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Best Muzzle Brake?

Ballistic Artist

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 3, 2012
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socialist republic Kalifornia
I got a Custom 700 rem in 300 Win Mag. I am thinking about putting a brake on it cuz long sessions of prone shooting are killing my back. (Broke it in 4 places two years ago) What would be a good choice? What brake is least painfull on the ears? Im not planning to put a can on it so I dont need an adapter type. I like the Hollands and the Badger allthough the Badger is a bit ugly. Any suggestions?
 
Re: Best Muzzle Brake?

APA little bastard brake would serve you quite nicely.

You can't concern yourself with the increase in noise. Kinda goes against getting one. The more effective it is, the louder it is. The bastard brakes are loud!
 
Re: Best Muzzle Brake?

All brakes I've been around are loud. I don't think there is such as thing as a quieter brake. I use an Elite Iron "Max Tac" brake for my 300 WM and it works real good, but it is very loud, however, not so much for me but the poor so in so's shooting next to me. Blasts the expanding gasses 15 degrees up and 15 degrees back. No dust signature. Same brake McMillan uses on their Tac 338 and Tac 300 rifle.

http://eliteiron.net/elite-iron-MuzzleBrakes.html

Ask for Dale. He makes them caliber specific. They are about 0.070" bigger in inside diameter than your barrel caliber.
 
Re: Best Muzzle Brake?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ballistic artist</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I got a Custom 700 rem in 300 Win Mag. I am thinking about putting a brake on it cuz long sessions of prone shooting are killing my back. (Broke it in 4 places two years ago) What would be a good choice? What brake is least painfull on the ears? Im not planning to put a can on it so I dont need an adapter type. I like the Hollands and the Badger allthough the Badger is a bit ugly. Any suggestions?</div></div>


savvy the Tubb brake,caution........they come for 6mm only so a broach job would be in order to accommodate a 30 cal
 
Re: Best Muzzle Brake?

Fat Bastard or Little Bastard. I'd rather pay for a Bastard brake than use someone else's for free. Out of all the brakes that I have shot the Bastard's are the best IMHO.
Semper Fi
 
Re: Best Muzzle Brake?

WOW those bastards are nice lookin brakes. How is the noise increase. Ive heard that with the belted magnum braked weapons you must wear earplugs AND muffs. Is this true? With the bastards? Damn that name is funny as hell!!
 
Re: Best Muzzle Brake?

Don't overlook the Seekins Precision brake while shopping around....
 
Re: Best Muzzle Brake?

I am getting the muscle brake on my 300 win mag. It probably won't be installed for a while, but I will update on how it performs.

It uses three ports on either side - the first of which is at 90 degrees to the bore while the next two are angled. This is supposed to direct the back blast away from the shooter.
 
Re: Best Muzzle Brake?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ballistic artist</div><div class="ubbcode-body">WOW those bastards are nice lookin brakes. How is the noise increase. Ive heard that with the belted magnum braked weapons you must wear earplugs AND muffs. Is this true? With the bastards? Damn that name is funny as hell!! </div></div>

No brake is terrible <span style="font-style: italic">behind</span> the rifle. It's the poor guy next to you that has the problems.
 
Re: Best Muzzle Brake?

FYI... SAve your money, because all the ported style brakes are pretty much the same.

Why pay $100 when you can by a Harrel's for $40 and get a smith to install it.. Get it timed to your barrel and your set.

I have a 300win with a Harrels and I've shot it all day with a tee-shirt with no problem.

JMTC
 
Re: Best Muzzle Brake?

If you like Hollands, try out their new radial design muzzle brake. I put one on my SSG-69 and like it a lot. As for the looks of it, I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
 
Re: Best Muzzle Brake?

Beware that ANY brake with holes all the way around it, is not prone friendly. The holes on the bottom will throw junk EVERYWHERE incluiding your objective lens. My buddies and I call them salad shooters.

They're fine for bench shooting and thats about it.

YMMV
 
Re: Best Muzzle Brake?

WCI makes a really good brake. And, since it has 360 degree ports, it's not so loud as many of the side ported brakes. Still louder than a plain muzzle.

