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Old 09-01-2015, 10:19 PM
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Dean2 Dean2 is online now
 
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Default Kahntrol Clamp on Muzzle Brake Review

After looking at a number of Clamp on brakes I decided to order the Kahntrol brake. Even with exchange and postage it was cheaper than buying the Canadian equivalent. It was however quite a bit more money than the Witt Machine brake.

Kantrol KSMB645 for muzzle diameter of .640-.675 $149.95 U.S.
Witt Machine Exact fit to the barrel measurement $89.00 U.S.
Grizzly Exact fit to barrel measurement $235.00 Canadain

One of the big reasons I chose the Kahntrol was it was the only one that was able to fit on a fairly wide range of barrel sizes, in this case from .640 - .675. It means I can use it on more than one gun. All of the other brakes were cut for the exact muzzle diameter of the specific gun barrel, accurate to .003. This makes fitting them to any other guns unlikely.



Kahntrol accommodates the wider range of barrel sizes by having 6 vertical tightening screws along a horizontal split. Very similar to a set of scope rings but over a much longer opening.

The brake was very easy to mount on my Left Hand 26” all Stainless Remington 700 in 7 RUM. I followed the on-line instructions and had the brake mounted, levelled and timed in about 20 minutes. I could have done it faster but I was quadruple checking everything and being very careful to ensure everything lined up perfectly so there would be no chance of baffle strikes when fired. The one thing I did different than the instructions was torque it down to 50 inch pounds rather than the 30 recommended.

This 7 RUM is my all time least favorite rifle to shoot out of the box. It didn't really recoil in the traditional sense, it was more appropriately described as a REALLY SHARP punch that even with lots of padding would give you a headache after 10 or 15 rounds. Not really surprising when you figure you are burning 95 grains of powder behind a 162 grain bullet in a gun the weighs 8.5 lbs with scope. It was far more unpleasant to shoot than my 375 or even my 460. (To be fair both of those are quite are bit heavier and the 460 has a brake on it). In fact I have never shot any other gun that was as nasty to shoot or kicked as sharply as this 7 RUM out of the box.

After installing a Mercury suppressor in the stock and a Pachmeyer decelerator pad it was comfortable to shoot but still had a very brisk recoil and quite a bit of muzzle jump. I figured this made it the perfect candidate to try the Kahntrol Brake on.

In addition to the brake, I had also mounted a new Leupold 4.5x14 B&C reticle scope for an upcoming antelope trip so the gun needed to be sighted in as well. With everything mounted and two loads that I know shot well in the RUM, 162 BTSP with 84 grains of 7828 SSC in Rem brass with Winchester mag primers at 3.60 LOA, and the same with 94.5 Grains of Retumbo, I headed to the range. (Both of these loads are pushing the 162 grain Hornady bullet north of 3300 fps) It took two shots to get the gun hitting 3” high, dead on the line at 100 yards.

With the bake on there was no difference in group size or shape at 100 or 300 yards. Both loads shot just as good as before, making 3 shot clover leafs at 100 and under 1” at 300. There was however a VERY noticeable reduction in recoil and muzzle jump. The gun felt like something between a 223 and a 243. I checked the brake after the first shot and every two or three thereafter and there was no indication of baffle strikes, as it should be. There was however carbon buildup on the barrel and brake as the number of shots increased. I checked the bolts after 20 rounds and found no decrease in torque.

I was wearing muffs and plugs, as I always do at the range and I did not notice any increase in perceived noise from the brake. I was alone so I did not have anyone to validate whether it was louder to the sides but I would be willing to bet that like all brakes it is. Also, with the amount of recoil reduction it must be pushing a pile of gas to the sides so anyone shooting beside you will definitely feel the blast, though from previous experience this gun makes a hell of a muzzle blast off to the sides even without a brake.

After 30 rounds of very slow fire I felt no soreness in my shoulder nor any other ill effects of shooting, and all I was wearing was a T shirt. I then removed the brake and fired a two shoot group. It hit exactly 1.5” left but on precisely the same elevation, exactly 3” high, as when the brake was on. I adjusted the scope and fired a three shoot clover leaf group that is exactly 3” high, dead on the line at 100 yards. There was a very noticeable increase in recoil without the brake and no perceivable reduction or difference in muzzle blast or noise.

The brake is very well made and fits to the gun well. I would never use a brake on a hunting rifle but this is a great tool for working up loads on guns that tend to beat you up. I could see absolutely no differences in the groups but this is only one gun. I will be interested to try it on a couple of other rifles to see if the results are the same. If they are I will probably order a couple more to cover other barrel sizes.

It is completely effective in reducing recoil and making heavy or medium hitting guns into pleasant to shoot rifles. For range shooting it is the cats pyjamas and because it is so easy to mount and remove it is perfect for use on guns that are primarily hunting rifles as well. The POI shift is easy to adjust for when you remove the brake.

A number of folks asked me to post this after I got the brake and tried it. I hope the info is useful to others thinking about putting brakes on their rifles.

Last edited by Dean2; 09-01-2015 at 10:30 PM.
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Old 09-01-2015, 11:21 PM
MadMarty911 MadMarty911 is offline
 
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Very nice write up. Thank you for taking the time.

There will always be an endless debate over brake or no brake. I have a friend that has a .300 Win Mag in a Tikka T3 light. It kicks like a sunovaB!

