Shooting UK

From guns and gundogs to the latest shooting news; the complete online network for the British shooting community.

How can I reduce the noise that my rifle makes?

How can I reduce the noise that my rifle makes?

"The rifle still makes a loud crack"


By John Kibbs

Friday, 15 May 2009

50 years in the gun trade and expert on all airguns

Q) I have an Air Ranger FAC 40ft/lb with an MTC Viper 6-24 x 56 by its side. It is a winning combination, but noisy. Daystate told me to use a sound moderator and said it could make a new shroud, less the baffles, making it 5in shorter overall. This would allow me to add a sound moderator to maintain the original length. I bought an Air Stream 111, as advised, and this has reduced the noise by a quarter, but the rifle still makes a loud crack. Are there any sound moderators that could reduce the noise even more?
S. MCELREA
By email


A) As your air rifl e is fi ring a pellet that is producing a muzzle energy of around 40ft/lb, the pellet velocity at the muzzle must be in excess of the speed of sound, ie 1,115fps at sea level. This supersonic pellet is producing the loud “crack” that you are experiencing. The Air Stream 111 sound moderator has eliminated the muzzle report caused by the compressed air, which is propelling the pellet, hitting the air as the pellet exits the muzzle. The supersonic speed of the pellet is producing the loud crack. The only way you can eliminate this crack is to reduce the velocity of the pellet to subsonic. I would not be concerned about the crack, which, though very audible to you, would be completely inaudible to any live quarry that you hit. The pellet would hit it before the crack was heard. However, if you miss, the quarry will hear the crack as you do.


CompPrevious
I'm leasing a flightpond, what shall I feed it?

I'm leasing a flightpond, what shall I feed it?

A) Barley is considered to be the best food to att...

CompNext
Why do the roe I have shot have hairless necks?

Why do the roe I have shot have hairless necks?

Q) I stalk roe in Hampshire and during last season...


Guns

Bettinsoli Diamond Line shotgun review

Bettinsoli Diamond Line shotgun review

You don't have to dig too deep for the impressive Bettinsoli Diam... Read more


More in Guns...


Sporting Answers

Can you help with training my labrador to the whistle?

Can you help with training my labrador to the whistle?

How do I train my labrador to the whistle? I am told an electronic col... Read more


More in Sporting Answers...


News

Shooting industry feels effects of economic downturn

Shooting industry feels effects of economic downturn

The shooting industry is now feeling the pinch as the UK sinks nearer ... Read more


More in News...



Comments

Shooting Times Magazine

What's in this issue?

Don't miss your chance to enter our FREE prize draw in this week's magazine (on sale 10th March) to win the new Browning B525 Hunter 12-bore worth over £1,400. Get down to your newsagents and buy your copy now!

Subscribe to magazine

Save up to 30% on a subscription to Shooting Times & Country Magazine, subscribe today!


Latest articles

Locals vote no to sea eagles

Locals vote no to sea eagles

The Norfolk Wildlife Trust's AGM attracted more than 100 ... Read more


Dog owners face competency test

Dog owners face competency test

A "competency test" for all dog owners could be impl... Read more


More in Latest articles...


Subscribe to Shooting Times

Shooting Gazette Magazine

Save up to 30% on a subscription to Shooting Times & Country Magazine, subscribe today!