Gunsmithing Style of muzzle brake - does it matter?

[mdesign]

I have a 300 Weatherby that I am going to have a brake put on and have been looking at the different styles that are available.

Some have a lot of small holes while others have side ports of different shapes and configurations. Some match the contour of the barrel while others look like a fair chunk of steel on the end.

Is there a "best performing" style of brake or is it more of a matter of preference?

The rifle has a .700 muzzle diameter and I would prefer a brake that matches the dia. of the barrel unless there are significant advantages.

 

[mscott]

Re: Style of muzzle brake - does it matter?

My opinion is to pick one of the well known models such as the Badger Thruster, APA Little Bastard, RWS from the classifieds, etc. Don't get one with holes all the way around or you'll be kicking up dirt, grass, etc. if you shoot prone. We started calling the Harrell's brkes "salad shooters" because the throw grass everywhere.

 

[MontanaMarine]

Re: Style of muzzle brake - does it matter?

If you shoot near the ground, you might want to pick a brake with side discharge ports. Ports facing the ground can kick up a lot of dirt and debris.

 

[Goin'Hot]

Re: Style of muzzle brake - does it matter?

If you shoot prone, skip the brakes that have holes all the way around. They cost less but, you don't need all the dust blowing up when you shoot. Other than that, they're all very similar in performance IMHO.

 

[MontanaMarine]

Re: Style of muzzle brake - does it matter?

Omni-directional brake in action,

 

[toygunner]

Re: Style of muzzle brake - does it matter?

In my opinion the Vias style brakes are not as effecive as those with baffles like the Badger Thruster. The exhaust gasses need more baffles vs. vias stlye only having one at the end. So +1 for the Thruster or similar style brakes.

 

[Greene]

Re: Style of muzzle brake - does it matter?

The RWS breaks in the classifieds are a good value for the money.

RWS muzzle breaks

 

[mdesign]

Re: Style of muzzle brake - does it matter?

Wow Shane...looks like a sand storm in the making. Side port design it will be.

Thanks for the input guys!

 

[j.c.]

Re: Style of muzzle brake - does it matter?

I think the larger diameter baffled designs have some advantages. A Holland brake was on a rifle I recently bought used and it is very very effective. May not be the look you want but on a 300 Wby I'd be looking for function over form.

 

[mdesign]

Re: Style of muzzle brake - does it matter?

Been doing a little research on the suggestions...Looks like the Holland and the RWS are a similar design as is the Badger but without the holes in the top.

The barrel dia is .712 so I think I'll go with the 1 inch dia brake and taper it down to the barrel. Plenty of pictures out there of the finished product on rifles and they look fine.

 

[big45guy]

Re: Style of muzzle brake - does it matter?

I like the JP brakes. They have the largest baffle area which seems to me to be the most effective in reducing recoil

 

[buffybuster]

Re: Style of muzzle brake - does it matter?

If you want a brake to match the .700" profile of your barrel, that is going to limit it's effectiveness. While the ports will redirect the gas, the small baffle area is going to limit how much work they can do.

Larger the baffle area (especially in the first two ports) is going to have the greatest effect on reducing recoil. The JP Recoil Eliminator is very effective because of the very large baffle area, but it looks like hell. As stated, if you shoot from the prone, avoid brakes with ports on the bottom, unless you like eating dirt.

The RWS is inexpensive and just as effective. With any brake, you need at least 0.020" clearance, but not more than about 0.060", or you begin to get blow-by and effectiveness drops off.