Noobie help on the subject of .243 mods

[Colster]

Will shortly be buying my first .243 (probably a Browning A Bolt) and am considering options for moderators.

 

First off (and this may seem like a daft question) but how essential is a mod on a .243? I remember reading that on a .22-250 it helps tame the muzzle flip but is the same true for a .243, do many people use .243's uncanned?

 

I did meet a couple of fox shooters a while back who use a .243 and he had a very small can on there, didn't look that much bigger than a SAK but can't for the life of me remember what it was called.

 

Coming from a rimfire perspective where you just splash 20-30quid on a SAK and job done (I'm guessing there isn't an equivalent mod for centrefires), it seems that you spend sometimes 10 times as much to achieve no where near the effect.

 

As you might gather, finding centrefire moderators a bit bewildering at the mo.

[tikka.223]

Will shortly be buying my first .243 (probably a Browning A Bolt) and am considering options for moderators.

 

First off (and this may seem like a daft question) but how essential is a mod on a .243? I remember reading that on a .22-250 it helps tame the muzzle flip but is the same true for a .243, do many people use .243's uncanned?

 

Get a Ase Utra Jet Z Compact and you wont regret it.

[wickedwickedmotox]

Will shortly be buying my first .243 (probably a Browning A Bolt) and am considering options for moderators.

 

First off (and this may seem like a daft question) but how essential is a mod on a .243? I remember reading that on a .22-250 it helps tame the muzzle flip but is the same true for a .243, do many people use .243's uncanned?

 

I did meet a couple of fox shooters a while back who use a .243 and he had a very small can on there, didn't look that much bigger than a SAK but can't for the life of me remember what it was called.

 

Coming from a rimfire perspective where you just splash 20-30quid on a SAK and job done (I'm guessing there isn't an equivalent mod for centrefires), it seems that you spend sometimes 10 times as much to achieve no where near the effect.

 

As you might gather, finding centrefire moderators a bit bewildering at the mo.

hi ya i have a .243 with a predator 8 mod and to be honest have stopped using it,i use it for stalking and foxing and its to cumbersome and makes it unbalenced i dont really take much notice of kick or muzzle flip as it is pretty tame on the .243. Definatly get one added to your ticket because you will use it when you first get it for zeroing etc and if you do any range shooting. Cheers Will

[bornfree]

I've just got a tikka varmint in 243 and like you i didnt think i needed a mod.but the difference is amazing i was flinching with out the mod and could not get a grouping,now with mod it shoots under an inch at 100yards plus you can shoot one handed, without ear protection,and at night no muzzle flash so you can see the strike.i have a wildcat p8 on mine which is fine on a short barrel but on an a bolt you might want something lighter.

 

bornfree

[steve_b_wales]

I use a T8 moderator on my Tikka T3 Lite (.243) Despite the slagging they get, I have never had any problems with them. I've also got one on my 22-250. With a .243, I would say that a mod' is a must, but each to their own.

On my .308, I have a Dragon moderator, which is lighter than the T8 and is strippable for cleaning. These are made by a mate of mine, but are not that widely known of.

 

Steve.

[Devon Fox]

As above t8 reflex - look after them and they are servicable.

 

I improved my grouping no end once the 243 was moderated.

[Dekers]

A lot of history on this site on centrefire mods, and a lot of views and a lot of get one like mine as they are the best responses!

 

I don't consider there is the greatest of need for one on your .243 under the muzzle flip argument, but it definitely helps!

 

Noise, for you, the neighbours and any other quarry for a few miles is worth considering. A .243 unmoderated is loud and in the right conditions that noise will travel a VERY long way.

 

So, on the plus side they can aid your shooting, protect your hearing, calm the neighbours and give you more to shoot at.

 

On the minus side they are not cheap, and can completely b***s up the gun balance.

 

May I suggest you try rifles and Moderators together before you invest in a rifle and you will see how some Rifle/moderator combinations work and others are ****!

