Gunsmithing Muzzle brake on custom action quick change

[Thebigdog3033]

I have a quick change terminus zeus action and a custom barrel and I’ve heard a horror story on tightening the muzzle brake with the barrel attached ruined the grouping on someone’s rifle.. should you use a barrel vise while installing a brake on a quick change action or should it be fine? I know the set screws are 10 in-lbs but also the barrel is shouldered for it

 

[kthomas]

I'm tagging in for interest, I don't have an answer for you. I avoid quick change setups as I personally think they introduce more possible failure points into the system, with little upside.

I'm curious to hear if this is an actual problem, and what the solution is.

 

[Supersubes]

Sounds like some time anecdotal account. I don’t see how it could do anything. Putting the barrel in a vice and properly torquing the muzzle device is the right way though imo.

 

[Hateca]

Depends. Do you install your barrels hand tight? Most brakes require torque as in foot pounds. If you don’t hold the barrel you could transfer part of that torque to the action threads. If the brake needs timing and you torque to brake not holding the barrel then unscrew the barrel from the action brake timing may be off. Better to install the barrel as normal. Hold the barrel in barrel vice and install the brake to proper torque and timing and call it good.

 

[Praeger]

If you are using a jam-nut style brake, you aren't working against the barrel they way you'd be if the brake used a crush washer to clock. The easy way if you're concerned though is to simply make an index mark at the 12 o'clock of your barrel, remove the barrel, install the muzzle brake as tight as you want, then reinstall the barrel.

 

[PinesAndProjectiles]

If you are using a jam-nut style brake, you aren't working against the barrel they way you'd be if the brake used a crush washer to clock. The easy way if you're concerned though is to simply make an index mark at the 12 o'clock of your barrel, remove the barrel, install the muzzle brake as tight as you want, then reinstall the barrel.

Or just use a barrel vise....