squatman86

@shoppe - I've just found this website and can see what I think you're referring to attached. This never came with mind (used) which is disappointing. I'm wondering if the previous owner discarded it because it didn't fit the varmint barrel? That being said there still shouldn't be gases around the barrel exterior I'm guessing, so I think the poor shape the shoulder/barrel is in is still causing problems. https://www.gunmart.net/shooting-accessories/equipment/moderators/hardy-gen-iv-moderator @Triffid - I've always been limited to 100m, but we've had a couple of days away on a 250m range. I hadn't taken the .308 out in a long time so I was trying to get it geared up for taking to Wales to have a go hopefully up to 1000m. I'd be over the moon if I could hit 50mm steel at the 250m. I'm still pretty s***, but at the 100m I've had some groups around an inch, but I'm currently trying to find some factory ammo the rifle likes and that I can actually get hold of. As I say I haven't had it out in a while and after a quick zero at the 100m I was shooting steel so hard to tell, think it shot better without mod, shot a bit lower with the mod on, if that's even a thing.

@Triffid - thanks for the photo, that might explain what the unused thread is for on the moderator... @Kalahari - where should a Delrin washer be located? I took it to a gunsmith today and when he put the moderator on he was detecting vibrations so not getting a snug enough fit, I'm sure when I tighten it as much as I can it didn't move. As it turns out there is pitting in the bore and he said it will never shoot and recommended a new stainless steel barrel. Not sure if I'll be able to put that money into it, so it may be a scrap job and sell the working parts. On a bit of a downer today from the news, it's a hard lesson I've learnt with my first rifle. Thank you all for your time and responses.

Yes after closer inspection it looks like the shoulder is heavily corroded/pitted (see attached photo). I think I may have found some pitting or fouling at the end of the bore as well. Without the moderator I have no issues @Richiew . Do you guys have a recommendation for a decent moderator please? I only do target shooting if that makes a difference. Also any idea how much muzzle, crowning and threading works cost? Thank you all once again, much appreciated.

@Richiew can't thank you enough for you time and responses. I was going to try the tape around the thread and pitted area, but now you mention there may be a gap I wonder if I should get a new mod, or maybe my barrel is too far gone anyway and may only get worse... I doubt I'd be able to send the mod back, it came as a used package with the rifle, unless Hardy have a long warranty on their mods? Thanks again, really appreciate it.

Oh is it a grease?

@Richiew - thanks again. Is the copper slip just a method to prove this is where the problem is? Is there any specific copper slip I should get, how do I know the size I would need? Cheers.

@banus02 - no I use factory ammo @Row W - thank you for jumping in, I had responses on that forum a bit sooner so ended up replying there as and when. I'm not a member of any shooting forums so I wasn't sure which would be more active hence posting on both. Thanks for replying and linking the other thread.

Thank you all for your time and responses. @Re-Pete - yes it's definitely that moderator, as @Richiew confirm but I shall also attach photos. @Richiew - I do my best to clean the moderator but not easy to get in down to the threads, I spray action blaster and Napier rapid degreaser in there, I've tried twisting a rag in too. As far as I can tell they are flat to each other, it feels quite a smooth and solid motion when twisting into place. If we don't find anything definitive, I'll get a gunsmith to check the moderator for gaps. @Catch-22 - No excessive smoke without mod, where would the unburnt powder be? I'm using factory ammo, case come fine as far as I can tell (see attached photo of cases from Sunday) The fit seems smooth and solid, no brake or attachment between. Is this also referred to as a rear bush? Is this something I need? Moderator has M18x1.0 printed on it, and from what I've found online Tikka T3 are 14x1 for Light Barrels and 18x1 for Varmint. It is over barrel (see attached photos) I don't know if there is any bushing? It's hard to see in the moderator and it cannot be dismantled, I've attached photos to hopefully help. There is about a 1.5-2mm gap between the barrel exterior and the moderator interior (for the part "sleeving" the barrel). I do find myself seeing if I can twist the moderator after several shots, but it never moves and takes quite a bit of force to unscrew after use (I have no experience with other moderators, this may be normal) Thank you very much for all your questions and suggestions, you'll see in some of the photos the embarrassing state of the barrel, I definitely learnt the hard way, and now ensure my guns and equipment are cleaned. As stated the moderator is difficult to inspect in detail, I've heard people mention using ultrasonic cleaning baths. Maybe this would be of use. If I haven't answered right or provided enough detail please let me know. Thanks again.

Hi there, I'm using a Tikka T3 .308 Varmint with a Riflecraft Hardy GEN IV Moderator. When firing with the moderator on I get a blast of air back at me the shooter sometimes with bits fired back at me, this is also making a mess of my scope. Is this normal? I'm target shooting so perhaps shooting off more than if I was stalking, so I need to clean the mod and/or barrel exterior between a certain amount of shots? Or is there something wrong here? Any thoughts, advice or suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you.