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.338 muzzle brake advice, please

T

thefitter

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
May 10, 2010
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I'm putting together a .338 LM and need some advise on the brake.

My criteria is simple: It cuts felt recoil and has enough meat on the top to tap threads for a mirage band... ala AI.

I thought about getting another AI magnum brake but I wanted to see what else people recommended.

Surefire
Badger
PWS
JP Tactical
Armalite (fugly!)
APA

Thanks
 
Re: .338 muzzle brake advice, please

APA's FB is going to be cream of the crop for recoil reduction. There should be plenty of material to drill and tap for your screw as well.
 
Re: .338 muzzle brake advice, please

APA Fat bastard. I just got mine, but my buddy has had his for sometime now and its fantastic.
 
Re: .338 muzzle brake advice, please

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BookHound</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yep. The APA FB is the most aggressive brake I've ever shot. Very effective.

Mark</div></div>

+1...it works!
 
Re: .338 muzzle brake advice, please

Thanks. I need some help...on the APA Fat Bastard webpage it states:

"The standard 1.125" diameter is not designed to be turned down."

Does this mean I can not have it blended with the barrel?

It's a Kreiger #17 HV with .900 at the muzzle.
 
Re: .338 muzzle brake advice, please

Correct. You can't turn it down to match your profile.

If you truly want the most effective brake, you'll have to deal with it being larger.
 
Re: .338 muzzle brake advice, please

Wonder what profile barrel is in that picture on their webpage it sure looks blended to me.

Thanks
 
Re: .338 muzzle brake advice, please

Yours would look more like this.....
1332426342.jpg
 
Re: .338 muzzle brake advice, please

Sorry that's what I meant. I did not mean turn the entire length of the brake down. That looks good!

Thanks
 
Re: .338 muzzle brake advice, please

APA Fat Bastard, it may be big and it may not be the most appealing but it'll make shooting that big 338 comfortable and pleasurable.
 
Re: .338 muzzle brake advice, please

I have actually done testing with different muzzlebrakes and we are starting to see more fish gill style brakes being made. The problem is the hole from chamber to chamber is same size from beginning to end. That means that the first and second chamber gets most of the gases but the last 2-3 or more chambers see`s none or very little gas. Actually most brakes could actually be shortened a couple of chambers and work the same. Or to get the most out of the brake is to step down each wall in between each chamber so gas can get to every chamber the brake has.
 
Re: .338 muzzle brake advice, please

The armalite may be "fugly" but are you going more for looks or performance? My armalite muzzle break makes a 300wm kick somewhere inbetween a .223 and a .243. It is very effective IMHO
 
Re: .338 muzzle brake advice, please

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: excaliber</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have actually done testing with different muzzlebrakes and we are starting to see more fish gill style brakes being made. The problem is the hole from chamber to chamber is same size from beginning to end. That means that the first and second chamber gets most of the gases but the last 2-3 or more chambers see`s none or very little gas. Actually most brakes could actually be shortened a couple of chambers and work the same. Or to get the most out of the brake is to step down each wall in between each chamber so gas can get to every chamber the brake has. </div></div>

Tapering the holes down smaller makes it less effective. The more ports the better it is at taming larger volume cases ie. Lapua and Cheytac type cases. More than 3 ports isn't needed for 300wm or smaller case capacities. Very slight gains might be felt with more than 3 ports using Ultra Mag type cases but it will be slight. A larger diameter brake with less ports is better than a smaller one with more ports too.
 
Re: .338 muzzle brake advice, please

The smith will taper the end down to match the barrel. APA recommended that it is not below .90" which is just what you need. As far as ugly?!?!?! Don't think of it that way. Think about your shoulder surviving the shooting sessions.
 
Re: .338 muzzle brake advice, please

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dustin Morris</div><div class="ubbcode-body">APA Fat Bastard. There is nothing else in the same league.

Dustin </div></div>
+1! APA FB!!
 
Re: .338 muzzle brake advice, please

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: excaliber</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have actually done testing with different muzzlebrakes and we are starting to see more fish gill style brakes being made. The problem is the hole from chamber to chamber is same size from beginning to end. That means that the first and second chamber gets most of the gases but the last 2-3 or more chambers see`s none or very little gas. Actually most brakes could actually be shortened a couple of chambers and work the same. Or to get the most out of the brake is to step down each wall in between each chamber so gas can get to every chamber the brake has. </div></div>

Excal, in my limited observations I would definitely have to agree. I fired a Surefire 2 chamber brake on a 338LM and expected it to knock me back pretty good but I was surprised and impressed by the recoil mitigation. The Badger FTE is also a 2 chamber brake and works very well in my experience (300NM).
 
