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And people, please don't put 'elf'n'safety down as a reason to have a moderator. Nobody has yet come up with an H&S requirement for moderated guns. As soon as someone does, we will all HAVE to have them. Don't hand the opposition sticks to beat us with.

Try "reduction of percieved recoil and ability to use less obstructive hearing protection" or some such.

Iain

Interesting how things vary from region to region. In my area it's virtually impossible for target shooters to get a moderator.

Apphelia wrote:Interesting how things vary from region to region. In my area it's virtually impossible for target shooters to get a moderator.

What force area is that?

Mike

And Apphelia, why would a target shooter WANT a moderator?

Serious question. I have to support NRA members applications for FACs, and I genuinely do not know what the argument in favour of moderators for target shooting actually is (you can wear ear defenders, no?). Please please give me the argument so I can use it.

Iain

IainWR wrote:And Apphelia, why would a target shooter WANT a moderator?

Serious question. I have to support NRA members applications for FACs, and I genuinely do not know what the argument in favour of moderators for target shooting actually is (you can wear ear defenders, no?). Please please give me the argument so I can use it.

Iain

I'm guessing:

Potentially if the shooter in question has a duff shoulder. A moderator reduces recoil, thus allowing them to shoot.

Depending on the location of the range, to reduce noise from rifles in order to not disturb the local population. I know that at Altcar, even if the military are ready to shoot at 0730, they're not allowed to start for another hour (minimum) to keep the locals happy. Obviously that's a bit of a moot point - no silencers are used on L85s/LSWs/LMGs in shooting competitions and I doubt most ranges would allow people to shoot before 0830/0900.


I was told by members of my adopted club 'oop North that it was ACPO guidelines to allow a person a moderator for H&S reasons. I'm tempted to apply for one in .30 for my Sako but it seems a bit pointless if I have one for a .308 and none for my .303s. Although I guess I could argue that I'd get them for the .303s if they existed to be attached without screwcutting the barrel.

Hopefully all of that makes sense, it's been a long day!

Iain, I have asked this question myself, many club shooters I know and speak to both as an RCO and as a fellow shooter at the point use a moderator because of the reduction in noise and perceived recoil. In simple terms it makes life more comfortable and gives them a better shooting experience. personally I have no issues with recoil or noise for the majority of rifles I have shot and for me it is all part of the experience, the .50BMG being the exception, it is something I doubt I will ever enjoy for extended shooting periods recoil being only one of the considerations.

Some of the Grumpy Old Men in our club moan if you shoot military type rifles with muzzle brakes fitted as they tend to blow their spotting scopes over So sound mods keep them quiet, as well as the rifle.

Ex Skydiver has been working on some muzzle brakes and the MkI was very impressive, he said he could certainly notice a difference in recoil, I was next to him at the time of the test and all I noticed was a smell of powder and not the normal blast and amplified crack. His new version looks even better.

muzzle brakes are the spawn of the devil and should be banned on any range unless you're shooting on your own :cheers:

I had a PES T12 moderator on my old 308 setup and it was so much nicer and easier to shoot with it on :goodjob:

Alan

I think that it's exactly as overpaa said: some of the shooters would like to use them because of the reduced noise. In some circumstances, such as instructing novices on the point, I can see why it would be handy to have shooters on the lanes using moderators.

Irrespective of the reason why an individual would want to use a moderator, I still don't understand why some forces allow them, and some are against them (and it's not just me: http://www.riflesintheuk.com/moderators.htm