I have a .300 Win Mag in a Tikka T3 Varmint with a Sorenson brake and Limbsaver and it feels like a .223. A world of difference! Sound is not more for the shooter but anyone nearby better take cover from the Artillery blast!

I had a PWS FSC 30 which is a fantastic brake if a bit too much money but tamed recoil nicely - but more importantly negated most of the muzzle rise!

Im glad to see you found something to tame the BEAST so to speak and allowing you to enjoy another fine rifle!
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Old 09-02-2015, 06:49 AM
duceman duceman is offline
 
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thank you for deviating from the usual what bullet will kill an animal or 308 or 30-06 debates usually found here.
a very well written and informative write up, thank you , lee
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Old 09-03-2015, 06:55 PM
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gtita gtita is offline
 
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It's great to have a follow-up of your own experience with the Kahntrol clamp MB!

The only difference with my personal experience with it, mounted on a Tikka T3 LS, is that I could feel the louder blast through the earmuffs. I really don't think I would shoot with it without ear protections.

Greetings!
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Old 03-27-2018, 10:47 AM
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Dean2 Dean2 is online now
 
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I am bumping this becasue there has been some recent posts on brakes, and clamp on brakes.

gtita

I would NEVER shoot a braked rifle without good ear protection. Literally one shot could easily ruin your hearing, I know people it has happened to.
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Old 03-27-2018, 09:15 PM
cat336 cat336 is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dean2 View Post
I am bumping this becasue there has been some recent posts on brakes, and clamp on brakes.

gtita

I would NEVER shoot a braked rifle without good ear protection. Literally one shot could easily ruin your hearing, I know people it has happened to.
Thank you for bumping up this post. It was very informative and timely. you answered a lot of questions I had
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Old 03-29-2018, 03:25 PM
Norwest Alta Norwest Alta is offline
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If I had or wanted to brake another rifle I would go with this kahntrol brake.
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  #8  
Old 08-28-2018, 05:50 PM
Fixall7 Fixall7 is offline
 
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Hello
Would there be any information to where I can get one of these bolt on muzzle brakes , I need one for a friend with a Tikka T3 lite in .300 win mag . The company that sells them in the USA is all out of stock . Maybe there's a Canadian store that stocks them !
Thank you .
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Old 08-28-2018, 06:09 PM
Norwest Alta Norwest Alta is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fixall7 View Post
Hello
Would there be any information to where I can get one of these bolt on muzzle brakes , I need one for a friend with a Tikka T3 lite in .300 win mag . The company that sells them in the USA is all out of stock . Maybe there's a Canadian store that stocks them !
Thank you .
I think you order direct from them.
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Old 08-29-2018, 10:13 AM
Mastodon Mastodon is offline
 
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Did the break leave marks on the barrel after you took it off? Only wondering because i have considered a clamp on for my LH M700 CDL in 300 RUM. I like the bluing on my barrel, and dont really want to scratch it up.
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  #11  
Old 08-30-2018, 09:07 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mastodon View Post
Did the break leave marks on the barrel after you took it off? Only wondering because i have considered a clamp on for my LH M700 CDL in 300 RUM. I like the bluing on my barrel, and dont really want to scratch it up.
I put it on a stainless barrel and no marks. If it was a hi gloss blue I don't know for sure. My bet is they are made not to but i might go the screw on and cap method myself.
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Old 09-24-2018, 04:27 PM
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For 7 Rem who asked about brakes
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Old 10-12-2018, 01:36 AM
binrat binrat is offline
 
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Interesting brake.
Thanks
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Old 10-12-2018, 11:11 AM
obsessed1 obsessed1 is offline
 
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I have been working on a design to make one of these myself... same type of design. I have made a whitt type but machining hours in were quite a lot. Thinking this style will be able to be machined out in half the time
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Old 10-14-2018, 11:24 PM
humgreat humgreat is offline
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Interesting Write up

Thanks.
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Old 12-13-2019, 09:34 PM
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Bumped due to new questions about clamp on brakes.
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Old 12-14-2019, 06:59 AM
obsessed1 obsessed1 is offline
 
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So I have made my own witt machine type. For 300 wm and it works amazing. My second try was the kahntrol type for a 243. Both reduce recoil to the point I can see bullets impact on paper at 100yds through the scope. The kahntrol type was wayyyy less time to make. It's larger than the witt style but works amazing well. With out having either of these manufactured by the company I can't be for certain that my gas ports are same size or oriented. But my design is quite good. If I didn't have a machinest as a brother to teach me how to make them I would have no issue buying either brand
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Old 12-14-2019, 07:20 AM
tranq78 tranq78 is offline
 
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Thanks for this post

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk
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Old 12-22-2020, 08:56 AM
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Just in case anyone is looking for Christmas gift ideas I thought this might be a good candidate.
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Old 12-22-2020, 09:06 AM
obsessed1 obsessed1 is offline
 
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Agree. Great product
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Old 12-23-2020, 02:17 PM
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madatter madatter is offline
 
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Ive got a Kahntrol as well....
Bad shoulders made it almost impossible to shoot,and Ive used brakes on other guns for years.
Quality brake,recoil is minimal,and Im more accurate.
I always wear hearing protection,habit from work.
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  #22  
Old 12-24-2020, 12:42 PM
Macdsl Macdsl is offline
 
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Could not agree more, my khantrol has allowed me to shoot my light weight 300 weatherby without the absolutely nasty recoil it had before. They are legit, now feels like I’m shooting a 243. No machining or gunsmith needed.

Flat out amazing.
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