Tuning QUIETEST 40FPE .22 Leshiy Mod

[mtnGhost]

Had some ideas that I finally put to work for my .22cal Leshiy. I've run numerous baffle inserts to quiet it down (Russian 3D printed, STO, DonnyFL & custom inserts). The 3D printed inserts did a decent job, but I have broken every single one of them as they do not last too long!

I started off applying this idea to create a conical deflector / bore reducer to the DonnyFL extended baffle using Delrin, and finally ended up re-using the factory baffle with a hard grade of brass. The report now sounds like a QUIET stapler! I don't have a sound meter to measure the actual sound, but it's probably 60-65dB max when I shoot a 20.2gr NSA at 953FPS into duct seal. 

Photos of the mods:

I drilled these out to .228". I had to rezero after installing, but it doesn't affect the accuracy whatsoever. This is quieter than my .22/.25 DonnyFL Sumo when I run it with the 1/2-20 UNF adapter. I don't think it can get better than this for a little hunting rig!

 

[Long_Gun_Dallas]

Nice work as always. Tight bore diameter coupled with cone baffles will get it done. Most people don't really get to experience this due to what is available to them, and also the need for perfect alignment. 

 

[mtnGhost]

Nice work as always. Tight bore diameter coupled with cone baffles will get it done. Most people don't really get to experience this due to what is available to them, and also the need for perfect alignment.

Thanks man! It's pretty easy to get the alignment just right with the Leshiy. There is a bit of a gap between the inserts and barrel though, so it's entirely possible to have the insert canting a little bit to one side (throws the POI off from the zero). I've thought about making a press fit bushing to get it more snug around the barrel, but I can eyeball the bore from the breech and get it aligned nearly 100% perfect.

In terms of alignment issues with threaded moderators, I usually see this as a problem of worn moderator and/or shroud threads. Sometimes the moderators do not sit square / flush to the shouldered end of the barrel, but I think this is common due to the use of aluminum semi-course threads. Probably wouldn't be as big of an issue if the industry standard was 1/2-28 or some finer metric equivalent

 

[qball]

wow, that is impressive. Great work there, a precise caliber specific moderator will definitely perform better! 

 

[Glem.Chally]

Wicked and well thought out rig there Gino!

 

[mtnGhost]

wow, that is impressive. Great work there, a precise caliber specific moderator will definitely perform better!

Wicked and well thought out rig there Gino!

Thanks  

Yeah Glem, this thing has definitely evolved little by little over the past few years lol. Hard to beat the power and accuracy for the size and weight! 

I actually went a step further yesterday in a little experiment to see how small I could go.. INTENTIONALLY clipping and then polishing out the bore until it stopped clipping (and then polishing it out a little more for good measure).

The smallest diameter that I could get away with was ~.2226". Final diameter mic'd out to .225" on the money. It is definitely a little bit quieter than the .228", but I think the .228" is safer. 

Here's the final design..

Milled a flat for the DonnyFL extended insert to avoid interference..

 

Ball joint like press to install in the DonnyFL insert:

 

[Guest]

Thanks! I have a bit of envy drool going on right now and getting ready to make the drill press into a sophisticated hillbilly lathe.

 

[mtnGhost]

Thanks! I have a bit of envy drool going on right now and getting ready to make the drill press into a sophisticated hillbilly lathe.

LOL! Whatever works

 

[Guest]

Thanks! I have a bit of envy drool going on right now and getting ready to make the drill press into a sophisticated hillbilly lathe.

LOL! Whatever works

I made progress but didn't get exactly the washers I wanted. Not a quitter so back at it later.