Short action muzzle brakes?

Punisher29073

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Oct 12, 2012
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White Knoll, SC
Let me preface this by saying this isn't a smart a&$ question. It is legit.

Why do you want a muzzle brake on a smaller caliber such as a 308? The recoil is minimal without it shooting anything I have ever loaded or shot. I hear they blow dust and dirt all over the place. They do look good, I will agree to that. Now I am a big guy and am not overly sensitive to recoil but I wouldn't hesitate putting my wife or 8 yo little girl on a 308 because of the recoil. Should I hesitate?

Again, I only want constructive comments please as my question is real. I may be over sensitive to being called a smart a$& as this has happened more than a time or two.
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Ryan
 
Re: Short action muzzle brakes?

I will be the first to admit that Im a big puss when it comes to recoil, but my first 308 bolt gun was had very manageable recoil. But, it would be nice to stay on target and not have to adjust the rifle after every shot.
 
Re: Short action muzzle brakes?

Punisher, while the recoil of some smaller rifles is very manageable some prefer practically none. Like Truth said it does help to stay on target better. If you could go from .308 recoil to something like a a .223 or less why not.

As far as kicking up a lot of dust, if you are shooting prone that could be a problem but I wouldn't think a brake with no ports pointed down would kick up much dust.

But, brakes are rude, get a can
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Re: Short action muzzle brakes?

Having never shot a gun with a break on it I am surprised that it can reduce it to that of a 223. I can see where that would be advantageous. I didn't realize it would make that much difference. Thanks.

Ryan
 
Re: Short action muzzle brakes?

I am not a huge fan of recoil especially when it's cheap and easy to reduce it by quite a bit. I used to shoot trap and have seen people develop a flinching problem. Flinching has caused some people to not be able to shoot anymore, one guy went to a release trigger to help and after time he couldn't even let go of the release trigger so he was pretty much screwed. My old man can't shoot a pull trigger anymore, there is no such thing as him squeezing a trigger on a rifle.
 
Re: Short action muzzle brakes?

Its all about staying on target for follow up shots. 308 recoil is very manageable without a brake, but 80 shots in the shoulder can tend to get a little tender, and muzzle jump can be a pain to perfectly manage for every shot. On a good day and all other factors eliminated i can stay on target pretty well without a brake. But in a competition, fast-fire environment where the pressure is on, not having to deal with recoil or muzzle jump is a benefit.
I have never been pissed off or startled by anyone on either side of me at a range when they have a muzzle brake. I am far, far more perturbed by the hot ejected 308 shells that land between my neck an shirt!
 
Re: Short action muzzle brakes?

I have one on my .308. It really helps stay on target and I like introducing people to target shooting. Most of them are use to mule kickin bare bones hunting rifles and when they try mine out they are a lot more open to nailin steel or punching holes in paper for hours on end.
 
Re: Short action muzzle brakes?

I really enjoy shooting and my favorite caliber is the .308. Its not normally rough to shoot and has a great range of uses. Most of my time behind one has been punching holes in paper off a bench. These are the times a brake makes shooting a real pleasure. I can shoot all day and really focus on the shots. The brakes, for me, increase my precision and joy during the day.. even on the smaller calibers.

But, let me be honest, some of the heavier bullets with maxed velocities will beat md up by the end of the day.
 
Re: Short action muzzle brakes?

I am getting ready to put a brake on my heavy Savage 260. No shame in doing it either. I want to be able to see my vapor trail when shooting out at distance. It will be nice for seeing my bullet impacts too.
 
Re: Short action muzzle brakes?

My goal is no blink, hours on pellet, 22lr,.223 rifles has done amazing work to my form. Yes my .308 is braked, for the goal above. Practice makes perfect.
 
Re: Short action muzzle brakes?

I use one on my 6.5CM. The benefit is ease of spotting near misses by being able to maintain sight picture. You have to take into consideration that at some of the matches, you are not laying on perfectly flat surface taking all the time in the world between shots. You may have improvised positions and reasonably quick follow up shots, both of which can be assisted by lessening recoil.
 
