DPT moderators -observations please

[kripton]

I am considering a DPT moderator for my Shultz & Larsen Victory - this is a heavy rifle especially with scope I therefore want as light a moderator as is reasonable and effective. Whilst not yet past my"sell by date" I am no longer young enough that I can ignore the weight of kit I carry when stalking.
I understand and accept that in, given similar conditions, the heavier moderators on the market will suppress sound better that the lightweight versions but I would appreciate comments from those who have tried DPT (or any other light moderators) as to their longlevity (I always unscrew and clean both barrels and moderators after use) and their effectiveness.
My indecision as to which moderator is best for me personally arises from both my sons comments that whatever the other considerations, there is no point in getting a moderator which does not give maximum decibel reduction and also that I should not buy one with separate baffles as they can come unscrewed.
I tried to post this thread twice yesterday and for some reason it did not show up - here's hoping third time lucky.
Thanks in advance guys.

 

[Sash]

I bought one for my .308 last year to supplement/replace a Wildcat Predator, which weighs over twice as much (599g vs 260g; my scales, not manufacturers' data).
I have kept the Wildcat for range work, and I was worried that the DPT might suffer baffle cutting if I fired a lot of rounds through it on a range day.
But this has not happened, and the Wildcat is getting very little use. My observations:

Pros:
- Light weight (see above). I often carry my rifle slung across my body muzzle up, whilst looking through binos. With the Widcat, the wegith of the moderator dragged the muzzle down, and the it all became unstable. the DPT sorted that.
- I just cannot detect a difference in noise vs the Wildcat (with which I was/am very pleased). So, for stalking, it does exactly the job I want it for, which is the ability to fire a single round (i.e. when stalking on foot, and I have little warning) without ear defenders
- Slightly lower profile (<45mm diameter; Wildcat is 50mm).
- Relatively easy to disassemble for cleaning, and easy to clean once I have done that. The Wildcat is easy to disassemble, but harder to clean.
- I have NEVER had the DPT sections become loose whilst firing or being mounted on the rifle. The washers etc do an excellent job of keeping it all together.

Cons:
- Potentially a longer-term durability issue: alloy vs steel. But the sections are individually replaceable, so not a show-stopper
- Gets very hot with prolonged use, or if firing a large number of rounds. In fact, the DPT gets hotter than the barrel of my Tikka T3. So its not for range work.

I bought my DPT from Steve Beatty at Ivythorn: he let me test fire it extensively and against my Wildcat before I made the decision: great service.

 

[Lateral]

Very happy with mine. I bought the magnum version, so I can use it on both a 300 WM, and 6.5x47, but I also bought a stainless steel section to make it more durable. Makes it a little heavier, but worth it.

 

[andychas]

I've got a DPT on my 30-06 S&L Victory, its a recent purchase so can't vouch for long term performance yet but so far its performed well. Its light weight is a definite advantage and it reduces noise to be comfortable enough without ear defenders. Im sure there are quieter ones out there sure, and probably gets beaten in the longevity stakes by other models too but as long as you let it cool (between every 3-4 shots I think is the recommended) you'll get the manufacturers 2000 shots before replacing baffles so its certainly good enough on a stalking rifle for me.
Tbh I tend to look at a mod as a commodity, and as the DPT baffles are replaceable without a licence variation I see no issue. Thumbs up from me.

 

[rem284]

Ive had one for probably a year now for my 6.5-284. Ive not fired many shots. I have had no issues. I have only ever had T8's in the past for comparison .

I like the dpt a lot better because you hardly notice it in terms of weight and size. It also feels like it reduces recoil and noise a good as the T8 does. If I was needing to buy another mod, then I would probably be another dpt

 

[Miki]

I have a Shultz & Wotsit Victory in .25-06 and have the 6mm magnum over-barrel (reflex) on mine. With a 5 baffle stack and a stainless blast baffle the rifle looks balanced and is well moderated. I felt the forward barrel moderators made it look a bit front heavy (not that is was as the mods are very lightweight) and are definately louder than the reflex models. I've never had my baffles come unscrewed, I've bought one for my 22-250 too (in 20cal) as they are so lightweight and efficient. Cleaning is easy, unscrew, wipe, put back together. You can move the baffles around if you feel that 'wear' is an issue and like sash said they are very efficient at dispersing heat, perfect for stalking. You can also buy additional baffles if you like which can be sent through the post no problem.

There is a longish thread here worth a read <https://www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk/showthread.php/130650-moderator-bore-(hole)-size>

Give Edinburg Rifles (on here often) a ping he'll looki after you

 

[hendrix's rifle]

I have a Shultz & Wotsit Victory in .25-06 and have the 6mm magnum over-barrel (reflex) on mine. With a 5 baffle stack and a stainless blast baffle the rifle looks balanced and is well moderated. I felt the forward barrel moderators made it look a bit front heavy (not that is was as the mods are very lightweight) and are definately louder than the reflex models. I've never had my baffles come unscrewed, I've bought one for my 22-250 too (in 20cal) as they are so lightweight and efficient. Cleaning is easy, unscrew, wipe, put back together. You can move the baffles around if you feel that 'wear' is an issue and like sash said they are very efficient at dispersing heat, perfect for stalking. You can also buy additional baffles if you like which can be sent through the post no problem.

