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

[swd]

I used to shoot a prone match where brakes were allowed. There were a fair amount of guys with brakes that thoroughly enjoyed punishing the non brake shooters with muzzle blast and dust. At least one changed brakes to find the one that was the nastiest. He would take a shot then look over and smile at you. It didn’t make him any friends. There was some lousy sportsmanship there. And the match fizzled because of it.
We want people to come to match’s and have fun. If you want to keep attendance up there needs to be some compromise to make both sides happy otherwise you’re going to loose shooters. Loosing reasonably minded shooters is never good. Separate brakes and non brake shooters the best you can, preferably with some sort of divider. It won’t be perfect but comprise is just that.
And if you shoot a brake and enjoy beating up other shooters just expect that some day a guy might measure out the shooting points and make a brake just to shoot next to you..

 

[FNSafari]

Gosh, again, just have a separate relay for brake only shooters.

 

[LiveFire]

Gosh, again, just have a separate relay for brake only shooters.

Too easy. From my experience with my local club things must be complicated in order to satisfy everyone.

 

[Judd]

See post #127. When visiting a neighbor, you don't demand that they have a certain beer to drink that is your favorite. A brake in certain shooting diciplines gives an advantage to that shooter. Traditions are there for a reason, and should be kept. Not a geriatric or a hater of brakes; just don't want them on the line in a registered match that says they aren't part of equipment to have a fair match.

FWIW…I didn’t wear a mask or get vaccinated for you either.

It’s a dumb analogy…just as dumb as ^^^ that one is.

I said if the rules are there then they are the rules and everyone must play by them…but they are outdated and if you really want to build your sport…include everyone that will come shoot.

 

[buckeye68]

Well here you go, I shoot in a local club that has a 50 yard airgun and rimfire match once a month that are combine. Last month we had 20 total shooters with an even spilt between the group. Apparently the air gun people has been reading this post and now they want there own relay because the 22 are to loud for them to concentrate and shoot good scores. WOW and guess what? Now all the will be on the 1st relay and the rimfire guys will be on the 2nd relay.

 

[JoeDuke]

I’ve consumed several bags of popcorn while watching this string.

 

[TTE]

I did not read the entire postings.

What was the final call on this by the OP ?

 

[Bill K]

My thought the same a movable plywood baffle and place the shooters with brakes on one side and those without on the other side. Separate them in this manner.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I just got to thinking that I haven’t been around a brake fired rifle yet.

 

[FNSafari]

I just got to thinking that I haven’t been around a brake fired rifle yet.

You are lucky!

 

[urbanrifleman]

I guess what we need to do is remove all restrictions on suppressors and then make suppressors a requirement for all competition. That would fix the problem.

My feeling is that guns are loud. While I understand the most extreme examples, my general feeling is that muzzle breaks are just a part of shooting. If you want a more quiet sport maybe take up chess.

 

[Dgd6mm]

We deal with this every week. We have a barrier on wheels that we put between all the brakes and the non-brakes and the wheels let us easily move it. Been doing it like this for years and no issues and people with brakes are grateful they have a place to shoot and life goes on. On most of my prone platforms we actually screwed barriers on each side so every bench with them are brake approved.

Simple solution. OP I urge you to take this into consideration.

Next match is coming up on the 23rd. I'm going to try running two strings with "non-brake" guys shooting first and "brake" guy shooting second. I'll post an update...

Choices, life is good.
Lefty Trigger, may you have a good turnout with satisfied competitors that can learn to get along.

 

[dellet]

Simple yet effective.

 

[Liven The Dream]

I just got to thinking that I haven’t been around a brake fired rifle yet.

You can miss it for life.

 

[Bottom Fodder]

I just got to thinking that I haven’t been around a brake fired rifle yet.

You’ve miss one the joys of life. Lol

 

[R.Morehouse]

My thought the same a movable plywood baffle and place the shooters with brakes on one side and those without on the other side. Separate them in this manner.

This would be a path of least resistance. Just one moveable sheet of plywood with the braked rifle shooters on one side of it..........I really do see that as the " Easy Button " for all involved.

Regards
Rick

 

[jelenko]

View attachment 1478521
Simple yet effective.

What are those blue things?

What are they shooting from? It looks like it's from something that's been built.

And, sure looks flat around there.

 

[F Class John]

This would be a path of least resistance. Just one moveable sheet of plywood with the braked rifle shooters on one side of it..........I really do see that as the " Easy Button " for all involved.

Regards
Rick

FWIW, we use 1-1/4" plywood so it really dampens the blast. It's a little more expensive and heavier but was worth it for us.

Also, I've recently had a benchrest shooter attend our group with a radial muzzle brake and to be honest he shot for weeks next to shooters on our non-protected benches and nobody complained. Then a few weeks ago I saw it and asked him to go to the brake area and he said "stand next to me and see if it bothers you". Mind you he's shooting a 6.5prc/7mm variant and I was about 2 feet directly next to him and it was less blast than the guy on my other side shooting a .284 with no brake. So the radial brake gets a thumbs up from that perspective.

 

[dellet]

What are those blue things?

What are they shooting from? It looks like it's from something that's been built.

And, sure looks flat around there.

There was a time a few years ago where someone posted a video of something like that. Often called a” shooting tube”. As simple as a plastic barrel lined with foam. Since it’s not attached to the firearm, it’s not considered a suppressor. They actually work pretty well.

“Shooting tube range suppression “ is a good search.
Here’s where that photo came from.

Range noise suppression

We live out of town quite a ways and recently had a new neighbor move in across the road. I’ve been shooting on my property for a little more than ten years and it’s suddenly become a problem...even while shooting suppressed. I’d like to keep the peace as best I can and install some sort of...

www.snipershide.com

I suppose if you wanted to punish the guys with brakes, it should be steel or concrete with no foam

 

[jackieschmidt]

This would be a path of least resistance. Just one moveable sheet of plywood with the braked rifle shooters on one side of it..........I really do see that as the " Easy Button " for all involved.

Regards
Rick

What would make it better is the shooters with Brakes would be responsible for setting up the barrier and removing it. if the Club has enough room in their shed to store it, fine. If not, the shooters would have to bring it and leave with it.
Match directors already have enough to do.