Re: Short action muzzle brakes?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hunt4life</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My goal is no blink, hours on pellet, 22lr,.223 rifles has done amazing work to my form. Yes my .308 is braked, for the goal above. Practice makes perfect. </div></div>

wrong...simply wrong.. i dont mean to be that guy but im going to be...

Perfect practice, makes perfect... if your practicing bad habbits , you will simply be perfect at bad habbits

Im 6 foot 3 230+lbs and I put a little jimmy on my 14lb 308...why? 1 i wanna see the bullet hit my target... and 2 why not?
 
Re: Short action muzzle brakes?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HonkeyMcGee88</div><div class="ubbcode-body">But, brakes are rude, get a can
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</div></div>

does the fact that i shoot a 10.5" 556 W/ a SF break adapter make me a dick?

on the real tip... I very much enjoy shooting my 16# 243 that kicks like a 22lr with a VAIS break.

when i go back to my 12# 308 with SF break adapter it feels like a howitzer.
 
Re: Short action muzzle brakes?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: suburbanhick</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hunt4life</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My goal is no blink, hours on pellet, 22lr,.223 rifles has done amazing work to my form. Yes my .308 is braked, for the goal above. Practice makes perfect. </div></div>

wrong...simply wrong.. i dont mean to be that guy but im going to be...

Perfect practice, makes perfect... if your practicing bad habbits , you will simply be perfect at bad habbits

Im 6 foot 3 230+lbs and I put a little jimmy on my 14lb 308...why? 1 i wanna see the bullet hit my target... and 2 why not?

</div></div> <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: suburbanhick</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hunt4life</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My goal is no blink, hours on pellet, 22lr,.223 rifles has done amazing work to my form. Yes my .308 is braked, for the goal above. Practice makes perfect. </div></div>

wrong...simply wrong.. i dont mean to be that guy but im going to be...

Perfect practice, makes perfect... if your practicing bad habbits , you will simply be perfect at bad habbits

Im 6 foot 3 230+lbs and I put a little jimmy on my 14lb 308...why? 1 i wanna see the bullet hit my target... and 2 why not?

</div></div>

Yes, you are that guy. What the hell man, you presume too much.
 
Re: Short action muzzle brakes?

Yall make good arguments and have swayed my thinking. Seeing my hits and misses (unfortunately) would be great.

Next Questions:
A) If I have the barrel threaded, can I come back and add a brake?
B) Can you swap the brake for just a cap and go back and forth for different situations easily without changing POI?

Thanks
 
Re: Short action muzzle brakes?

I'm sure you could have the barrel threaded & add the brake later, though I would just do them at the same time. I honestly don't about POI changes, I'd certainly shoot it with and without to verify.

I just sent off two barrels from my savage M12 BVSS's to have brakes installed. One is a 22-250 and the other a 6mmBR, certainly not hard kicking calibers. I did it because these are my prairie dog rifles and I want to be able to see the impact through the scope. Neither have much recoil to speak of, but it's just enough to move the scope off the prairie dog with the scope at 20X thus requiring my spotter to call my hits. I want to be able to self spot and watch the impact through the scope. I'll be using electronic muffs and foamie ear plugs when PD hunting and my hunting partner does the same, so the extra noise isn't a concern. I don't shoot at a public range, my shooting bench is on my land behind my house so I'm not concerned about blasting others at the range.

In my case the muzzle brake is for a specialized use. None of my other hunting rifles are braked and I don't have any plans to either.
 
Re: Short action muzzle brakes?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BapZander</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The only reason I put a break on my 308 is to irritate the folks on each side of me. </div></div>

I wonder how my .338 Edge with a Muscle Brake will be?
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Re: Short action muzzle brakes?

I have a savage model 12 target rifle/ bench rest platform. My intentions are to shoot f-class open. Do they allow muzzle breaks in f-class open? If they do where could I have one installed for a reasonable price?