Moderator ???

[W16OEN]

Sorry if this has been discussed before -
It seems to be the norm to fit a moderator and I think I know what the benefits are but does one really need one? How many of you go about your business without?
Take a 24'' varmint fluted barrel, rifle weight around 8.5lbs and calibre 243 for foxing and stalking - do I need to stick 14 - 20oz of extra weight on the end? Will there be much muzzle flip? should I buy a set of ear plugs, will I get a second shot or will the noise frighten everying off for miles?
Problem is by the time the bipod and scope are fitted the weight is going to be rising all the time and I dont really want to add further or imbalance the set up - and it looks better without.
What do you think? thanks.

 

[Redneck]

Why the varmint contour on a stalking rifle, or even for fox, dont understand the logic.

 

[Redneck]

If you need a mod on that set up, you could follow advice as given on a similar thread, Roedale or CMM4 both very light.

 

[jcampbellsmith]

What do you think? thanks.

As per my gallery, I like the AU-SL5. Regards JCS

 

[W16OEN]

Redneck - the rifle is an RPA Hunter which I believe has a heavier fluted barrel - I dont want to put a mod on if I can help it. Can I get away without?

 

[flytie]

As per my gallery, I like the AU-SL5. Regards JCS

JCS, would that be the AU-S5? Squat and dumpy as they are, but stainless and 590g. Noise attenuation not quite as good as the AU-Jet-Z compact which weighs in at 560g.

W0160EN, Do you really need one for stalking? No not really, only if you value your hearing.

I would say if you are going to use it at the range or off the bonnet of your vehicle use the Jet-Z, they seem to be the best at noise reduction in the published tests. If you want it purely for stalking the the A-Tec CMM-4 at 220g is seemingly the best bet.

Simon

 

[Grant.N]

New SL5 weighs in at 370g
Slightly shorter and slimmer than the S5

 

[tjwaines]

Nah you don't NEED one, I do all my stalking without a mod. I have got a Wildcat to fit to the 7mm but only on request, if I take a day somewhere etc. I'd probably go for one of the Roedale items or the A-tec CMM4 if I could afford one but just can't justify the money. I must say though, I wouldn't be without a mod on my .22-250 setup, but that's purely for foxing out of the Land Rover so the heavy T8 isn't any bother.

Try stalking without one for a few months and if you find the 'Bang' too much then get a mod.

Tom

 

[njc110381]

Grant - any idea if these mods are available here yet? If so how much and where from? I'm very happy with my S5, apart from it being a little heavy! It looks like they do a .22 version of it too which is a real bonus!

 

[jcampbellsmith]

New SL5 weighs in at 370g
Slightly shorter and slimmer than the S5

AU-SL5 available from Alex Dalgleish in Eaglesham, I picked one up on Saturday. Regards JCS

 

[User00003]

You don't need the MOD at all IMHO, when you are zeroing or at the range, use proper hearing protection, but for stalking (unless you do a lot of it) a few bangs won't kill you. Shooting stacks of pheasants, pigeons, ducks etc. during the winter months, not to mention clays, will do a lot worse for your hearing than a few centrefire shots will.

the sound doesn't scare off the deer excessively, but may annoy residents in the surrounding neighbourhoods, so consider residential proximity in your decision making.

Mod's look ugly, add weight, and can mess with balances, oh, and are expensive..but can save your hearing if you shoot a lot, and can make foxing at night more PC if there's residential areas nearby.

Why not consider a muzzle brake instead?

 

[Thar]

You don't need the MOD at all IMHO, when you are zeroing or at the range, use proper hearing protection, but for stalking (unless you do a lot of it) a few bangs won't kill you. Shooting stacks of pheasants, pigeons, ducks etc. during the winter months, not to mention clays, will do a lot worse for your hearing than a few centrefire shots will.

Sorry I have to disagree and have the hearing damaged to prove it, hearing damage from rifle fire is like dropping a glass bottom down on the floor, you can get away with it many times before it goes wrong and you get immediate hearing damage. I can place my hearing damaged down to one weekend and 4 shots from my rifle.

Risk it if you wish but one day it will go wrong, also repeated exposure to rifle fire progressively damages your hearing causes high frequency hearing loss first this will creep up on you unnoticed. I have 3 friends with hearing damaged, one in his 30s from exposure to rifle fire from stalking.

Don’t risk it, if you can’t bear an “ugly rifle” were ear protection always even more so if you get a muzzle brake.

Do your research, there are plenty of papers out there on it, ignore PLK is my advise on this subject.

ATB

Tahr

 

[W16OEN]

I have a good set of moulded ear plugs and have my hearing tested each year at work as part of occupational health.
When you read through the big game or boar articles in stalking rifle seldom do you see a mod?
I had thought about a muzzle break - would i be correct in saying that it can actually increase the noise but reduce muzzle flip and recoil?
Thanks for your views

 

[ejg]

One can reduce the negative points of using a moderator.
Had my sporter rifle's barrel shortened from 24" to 20", saved 130 gram weight, added a Roedale ultra light moderator which
in the end made the end of the rifle only 70 grams heavier than it used to be. No problems with balance or handling.
In the past I would seldomly use an older style heavy moderator for stalking but have changed to 100% use since
the light ones are out.
edi

 

[bewsher500]

depending on your type of shooting it is pretty easy to pop some ear plugs in before you pull the trigger.
you can even do it one handed !

that said I have not used one on CF in the 20 years of stalking and put one on a new 243 I picked up.
made a huge difference to the control of the shot/muzzle flip/sight picture etc etc.

will probably leave it on.

you still need hearing protection even with a moderator though!