Sound Moderator Care: During shooting it is possible for condensation to accumulate inside a moderator. This can mix with powder residue and create a corrosive substance which contains ammonia. For this reason it is important to remove the moderator from the rifle after your range session or after hunting. Do not store the rifle with a moderator attached. A rifle stored with a moderator attached can lead to corrosion of the barrel. We also recommend removing the sound moderator for transportation and only fitting prior to hunting or shooting. At the end of a days shooting the moderator should be removed and placed in a location where it can dry out with air circulating through it. Once the moderator is dry, spray a little oil aerosol into the inside.
Cleaning: Sound moderators do not require extensive cleaning and there should be no requirement to strip a moderator to its component parts during normal cleaning. A moderator does require drying after use and in normal situations this is sufficient. Once dry, squirt some WD40 into the moderator from both ends and then disperse the oil with compressed air. Cleaning of the insides of a moderator should only be considered if it has become thoroughly wet, either through submersion, excessive rain water, or if it has become soiled with mud/dirt. In the later case the moderator can be cleaned by swilling the unit out in a bath of warm soapy water. The jet from the shower may also be used to force muck from the inside out. Once the unit has been cleaned in this manner the water needs to be forced out. This can be done with a combination of compressed air and aerosol brake cleaner. Then leave the moderator to dry in a warm place with good air circulation. Finally, a squirt of WD40 and the moderator is ready for storage or re-use.
Storage: If the moderator is to be stored for any length of time, it makes sense to spray a good amount of WD40 or similar inside the unit. The outside of the moderator can be cleaned in the same way as the outside of your rifle; a wipe over with some light weapons oil is sufficient.
Muzzle Thread: Muzzle threads should only be machined by a qualified Riflesmith and can be lubricated with a good quality high performance grease or light weapons oil.
Moderator Thread: Threads in the moderator should be lubricated with a good quality high performance grease or light weapons oil.
Baffles: Each baffle is sealed with a high temperature ‘O’ ring. Baffle connection threads are lubricated with a high temperature lubricant (capable of withstanding 300°C). Copper grease is not recommended. We suggest Molycote G-Rapid +.
Before Shooting: Check the moderator bore for obstruction. Check that all baffles and end cap are tightened together correctly. Check that you have the correct moderator on the correct caliber and check that the moderator is tightened to the muzzle thread sufficiently.
Temperature/Heat Resistance: Maximum working temperature of a sound moderator is 200°C. Ten rapidly fired rounds from a standard caliber (e.g. 308Win) achieve a working temp of 200°C quickly. Please take care not to handle the sound moderator until it has sufficiently cooled, otherwise there is a serious risk of suffering burns.
Moderator Cover: If you use a moderator cover please be aware that the cover acts as insulation and it will take longer for the moderator to cool to a safe handling temperature. The cover will however prevent burns.
Magnum Calibers: Please note that maximum working temperature is reached with magnum calibers faster than with standard calibers.