Here's a story about it ....

http://soldiersystems.net/2009/12/14/wci-muzzle-brake/

Here it is on a .338 lapua with some cool slow mo comparison .....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54aHjlRdeCE

Here's some youtube in Iraq ....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Er9Z5PSl8z8

Here's the makers link .....

http://wciproducts.com/

 
Re: Best Muzzle Brake?

The problem with 360 brakes as it pertains to tactical is that much of the shooting is from the ground. Getting blasted by dust, gravel, etc... is unpleasant. It also creates a signature in which to find the shooter, not that that matters to 99.99% of shooters, but still, it is tactical shooting.
 
Re: Best Muzzle Brake?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hunt4life</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The problem with 360 brakes as it pertains to tactical is that much of the shooting is from the ground. Getting blasted by dust, gravel, etc... is unpleasant. It also creates a signature in which to find the shooter, not that that matters to 99.99% of shooters, but still, it is tactical shooting. </div></div>


Understood,

But, large percentage of the people on here don't actually use thier rifles in the field or use it as a service rifle. I could understand a military sniper not using it while firing from a hidden position inside enemy territory. But, for the average civilian shooter that's not really an issue.
 
Re: Best Muzzle Brake?

My experience in shoting a un timed or 360 degree ported brake in the prone was horrible. The expending gasses exiting the lower ports towards the ground dug a small trench in hard pan and threw up all the bits of hard as concrete dirt, sand, and micro gravels back towards me and up into my face. Not to mention the objective of my scope. Me and the gun were totally covered in dirt and dust just after a few rounds. Lesson well learned when I first got into this long range stuff. Took that un-timed Fox River brake off and put in into my fishing tackle box for weight. Changed out to a timed brake and problem was gone. Felt recoil for me with the timed brake was just as much reduced as with the un timed brake. I noticed no difference except that the rifle had a bit less "hop" with the timed brake. Less recoil "hop" is a good thing.
 
Re: Best Muzzle Brake?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Muttt</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hunt4life</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The problem with 360 brakes as it pertains to tactical is that much of the shooting is from the ground. Getting blasted by dust, gravel, etc... is unpleasant. It also creates a signature in which to find the shooter, not that that matters to 99.99% of shooters, but still, it is tactical shooting. </div></div>


Understood,

But, large percentage of the people on here don't actually use thier rifles in the field or use it as a service rifle. I could understand a military sniper not using it while firing from a hidden position inside enemy territory. But, for the average civilian shooter that's not really an issue.</div></div>

Just remember that this is the Snipershide, it is frequented by folks that like tactical, precision rifle shooting primarily. Many compete, some are active duty, Law Enforcement, or hobbiest.

I outright prefer shooting from the ground, nothing more stable than the Earth. I certainly shoot other positions, but as it pertains to advice from this website about a .300 win mag, I recommend a tactical brake. I have a vais(basically the same brake you are talking about) on my hunting rifle, but tactical brakes on all of my competition rigs and am having one custom made for the .300 rum I am working on.
 
Re: Best Muzzle Brake?

+1 for the APA Fat Bastard. I've got one on my 300WM and love it. It has less recoil than a 308 without a brake. I wear only earplugs and don't find a problem with the noise.
 
Re: Best Muzzle Brake?

I always wear protection. One time I forgot and now I have tinnitus.
 
Re: Best Muzzle Brake?

I would def look at one of the APA Bastard Brakes they really are effective. They def increase noise but the reduction in recoil makes up for the increased sound to the shooter.
 
Re: Best Muzzle Brake?

just tested out the apa fat bastard last week on my 300wm
was truly amazing.. recoil felt lighter then my friends .308

best part was when i pulled the trigger the whole line just started eyeballing
smile.gif
 
Re: Best Muzzle Brake?

I've got several Vais brakes and a Mark King brake (similar to the Harrell's) they are both effective on my .284 Shehanes.

The one I've been looking at for prone shooting is the
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Big Chubby</span></span> from RatWorx. Anyone here used one? Looks good in the video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UU22lg22BNI

-Rick
 
Re: Best Muzzle Brake?

How does the Badger Thruster Compensator measure up? from the price of it on Triad you would think it is of lesser quality (i.e. you get what you pay for} but is it comparable to those that have been mentioned so far?
 
Re: Best Muzzle Brake?

