rifle, scope, or the barrel to be shortened: just get a DPT over-barrel moderator, and woodland stalking becomes FAR easier!

 

[pendle]

Get the lightest like a DPT if it's over barrel a Shultz and Larsen TMD35 micro mod about 285 grams if end can about £165.00 and get your barrel cut.
Dont worry about the decibel level that much as your surroundings can help baffle the noise.
How many deer walk about with a decibel testing machine

 

[Pete1774]

Do you need a barrel that long for woodland stalking? A chop job or a new gun with a 16 inch barrel and a shorter reflex type mod would solve the problem.

 

[long_range_rob]

There’s a lot to be said for the old T8’s. Excellent sound dampening, only about 4” increase in overall length and reasonably priced.

 

[Adyb]

The worse I have heard is that over-barrel moderators might be a few decibels less effective than the equivalent end of barrel mod.
Even if that is true, I have not noticed it in practice.
And the improvement in balance, with no need to chop the barrel, is excellent.
So, no need for a new rifle, scope, or the barrel to be shortened: just get a DPT over-barrel moderator, and woodland stalking becomes FAR easier!

Absolutely right, I got a Freyr and devik 196 and a hausken jd151 on my most used rifles, both well below 10cm on the end of the barrel and less than 250g weight. Recoil reduced a lot and sound reduced well below ear ringing levels and thats with 30-06 and 7rm..
No way would i go back to a big mod, the only reason i could see to do so would be subsonics

 

[NullMac]

SL5i. Compact wee thing. Robust

 

[8x57]

Do you need a barrel that long for woodland stalking? A chop job or a new gun with a 16 inch barrel and a shorter reflex type mod would solve the problem.

I think you need to qualify that a bit Pete. A barrel that short could drop you below deer legal limits with some chamberings.

 

[Nick1976]

Thanks all, really helpful.

 

[Nick1976]

What calibre is the rifle?

Get it shortened and fit an Ase Utra SL5I muzzle can. That’s the best bet.

308

 

[Pete1774]

I think you need to qualify that a bit Pete. A barrel that short could drop you below deer legal limits with some chamberings.

I meant it as a general comment, not for someone shooting a marginally legal load. A 6.5 creedmore for instance with a 16" barrel will lose about 5% of the velocity when compared to a 20" barrel.
See:

 

[8x57]

308

As it's a .308win shortening the barrel shouldn't cause you any problems as regards legal deer requirements, but if it was a .243win then it's generally regarded that 20" is the minimum length before you have problems achieving the required 1700ft/lb.

 

[scotch_egg]

308

Excellent news, get it chopped to at least 20”

 

[Bowland blades]

get a mod that goes back along the barrel more , that looks very unweildy. OR shotern the barrel , you can compensate some via using a faster burn powder . Tales of velocity lost do not take powder choices into consideration . 243 win can with short barrels drop below legal energy , just because its the legislation model at the low end ( they will still any UK deer just fine)
I use a T8 and a MAE scout both telescope back a fair way along the barrel , dont know what someone was thinking with the design shown unless its a freaky long barrel ( if it is it wants a chop job)