Running a local match,... how to deal with muzzle brakes?

[jghoghunter]

I have always wondered if some sort of plywood deflector on the bench would help, or partitions between the benches.

This is what we do. We have plywood pieces that slide into mounts on the structural post between the benches. Everybody really likes them.

 

[buckeye68]

I guess I’ll give my 2 cents worth. I’ll go one set further and complain about everyone that does not run a suppressor. Are we going to write the rules so everyone has to use a suppressor because your gun is louder than mine??

 

[Dgd6mm]

You either get rid of muzzle brakes altogether or make a barrier. If that doesn't suit you regular non muzzle brake shooter and they either threaten to leave or do leave, so be it.

 

[jelenko]

two 18 inch pipe wrenches on the checkin table at the SWN one year to assist anyone that showed up with one installed

 

[Fast14riot]

Muzzle brakes do have a place, but on the firing line at a bench or f/class match isn't one of them. I wouldn't discourage a guy trying to get long range dope for a gun from another discipline, but if someone builds a prs style rig to shoot off the bench, I would politely hand them a schedule for those matches.

 

[243winxb]

Safety first- I pack up and go home when a brake shooter sets up on the next bench. Flink lock muzzle loaders also, if to the left of me. Same for 500 & 460 revolvers. You only have 2 eyes.

The other downside is safety-related. A muzzle brake is not trying to disrupt the flow of gas in any way. It is only trying to re-route it to reduce recoil. As a result, the gas is still moving at an incredibly high rate of speed when it leaves the brake, making it dangerous for other shooters to be next to when fired. Brakes

 

[Knotwild]

Muzzle brakes seem to be used by people who don't have any consideration for fellow shooters. How could they not see a brake's effect on fellow shooters. It has to affect the abused shooter's score. I would vote to ban them.

Here's a thought provoking article.
Can Shooting Cause Brain Damage?

 

[rijndael]

Muzzle brakes seem to be used by people who don't have any consideration for fellow shooters.

Both my shooting partner and I use muzzle brakes, we just picked ones that weren't obnoxious, they do exist. A horizontal first port is a good place to start.

I often shot 100Y at an indoor range that had ballistic dividers between the bays. I tested out a lot of brakes to figure out which was the least punishing when a wall was next to me. If it was good indoors with a wall 1' to you left or right, it was good on the line with another shooter next time.

 

[rijndael]

but if someone builds a prs style rig to shoot off the bench

More than likely, someone built a general purpose gun and wants to shoot different disciplines. That's what I did.

 

[rijndael]

This is what we do. We have plywood pieces that slide into mounts on the structural post between the benches. Everybody really likes them.

Same here. We have plywood dividers.

On the ground, we put our range packs/backpacks between each us. Even better are those rigid gun cases, like an SKB, they are as good as plywood when placed between shooters.

 

[M-61]

Be happy you have a good turnout. I’m never in support of more regulation unless a safety issue.
Always seems to be someone wanting more rules.
When no one shows up and your club membership dwindles to nothing your problems will be solved.
A muzzle brake….the horror.

 

[60723]

We shoot 2 relays. Muzzle brakes allowed on 2nd relay.

 

[M-61]

Lately we have got a lot of newcomers showing up

That’s fantastic!
Club I belong to, for now, should be so lucky.

 

[Rat Rifle]

Put all the brakes on one end together with empty benches between

No. Stack the breakers up side by side, with no separation, on the same relay, SO THEY ALL GET A DOSE OF THEIR OWN MEDICINE. Then, check their groups and scores to see how well it is working out for them

Just Saying For a Friend

 

[David Milisock]

I don't compete but I see the issue. I'd suggest putting the muzzle brake shooters all on the line alone and non brake users shoot without any issues.

Just my opinion but I only have brakes on my tactical rifles, it helps with control in close and fast. None of my full scale cartridges 24 caliber or above have brakes. I can't remember the brand but Harry McGowan installed a cushy recoil pad on my 358 Norma. It's amazing.

 

[Downhill]

I have been peppered by loose carbon or unburnt powder by brakes next to me. Don't care for what that could be doing to the front glass of a 2,000 to 3,500 dollar scope. Never seen a need for a brake.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

Just my 2 cents but you'll lose more shooters due to brakes than you keep with allowing them. I'd make temporary accommodations to brakes by putting them on one end by themselves but tell them that they are welcome but brakes aren't allowed and give them a little time to tune for shooting without it. Club match rules are up to the range and/or the match director. If thats you, it's your call but brakes are tough to shoot around under cover and from a bench, for anyone nearby. Nothing against brakes...Love em but not for bench shooting under cover. If they like the game, they'll do what it takes to play. If not, they weren't gonna stay long anyway. It's a tough call but there's only one good answer in the long run.

Yeah, I agree 100%. huge pain in the ass. 99.999% of the time, people look at rules before they come to shoot. make sure it is on first page of entry forms etc and on the website for the event.

 

[Knotwild]

Both my shooting partner and I use muzzle brakes, we just picked ones that weren't obnoxious, they do exist. A horizontal first port is a good place to start.

I often shot 100Y at an indoor range that had ballistic dividers between the bays. I tested out a lot of brakes to figure out which was the least punishing when a wall was next to me. If it was good indoors with a wall 1' to you left or right, it was good on the line with another shooter next time.

That is great that your range had ballistic dividers. But the original poster was on an open range. I found more interesting information. Scroll down to the metered results.

Muzzle Brake Sound Test

 

[rijndael]

But the original poster was on an open range.

I shot on an open range, prone, on Saturday. The guy next to us had a 7RUM with a brake. He put up his hard case between us. It worked fine.

 

[STORM2]

I shoot at a private range. I would never even take my bench blasters unless I expected to be alone. If another person shows up when I am shooting an unfriendly gun, I switch guns. We are fortunate the owner does not have or want a large membership. Suppressors are common but not the rule. I’m the designated volunteer Range Master, chief cook and bottle washer, downed tree person and do the trimming so I’m there more than anyone else. Unless some schedules an I’ll meet you there”, we seldom see each other at the range. We see each other away from the range more than there. Curtesy prevails without enforcement.