Muzzle Brake Effects

[Jerry]

How much is recoil/muzzle jump really reduced by a muzzle brake?
Is the reduction the same for all calibers?
How critical is the brake design?
Who makes the most affective brake?
I'm considering one for my 6 x 47 Lapua for 1K benchrest shooting. Has anyone ACTUALLY Measured these reductions with more than 'how it felt'??
Jerry

 

[RMiller]

You already know what I say about them.
I love mine. I have been thinking about ways to measure it.
Im sure we can come up with a way to do it.

Ryan

 

[Ackman]

They absolutely work. Someone has most likely measured reductions, but empirical data isn't really important. The whole reason for using a muzzle brake is exactly because of how the gun feels when it goes boom. And seeing bullet impact.

I have brakes on every varmint gun from .223 to .257Wby. Want to see hits? Muzzle jump is so much reduced that on some guns the barrel literally doesn't even move. Recoil is also reduced and the gun may just barely quiver when it goes off. Even with hard kickers you'll feel noticeably less recoil. How it feels is the important thing.

 

[Cheechako]

Jerry

Yes, they work. But - for a 6x47 on a 1000 yard Benchrest gun, not really necessary. A light gun can weigh 17 pounds and the recoil without a brake is nothing to be concerned with.

JMHO

Ray

 

[RMiller]

I agree with Ackman, and Im betting Ray doesnt shoot 1000 yard bench or if you do, you've never had a brake on your rifle. Its not that recoil is heavy in a 6x47. It has everything to do with removing the jump not the kick. Movement is everything in 1000 yard bench. The less a rifle moves the less you have to move it around to get it back on target. Makes the gun faster to shoot and faster means less chance of a wind change and that makes you more accurate.

I have one on my 6x47 and wouldnt dream of shooting it with out it. Tryed it once. Didnt like it.

Just my opinion.

Ryan

 

[Cheechako]

Ryan

Wrong on all counts. I do shoot 1000 yard BR,and 600 too). Been doing it for 15 years. I shoot NBRSA where brakes are permitted in both classes at both yardages. My rifles range from a 6PPC to a 30 Magnum. I have brakes on all my rifles 7mm and larger but not on the smaller calibers.

If you have a good rest set-up and a properly designed stock, the rifle tracks extremely well and needs only to be returned to battery to get back on target. There's no 'jump' as you call it. Just a straight back recoil. I shoot all my rifles free-recoil.

JMHO

Ray

 

[Cheechako]

tbug

You don't see any short-range Benchrest shooters using brakes because they are not permitted. Most long-range shooters do use brakes. Long range brakes are not permitted if they exhaust the gasses to the rear.

It's true that brakes do make for more noise but I can tell you from experience that when I'm shooting a match I do not hear the noise of the guy shooting on the bench on either side of me. I'm concentrating on my own job. Both ear plugs and muffs help.

Ray

 

[Ackman]

Yeah,and they are also the most noisy things there is.I have one on my Varmit rig,it does allow you see your hits,but you PAY for it in the noise level.How many Benchrest shooters on the line do you see with them,hardly none! thats because they are a waist of time and money.......Just another fade to be outgrown

Yeah, you really know a lot about this stuff all right.

Shooting is done with ear protection.....DUH.
Short range benchrest doesn't allow brakes.....DUH
Shooting varmints isn't done from a benchrest line......DUH
Muzzle brakes are for the muzzle, not the waist......DUH
And DUH.......They've been gaining popularity for about 20yrs, some fad.

 

[RMiller]

All I know for sure is that I have one on my 6x47L. I shoot 1000 yard with it. It does reduce the amount of 'JUMP' and felt recoil. Not that a 6x47 needs the reduction because it doesn't but to say it doesn't help or is a waste of money is something ill argue all day long about. As for the noise, well guns are loud use ear protection.


Ryan