I'm running a badger fte on my .308 and It feels like the recoil was literally cut in half. I no longer have to find the target at 100 yards after each shot, the rifle no longer moves or hops
 
Re: Best Muzzle Brake?

JP Tank is the best I've used to date. Don't think you'll find anyone that really shoots that will argue with that.
 
Re: Best Muzzle Brake?

Don't overlook the GAP Titan brake either, works well and can be turned down to match barrel contour like the Badger Thruster.

BnC
 
Re: Best Muzzle Brake?

I've had/have the Badger FTE and the GAP Titan and Vias. For large calibers the FTE works great. THe titan is decent but I think the badger thruster would be a better choice because of the increase in surface area. I'm having RWS build be a 338 LM as I type this and I'll be using his brake this time around - very similar to the Holland. I've heard really good things about holland brakes and the fat/little bastard brakes too. Food for thought.
 
Re: Best Muzzle Brake?

Ive used abunch of brakes the JP Recoil Eliminator, Bennie Cooley
and I am currently using the APA Fat Bastard.
There is a noticable performance difference with these three
brakes compared to the others Ive used

All 3 are Awesome.....But if I didnt just order a
Suppressor I would rethread and go with the APS PainKiller Brake...
Med 3 Port or the Large 5 port depending on muzzle diameter.
<span style="font-weight: bold">This Thread Is Over</span>
grin.gif


http://www.apsrifles.com/Painkiller_Muzzle_Brakes_QY.html

AL
 
The Fat Bastard by APA has another great thing going for it that nobody has mentioned. If you want one, they ha e one in stock and ready to ship at anytime. If you have questions, email them and you will get a prompt response. APA has great customer service, as well as a great brake. The fat bastard turned my 300 RUM into a pussycat.
 
http://www.rdprecision.net/mrad.html

That's what I use for many of my rifles due to low profile.

How is the recoil reduction and hows the backblast and noise to the shooter?? I too am liking this brake cuz of the low profile. And I like the clamp thread style like this brake and the FTE because of the ease of removal. I like this one a bit better cuz of the lower profile than the FTE but am wondering if it works as good and if its louder or quieter. Wow this is an old thread of mine...
 
I also run a surefire on my 300wm I really like it. You cant go wrong with a bastard or a badger ether.

You wont catch me firing anything with a true brake on it without hearing pro.
 
How is the recoil reduction and hows the backblast and noise to the shooter?? I too am liking this brake cuz of the low profile. And I like the clamp thread style like this brake and the FTE because of the ease of removal. I like this one a bit better cuz of the lower profile than the FTE but am wondering if it works as good and if its louder or quieter. Wow this is an old thread of mine...

Noise and "backblast" to the shooter aren't bad, but as with any brake it isn't kind to anyone shooting beside you. My spotter can position himself behind and to the side of me, and isn't effected by the muzzle blast.

I have an FTE brake as well, and I don't notice any significant difference between the two for recoil dampening or "backblast". I can't really comment on which is louder or quieter as I always wear hearing protection and thus both are adequately blunted.

My gunsmith recommended this one instead of a FTE because he suggested that it may effect barrel harmonics, but I can't say that I've rigorously tested his theory.
 
Brakes

After watching the clip that Fat Bastard has online, I though they would be worth a try. I've been really happy with it and shooting some local matches, I haven't had complaints from other shooter. I do double up, using a set of ear plugs along with a set of muffs, but thats more because I have a cheap set of muffs. Since the brake must be timed the installation will cost a few extra dollars.

Its worth a try.
 
I got the Big Chubby on my brand-spankin' new rifle that has yet to be shot!!!! :(

I needed higher rings. I shall update ASAP.
 
I love the RAD brake. I'm not sure how it is on a .300 but it makes my .308 feel like nothing. Again not sure on the .300 but the .308 is a non issue with the back blast and noise, It doesn't increase by much at all. The port angles up slightly.
 
I just got my Ross Schuler brake in the mail. Very nice machining. 3 side ports that are angled 20degs back with 3 ports on the top. Best thing was the price. $45 shipped. Can't beat that with a stick.
Edit to add: Ordered 26th, received it today. It was machined to my specifications. :cool: Custom sizing? Yup. I measured the rounds I will be using and got the brake opened up 0.020" over the size of the bullet as well as the overall diameter of the brake.
 
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