Muzzle brakes on the firing line

[XTR]

I found the current article on hearing loss in the bulletin incredibly timely this afternoon. I shot a 3x600 F class match today. Not unlike a hundred other days in the last few yrs. What is different this afternoon is that my ears are ringing and I feel a little dazed. I didn't notice it at first, but once I put my finger on it it is very obvious. As noted above, I've certainly done this over 100 times in the last 5 yrs or so. What is different about today is that there were two guys squadded to my left today with Ruger RPRs with brakes on them. (it definitely wasn't the prodigious recoil from the 80Amax's I was shooting up)

At first I thought I was just close to someone running a big magnum open gun and I didn't think anything about it until 3 shots into my match (I'd already scored once and didn't look over) when the RO came over and asked the shooters to remove their brakes, and when they couldn't asked the other shooters on the line if it was OK. This wasn't an NRA sanctioned match and it wasn't the end of the world and we all said it was fine. I was amused in my 2nd and 3rd match when their first shots blew grass and leaves across me.

Now I'm realizing that laying next to brakes for 3 matches and sitting at the feet of my shooter scoring for 3 more matches leaves one with a very different feeling at the end of the day. I'd never thought much about the brakes, I have them on some of my rifles, just not ones I shoot for 20 shot strings. It certainly gives me a different perspective on brakes in competition. (definitely not in favor)

 

[BP1]

Running a break is nice for the shooter but not so much for the poor people next to them... I know at our club if you run a break you have to shoot a good 15 yards are so from the rest of the f/class guys.when my buddy and I are practicing with our tactical rifles next to each other we block each other’s blast with our packs.Then when we are being smart about it we spin our cans on.

 

[XTR]

I have 2 cans in ATF jail, as soon as they are out I'll be a non-brake kind of guy myself.

 

[BP1]

I didn't think that you could use a break in fclass

It’s up to the MD,scores are not counted if you run a break or can.

 

[spclark]

Brakes should be squadded 20’ away from other shooters. All they do is divert muzzle blast to sides & back, affecting anyone close by at those positions though typically NOT the shooter on that gun.

They have their use, sure, but NOT in a match condition interspersed with other shooters.

Brakes are for wussies; can’t shoot that cartridge w/o one? Then DON’T SHOOT it!

 

[randy x]

No brakes

 

[Ned Ludd]

If asked whether you are OK with someone shooting a braked rifle next to you, if you answer "Yes", then you have to live with the results. Don't agree to it, then complain later; that just won't fly. Personally, I would never agree to it unless it were possible to either have sufficient distance (i.e. at least 15"-20") separation, or to place something substantial in between us, like a table turned on its side. The first time I ever shot at 1000 yd, the individual next to me decided to forego an official score and proceeded to whip out his braked .338 Lapua for the 3rd match of the day. It felt like being whacked in the head with 2'x4'. The rules prohibiting muzzle brakes are there for several reason, all of them valid. You do not have to agree to shoot next to someone with a braked rifle. If it will be a problem for you, don't.

 

[Dgd6mm]

I love these threads on brakes. If it is allowed and I want to run one I will, even if I have to be separated from the other shooters. If it isn't allowed than I would be shooting one of my un-braked rifles. Too me it's all according to the rules.

 

[Milo 2.0]

Match directors need to separate the 2, some common courtesy goes a long ways too. Swept back fins wreak way more havoc than flat chambers in a brake.
Today I shoot with younger guys who whine like little bitches if a silencer isn't used, I have more cans than rifles this year. But would rather shoot a good brake, but I comply, lol

 

[BP1]

If asked whether you are OK with someone shooting a braked rifle next to you, if you answer "Yes", then you have to live with the results. Don't agree to it, then complain later; that just won't fly. Personally, I would never agree to it unless it were possible to either have sufficient distance (i.e. at least 15"-20") separation, or to place something substantial in between us, like a table turned on its side. The first time I ever shot at 1000 yd, the individual next to me decided to forego an official score and proceeded to whip out his braked .338 Lapua for the 3rd match of the day. It felt like being whacked in the head with 2'x4'. The rules prohibiting muzzle brakes are there for several reason, all of them valid. You do not have to agree to shoot next to someone with a braked rifle. If it will be a problem for you, don't.

I would have stood up and kicked dirt or gravel all over him and then just gave him the What look..that’s just plain ass disrespectful you’re lucky you can still hear.

 

[XTR]

I'm not complaining, just reporting my observations on the results. This is the first time I've ever shot an entire match next to someone (two someones in fact) shooting with brakes. As opposed to one or two shots. If I were asked next weekend I'd ask the MD to move them down the line. I doubt that it had any effect on my score, but it certainly pounded the crap out of my nugget. Do that every weekend and you will be deaf.

I've always had the opinion that the biggest issue with brakes was that they blow guys shooting on their elbows all over the place. I have not tried to do that and don't want to. I now have another perspective, even as an F class shooter, they pound the crap out of the shooter(s) next to you.

These were new shooters, I would never suggest that the MD send them away because they had brakes on. I was happy to see them up on the line shooting.

 

[randy x]

I'm not complaining, just reporting my observations on the results. This is the first time I've ever shot an entire match next to someone (two someones in fact) shooting with brakes. As opposed to one or two shots. If I were asked next weekend I'd ask the MD to move them down the line. I doubt that it had any effect on my score, but it certainly pounded the crap out of my nugget. Do that every weekend and you will be deaf.

I've always had the opinion that the biggest issue with brakes was that they blow guys shooting on their elbows all over the place. I have not tried to do that and don't want to. I now have another perspective, even as an F class shooter, they pound the crap out of the shooter(s) next to you.

These were new shooters, I would never suggest that the MD send them away because they had brakes on. I was happy to see them up on the line shooting.

But they could tell them for next time. They are threaded.And yes it affected your score.

 

[Immike]

I think the simple solution would be range equipment for this. They have a similar problem in NMLRA with the flintlocks spitting out fire. Partitions would reflect most of this out or back on them for a dose of their own medicine.
We all want inclusive agendas so this would allow PRS to shoot. That’s a class that needs to find a way to coexist on the line.

 

[randy x]

I think the simple solution would be range equipment for this. They have a similar problem in NMLRA with the flintlocks spitting out fire. Partitions would reflect most of this out or back on them for a dose of their own medicine.
We all want inclusive agendas so this would allow PRS to shoot. That’s a class that needs to find a way to coexist on the line.

Or they could take it off and screw on a thread protector.

 

[Immike]

Or they could take it off and screw on a thread protector.

True, but just 2 partitions would have isolated them from the rest of the shooters anywhere on the line. I’m just offering a possible solution

 

[Bart B.]

Muzzle brakes are not allowed in NRA sanctioned high power rifle matches.

 

[Immike]

We know the rules, thanks. This is a local club match- “don’t send them home” issue. There should always be a few slots open to new shooters with the wrong stuff.

 

[kzin]

At first I thought I was just close to someone running a big magnum open gun

Can I get 20 ft clear and/or a screen between me and those, also?

 

[Albany Mountain]

I feel that muzzle brakes detract from the "any caliber below etc" rule in that if one wants to shoot 223 for the benefits of low recoil, let em. If one wants to shoot 338 for the benefits of trajectory, let em, but no brake.

 

[Howland]

I run a brake to see my hits on the target (or misses as the case might be), not because I can't handle the recoil.

That said, I do try to set up far from other shooters out of courtesy and I'll warn someone if they head for the next bench.