Changing moderators!

[BMG]

Dear All

After performing a Ladder Test and fine tuning my 22.250 50 grain load using a heavy barrelled custom made rifle, I have been using that setup for a couple of years. I have now changed my moderator from a fairly heavy PES custom made in terms of length moderator to a titanium much lighter again custom made in terms of length (not quite the same length as the PES) moderator. My question is will I have to perform another Ladder Test and go through the load development procedure again or will my original load development suffice? I am only really interested in shooting out to 300-350yds maximum.

Kind regards

BMG

 

[Terry]

What is a Moderator?

 

[Leeman]

Terry,

BMG is talking about a suppressor or silencer, moderator is just another term by which they are known. My opinion is that changing anything attached to the barrel will alter the harmonics and the load will have to be re-tuned and no doubt re-zeroed with the new device. Whether the difference is substantive enough to matter will depend on the intended use and magnitude of change, only BMG can determine this through test firing.

Richard.

 

[searcher]

Leeman is right. Even the strap-on "bayonette" for my chrobnograph alters the accuracy node on my 6PPC - but not on most other rifles tested. The "bayonette" only weighs probably 5 or 6 ounces so it doesn't take much with some rifles. Serious rimfire benchresters almost all use some type of weighting system in combination with a barrel tuner to stay on the node with varying lots of ammo. It sometimes takes very little adjustement to change the node. Very effective.

I am very intrigued by a silencer on a 22/250. Can't have them where I live so no experience. I do wonder - if you could tell me - do they take much away from the accuracy of your rifle? Are they efferctive in reducing the sound level in such a fast cartridge? Thanks

 

[Leeman]

Searcher,

They can affect the accuracy, but not necessarily. The good ones dramatically reduce the muzzle report, the first time I was around one being used, on a centrefire, I forget which calibre, it reduced the sound to that of a subsonic rimfire round. Of course, you can't reduce the crack of a supersonic bullet but it allows use of centrefires without having to use ear protection so the shooter can be more aware of his surroundings and their use is recommended in many countries where pest control is conducted at night and for health and safety grounds.

Richard.

 

[Erik Cortina]

Dear All

After performing a Ladder Test and fine tuning my 22.250 50 grain load using a heavy barrelled custom made rifle, I have been using that setup for a couple of years. I have now changed my moderator from a fairly heavy PES custom made in terms of length moderator to a titanium much lighter again custom made in terms of length (not quite the same length as the PES) moderator. My question is will I have to perform another Ladder Test and go through the load development procedure again or will my original load development suffice? I am only really interested in shooting out to 300-350yds maximum.

Kind regards

BMG

Anytime you change something you at least have to double check your load. If anything changed, seating depth adjustments will bring it back in.

 

[BMG]

Dear All

Thank you very much for your replies. Here in England moderators/suppressors are very common on all rifles from air rifles to the maximum centerfire calibres allowed. I have a 30 ft/lbs air rifle, a HMR 17, 22.250, .243 and a 30/06 all have moderators attached. Accuracy doesn't seem to be affected, felt recoil is greatly reduced and noise is also greatly reduced.

You guys have confirmed my suspicion that if I changed my moderator type and weight I would have to look at my load data again. I thought I could maybe get away with not tinkering if my range was limited to 300-350yds maximum.

Kind regards

BMG