Brakes n Suppressor's question for users

[6.5BR]

In my state, suppressor's are not legal for hunting game. That said, I am interested in learning more about both Suppressor's and Brakes, may not live here permanently, and I am interested for range use.

Brakes - in the past, been near them at the range - having Tinnitus - always been a nuisance. Question, when BEHIND them shooting a rifle, do they increase the volume of blast to the shooter? I ask because I know not all Brakes are alike.

Suppressor's - does the recoil also get reduced? It appears when I see videos of firing, the rifles seem to come back less, or at least perhaps muzzle rise is lower.

Also, is there a common "Universal" thread size that allows Either/Or to be attached/removed? Lastly, what are some recommendations on types of each, and costs.

Thanks in advance info.

 

[strike33]

Brakes_ you have to look at the port design. Most of the brakes today direct the gases outward and slightly to rear but away from the shooter. In most circumstances the shooter is not subjected to increased concussive blast.

Suppressor do help mitigate felt recoil as the are designed to slow the gasses before they exit. This decrease is most noticeable in the magnums.
The common thread for most centerfire excluding the 22's is 5/8-24
The .22's are different as well as the Euro guns (AI/ TRG)

 

[mattj]

In my state, suppressor's are not legal for hunting game. That said, I am interested in learning more about both Suppressor's and Brakes, may not live here permanently, and I am interested for range use.

Brakes - in the past, been near them at the range - having Tinnitus - always been a nuisance. Question, when BEHIND them shooting a rifle, do they increase the volume of blast to the shooter? I ask because I know not all Brakes are alike.

Suppressor's - does the recoil also get reduced? It appears when I see videos of firing, the rifles seem to come back less, or at least perhaps muzzle rise is lower.

Also, is there a common "Universal" thread size that allows Either/Or to be attached/removed? Lastly, what are some recommendations on types of each, and costs.

Thanks in advance info.

1. Generally it isn't *as* loud right behind the gun because the ports generally direct the shock wave outward -- and some brakes are louder than others, but yeah I think it is safe to say any brake that does the job of reducing heavy-ish recoil is going to be louder to the shooter. I would NOT recommend hunting with a brake unless you and your hunting partners are wearing ear (and ideally eye) protection.

2. Yes, it also makes the recoil feel different in a way that's hard to explain -- generally they probably aren't quite as effective as the really good brakes in terms of pure recoil reduction, but I vastly prefer it.

3. There is not a single standard thread, but there are common for different 'classes' of cartridges. 5/8×24 would be by far the most common for .308-ish rifles. Here's a reference: Barrel thread reference | Silencer Shop

There are many many good brakes out there -- just depends what look and such you like, and some have specific features.

Lots of good cans too, Thunderbeast cans are popular around here (I love mine).

 

[6.5BR]

Thanks guys, love to hear from others. So to clarify, a suppressor if Legal where I was hunting would be of interest, the brake - purely for range work in the interest of maintaining sight pic for self spotting during impact. Not a big deal, and I don't shoot high recoil guns for the most part, so recoil reduction not near as important given choice as reducing blast to save my hearing and improve focus on shot cycle over extended sessions. Most of what I do will consist of rounds up to 308, but in barrels will often be 20-22", perhaps shorter.

Does anyone know of any studies showing decible to shooter with and without a brake? Looks like I'd really prefer a suppressor for range work, and remove it when hunting in my state. Thanks.

 

[J E CUSTOM]

In my state, suppressor's are not legal for hunting game. That said, I am interested in learning more about both Suppressor's and Brakes, may not live here permanently, and I am interested for range use.

Brakes - in the past, been near them at the range - having Tinnitus - always been a nuisance. Question, when BEHIND them shooting a rifle, do they increase the volume of blast to the shooter? I ask because I know not all Brakes are alike.

Suppressor's - does the recoil also get reduced? It appears when I see videos of firing, the rifles seem to come back less, or at least perhaps muzzle rise is lower.

Also, is there a common "Universal" thread size that allows Either/Or to be attached/removed? Lastly, what are some recommendations on types of each, and costs.

Thanks in advance info.

Some brakes are very bad if you are next to the shooter, or if you are the shooter because they direct the sound and shock wave back toward
the shooter. Some are not as bad as others and direct the gas away from the shooter.

I have done a lot of testing on different types of brakes and found that in most cases they are no louder than a rifle without a brake they just direct
the sound back toward the shooter making the perceived noise louder.

I posted the results on You Tube and if you want to see/hear the difference Do a search for jecustom101 and you can see the difference and
also hear the difference. (We tested with a DB meter at the same time)We fired rifles with nothing on the barrels, flash hiders and different types of brakes for a comparison.

The most common TPI for a Suppressor is a 5/8 x 24 TPI so if you want to use a brake and switch out to a suppressor have the barrel threaded
5/8 x 24 . This Thread size may not work on the small barrels and a different thread size if used (9/16 x 24 or 1/2 x 28).

