How important it is to time Muzzle Brake?

[harry_x1]

I have a 33xc chambered barrel in which I shoot 300 grain bergers at 3100 fps. Just installed a new brake. It is at an angle of 20%. To time it, I will have to use a washer. However I wonder, how important it is to time a muzzle brake perfectly? Does it impact percision, ES/SD something etc? If it is not going to have a big impact on precision and SDs, then I would like to avoid the labor .... looking for inputs from those with experience/view on this....

 

[std7mag]

I would imagine it's fairly important.
Any off angle would want to push the barrel off Axis.
Granted, the bullet has pretty much left the brake by the time the gases go through the brake.
But why chance it?

 

[SKWERLZ]

It’s can throw off your recoil pulse and make it hard to get the rifle to track straight on the bipod and bags.
A few degrees isn’t an issue.

 

[Rob01]

I'd sell that brake and buy a self timing brake which requires no washers to get perfectly timed.

 

[Clancy]

I’d either get a self timer or use shims. No washer.

I don’t think it’s important in a cartridge that doesn’t recoil, but I do think it matters with something that large. That’s a lot of torque.

 

[LVLAaron]

It's important. If you want the easy answer for the brake you already have, get some peel washers.

 

[DaveTooley]

It's never been a problem here. You get an equal, off setting pulse on each side all things being equal. Just debris kicked up if shooting prone.

 

[Old Navy]

Important to me. If you are 20 degrees short of top dead center, a few minutes with some fine sand paper on a flat surface will take care of that. I have some peel washers that came with the brakes that match my top end suppressor. I can't begin to peel them apart. I ordered some washer kits from Midway and with a little sanding all is well on three barrels. Gun tracks better for me.

 

[Imperfect Liberty]

I doubt it would have an effect on SD/ES in any measurable way, recoil would be my first thought. The air column inside the barrel that is pushed out in front of the bullet would hit the break first, but all things being equal you wouldn't think it would throw things off any farther than having it timed at any of the other 360 degrees. I would just worry about dust and debris flying up when I shoot prone. Plus it looks goofy as hell just my thoughts!

 

[mauser284]

Baring that your not my wife trying to hang a painting and putting 32 holes int he wall and missing a stud precise clocking is not a must. It just has to be close that is why they came up with self clocking brakes, peel and stick shims, and crush washers. Even with a cars steering precise is nto precise it is just close enough. To adjust an a light civil aviation wing you roll a pipe across it and watch how it rolls and you fly the aircraft and adjust accordingly.

Now if you ask the French well they have a special tool to alloy the brake to be clocked to the rifling of the barrell not in terms of center line and plump to the bore axis rather to the rifling.

What happens when you shoot the rifle off axis because your human and you can not watch your buble level and aim through the optic and process both pieces of data and squeeze the trigger at the optimal point in your wobble? Even with both eye's open you can not do that in real life anyone that says they can parrelle process on that level and squeeze the trigger while taking all of that in plus more is a either very ignorant or a liar.

The closer you can get it the better but it does not have to be absolutely perfect. If you can spot it easily being canted with the naked eye and other's can too it is not close enough! LOL

Are we talking 1° to 2° off or 15° off? Details matter!

If you watch people shoot prone, kneeling, squating, standing off-hand you will notice that even world class shooters are not shooting with no cant and perfectly straight and plumb even with a sling, shooting gloves and a jacket! Even with front rest and rear bag.

In fact watch people stand and one hip will be higher, one shoulder lower, head a bit forward or right or left. They do not sit perfectly or lay down perfectly either! People have twists and bends in 3 diemensions all over their body. Perfection is not as important usualy within reason consistency is usualy far more important.

 

[majohnson]

My 338LM was slightly off, I had it fix and replaced the brake. It was so slight, and while I was told by the mfg it was not an issue, it was a visual thing. If it bothers you visually acuity or mentally, it’s probably worth it.

 

[mike mccormick]

It really depends on the brake. On some, the brake is made to exert down force , and being out of time could be big

 

[Mark W]

Important to me. If you are 20 degrees short of top dead center, a few minutes with some fine sand paper on a flat surface will take care of that. I have some peel washers that came with the brakes that match my top end suppressor. I can't begin to peel them apart. I ordered some washer kits from Midway and with a little sanding all is well on three barrels. Gun tracks better for me.

I don’t know if it makes a difference because my OCD won’t allow me to run a crooked brake. I’ve used the sandpaper trick more than once to get a brake timed properly. My only advice is to go slow and check the fit frequently. A little goes a long way.