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To Muzzle Brake or NOT to muzzle brake.

RanchhandTCR

RanchhandTCR

Sergeant of the Hide
Full Member
Minuteman
Feb 3, 2013
447
121
Williams, AZ
Hey guys,

As I am waiting for my barrel to arrive and hopefully SOON! I am building a 260 Remington on a 700 SA. I have a loather Walther barrel coming in the muzzle will be .870'' in diamter. Id hate to get it built and have to take it back in for my smith to put a brake on. But for you guys out there do you think its a neccesity or just a luxury for a 260 Remington. I have shot a 260 that was in a MCmillan action and had a pretty heavy barrel without a brake and it seemed fine but that was only a couple of shots and was also not my rifle. But for the seasoned vetrans Id like to hear you imput and it will be most appreciated.

From a Rookie Thanks in advance.

Paul.
 
What are your intentions for the rifle?

Seems like a good idea to at least have your muzzle threaded so you can use a suppressor in the future.

Few people, women and children included, find 260 recoil objectionable. Most people find the muzzle blast of a braked rifle at least somewhat objectionable.

Still, for competitive precision riflery, a brake is almost required...not that recoil is intense, but because every little bit helps. Most of the top competitors have them.

Bottom line: its not needed, but can be nice to have.

I'd get one. I'd also advise you to get a thread cap so you can shoot without the brake whenever you want.
 
As Turbo said....get it threaded and have a cap made. Use your brake when you want, take it off when you don't feel you need it. The sound of a rifle with a brake should not be an issue because you shouldn't be shooting without hearing protection anyway......not even for hunting. Get some electronic muffs. They amplify the sounds of wildlife and protect your hearing. It's a no brainer.
 
Definitely have barrel threaded and you will have the option. Why beat yourself up more than necessary when there are many great brakes available. Some matches don't allow brakes, so you can take it off when you like. No brainer!!!
 
Sounds like I have the vote, I will be running this rifle for tactical marksmen competitions, I already have the brakes I want picked out so I guess I will go for it... Thanks again for the imput.
 
I put a brake on my 260. I am actually picking it up from my smith this evening.

I put 6 rounds down the tube to actually feel recoil. It doesn't recoil much (142gr SMK @ 42.5gr of H4350). I do like to do extended range sessions (hours long practicing breathing, blah, blah, blah). The brake will allow me to do extended sessions (bench and prone) and save my shoulder (getting older and a long range session does hurt after a while).
 
No brake! Just me.. Don't "spend the money, or worry". It doesn't need it!Any GUY that needs a brake for anything under .458, is a wimp, and shouldn't be shooting. Weds, and counting. I'm "just saying"! The "felt recoil" is MINIMUM, from a 260, 243, 270 ,308, ETC> I think brakes are an "add on"that should be "reconsidered". We all "want the hot stuff", when we buy, and "Trick it out". Some things are a "waste of money" Like "Spinners", for a truck? C"mon. Who needs them? My stuff: Brakes for under 45 cal, are a "waste of money"Just me Josh.
":
"
 
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Put a break on it. I put a Badger Thruster on my 6.5CM...sure the caliber doesn't need it, but it's like shooting a .223 with the brake on. Makes follow-up shots and spotting your splash so much easier.
 
+1 for no brake on 260 rem with your barrel contour(heavy). If you strive for accuracy no brake. If you want you want target staying into your scope field of view, install a brake.
 
AW< C"MON, Really?

You "Can't take", or "enjoy" the recoil? What do you shoot? 460 Weatherby's. That's when ya need a break.UOTE=mikeym1a;2453845]After having 2 guns without, then four guns with a break. I could never go without a break again.[/QUOTE]
 
JoshcBoucher said:
No brake! Just me.. Don't "spend the money, or worry". It doesn't need it!Any GUY that needs a brake for anything under .458, is a wimp, and shouldn't be shooting. Weds, and counting. I'm "just saying"! The "felt recoil" is MINIMUM, from a 260, 243, 270 ,308, ETC> I think brakes are an "add on"that should be "reconsidered". We all "want the hot stuff", when we buy, and "Trick it out". Some things are a "waste of money" Like "Spinners", for a truck? C"mon. Who needs them? My stuff: Brakes for under 45 cal, are a "waste of money"Just me Josh.
":
"
Click to expand...

