Wildcat Predator 8 moderator

Wildcat moderators were the brainchild of Andrew Banner (UK Custom Shop Ltd) and they have been in use for a few years now. The design has moved on over a number of models with the culmination currently being the Predator8. It has been well received and proved very popular. It’s a totally modular design, I say this as other makes offers the ability to swap baffle stacks as it does too, but it also goes one further as you can change the size of the expansion chamber as inner and outer tubes of varies lengths are available.

Moving Forward

Sad to say this year Andrew lost his fight with cancer, but the good news is that this family-run business is still very much in business and moving forward. I was called by his son asking if I would like to look at the latest version of the Predator8, which if anything is aimed more at the target shooter in ethos.

The build is a reflex with the expansion chamber telescoping around the barrel and in three parts. At the back are the inner and outer expansion chamber components and at the rear is a synthetic bushing that can be bored out to the barrels O/D. This assembly screws into the thread adaptor, which is cut for various forms; in this case 1/2x20 UNF. In reality this is also a small expansion chamber that shows a ring of holes that guide the firing gases back into the main chamber.

Cooling & Decelerating

The baffle assembly consists of two components. The interior of the units shows eight, integral baffles, though you could for example have one with 12 too, which is in line with the mix & match design. Screwing into this is the diffuser tube, which is a calibrespecifi c (308 for this one) insert/drum showing multiple, radial holes. The back end of this is dished and slotted with a raised central spigot with a slot in the top. All sections are sealed by O-rings and the whole thing is easy to strip.

The principle is simple – the gun fires and the bullet passes up through the moderator. Once it has cleared the chamber in the thread adaptor gases are directed rearwards and back into the main expansion chamber. All this time they are cooling and decelerating, so reducing the sound of discharge. They finally re-emerge and are forced through the diffuser, where the radial holes direct them sideways into the baffles.

The only change with this model and what gives it its name is the material used for the diffuser, which is titanium. Being light, strong and near indestructible it’s better suited for more sustained use and perhaps range work. These days it seems it’s easy enough to get a moderator granted for this sort of work. However, for the serious hunter it too could extend its life too.

For
Titanium diffuser should give longer life

Against
Added cost over standard model

Verdict
A time-proven design that now offers greater longevity

Prices from £299