I need to lose a rifle from my cabinet, and I'm tempted to get rid of my practical but dull .243 Howa. However, I'm concerned that not having a moderated rifle will close some stalking doors to me, I notice Griff's new syndicates require moderators, for example.

If I get rid of the moderated rifle, am I simply going to find myself needing one in a short while?

If it makes any difference I will be left with a 7mmRM Mauser and a 7x57R Combi gun.

Depends how secure your current stalking ground is?

For me, stalking the South of England, having a moderated rifle opens up certains spots where I wouldn't dare use my unmoderated guns.

Perhaps get another of your rifles screwcut but not shortened and keep the moderator handy if the situation requires. Would require a quick re-sight for the rifle if you found 'moderator only' land - but better than trying to sort out a new rig at short notice...

Whats left of my hearing I would like to keep!
Years of abuse have left me somewhat deaf, or so the missuss keeps saying..
It is entirely your choice.
As Boggy has pointed out there are "sensitive areas" that you would attract more attention than you need.

regards
griff

I suspect in the not too distant future some leases, such as those by the FC, will demand the use of moderators...

Personally I hate the things. They spoil the look of a rifle and its balance. The only stalking I have is on a small parcel of woodland that I own and as a consequence I can shoot without too many concerns. Like Griff I have done some damage to my hearing but mine is tinitus and has resulted in me wearing ear protection in all forms of shooting. However, recently I decided to get one of my .243's and a .308 screw cut and a moddy for both. I was sighting in the other day and gingerly removing the ear defenders to see if i could cope with the sound. The answer is that I cant. Even with a moderator on the sound was too much for me. part from my personal experiences I tend to agree with pete that the health and safety brigade will force us to protect ourselves, so I can see moderators becoming a requirement in some circles.

moderaters works both ways
for years we hav shot with out them and still i hav not heard anyone complain that they would of shot more deer if they had a moderated rifle with them at the time
they do upset the balance and more so the wind catches them a treat so often limiting shots you would normally take
but they dohav a lot of good points
they reduce the kick and reduce the noise
a .243 with the right can is hard to hear even at close range so even less likely to worry the fox or deer in the next field if it thinks the bang is further away than it is
the can also reduces the muzzle flip and kick also the noise at the shooters ear which is a great thing and good for your stalking dog's ears too

I resisted for a long time but it's got to the stage that my ears sing after shooting an unmoderated rifle even with double protection - and thats after allways using protection when shooting!

I think I shoot about 20% more by having a moderator. I used to shoot in some very sensitive areas without a moderator with no problems providing I kept it to 1 shot.

Not all mods are equal - I am hyper sensitive but even I can shoot my 243 without defenders with it's ASE compact (Jet Z), a 308 based cartridge can be made to work with a 19" barrel and careful loading.

When I play with a rifle, turning it over, admiring it, dry mounting etc. I prefer no moderator. When I have a stressful shot on an animal I really want to shoot I want one!

As it happens, the 7mm can't be screw cut without being significantly shortened because a previous owner had it magna-ported!

However, I think I will get rid of the .243 and when I have used up my remaining factory ammo for the 7RM (about 100 rds) I might well get it rebarrelled to .30-06....its a more useful calibre and will do away with the damned magna-porting! It can be screw-cut and then a moderator used when necessary.

This issue has come about as I've moved into rented accommodation and my guns will be going into storage provided by work, but 2-3 guns is all I can have there. As it happens, I'm now in Chester, although I understand there's nack all deer around this part of the world....! Striking range to Scotland is better now though.

Many thanks to all for the advice! I've had to take a nearly 2 year hiatus from stalking just after taking it up and I'm really looking forward to getting back into it.

quote:

Originally posted by 63:
As it happens, the 7mm can't be screw cut without being significantly shortened because a previous owner had it magna-ported!

However, I think I will get rid of the .243 and when I have used up my remaining factory ammo for the 7RM (about 100 rds) I might well get it rebarrelled to .30-06....its a more useful calibre and will do away with the damned magna-porting! It can be screw-cut and then a moderator used when necessary.

This issue has come about as I've moved into rented accommodation and my guns will be going into storage provided by work, but 2-3 guns is all I can have there. As it happens, I'm now in Chester, although I understand there's nack all deer around this part of the world....! Striking range to Scotland is better now though.

Many thanks to all for the advice! I've had to take a nearly 2 year hiatus from stalking just after taking it up and I'm really looking forward to getting back into it.

63, Welcome to the walled city, quite a few of us around this way, more visible on thestalking directory, might bump into you soon.Steve.

Morning chaps,
I feel like a politician when I say that all arguements, both fore and against get the thumbs up from me. Personally, the balance issue is a PITA but the blast of a un modded 22-250 at 11pm is sure to get local plod up and about. I would say 100% of my non target shooting is with mods on and 75% of my target is mods on - like being pleasant to my fellow range users!

Is that magnaported Mauser 7mmRM a Proctor?

I use a moderator on all my rifles and ear protection with my shotguns but still I hear a faint susseration of sound when its quiet.
I wake up in the small hours thinking there's rain falling and get up to find its been dry all along.

The 7mmRM is an Interarms X, basically, a Yugoslavian copy of a Mauser 98 sporter. Its quite a nice looking rifle, and until I can afford a real Mauser I'd like to keep hold of it. I've had my fill of 'practical' plastic guns, I like my own to be something a bit special feeling. The magnaporting has been done 'aftermarket' as far as I can see, and its a bit of a pain as the muzzle blast is considerable and its a bit rude if there's a guide/someone on the firing point next to you!

As to the hearing, thats not my main concern, I would wear ear defence even with a moderated rifle, I have tried it without and it exacerbated the tinnitus I had at the time.

An aside - For anyone who is suffering from tinnitus etc. don't use "they're already damaged" as an excuse not to use ear protection. It takes years but if your careful it can and will improve. I badly damaged my hearing in 2007 and its subsequently got a lot better after a few years 'off' from loud bangs without ear defs!