Moderated Rifle or Not ?

[Blot]

Having used a Moderator for the last 10 years mostly on Roe Deer, it strikes me that I am carrying extra weight on the end of the barrel for no good reason. Muzzle Flip, Bigger Bang, Muzzle Flash, so what? I shot without one for the first 30 years and seem to have just followed the trend of gadgets.

What do you guys think?

Blot

 

[pete evans]

i use a mod and wouldnt go back to unmoderated by choice. i stalk and lamp in populated areas so its more discrete. i am getting better ccuracy and the extra weight anchors the rifle in the sticks, this allows me to take mucch longer shots off the sticks than before.

pete

 

[thomas]

Hello Blot,

I am starting to come the same conclusion! I have only been using mods for the last 2 years or so and last week, after getting mod caught for what seemed like the 1000th time whilst stalking in thick cover I was determined to go home and an re-zero rifles without mods!!!

I had started using my 22-250 without a mod for the past month or so anyway, so as to save swapping bushes over each time I want to use it.

I think I would be happy to go back to using foam ear plugs for zeroing like I did for the 20 years I shot without mods. My ground is so thinly populated with houses so I don't have to worry about neighbors too much either.

 

[Monkey Spanker]

I think as with most things, everyones circumstances will be different. I shoot a lot near built up areas. I also like to see the bullet strike whilst not reeling backwards. My ears are already damaged from years of shooting and my work. You are far more likely to flinch with an unmoderated rifle and probably don't even no you do it! Moderators are great for larger herding species as they are not always aware of where the shot came from and will often run towards you 8)
Apart from that it gives 'mechanical sympathy' to your rifle and scope due to less recoil. Moderators are also reputed to increase muzzle velocity by effectively increasing the length of your barrel too.
Yes they are bulky and affect the balance of your rifle but I find the weight at the end acts more like a stabiliser and I shoot better with it.
Your circumstances might be entirely different.
I prefer to use one and can't see that changing.

 

[woody]

Hi,

I prefer my rifles without mods on, the only reason I use them is sometimes I may get an extra shot as the deer dont allways know where the shot came from, and that is the only reason.

Rich

 

[IanF]

I've got both.

Do I wish to be dragging a mod up and down rough ground - probably not.

Am I grateful to be able to shoot within a couple hundred yards of the neighbours - at 5am? Yep, nice to have the option.

Rgds Ian

 

[tika.308]

i have just purchased a sound mod for my .308 after seeing the differences as mentioned above,and what happens when you miss (fester) they dont know where you are and give you chance for a second shot .twice

 

[devilishdave]

I found improved accuracy when I fitted the mod. I shot a deer last year at 6 am 200m from a mates house and it didn't even wake him. That has got to be good for PR.

Dave

 

[Turfer]

Hi Blot

Personally I can't stand mods. I don't even have one on any of my .22lr's.
I've never had difficulty in getting enough shots into a group of beasts when the opportunity has arisen, I've never been off balanced by a un-moded rifles recoil or suffered scope damage either.(That might be due too never buying cheap scopes )

In an attempt to save what hearing I have left I've used either custom plugs or cans when engaged in all of my shooting activities for the last 15 years. So far so good!

As for upsetting the neighbours? I'm involved on a perfectly legitimate sport/occupation why should I feel the need to hide what I do? Its only one or two bangs most of the time anyway!

 

[dieseldan]

Moderators

I got a T8 for my 22-250 as we were foxing around farms/cottages.

I eventually had it put on my 308 as well. And I hate them but they are a necessary evil.

i have shot multiple roe and red without one and with them so that is an old wives tale in woodland scenarios. Hill is different. The mod will allow for a longer culling window. But know your stuff and take out the lead hind and that will work also.

So have them and use them YES. Like them NO.

 

[doghound]

I dont think i will change to a mod given the discussion, too much heft for me.

I stalk thick woodland and often pick up the odd animal freehand in tight cover. Often fallow, when they stand up in thick bramble, I am only quick enough about 50% of occasions, I think a mod would slow me down further.

I get my rifle caught in every branch as it is i suppose this is worse with a mod or do you carry the rifle differently?

 

[stone]

i use a mod on my 30 cal, (T8)
yes i hav the extra weight and the rifle is only 4 inches longer with the mod on, getting caught up in the branches is neither here or there
reduces the muzzle flip , so much less recoil , even less noise for me and my dog to hav to worry about from the deafness point of view
i can use ear defenders but who thinks of the dog
the mod is a choice
you weigh up the pos againts the neg and then decide
i can name more pos's than neg's
so mod for me so far

 

[Paul 600]

Re: Moderators

But know your stuff and take out the lead hind and that will work also.
.

Shooting the lead hind will cause temporary confusion so you can get time for multiple shots but the parcel will then break up into smaller parcels and distribute themselves all over your or your neighbors ground possibly making future stalks harder?

Cans have a place? Not sure if I should get a couple!

 

[Blot]

I have to own up to being a complete Hypocrite - I went to the range today with all best intentions of zeroing "without" moderator which I did. At 100 metres I shot 3 groups of 3 rounds and all were in the bull. Brilliant thinks I now let me throw that bloody moderator away and get on with some real "manly" rifle carrying. Hmm, then I thought, maybe I'll just put the moderator back on and see what the difference is with regard to the muzzle flip and kickback.

Needless to say, the muzzle flip was almost non existent and the kickback hardly noticeable. Also, the groups were so tight it was incredible, literally cloverleaf. Now this is nothing I didn't know before today it's just that I thought I didn't need the moderator. It would seem that I do so it stays.

Thanks for all your comments anyway - interesting as always.

Regards

Blot

 

[bambislayer]

Re: Moderators

But know your stuff and take out the lead hind and that will work also.
.

Shooting the lead hind will cause temporary confusion so you can get time for multiple shots but the parcel will then break up into smaller parcels and distribute themselves all over your or your neighbors ground possibly making future stalks harder?

Cans have a place? Not sure if I should get a couple!

You don't always want to kill your lead hind, she's normally your matriach, she's the one who'll know where to go in a tricky situation or where the best grazing is.
It works and is a method for killing deer , NOT managing them.
The secret is to get into a good position without allerting the deer and take well placed shots quickly and effectively , the mod. will help big style, deer that have been chased all season will p*** off if there is a mod or not.

The secret , keep yourself quiet, keep the deer quiet.

I now prefer the mod for hinds but have had my biggest hauls in the days before cans, I wonder how I would have faired if I had 1.