Muzzle Brakes?

[Boll Weevil]

Though I have several ported shotguns, have never owned a rifle with a brake but am looking at one now. I understand their purpose, pros, and cons. Any advice from those that shoot a rifle with a brake? Does adding/removing affect accuracy?

 

[Jcalder]

I have one on my smokeless muzzleloader. Left to right it doesn't matter but there's about a 4" spread up and down between brake and no break. Accuracy stays the same, but the impact is affected so you'll need to sight it however you plan on hunting

 

[Chief44]

I've got a Christensen Arms Mesa in 7mm mag. that's ported. As far as accuracy, my rifle shoots about the same with or without the brake, but the point of impact is just a little different. Recoil is less with the brake installed but it is also a lot louder. So much so that I try to wear hearing protection even when hunting if I can.

 

[Boll Weevil]

Chief, I'm looking at a Christensen and just waiting on my gunman to call me back on availability. Can I assume you like yours pretty well?

 

[Chief44]

Chief, I'm looking at a Christensen and just waiting on my gunman to call me back on availability. Can I assume you like yours pretty well?

I absolutely do and it is a tack driver with the right load. I had an ejection issue with mine but I will have to say their customer service was great and they promptly made it right. It's been great since.

 

[Tenntrapper]

I absolutely do and it is a tack driver with the right load. I had an ejection issue with mine but I will have to say their customer service was great and they promptly made it right. It's been great since.

I also have a Mesa, and love it. I've only shot it with the brake on it, so not sure how it will affect it. Mine is 7/08.
I can tell you though...with any brake...shooting with anything overhead, like a covered range, really amplifies the blast. Hearing protection is a must.

 

[Wiley]

Muzzle brakes should be called "turbocharged muzzle blast increasing device".

 

[TNRifleman]

A brake should not affect accuracy but will affect point of impact most likely. Muzzle blast is MUCH worse with a brake so be prepared to shoot with muffs over plugs on the range as well as hunting with some sort of ear pro. I slide one of the headband type of ear plugs on my neck when hunting with a rifle with a brake. That only happens if it 300 PRC or bigger though as I'd much rather deal with recoil than muzzle blast.

 

[Rancocas]

At an auction a few years ago I bought a Ruger #1 in .220 Swift. It had a muzzle break already installed. Why someone would think they needed a muzzle break on a .220 - I don't know. Anyway, accuracy was poor, but then I discovered that the break was mounted crooked. The projectile was striking the edge of the muzzle break as it exited the gun barrel. That may by why the unknown person put the rifle in the auction. Anyway, I had a gunsmith reset the break. The rifle shoots just fine now, but I do think the muzzle break makes the report a lot louder.

 

[megalomaniac]

Biggest advantage of a brake is to be able to keep sight picture with touching off first round and spotting impact.

Hearing protection is a MUST... downright painful without.

 

[dirtyhands]

Whatever you do please do not put it on an a15 and take it to the public range and sound off thirty rounds. It's like tossing a concussion grenade at the guy next to you.

 

[kamml]

The flash hider on my AR 10 308 makes it sound like Thor's Hammer. Terrible for the folks next to me at the range.

 

[marcounty]

Check out Witt Machine. They produce brakes with a sound mitigation device that pushes the sound down range instead of perpendicular to the barrel.
I have not tried this one out yet but have used their brakes in the past and was very happy with their products.

Sound Mitigation Equipment - Witt Machine

 

[Midnight rider]

I bought a Browning X bolt long range 300 win mag. It is my first gun with a muzzle break. I could not believe how much it helped on the recoil. I have shot 300 wins before and it really blew my mind how much this helped.

 

[DaveTN]

Don't most ranges not allow muzzle brakes?

 

[DoubleTap]

HUDU MUZZLEBRAKE make in Tennessee!!!! BEST THERE IS.

 

[casjoker]

I have an Odin Atlas 7 on my Mossberg Patriot 300 win mag. Reduces recoil down to about 308 level in an 8.5ish lbs gun. Yes, it's louder but I only use decent ear muffs not double like some. Now if you are beside me, double up on the ear pro!

 

[rodeojoe]

I have had to have 3 muzzle brakes put on rifles over the last few years for medical reasons. It will make a difference on recoil, some brakes more than others. It does make more noise for sure. You will not get all your money back when you go to sell the rifle, but it will usually sell quicker.

 

[Boll Weevil]

Well I finally got everything put together and got a chance to sight in this afternoon and WOW on 2 fronts. 1-The last 6 shots were in the same hole, and 2- That booger is LOUD! After the first shot with no hearing protection I marched right back up to the house and got both the foam insertable and a pair of muffs…wore'em both.

You gents that said hearing protection is an absolute must with brakes were spot on.

 

[Hduke86]

Well I finally got everything put together and got a chance to sight in this afternoon and WOW on 2 fronts. 1-The last 6 shots were in the same hole, and 2- That booger is LOUD! After the first shot with no hearing protection I marched right back up to the house and got both the foam insertable and a pair of muffs…wore'em both.

You gents that said hearing protection is an absolute must with brakes were spot on.

View attachment 113467

Man that's a sharp rig, what's the details of it