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So I have decided to put a moderator on my .308. It's a noisy bugger and very light so recoil reduction may help too.

My FAC has a slot for a .308 mod, so no issues there.

The barrel has a front sight which would need to be removed before threading

I'd appreciate advice...

• should I buy the moderator first and give it to the gunsmith before threading?
  any makes of moderator to recommend or avoid?
  who should I take it to? (I'm in NW London)
  am I right that it doesn't require reproofing?

Cheers

daman

If a 'smith needs your mod to match the threads up to, he's no gunsmith.

There are plenty of mods out there, it all depends on what you want from one.

It'll be initially just for Running Deer at BSRC (Bisley), but I'm hoping to get some conditions removed from my FAC so I can take the rifle to Scotland for Sika and Reds.

So I guess I'm after something light, reliable and easy to maintain?

Swamp Donkey wrote:If a 'smith needs your mod to match the threads up to, he's no gunsmith.

My gunsmith insisted on it because if its a mass produced moderator theres a big chance the bit has worn that cut the threads on THAT, so he machines the thread to match the mod in question.

He's a very well respected gunsmith as it happens.

Any gunsmith will thread it for you. You just need to decide what size thread you want.

Try Neil McKillop. My favourite mods are ASE Utra.

"am I right that it doesn't require reproofing"

That depends on who you take it too. Some require the mod to be proofed as well as the rifle. Ask first.

In theory whoever threads the barrel will not need the moderator however I do agree, it is always good to have the item to be fitted handy despite the fact that the machinist probably has a set of ring gauges in assorted sizes to check confirm his own work.

The barrel has been modified, it will need to go for Proof. The Moderator if supplied to you separate from the rifle (Which it is) Will not need to be in Proof however it will need to be in Proof if you ever sell it with the rifle.

TattooedGun wrote:

Swamp Donkey wrote:If a 'smith needs your mod to match the threads up to, he's no gunsmith.

My gunsmith insisted on it because if its a mass produced moderator theres a big chance the bit has worn that cut the threads on THAT, so he machines the thread to match the mod in question.

He's a very well respected gunsmith as it happens.

Ok, so you get a (for eg) m18x1 thread mod, that has been 'badly made', and your gun plumber threads the barrel to suit a 'non standard' thread.

For whatever reason, that mod needs replacing, corrosion, loss, too heavy etc

The 'new' mod, then doesn't fit, as it is m18x1 not m18.4x1 as the barrel has been cut to suit a poor, substandard mod.

Barrel threads should be cut 'to standard', if the mod doesn't fit as it isn't to standard, it isn't suitable for use, and should be sent back to the supplier for rectification/replacement

Swamp Donkey wrote:

TattooedGun wrote:

Swamp Donkey wrote:If a 'smith needs your mod to match the threads up to, he's no gunsmith.

My gunsmith insisted on it because if its a mass produced moderator theres a big chance the bit has worn that cut the threads on THAT, so he machines the thread to match the mod in question.

He's a very well respected gunsmith as it happens.

Ok, so you get a (for eg) m18x1 thread mod, that has been 'badly made', and your gun plumber threads the barrel to suit a 'non standard' thread.

For whatever reason, that mod needs replacing, corrosion, loss, too heavy etc

The 'new' mod, then doesn't fit, as it is m18x1 not m18.4x1 as the barrel has been cut to suit a poor, substandard mod.

Barrel threads should be cut 'to standard', if the mod doesn't fit as it isn't to standard, it isn't suitable for use, and should be sent back to the supplier for rectification/replacement

When it comes to mods, I'd rather have the threads matched, than unmatched. I don't want any slop on the thing attached to the end of my rifle.

Since I bought a good moderator from a reputable place, and got it threaded by a reputable gunsmith, I would put money on the threads both being cut to very tight tolerances and well within acceptable limits of the designation M18x1.

Imagine you get your rifle threaded to 18x1 and it's at the very low end of the tolerance, then you buy a mod with a thread that's at the upper limit of tolerance, and match them together and get slop.

Neither the barrel or the mod are "out of spec" however together theres that little difference that makes the can move ever so slightly. Yeah, I'd like to avoid that...