Muzzle brakes

[shortine]

I don't shoot competitive centerfire, so I don'tknow if muzzle brakes are allowed in competitive centerfire; but I was unfortunate enough to have a rimfire bench (real tight) next to a lefty with a muzzle brake on a .22 in a match. Even that small blast of air was extremely distracting 25 or 30 times a card.

I can imagine that it would be a lot worse with a centerfire. Are they allowed in sanctioned centerfire benchrest?

Thanks,

Gerry

 

[JMayo]

IBS muzzle brake rule question

I am just starting out in long range, and I have to shoot what I have for now or don't shoot at all. I've reviewed the IBS rules to ensure I complied prior to attending a match. Somebody called my rifle illegal because it had a clamp on muzzle brake instead of threaded on. Here is the rule...

forum.accurateshooter.com

This is a good read, imo

 

[shortine]

Thanks Mayo. I guess outdoors it wouldn't be a problem. Indoors the benches are so close a big guy has to turn sideways to get through. I'm guessing the muzzle was about 4 feet from my face, and I could get used to it if it was the same every time, but sometimes it was very slight, and sometimes enough to make me flinch and close my eyes for a second.

He was a nice guy, so I didn't say anything, but it sure didn't help my concentration.

Gerry

 

[Badhabit]

I've shot in local long range benchrest matches that allows any muzzle brake. I've had 17 pound rifles move completely off target by the shooter next to me. I've had my ammo blown off the bench and the concussion hits your body so hard I start to flinch anticipating them shooting. Now if I happen to attend those matches and get the same relay and bench next to one I leave. It's no longer a fun day shooting.

 

[Iowa Fox]

If you shoot the MOA at Sundance, Wyoming you are going to get exposure to muzzle brakes. Pistols shooting to 1k. The benches are about 6 feet apart , and most ladies and gentlemen are using brakes. The blast doesn't bother me and I would shoot it any chance I get. I never heard anyone complain man or woman.

 

[JEFFPPC]

Muzzle brakes came about because guys are always looking for an advantage. Less recoil you can shoot a bigger cartridge, fight the wind better, upset the gun less.....the list goes on. Now if it upsets the gun of the guy beside you, tough luck. Just the way it has evolved. No one likes the truth.

 

[Badhabit]

Muzzle brakes came about because guys are always looking for an advantage. Less recoil you can shoot a bigger cartridge, fight the wind better, upset the gun less.....the list goes on. Now if it upsets the gun of the guy beside you, tough luck. Just the way it has evolved. No one likes the truth.

That attitude of tough luck is what discourages new shooters and wives from going. My wife actually left the bench during a match. The blast was so bad in her face it scared her. Same with my grandkids it scared them now if we want to get youth participation why would we want a atmosphere like that. And if it's ok to disrupt your fellow shooters rifle then why not let everyone just get up and throw your rifle on the ground "tough luck". If you want to use a break that blast rearward then fine but there needs to be protection to the other shooters.

 

[Topstrap]

Portable blast shield.

We have always shot where the guns use brakes, initially IHMSA where everyone shot at the same time, at all of our longrange CF matches everyone uses muzzle brakes.

It's a piece of equipment that has become commonplace in certain types of matches, yeah it can blow stuff off your bench, lift your ball cap off your head or as some designs cause grass/leaves to get blown around.

I can it being really irritating to be set up happily sending nice quiet rounds downrange then here comes Earl with his 300 PRC setting up beside you when there are 15 other benches available.

We've shot enough it don't bother us but, if it's too bad then we move or bring out an even bigger boomer that'll move his ammo box off the bench. It is rude and inconsiderate to be like Earl but that's the way society is going.

I would think that a range would have an area catering to rimfire only due to most thinking they need less distance to shoot and CF guns on a much longer range area. Nearly all our available ranges in my area have separate areas and matches scheduled for each type of shooting.

Topstrap

 

[JMayo]

I've had my cap tilted by one.

I've also had something hit me and darn near drew blood. I didn't report it to the MD but i did tell the guy. Something was going on there and i feared for my health.
Thankfully for the most part they are not used in the games i shoot.

 

[cheek9075]

I've shot bench rest matches where brakes where aloud. Shot bench #2, bench #1 was to my right left with wood wall left of bench #1. I had to shoot with mouth open during the match so the pressure wave didn't pop my ears. I also found that I would have to time my shots after bench one fired. Wasn't pleasant at all but the match a loud it. Have to learn how to play by the rules and put up with it I guess. That or step down....

 

[std7mag]

What JEFFPPC doesn't share with you is that the range we shoot at has a separate relay for people using brakes.

Yeah, it gets distracting shooting beside someone with a brake.
Even outdoors.

I try to be considerate when I'm using one and seat myself away from others.

 

[Mark W]

I’ve never been bothered by a muzzle brake whether it’s on my rifle or someone else’s. Sure, I’ve felt a puff of air, but it’s not like it hurt me or anything. Guns are loud, so I’m already utilizing hearing protection. I believe that some people are simply more sensitive than others.

I have a brake on most of my rifles and in all my time at a range, I’ve only encountered two muzzle brake complainers. Both were grumpy old men.

 

[SEM]

I find ARs more irritating than muzzle brakes

 

[J.d. Popkes]

Don’t shoot with other people or If you must, don’t be right next to them.

 

[shortine]

Don’t shoot with other people or If you must, don’t be right next to them.

You have no choice after you've drawn for a bench...at least in rimfire.

 

[6.5 forever]

Using both ear plugs and muffs might help some shooters.

 

[J.d. Popkes]

You have no choice after you've drawn for a bench...at least in rimfire.

Never mind

 

[Old Navy]

I actually had to give up shooting IHMSA many years ago even before there were brakes. Single layer ear protection wasn't enough to keep me from jumping and when I doubled up I couldn't hear the range commands. I really liked that sport.

 

[Old Navy]

I went to watch my son shoot in a PRS match and to see if it was something I might want to do. Lucked out that day. It was a suppressor only match. Had electronic muffs on and got to visit with a lot of nice folks and learn about their sport.

 

[Capt. Oblivious]

Squad the brakers together then they can annoy each other