Remove muzzle brake - will this cause difference in group size?

[kentuckyMarksman]

I have a Tikka 223 Varmint that I bought from a member here. Awesome rifle. It has an Area419 Hellfire muzzle brake on it (muzzle was threaded by previous owner). This rifle is capable of .5moa groups, I'm very happy with it.

I've only ever shot this rifle with the brake installed.

My local range is having a benchrest match Saturday. It's only 100 yards, so not far at all. The match director called me yesterday to tell me muzzle brakes aren't allowed.

The Area419 Hellfire muzzle brake has an adapter that screws directly onto the threaded muzzle, and the muzzle brake attaches to it.

Here's my stupid question: will removing the muzzle brake, but leaving the adapter on for the match cause some sort of weird accuracy issue where my group size grows?

I know I may have a POI shift without the brake, but just want to make sure leaving the adapter on the muzzle won't give me weird issues.

 

[GTOJOSH]

I have a different animal in the form of 300wm with a brake. I also have a thread protector cap I can put on in place of the brake. Without my brake and with the thread protector on, my rifle has a measurable poi shift from zero at 300 yards of 3/4". (And beyond 300yards)
Strangely, with the brake and cap off, the shift is not noticeable within 500 yards. Barrell harmonics are crazy, huh?
I don't believe your 223 will have enough difference in shift at 100yards with it, without, or if you were to clip a lead bipod onto the center of your barrell tied to a sandbag.
That being said, Id leave the adapter on to be closer to the original end of barrell weight and go have a great time.

 

[kentuckyMarksman]

Thanks! I'm going to leave the adapter on.

 

[tydex21]

Shouldn’t cause any weird issues and you are already of the poi shift so tear it up! Good luck!

 

[JBattles]

I have a hellfire that I take on and off while leaving the adapter on... should not impact your groups size, but it could potentially cause a zero shift (very minimal), so get there early and ensure you have a good zero without the muzzle brake. Brakes reduce recoil, but you don't need to worry about increased recoil with a 223 and it will actually be quieter to shoot for you and others around so that's a plus.

 

[kentuckyMarksman]

Thanks. Luckily, at the beginning of the match, they'll have a 20 minute sighting period, where "unlimited" sighters may be used. I'm not concerned about the POI shift because of this.

 

[TACC]

Good deal, knock em dead

 

[JBattles]

Thanks. Luckily, at the beginning of the match, they'll have a 20 minute sighting period, where "unlimited" sighters may be used. I'm not concerned about the POI shift because of this.

Great - sounds like you are good to go!

 

[Snuby642]

It doesn't take much to change harmonics especially with longer barrels I believe.

I have some short thick barrels that just shift poi a little and some barrels that go spastic and need loads changed because groups go to hell.

Only one way to find out.

 

[fujam]

To state the obvious, it's possible your groups will get better, remain unchaged or open up with the brake off. Same deal with the adapter on and off. Ideally if you can I'd test groups with adapter on and off your barrel before the match. I have a 300 wm that will shoot a ragged hole with the hellfire brake and adapter off and 1/2 moa with it on, (did load developemnt without the break then added it later). Either way good luck and have fun.

 

[SporterII]

That adapter is likely installed with some rocset t or other adhesive. Try with the brake removed.
also there is likely carbon in it.
do this before arriving.

 

[kentuckyMarksman]

An update, shot the match on Saturday.

Match had 2 stages, 200 points possible each stage.

Stage 1, I scored 194-5x.
Stage 2, I didn't do as well. I scored 176-0x.

I had to use 2 different loads for the 2 stages. I only had 25 bullets left for my "go-to" load, and can't seem to find any more, so that's what I shot in stage 1. Stage 2 I had to use a different bullet that I wasn't thrilled with, but it's what I had on hand.

 

[lash]

So, I guess that you are saying that there was no noticeable group size difference without the brake?

 

[kentuckyMarksman]

So, I guess that you are saying that there was no noticeable group size difference without the brake?

No difference that I could see.

 

[lash]

Good