Yeah we get it, you're a tough guy and brakes are just a waste of money for us pussies who can't handle recoil. What a dumb fuck.
 
I run breaks on my 300 WM, 308 and Ill be putting one on the 6.5 Im building this year. The way I see it is go ahead and thread it and instal whatever break of your choice. If you start shooting it and do not like it you can also remove it and install a thread protector.
 
thrusty said:
:confused: A brake will likely change your POI vs no brake...
Click to expand...
I built brakes for my 300wm, and .308win. There is no change in POA vs POI with them on or off. Bore ctr line to brake ctr line, (like cans) is everything.
 
thrusty said:
:confused: A brake will likely change your POI vs no brake...I'm not sure I'm following what you mean?
Click to expand...

There are a few articles proving muzzle brake affects accuracy negatively, due to improper installation (misalignment, timing, .......), improper manufacturing (boring, porting,.......) others. Which all leads to unpredictable barrel whip and of course decrease in accuracy.
 
Atanasius said:
There are a few articles proving muzzle brake affects accuracy negatively, due to improper installation (misalignment, timing, .......), improper manufacturing (boring, porting,.......) others. Which all leads to unpredictable barrel whip and of course decrease in accuracy.
Click to expand...

Yet a lot of benchrest shooters use muzzle brakes. Hmmm...

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2
 
Ive had one brake and quite enjoyed it besides the bigger muzzle blast, What im realy trying to accomplish is keeping my target in my scope when i do these competions either in prone, sitting, standing of barricade I have no experince running one of these cometions so thats why I am asking. I personally dont think your a wimp if you have a brake on a .308 or 30-06. I put mine on so I could watch the prarie dogs fly with mine. They also look cool but I roll both ways. But If I dont need it or if it does very little to control the muzzle climb then I dont care to have it at this point.
 
Atanasius said:
There are a few articles proving muzzle brake affects accuracy negatively, due to improper installation (misalignment, timing, .......), improper manufacturing (boring, porting,.......) others. Which all leads to unpredictable barrel whip and of course decrease in accuracy.
Click to expand...

I totally agree with you....Anything improperly installed or manufactured will affect accuracy. However, a brake done properly will have no ill affects.
 
I shoot with brakes now on everything. Even my ar15 sbr. They mitigate recoil, even down to nothing in the 223, and all mine are adapters for suppressors. Brakes really cut down the time between shots in carbines and allow me to use a lighter rifle in a bolt gun with the same felt recoil.

They make it easy to put 50-60 rounds through the magnum comfortably in one range session. I have had 5 rifles threaded for brakes in the last year. None have had any deterioration in accuracy and one rifle with a factory remington barrel actually improved.

I have shot with them outside, inside, and along side other shooters with brakes and I can think of no practical reason not to use one. Wear good ear pro and don't set up next to your buddy's face and life will be good.
 
Put the break on. Anybody who I've ever known to have anything negative to say about brakes always say the same man up crap. Why? Only a tool would give advice like that. Breaks make rifles so much more enjoyable to shoot.
 
I have a 4 month old 260 and another 260 in the works to hunt with and wouldn't have a brake on em it someone bought em and put em on for free. Just don't see the need on a 260. But I am planning a 65x284 build and will put a brake on it. Looking hard at the APA Fat Bastard.
 
I considered putting a break on my F class rifle, but from my understanding you cannot use one in competition, I personally would rather have my rifle shoot the same way whether I am practicing or competing, so I chose not to put a break on mine. Just my thoughts.
 
Brake on a heavy barrel 260? Not needed for reducing recoil unless your shoulder is old and/or injured. But, nice to have for keeping on target. Go for it.

OFG
 
Like the majority of people here said, I'd get one. I've got a 6.5CM that I've shot for about a year now and the recoil doesn't really bother me, but am putting a brake on it better spot my shots and have very minimal recoil.
 
If a brake makes you shoot more accurately then by all means do it. For me I shoot just about everything better with a brake but I've been using them for 20+ years and have them on everything from a .223 to a .458 Lott. When you do your own metal work it makes the decision easier too.
 
In general: No, you don't need a brake on a .260.

OP, for what reason do you want a brake - meaning what do you want the brake to do for the rifle?
 