 

...and I'm probably like a stuck record, as many suggest the Predator 8 is big and heavy, I agree, think Predator 8 Compact, smaller, lighter, same baffle stack and no discernible noise reduction difference up to and including .308.....but they still call them the coke can...such is life...you have probably seen this before..., .223, .243, .308

[Colster]

Thanks for the replys, guys.

 

It certainly helps me make a more informed choice. Having 2 second hand SAK's on my rimfires, is there any benefit to looking at second hand centrefire mods? Or are they likely to be burnt out, rusted nightmares waiting to happen?

[Dekers]

Thanks for the replys, guys.

 

It certainly helps me make a more informed choice. Having 2 second hand SAK's on my rimfires, is there any benefit to looking at second hand centrefire mods? Or are they likely to be burnt out, rusted nightmares waiting to happen?

 

Possibly, but some you will hopefully be able to see or strip, then again you have to always ask the question...why is this available on the used market?

 

The SAK on a .22lr, especially if it only fires subs should last a VERY long time. The heat, and energy, and pressure coming out of the end of your centrefire is another whole world of power compared to your rimfire!

[Colster]

Had a look today at a Predator 8 and think that's the way ahead. The gunsmith had a Browning A-Bolt in stock so I could try it with that and a scope mounted so I could feel the balance. £200 brand new.

 

One final question, he quoted me the same price for the Compact version so why would I want the full size one? I'd imagine the compact isn't quite as quiet but the forward projection is the same, it's just the over barrel bit is shorter (stop me if I've gone wrong here) and presumably a little lighter (he didn't have the compact one in stock but can get them easily enough).

 

So is there any reason not to have the compact one?

[Redgum]

I have a pred 8 on my 243 and it does the job and is a little lighter than the T8, the compacts are good though I havent directly compared them. A mate has one and its not alot differant sound wise to my pred 8( even with a mod its as loud as a 410 shotgun). They are easy to clean and for about £60 can be converted to another calibre. I'd say a moderator is a must on a 243, they are pretty unsociable unmoderated, you will need ear protection.

As for muzzle flip and recoil, 243 isnt big on recoil but if its your first centrefire then it can seem mighty awesome to start if you have been using rimfires. This can be a nightmare zeroing and finding the right ammo if you develop a bit of a flinch, you won't know if its you, the gun or the ammo if the groups are bad. If you have had a few rounds with a 375 H&H or a 416 then yes they are low on recoil but if its your biggest calibre so far get a Mod and plenty of practice, they are a great calibre.

 

ps ,the Browning has a 22inch barrel doesnt it, I found my Remington, originally 24inch's much better with the barrel down to 20inchs. The mod will make it feel unbalanced but you will get used to it.

Edited November 8, 2010 by Redgum

[Dekers]

Had a look today at a Predator 8 and think that's the way ahead. The gunsmith had a Browning A-Bolt in stock so I could try it with that and a scope mounted so I could feel the balance. £200 brand new.

 

One final question, he quoted me the same price for the Compact version so why would I want the full size one? I'd imagine the compact isn't quite as quiet but the forward projection is the same, it's just the over barrel bit is shorter (stop me if I've gone wrong here) and presumably a little lighter (he didn't have the compact one in stock but can get them easily enough).

 

So is there any reason not to have the compact one?

 

The suggestion from Andrew Banner (Wildcat P8 manufacturer) was that the COMPACT was just as efficient as the full version up to .243, and at .308 the difference was not worth talking about, but for BIG calibres the Full was recommended!

 

Compact and Full versions are the same price and contain an identical baffle stack, it is simply the tube which is shorter. I believe the compact is about 170g Lighter, which does make a difference!

[willy1]

I'm using an A-Tec CCM 4 moderator on my .243,muzzle mounted and only weighs 7.5ozs,I'm very pleased with and it's also strippable for cleaning,and you can buy extra sections to further quiten down the report.

 

Alan