muzzle brake pro's/con's

AMisler · #1 11-22-2014, 06:14 AM

I have been pondering getting a muzzle brake installed at the gun smith, just wondering if there are some downsides to adding a brake. Obviously POI may change, recoil will be reduced slightly depending on the style of brake, rifle overall length may be 1-3" longer.. its loud for the shooter on the next bench.

What about negative effects on the barrel? barrel life?

Will handloads need tweeking, or should the same accuracy stay?

Any other pro's or con's in your guys experiences?

Deezel · #2 11-22-2014, 06:40 AM

I put one on my 7mm and POI change slightly, it moved straight up 1.5". I made scope adjustments and did not need to tweak my loads. Overall, my accuracy actually improved. Could be because I lost some "flinch" from the softer recoil.

Only cons I can see is what you already mentioned, louder and percussion to the benches/shooters beside you. I can't speak on barrel life but I really can't see a brake reducing it, not entirely sure though.

elkhunter11 · #3 11-22-2014, 08:57 AM

It's not just louder for the people next to you, it is louder for the shooter as well, just how much louder, depends on the particular brake. If I am going to shoot a braked rifle for some reason, I will be wearing both plugs and muffs.

remmy300 · #4 11-22-2014, 09:39 AM

I had a 300 wsm with a break and now have a 7 LRM with a break. My boy who is small for 9 at the time could shoot the WSM well. Not afraid of the recoil which was probably less than a 243. My LRM is about the same.

At 700 yards I can watch the impact of the bullet. It's a joy to shoot.

POI will shift a bit

There are nots of naysayers. You need to wear hearing protection but I'm believe a guy should be wearing when shooting all guns. When hunting I have a set of the plastic band hearing protection around either my neck or just above my ears where I can pop in quick.

Can I shoot m rifle without a break, yes no problem. I just enjoy shooting it a LOT more with one on.

skidderman · #5 11-22-2014, 09:47 AM

Very, very obnoxiously loud. Sold one rifle because of it. If you shoot just once without ear protection your ears will ring for hours if not days. I like it for the recoil but the blast wasn't worth it. Have heard and read about the quiet brake but it is only slightly quieter than the others. Have also seen one with ports only on the end but have little knowledge about them. If they were not so obnoxiously loud I would have one as well.

urcayuse · #6 11-22-2014, 09:53 AM

Ya its a lot of fun to spot your own shots. In ideal conditions I've even been able to see the trace. Not possible w/o a brake.
Don't ever let one go with no hearing protection though.

Leeper · #7 11-22-2014, 10:02 AM

The increased noise is real enough but can be handled with good ear protection. Recoil reduction varies from noticable to impressive; dependent upon the caliber and brake. Point of inpact shift is due to the weight of the brake on the end of the barrel and it's effect on barrel harmonics. I don't have any brakes on my own hunting rifles but have used one on a target rifle and like it. Not legal for many competitions, mind you. Leeper

bat119 · #8 11-22-2014, 10:04 AM

The POI on my 338 win drops 2.5" when I remove the brake, I always wear muffs at the range and electronic plugs when hunting, reduces recoil to about a 30-06. When shooting steel plates I go through 50 rounds in an afternoon before the brake at about 30 rds. I started to flinch.

bessiedog · #9 11-22-2014, 10:08 AM

Con...

You will have no friends.

Everyone will hate you.

Trust me

manitoban · #10 11-22-2014, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bessiedog

Con...

You will have no friends.

Everyone will hate you.

Trust me

they will sure let you know about it especially if you are hunting anywhere within 2 miles of each other

my gunsmith put a VAIS on my 243ai. wish i wasn't persuaded to do it now.

remmy300 · #11 11-22-2014, 10:42 AM

Each brake design is different. My last brake was a VAIS. I don't think it was much louder than a few of the non braked rifles at the range. There was a guy shooting a 270 wsm with a 22 in barrel. There were 4 of us shooting and we all agreed that the 270wsm was louder than my 300 wsm with a brake.

Best advise is find someone with a braked rifle and shoot it.

If u hunt with buddies buy an extra set of ear plugs.

Like I said there are lots of guys that hate them. I used to be one of them.

catnthehat · #12 11-22-2014, 11:43 AM

I have never been so enamoured by a particular cartridge to have to brake a rifle in order to shoot the danged thing!

If I can't handle the recoil of a particular cartridge/ rifle combination I won't shoot it, simple as that.
The sanctioned matches I used to compete in did not allow them either, for that matter, so it was a moot pint for me in that way.
As far as hunting rifles go, i don't need to shoot anything that big so won't.
Cat

AMisler · #13 11-22-2014, 12:16 PM

Thanks for the input everyone!

The only thing that wasn't touched base on was if the barrel life is affected at all?

The reason I'm considering the brake is because of a shoulder injury on my shooting arm lol shooting 50 rounds at the range isnt an option unless I can reduce the recoil... or fix up my shoulder

skidderman · #14 11-22-2014, 12:20 PM

I've got a 300 wsm w/o brake and it's not a lot of fun to shoot at targets. My 7 mag is much better. I often think I should go back to the good old 30-06. Had a mountain rifle in 30-06 & should have kept it. Not that much difference in velocity & no need for a brake. Often think I'll try a brake again but my memory of how it hurts the ears is too vivid. Not always time to put ear protection in when hunting.

roger · #15 11-22-2014, 12:25 PM

Shooting prone sends a lot of debris flying your way unless your on a blanket.

skidderman · #16 11-22-2014, 01:26 PM

Here is a link to what I thought is a good honest write up on brakes. I have no affiliation with the writer.
http://www.canadianprecision.ca/muzzlebrakeproscons/

score · #17 11-22-2014, 01:59 PM

If you get one try to get one that you can twist on and off (open/closed).

Bergerboy · #18 11-22-2014, 02:32 PM

I tried the muzzle brake thing. Did not like the muzzle blast. Bought a heavier rifle in a less recoiling cartridge. Problem solved.

Rdamours · #19 11-23-2014, 05:43 PM

The upside is you make may be able to trace the bullet out on long shots. It's easy to lose through the flash/gasses. On a semi it also stabilizes the barrel for follow up shot as there is less muzzle rise.

Downside is noise as others have said, cost (not sure if your barrel as already threaded)

#20 11-23-2014, 06:14 PM

No substitute for a brake! Noticeably great results on even a .17/222 ultra light Sako A1 single shot with 30gr bullets...

AMisler · #21 11-24-2014, 07:30 AM

And barrel life? Does it have any effect on that because of pressures going elsewhere?

Bushrat · #22 11-24-2014, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMisler

And barrel life? Does it have any effect on that because of pressures going elsewhere?

Pressure doesn't change. it's the same, pressure doesn't go anywhere until the bullet leaves the bore then the pressure is exhausted/diffused through the brake. So no there is no effect on bore life.