Graham said:
In general: No, you don't need a brake on a .260.

OP, for what reason do you want a brake - meaning what do you want the brake to do for the rifle?
Click to expand...

Im not in it for the recoil but for being able to spot my shots but I feel I will be able to do so even without it, but I dont want to go six months on a build and have to wait another month to get a brake installed. I wish I had a mill I could use then I would make my own also and have but dont have access to one any more..
 
You don't need a brake to spot your shots. You can have bad NPA and still see them with a .260.
 
Bradu said:
Yeah we get it, you're a tough guy and brakes are just a waste of money for us pussies who can't handle recoil. What a dumb fuck.
Click to expand...
Hey Bradu. I"m sorry I called anyone, any thing. I "proposed" my opinion. There is a "trend" to add stuff to a rifle, that "may not be needed". These "add ons" cost money. Sometimes, they aren't needed. I was "trying to save the guy some bucks". You can call me a "Dumb fu...> I'm "retired", at 56. Call me stupid? Go ahead. How you doin? I am against spending money, for "no return". Some guys 'think" that "spending money", will enhance their shooting. I don't think that is true. Ok. I retract my "wimp" comment. That was wrong, by me. I shouldn't have "stated it that way". I say: Brakes ,for me, don't "enhance my shooting".They certainly don't enhance the shooting of the guy sitting next to me. I like the recoil. Part of why I shoot the Big Guns.PS. Try to be a "little more forgiving:It's in THE BOOK"
 
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Atanasius said:
+1 for no brake on 260 rem with your barrel contour(heavy). If you strive for accuracy no brake. If you want you want target staying into your scope field of view, install a brake.
Click to expand...

The brake affects accuracy that is true. And I agree with you...

I would still have the barrel threaded and have the option to use it when I want to.

But wouldn't use one on a low recoiling round as is the 260.

You can shoot all day without problems. If it hurts you're probably shouldering badly. And if you someone loses the target with a 260 they probably need more practice

On a .338 LM and upwards, well, the brake is another story...
 
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I has a custom 260 built, and put a brake on it. However, I also bought a thread protector so I can put that on if brakes are prohibited.

recoil was not my reason for putting a brake on. I put the brake on because the reduction in recoil allows me to have faster times in matches where time is important. It also allows me to spot my own shots more easily. Between good prone position and the brake, the rifle barely moves.
 
Reference the "what the pros use" thread: http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...actical-shooters-equipment-what-pros-use.html

Note that 87% of these shooters are using 6mm or 6.5mm cartridges, meaning equal to or LESS recoil than a 260.

Note that 100% of the top 10 shooters all use either a 6mm (8 of the 10) or 6.5mm (2 of the 10), and 60% of them use a muzzlebrake. Of the 4 that don't use a brake, one of them is because he uses a suppressor instead.

Now, explain to us, all you brake haters, why/how the 6s and 6.5s don't benefit from these devices....?

I'm not going to sit here and claim a 260 "needs" a brake, because it doesn't. However, it "does" mitigate recoil, making it easier to spot hits/misses, and allowing followup shots able to be made more quickly.

I can't believe we're having this argument! To me, it's the same as the haters that say 5 rounds is all you "need" in a personal defense situation. Sure, 5 is probably going to do the trick, but given the option, wouldn't 17 be better? I mean, c'mon!
 
I DON"TCare. Use a Break. Go ahead. Jesus! What's the "issue". Do what you want. If you think it helps? Go. Spend the cash.I've been "shooting", for 30 yrs. I don't use brakes. Just me, Josh.
 
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JoshcBoucher said:
I DON"TCare. Use a Break. Go ahead. Jesus! What's the "issue". Do what you want. If you think it helps? Go. Spend the cash.I've been "shooting", for 30 yrs. I don't use brakes. Just me, Josh.
Click to expand...

"shooting" and "winning" or even perhaps "excelling" are different.
 
You will have only one shot at having it threaded and timed on this decision. Afterwards, it is regrets! I use one on my 260, it allows me to spot myself with the scope.

Some rifles I do have it done to break the recoil, others to minimize jump. At this point in time, I see no reason NOT to have it done. I don't know who you plan on doing yours, but PCR has done many for me, and the impact with or without is the same.

