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Schultz & Larsen Ultradome Moderator

Schultz & Larsen Ultradome Moderator

People require different things from sound moderators these days, it’s not all about maximum suppression, but more measured requirements such as longevity and lightweight are important especially on a hunting arm. Schultz and Larsen (S&L) manufacture a range of centrefire and rimfire sound moderators for all calibre rifles, all of which are very well made, quiet and lightweight and these days that’s all I want on a stalking rifle.

S&L design, produce and quality control all their products, so you know it’s a superb item and well fit for purpose. On test; the Ultradome, an over-barrel (reflex) design for .224” cartridges, with 7mm and 8mm versions also available that retails for around £220.

Spec

The Ultradome forms part of the “Hardcore” range of moderators, which uses stainless steel cone inserts within the core, hence the name. These resist the erosion effects from the hot, fast burning, powder gases produced and it’s a sensible answer to a question that most people ask me about longevity of aluminium sound moderators. The Ultradomes are made from high grade aluminium bar stock and are light at only 322 grams, not everybody wants a heavy mod.

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This model has an overall length of 225 mm with a slim girth of 38mm and was originally designed to complement rifles with sporter-weight barrels and due to the reflex nature of this design, it only extends 120mm in front of the muzzle, so balance is perfect.

Thick enough

This model is designed to be used with barrels, with an outside diameter (OD) of 18mm, 100mm back from the muzzle. Thread choice is pretty standard and versatile with; M14/1, M15/1, ½ UNF and UNEF. The Ultra dome is made to be easily disassembled and breaks into three sub-assemblies, rear over-barrel section/expansion chamber, middle connector piece and the front baffle stack.

The rear section is machined from a single piece of aluminium bar stock, the connecter screws into it and provides ports for the gas to pass back down into the expansion chamber to cool and dissipate, until it can flow forward after the shot and exit. The baffle stack screws on top of the mid-connector and shows 10mm baffle plates, which have three depressions around their circumference to allow a special key to slot in and remove them for cleaning/ replacement as necessary. There is a final large 19mm baffle that then forms the end plug. The number of baffles is governed by calibre, my .224” unit on test had six.

In the field and conclusion

Fitted to a Sako .223 custom with its sporter profiled barrel, made for a good match and balanced perfectly with the weight distribution. Shooting off a bipod meant there was no change to the barrel position in the channel and so no foul ups or binding due to bipod bounce.

Shooting 40-grain Hornady V-MAX at 3585 fps the Ultradomes muzzle report was nicely muted, with the added advantage of low muzzle flip with no carrying on echo either, nice. For those shooters wanting a light weight, yet effective sound moderator for a lighter rifle or smaller calibre the Ultradome comes highly recommended.

  • Schultz & Larsen Ultradome Moderator - image {image:count}

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  • Schultz & Larsen Ultradome Moderator - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Schultz & Larsen Ultradome Moderator - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

gun
features

  • Name: Schultz and Larsen Ultradome
  • Overall length: 225mm
  • Muzzle overhang: 120mm
  • Weight: 322 grams
  • Width: 38mm
  • Baffles: Hardcore stainless steel inserts
  • Construction: Aluminium
  • Threads: M14/1, M15/1, ½ UNF and ½ UNEF
  • Price: £220
  • Contact: Alan Rhone, 01978 660001
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