Gunsmithing Modifying a APA LB???

sawman556

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Mar 16, 2012
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Would it be possible/safe to drill 3 holes in the top of a APA Little Bastard? The brake works decent for recoil but I want to eliminate more muzzle rise. Would this work? Unsafe? It's .308 and my brake OD is .860. If drilling holes isn't a problem what size would be best???

I had a local smith thread my barrel but he did a shit job on the brake. I was able to clean it up but I wonder if the ID of .360" is too much for a .308??? Would the ID being to much limit the effectiveness of the brake? I was expecting more from this brake and wonder if the smith fucked it up???

I was also considering a RWS brake if I can't make something out of this one.

Thanks.
 
Re: Modifying a APA LB???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sawman556</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Would it be possible/safe to drill 3 holes in the top of a APA Little Bastard? The brake works decent for recoil but I want to eliminate more muzzle rise. Would this work? Unsafe? It's .308 and my brake OD is .860. If drilling holes isn't a problem what size would be best???

I had a local smith thread my barrel but he did a shit job on the brake. I was able to clean it up but I wonder if the ID of .360" is too much for a .308??? Would the ID being to much limit the effectiveness of the brake? I was expecting more from this brake and wonder if the smith fucked it up???

I was also considering a RWS brake if I can't make something out of this one.

Thanks. </div></div>

Not sure about drilling the holes , it might lose some structural integrity removing material from the bridge , just a though.

as for the bore diameter you wont notice a differance.
I made a baffle style brake and fit it to the barrel before boring the final ID , it was on a 30-06 Ackley and i started with an ID of .318" then upped it .015" till i got to .375" and honestly could not tell a differance in accuracy or recoil
 
Re: Modifying a APA LB???

You want one of these!!!

http://wiebad.com/zen/index.php?main_pag...052c8b4d83df000

You are welome
wink.gif
 
Re: Modifying a APA LB???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JJones75</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sawman556</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Would it be possible/safe to drill 3 holes in the top of a APA Little Bastard? The brake works decent for recoil but I want to eliminate more muzzle rise. Would this work? Unsafe? It's .308 and my brake OD is .860. If drilling holes isn't a problem what size would be best???

I had a local smith thread my barrel but he did a shit job on the brake. I was able to clean it up but I wonder if the ID of .360" is too much for a .308??? Would the ID being to much limit the effectiveness of the brake? I was expecting more from this brake and wonder if the smith fucked it up???

I was also considering a RWS brake if I can't make something out of this one.

Thanks. </div></div>

Not sure about drilling the holes , it might lose some structural integrity removing material from the bridge , just a though.

as for the bore diameter you wont notice a differance.
I made a baffle style brake and fit it to the barrel before boring the final ID , it was on a 30-06 Ackley and i started with an ID of .318" then upped it .015" till i got to .375" and honestly could not tell a differance in accuracy or recoil </div></div>

So do you think it might be unsafe? I realize I could ruin the brake but at this point I'm willing to risk it as long I don't get shrapnel in my face. The brake is just not doing what I want it to but also don't want to end up in the ER with some fucked up redneck story.

Thanks for easing my mind with the ID.
 
Re: Modifying a APA LB???

Honestly and respectfully, if a little bastard brake is not taming the recoil enough for you in a 308 you need one or more of the following

1. Proper technique of getting straight back behind the rifle and loading your bipod.

2. A heavier rifle

3. Shoot a lighter bullet to help lower recoil

IMO the little bastard is the best brake on the market. Jasons brake is great too

will you see a noticable diffrence from having holes drilled in the top of your brake.....Probally not.
 
Re: Modifying a APA LB???

It could be number 1. I'm fairly new to this kind of shooting. I'm using the KRG W3 stock which has given me issues with trying to get LOP and recoil pad at the right spot. Got any ideas?
 
Re: Modifying a APA LB???

The fact the brake has been turned to .860" is why it isn't terribly effective. Larger diameter creates more surface area for the gases to work on. There is no modification you are going to be able to that will mitigate much more recoil.

Consider another, bigger diameter brake, or getting used to what you've got.