Potentially stupid muzzle brake questions

[BoilerUP]

I have zero experience shooting a braked rifle, hence the questions.

I know lots of folks hate shooting beside somebody with a brake due to the noise/blast...but does the shooter also experience greatly increased noise/blast with any of the popular brakes (Little Bastard, RWS, Badger FTE, etc.)? I always wear earpro while shooting but don't like wearing ear plugs when I hunt, and while a brake might be nice for my dual-purpose rifle I don't want to worry about blowing my ears out more than I already do.

Also, I'm thinking of replacing the A2 birdcage on my SPR-ish AR, and am considering a linear compensator to send noise downrange vs. sideways. Do linear comps actually work (even a minor reduction would be nice), and do they negatively impact accuracy?

 

[Trevor300wsm]

Re: Potentially stupid muzzle brake questions

On the brake, yes it's more noise all around, but I wear ear protection no matter what, even when hunting. I have brakes on all my rifles. Wouldn't have it any other way. I love seeing my shots hit regardless if its steel or fur. When hunting, I wear the amplified ear muffs, hell they actually help me hear better than without them.

A brake can make a big rifle a pleasure to shoot. I can shoot a 100rd comp with my 7wsm and it's no different than shooting a 243 all day as far as recoil.

 

[264win]

Re: Potentially stupid muzzle brake questions

If you put a brake on your rifle, plan to wear hearing protection,even when hunting. The noise and blast increase a lot.
Also keep in mind that many hunting guides do not allow clients to use braked rifles, they dont want to be deaf either.

 

[sirhitalot]

Re: Potentially stupid muzzle brake questions

You should wear dual protection, both muffs and plugs. The sound increase a lot and for large calibers it tires you out even with dual protection. A day with 338 LM etc and brake, the sound that goes through you scull will wear you out.

 

[kraigWY]

Re: Potentially stupid muzzle brake questions

I just had a brake put on my 300 win by Chad Dixon. I haven't noticed any difference in muzzle blast while shooting. I do notice a huge reduction in recoil.

I shoot on my own range so I don't bother anyone. This is my 1000 yard match rifle and of course the NRA doesn't allow brakes so Chad made a thread protector for matches.

This gave me an idea. I like shooting my 375 H&H. I like the idea of a heavy rifle for hunting elk late in the evening (less chance of having to follow a blood trail in the dark).

I also don't use hearing protection while hunting. My idea is to have Dixon put a brake on my 375 for shooting and practice and a thread protector for hunting.

Never notice the recoil while hunting but I don't want to use a brake without ear protection.

This is for the What Its Worth Department. When you get a brake, get a thread protector so can use your rifle without a brake.

 

[rrflyer]

Re: Potentially stupid muzzle brake questions

Boiler,

Is this going on your 260?

Different brakes will have different sound signatures. The JEC Brake I have on my 260 isn't bad behind the rifle for range days. I normally shoot with foam plugs.

The couple of pigs I shot unplugged didn't hurt my ears either.

However I wouldn't wanna be standing to either side of me as thats where the sound/blast goes.

This is a JEC on a buddy's 7-08. You can really see where the blast goes.

[video:youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp_qbXIZUT8[/video]

 

[ORD]

Re: Potentially stupid muzzle brake questions

Not all brakes are created equal...but you WILL get an increase in noise regardless of the brake (the only difference will be the amount of noise you get and what you actually perceive). The linear brakes are okay and do work will at keeping blast directed away from you and from fellow shooters on the line, but the noise increase is not all that different in my experience. I personally do NOT suggest running any rifle with a brake installed without some sort of hearing protection.

You've only got the ears God gave you and why @#$% around with the chance of causing them permanent, irreversible damage?!?

 

[Cory Lee]

Re: Potentially stupid muzzle brake questions

No poi shift with/without brake?

 

[BoilerUP]

Re: Potentially stupid muzzle brake questions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rrflyer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Boiler,

Is this going on your 260?</div></div>

It would be, yeah. Its going to be a dual-purpose rifle going forward, and want something less than the 26" varmint contour I already have for treestand hunting. Either that barrel gets a bob to 20" or it'll be sold and replaced with a 22" light varmint like my 223AI.

Figure if I'm gonna get it cut I might get it threaded at the same time, and if I get it threaded I might get a brake.

 

[E. Bryant]

Re: Potentially stupid muzzle brake questions

Generally speaking, the shooter probably won't notice a huge increase in muzzle blast with a brake on the smaller/lighter calibers... at least not when out in the open. When shooting alongside a solid object, the reflected muzzle blast from a brake can be quite noticeable. I sometimes shoot from the bed of my pickup truck, and in that environment, even a mere 100rds of .308 can get a bit tiring.

I probably would not want a brake on a hunting rifle unless I planned on wearing electronic hearing protection.

 

[sandwarrior]

Re: Potentially stupid muzzle brake questions

It's definitely louder for everyone involved if you get a brake. The only brake I didn't notice an increase in noise was my AA brake on my 6.5G. There's a purpose to that

Some brakes do increase blast substantially back toward the shooter. Most notably the 'gill' type. And especially the ones that have the 'gills/blades/chambers' angled back toward the shooter. My best example of that was my Armalite AR-30. I actually came back from the range sometimes with a nosebleed. But the brake was so effective I could hold the rifle, a .300 Win, with a thumb and trigger finger while firing. It was also tuned and clocked which took the torque out of it.

I have found both the 'gill' and 'pepperpot' styles to be effective. And for muzzle blast, I started using a neoprene face warmer made from the same material a dive suit is. That takes the shock out of the blast up your sinuses.

See, it wasn't a stupid question after all.

 

[gunfighter48]

Re: Potentially stupid muzzle brake questions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Cory Lee</div><div class="ubbcode-body">No poi shift with/without brake? </div></div>

I've shot my LR 308 with the Battle Comp BABC comp/brake, the Damage Industries brake, and the JP Bennie Cooley comp/brake. They all shifted the POI to some degree and I had to re-zero my scope when using them. With that said the JP took the least adjustment and it actually seems to have tightened up my groups. Probably because I'm able to stay on target better with follow through. IMO the JP was the best of the bunch for recoil control and keeping muzzle rise under control. It's also the loudest of the three!! YMMV