Moderator poll

[Acm]

Who uses a moderator on their stalking rifle ? And what's your reason for your choice . I use a .308 and a .243 without a mod , to me , as a recreational stalker I don't need one and I prefer how my gun handles without one . I use ear protection in the form of the squishy inserts !

 

[Dalua]

I use ear protection in the form of the squishy inserts !

Inserted in your ears, I presume?

 

[Hornet 6]

Fox and vermin rifle.
I use one and hate the thing, just wish I could shoot without, but fear it would be the end of the permission (my only one) if I did.

Neil.

 

[stag1933]

I never used one in my lifetime of stalking but have them on my vermin rifles. [ Rarely used now ! ]

HWH.

 

[Selous]

fended them off for ages as the reflex look too big and numb and I liked the bang. Now have started using mods and quite like them. Have even sacrificed 4 inches of barrel on my 308 for one!!

 

[Acm]

Inserted in your ears, I presume?

What you do in your time is no concern of mine mate !

 

[Taff]

Never seen the need for one, only wear ear defenders on the range.

 

[norma 308]

Now used on all my rifles although I may get a lightweight rifle without one in the future ,like the calming effect bit too late for my hearing now .have em on 22/250,6.5,308 ,22lr
norma

 

[PointBlank]

I use one, I already have tinnitus so I don't need anymore damage

 

[timbrayford]

I use a mod on my .243 to protect the hearing of myself and anyone else in the near vicinity and it has also been useful in damping down the recoil so that I have been able to see the bullet strike. atb Tim

 

[Monkey Spanker]

Wouldn't shoot without one! Low noise and less recoil avoids flinches and therefore improves accuracy! More sympathy on the rifle (especially optics) and user. Can see the bullet strike and watch animal reaction/direction which is probably the most important feature for me. No muzzle flash or smoke! Sympathy towards others as I shoot in a lot of semi urban areas too. Doesn't affect balance as I invariably shoot supported and carry rifle muzzle down by choice anyway. Less disturbance to deer and other wildlife also!
MS

 

[Chris J]

Can't really answer yes or no on the poll as I have a fair few rifles. Some moderated and some not.
For stalking, I do have a moderated rifle in .308 so that it covers all UK basic needs. I don't really use it much, but I am one of those chaps who sees the way thing are going and tries to be prepared. I don't stalk FC land anymore, but at the time there was pressure for everyone to use mods, so I got one so I was sorted. Horrible things and they cost money which I'd rather spend on other things.

For foxing, I do have a mod on my .17 Rem because I want to be be able to communicate with my mate on the lamp without hearing protection / shouting. We tried lamping in ear muffs and it was like a comedy sketch. The foxes nearly died laughing at us.

Not any more.

Chris

Should have added that I too value my hearing. Worked in industry, played drums, shot handguns, clays and a lot of rifles. I wear good protection fitted properly and have hearing checks periodically. Everything still good.

 

[BunnyDoom]

I've always used one on my rimfires so use one on my .243 - my MAE T12 is quiet but now I've been out on a few all-day sessions it's a bit of a weight!

I value my hearing so will probably continue using one - could do with an aluminium mod with some sort of coating to make it as resistant to gas cutting etc!!!! Not titanium as can't afford it and I'm also told it becomes brittle when exposed to carbon and heat (NASA research before the debates ensue)

 

[sikadog]

Yes on my Rimfire,22-250, 6.5x55.
No on my 30-06, 338-06. Both are being built

 

[timbrayford]

Not titanium as can't afford it and I'm also told it becomes brittle when exposed to carbon and heat (NASA research before the debates ensue)

OMG what about all those aircraft engines?

 

[Saugmann]

Yep, got mods on the rifles I use for stalking here in the UK, to reduce the noise.

 

[enfieldspares]

Never had one, never used one, never will as ALL my stalking rifles (in fact all my rifles) going back over thirty plus years have all had iron sights in addition to any telescopic sight that they may have been fitted with. If you either don't take more than a couple of shots OR if doing so wear good hearing protection then there isn't a problem to you IMHO.

I also think that if you have a longer barrel...60cms or 24"...then it also with cartridges around or under 2,800 fps less of a problem. The longer the barrel the further the noise is away.

The very worst culprits were Churchill XXV shot guns!

Having said that I can see that they have great advantages in both noise and blast reduction. Although the quietest firearm that I ever encountered was hearing a Welrod pistol being used. Or rather not hearing it being used. It was virtually bar the strike of the firing pin on the primer silent.

 

[David T]

Both rifles moderated, why, cos they're quieter !

 

[bobjs]

on all 3 of mine,

saves my ears, and after firing a chieftain/fox/scorpion/Carl gustav 84mm/lmg/gpmg/slr/9mm pistol/smg/sa80/30 cal browning/50 cal browning, my ears have taken a beating. so the best i can do now is save what i have left,
...

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what for. 1/4 past 4 thanks

bob.

 

[jackfish]

Yep use one on my .243 and on the .22lr, as said it helps with the recoil and most importantly my hearing which has taken a hammering with the shotgun over the years. Funnily enough when i had my last medical it was my left ear that was the problem which I thought was a bit strange being right handed. Nurse told me that the sound travels round and affects the opposite ear, seemingly quite common in shooters!

Bryan