Hope this helps answer your questions.

J E CUSTOM

 

[Petrichor Actual]

Anybody have experience with linear compensators (similar to the Levang for AR15's) that port the gasses forward? Online I've seen variants like the Kies and Black River's Tactical Covert Comp that are 5/8x24. I have bad tinnitus also. A suppressor is in my future, but a "quiet" brake would be a nice stop gap if it legitimately reduces the perceived noise for the shooter.

 

[6.5BR]

JE - good stuff - thanks. Thanks Benito for chiming in too.

 

[Temp9]

I generally don't have problems with brakes when I'm the shooter. This is assuming you are far from any hard structures, like in an open field. If you have a vehicle, concrete shooting bench, brick wall, or anything else of that nature to the side of you, you'll catch as much blast as if you were standing next to the brake.

Anybody have experience with linear compensators (similar to the Levang for AR15's) that port the gasses forward? Online I've seen variants like the Kies and Black River's Tactical Covert Comp that are 5/8x24. I have bad tinnitus also. A suppressor is in my future, but a "quiet" brake would be a nice stop gap if it legitimately reduces the perceived noise for the shooter.

View attachment 16636

The forward gassed brakes are indeed quieter, but they suffer from one serious flaw. They don't reduce recoil or muzzle rise. The gun is already trying to vent gasses forward. The brake doesn't change anything.

 

[wnroscoe]

In my state, suppressor's are not legal for hunting game. That said, I am interested in learning more about both Suppressor's and Brakes, may not live here permanently, and I am interested for range use.

Brakes - in the past, been near them at the range - having Tinnitus - always been a nuisance. Question, when BEHIND them shooting a rifle, do they increase the volume of blast to the shooter? I ask because I know not all Brakes are alike.

Suppressor's - does the recoil also get reduced? It appears when I see videos of firing, the rifles seem to come back less, or at least perhaps muzzle rise is lower.

Also, is there a common "Universal" thread size that allows Either/Or to be attached/removed? Lastly, what are some recommendations on types of each, and costs.

Thanks in advance info.

Call sometime as I have a rifle set up for both brake and suppressor (260) and will let you shoot it to decide for your self. As far as brakes, Vias is supposed to be the quietest but, they're all loud as hell with no hearing protection, even when behind the rifle. The side vent brakes like the Thruster are the most efficient as far as recoil reduction goes and if shooting prone almost required to avoid debris blow back.

When shooting brakes I now wear double hearing protection. Wearing just muffs still rings my ears. Both the brake and suppressor will reduce the felt recoil a good deal, enough that I can see my own hits/misses at 700+ yards in the scope even if I'm slightly out of position. 5/8x24 is the most common thread pitch but you'll find some 9/16x24 stuff.

I find myself shooting mostly suppressed nowadays because of the reduced recoil, reduced muzzle report and I can also hear the hit on steel, even at 1,100 yards if the wind isn't blowing. Get a Titanium thread mount suppressor threaded 5/8x24 rated for 300WM and use it on everything you have from 6BR to 300WM. That's the way 99% of the end users roll.

 

[6.5BR]

Good stuff. I have always used plugs + muffs, and still hate blast, probably more than recoil. It seems blast increases the shooters perception of recoil.

Does the range in Haughton allow suppressor's? Been meaning to ask.

 

[wnroscoe]

Good stuff. I have always used plugs + muffs, and still hate blast, probably more than recoil. It seems blast increases the shooters perception of recoil.

Does the range in Haughton allow suppressor's? Been meaning to ask.

Yes, they allow suppressors as does Long Range Alley, never a problem and I've shot at both numerous times with the suppressor. Once you start shooting suppressed it's hard to go back. You can shoot by your self and leave the hearing protection at home.

 

[cal50]

Most brakes direct gas to the sides. Higher efficiency brakes direct more gas to the rear to offset recoil.
BARRETT used an arrow head brake and the clam shell style brakes dump lots of gas to the rear. If you happen to be in this area when fired it's VERY loud and not comfortable. My. 50 with a clamshell brake will clean the bench off when fired. This includes empty. 50 ammo cans as well. Conventional brakes on rifles are not bad from the firing position but for anyone to the side it's louder.

Running a can on a weapon is a quiet muzzle brake. It does offset recoil force + the weight of the can offsets some recoil as well. Personally I like running a can on my rifles. I use a flashhider / brake mount that accepts my can (M4-2000 suppressor).

 

[6.5BR]

I'd suppose a 50 shooter would want one for recoil reduction, but I have been around one that was loud as hell, and the owner's brother cut his eye after we told him to get OFF the eyepiece! Lol. He was not too bright....

Glad to hear some local ranges allow suppressor's. Thanks all.

 

[ChemE1975]

For the folks who have replied, I assume the more ports and the larger those ports are means more recoil mitigation?