Re: .338 muzzle brake advice, please

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Re: .338 muzzle brake advice, please

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Re: .338 muzzle brake advice, please

Well, I guess I'm the only person here not impressed by the APA FB...

I have a TRG42 with the NEAR brake. It weighs 14lb all up.

My partner has a custom 338 with APA FB. It weighs 21lb all up.

My TRG is MUCH softer shooting than his - and this is an apples/apples comparison, because we're both sending 300smk @ 2750, using ~91.5gr Retumbo.
 
Re: .338 muzzle brake advice, please

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have a TRG42 with the NEAR brake. It weighs 14lb all up.

My partner has a custom 338 with APA FB. It weighs 21lb all up.

My TRG is MUCH softer shooting than his - and this is an apples/apples comparison, because we're both sending 300smk @ 2750, using ~91.5gr Retumbo. </div></div>

Is your partner shooting a custom TRG? The fit of the rifle can have alot to do with recoil perception.
 
Re: .338 muzzle brake advice, please

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Goin'Hot</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have a TRG42 with the NEAR brake. It weighs 14lb all up.

My partner has a custom 338 with APA FB. It weighs 21lb all up.

My TRG is MUCH softer shooting than his - and this is an apples/apples comparison, because we're both sending 300smk @ 2750, using ~91.5gr Retumbo. </div></div>

Is your partner shooting a custom TRG? The fit of the rifle can have alot to do with recoil perception. </div></div>

Nope, he's got a Remington in a McM A5. It's totally shootable, but the TRG is considerably softer. He and I both agree on this, as do a bunch of other folks that have tried both rifles.

Also, his APA FB was *not* turned down to a smaller diameter. It remains in all it's original glory, except for being matched up to the barrel on the ass end, and some cerakote.
 
Re: .338 muzzle brake advice, please

If both of your rifles are threaded the same pitch, it would be interesting to have you swap brakes and see if there is a change in recoil.
 
Re: .338 muzzle brake advice, please

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Goin'Hot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If both of your rifles are threaded the same pitch, it would be interesting to have you swap brakes and see if there is a change in recoil. </div></div>

Interesting idea, but not possible...

The Remington is 5/8-24 and the TRG is M18x1
 
Re: .338 muzzle brake advice, please

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Well, I guess I'm the only person here not impressed by the APA FB...

I have a TRG42 with the NEAR brake. It weighs 14lb all up.

My partner has a custom 338 with APA FB. It weighs 21lb all up.

My TRG is MUCH softer shooting than his - and this is an apples/apples comparison, because we're both sending 300smk @ 2750, using ~91.5gr Retumbo. </div></div>

Not suggesting there isn't a perceivable difference between the brakes but the TRG has one of the softest recoil absorbing buttpads I've ever felt. Not to mention if both rifles had the same brake, they would feel completely different in that there is a 7lb weight difference...the heavier one might actually push you back more.

Just a different view that's all. Of the 3 brakes I've had on my 338 (factory Sako, Badger FTE and APA Fat Bastard), Jered's brake is the most effective. I currently run the Badger only because it's removable. Haven't tried the Near brake so I can't compare the two.
 
Re: .338 muzzle brake advice, please

anyone have any experience with the APS PainKiller's. They look to be of a decent and effective design. A little on the pricey side for the larger 5 port version though.
 
Re: .338 muzzle brake advice, please

My TRG-42 started off with a factory Sako brake, but I wanted to run a can so I went with the Surefire. At first I was skeptical because of the small thinner profile with less surface area on the baffles, but when I shot it, I was pleasantly surprised. Recoil was the same, if not less then the factory brake, and I never feel any blast in my face as some brakes cause. Also, it doesn't kick up any dust when shooting prone.

I like the Surefire so much that I just shipped my 300WM to have the barrel re-threaded and a Surefire 338 brake mounted. I didn't do it for the recoil reduction, but simply to eliminate getting blasted with dirt and gravel every time I shot prone. Plus, I now will have the option of running my 338 can on my 300WM... Bonus!
 
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