There is a longish thread here worth a read <https://www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk/showthread.php/130650-moderator-bore-(hole)-size>

Give Edinburg Rifles (on here often) a ping he'll looki after you

I pm'ed him start of the week about something and still heard nothing back

 

[mealiejimmy]

I have 3 DPT moderators. One on a 243, one on a 22-250 and one on a 22 Hornet. I think you can take it from that, that I rather like them!!
Light, good noise reduction if you go calibre specific, easily strippable
I took 2 baffles off the one on the Hornet because they're not really needed on such a small round and fitted them to the 22-250 and that further improved the noise reduction.

Cheers

Bruce

 

[bryn]

I have 2 and am very pleased with them. I sling my rifles barrel down and so the mod skims the grass. It does get wet but thats of no consequence as dpt mods are made of aluminium. If you have heavy rifle it will transform it.
bryn

 

[User00033]

+1 on all the positive comments about DPT. I own three of them, .22LR, .223, .243. They get a real hiding and perform no problem with one minor issue to look out for - the .243 moderator can loosen on the muzzle thread slightly after repeated shots. If I shoot 4-5 shots in quick succession I just give the moderator a tweak to tighten. Note this is NOT the individual baffles loosening - that will not happen. I service the moderator regularly as per the instructions and use a light dab of lithium grease to maintain threads. I also treat the baffles as a commodity and will simply replace the first one when shot out. These moderators will change your zero by 2-3 inches @ 100yds in my experience.

I visit the factory in Hamilton regularly. The guys really know their stuff. Very good to deal with. Straightforward, no nonsense.

 

[JTO]

Tbh I tend to look at a mod as a commodity, and as the DPT baffles are replaceable without a licence variation I see no issue.

And baffles of a different calibre can also be bought without them being entered on your FAC.

 

[Lewis T3]

Replaced my ASE compact for a DPT overbarrel on my 30-06 Finnlight after posting a thread on SD looking for a light Mod loads of positive feedback. Can't fault it shot over 600 rounds been to Africa and plenty of stalking trips.

Just ordered another one for a B&N semi custom 6.5 CM.

 

[JTO]

These moderators will change your zero by 2-3 inches @ 100yds in my experience.

Up, down or sideways?
I'm working up a .284W load with a moderator, because of neighbours being closeby. I'll find out where they go without it tomorrow at Bisley.

 

[EMcC]

I zeroed my .308 with it on and then checked the zero without it prior to a trip to Hungary and found that without it my strike was the same group but 3" high at 100 yards.
That is no bad thing, I use the Dpt mods on my 30-06, .308, .243 and my .222. I change the muzzle section for the .222 as it is threaded 1/2 x 20 and my other calibres are Blasers so 15 x 1 spigot.

 

[Miki]

I zeroed my .308 with it on and then checked the zero without it prior to a trip to Hungary and found that without it my strike was the same group but 3" high at 100 yards.
That is no bad thing,<snip>

My DPT, reflex with 5 baffles makes a slight difference, less than 1/2" low @ 100 yds on my 25-06 and no change on my 22-250, grouping stays the same. I have a 6mm, 5 baffle stack with a 22cal stainless on the .257 and a 20cal (5 baffle) stack with the same 22cal stainless on the .224

Do all your rifles display the same offset with the DPT ?

 

[EMcC]

Do all your rifles display the same offset with the DPT ?

I only tried it with the .308 as that was the calibre I was taking to Hungary, the others may be different due to cartridge size and velocity etc.

 

[Edinburgh Rifles]

This is the fornt baffle stack from a .22 stamped DPT mod with a 7mm bore

I run it on two different rear sections
an overbarrel on a .222 (23gr of powder)
and a muzzle mount on a 6mm BR (30gr powder)

It has probably seen 450-500 rounds, maybe a few more
the vast majority has been load development with upwards of 40-50 rounds in a matter of an hour or so
probably the worst kind of activity of prolonged strings, continuous high temperatures and extended exposure to blast

The erosion is very light and the significant element of the baffle,
The surface of the eroded aspect is smooth to th etouch
the bore is a longer/deeper section which still maintains the vast majority of its effective surface area
There appears to be no protrusions into the bore or pieces that could potentially be blown off or clipped

if it burns through a simple swap with the baffles in front would be a quick fix
or a replacement single baffle






compare that picture to this

Wildcat Predator 8 front baffle
shot on a 204 ruger (25gr powder)
similar round count of around 400 or so
extended periods ans strings unknown

The front edge is much rougher with a number of raised lumps which can be chipped off with a finger nail or hard edge
The initial depth of the baffle before the vent is very shallow, as erosion continues that aspect will be cut through leaving vary narrow sharp edges/points,
It may be designed to be sacrificial but I don't like the idea of sharp pieces that could break off with prolonged use
the next section of the baffle after the vent is less corroded
It looks worse for wear than the other mod
whether it is losing its efficiency is a difficult one to quantify without running tests when new and now





as an aside
the DPT run on my Varmint Barrelled 6mm BR made no difference at all to 100yd POI
It is 2" high and 1/2" right on my .222 sporter barrel

change in POI with and without moderators is perfectly normal and can be mapped and repeated

I have marks on the turret for use with and without

 

[JTO]

I think DPT recommend no more than 90 shots per hour.

 

[User00033]

Up, down or sideways?
I'm working up a .284W load with a moderator, because of neighbours being closeby. I'll find out where they go without it tomorrow at Bisley.

My .243 behaves the same as EMcC's .308 - shoots 3" high without moderator assuming you set zero with it on. Haven't tried the .223 without moderator. The guys at DPT will tell you to rezero your rifle if you fit a moderator, they are expected to change.