Quote Originally Posted by Johnny Peppers View Post
Unless you fire sub-sonic ammo, a silencer is of little benefit. It's the sonic crack that generates the most noise. At our old shooting range we had a berm to get behind which was about 150 feet perpendicular to the 200 yard range. In this way we could pull targets without walking the 200 yards each time. At this location you never heard the report of the rifle, just the sonic crack echoing off everything. It was impossible to tell where the actual firing was done. In a .22 the sub-sonic ammo is no problem, but not easy to load down .308 and such to sub-sonic.
Yeah, I know....or thought the same until I was at the range & a couple of deer stalkers were using moderated rifles.

Have had a moderator on my 223 for about 4 years now & it makes a HUGE difference in that I can use the rifle without the need for hearing protection...and this reason is why a lot of European countries freely allow moderators - they're looking at preventing future legal action for hearing damage.
My 223 uses full power military issue ammo & the noise from the user end of the rifle is nothing like a regular gun noise - more of a "Twang" than a "Bang"

One of the outdoor ranges I shoot at has an awkward neighbour & as a result they insist that rifles used are moderated - OR, if they aren't you have to have the muzzle inside a hollowed out water butt that is lined with thick foam to deaden the noise.

That aside, still very keen to get an off-set Maxim for my '03 - for both full power & maybe also subsonic ammo