Spend the money - you won't regret it. Not spending it, you will wish you had.

My .02
 
Geez guys I didnt need a pecker war lol. Reason I asked this question because it will cost me more in the long run if "I do wish to have a brake" Im new these shooting competitions. However I do shoot alot on my own time, along with hunting. Im not a rookie to shooting but I am a rookie to competitions and longer range shooting, and this is because I have the lack of experince and equipment to properly shoot long range. Id just hate to wait six months for my rifle to be built and then have to take it in and wait another month to get a brake put on.. Im still 50-50 on a decision, because I like how clean a rifle looks without a brake. Im also guesing its going to weigh close to 16 pounds.. I feel I have good recoil control because I can keep my 30-06 on target at 500 yards with a 4-12 power scope but I know at higher power I will lose the sight picture. But calm down guys no need to fight I just wanted honest opinions and experience with brakes and without out not a whole bunch of name calling.
 
Just because you have it threaded for a brake doesn't mean you have to put one on it. That is precisely why I had the brake, and thread protector cerakoted the same color...the rifle looks great either way.

Like so many other things, it is easier to have it and not need it, than to need it (or want it) and not have it. I say get it threaded and get a matching thread protector for when you don't want the brake on it.
 
I shoot 210gr out of a sako 300wm w/o a break on it and I love it. I still get some bruising after 50+ rounds. I love the thump and I wouldn't change it for anything else out there!
 
I'll put in a vote for "no brake".

I had a 300 RUM with a brake*. After 225 rounds I had to sell it. The blast wave was like getting slapped in the face on every shot. Even with plugs AND muffs, it damaged my hearing. Now I have non-stop tinnitus. Had to give up competitive shooting because of it.

Even worse for your ears than having a brake on your own gun is shooting next to someone with a muzzle brake.

Take care. YMMV,

Lefty

*Damn that rifle was accurate! Easy 1/3 MOA. That part I miss...
 
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You won't know which way to go until you try one one your rifle. If you don't like it just remove it a put a thread protector on the barrel and your good to go.
 
If it's threaded, and you have the break as well as a thread protector you get to pick what works for you. i shoot rockchucks at long range under field conditions, the break helps me make corrections by being able to see the bullet impact.
 
DesertLefty said:
I'll put in a vote for "no brake".

I had a 300 RUM with a brake*. After 225 rounds I had to sell it. The blast wave was like getting slapped in the face on every shot. Even with plugs AND muffs, it damaged my hearing. Now I have non-stop tinnitus. Had to give up competitive shooting because of it.

Even worse for your ears than having a brake on your own gun is shooting next to someone with a muzzle brake.

Take care. YMMV,

Lefty

*Damn that rifle was accurate! Easy 1/3 MOA. That part I miss...
Click to expand...


WOW... What brake were you using? That sounds awful.

I have never felt the blast from the brake as the shooter.
 
I don't like brakes because I am sensitive to the report. I don't like shooting next to someone with a break. During my time in the military we didn't know about hearing protection and now I pay for it. So no brake for me.
That being said I would like my rifle threaded. I want the option and if I want to sell my rifle and upgrade later = the threaded barrel is a plus.

Plus I worry that they may make it illegal to thread a barrel.
No I am not paranoid everyone is really out to get me.
 
Landon said:
WOW... What brake were you using? That sounds awful.

I have never felt the blast from the brake as the shooter.
Click to expand...

When I'm shooting next to someone with a brake I can usually feel the slap.

300 RUM holds 100 gr of powder. There's a lot of high-pressure gas to spread around.

I'm not sure what make the brake was. My smith picked it and installed it. I'll look around to see if I can find a picture.
 
Today was the first time I shot with a muzzle brake. I like it. After years of shooting a 7RM without one, now I can see my hits. I'm curious though how it affects the barrel harmonics and I feel like I need to work up loads with and without the thing... Loud enough to make me blink, but the recoil felt like a 243.
 
Well I got to shoot a rifle like one im building at a competition today but it was a 6.5 284 with no brake and I realy cant see why I need one at this point. Im 205 pounds I think Ill be able to keep muzzle climb down to a minimum. Plus I took 5th place out of 16 with my ruger MKII in ought six with a 4-12 power scope. Only out to 550 yards though.
 
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