Muzzle Devices on Shorty Bolt guns

[dms416]

Every bolt action rifle I've used, owned or been issued has had a plain target crown, and am not familiar with brakes on bolt guns.

In regards to (5.56)AR's, I'm not a fan of brakes since their marginal reduction in felt recoil is offset by the increased noise and/or pressure to the operator (not to mention it's annoying as hell to fellow shooters and teammates). Thus, the "juice isn't worth the squeeze" regarding THIS (5.56 AR) as far as I'm concerned.

I'm currently weighing my options for a compact/shorter (18 or 20") barreled .308 and am weighing my options for muzzle devices. So let me ask this:

Can I expect the same muzzle brake shortcomings or is it a completely different ball game given the different chambering and platform?

 

[Shanerbanner10]

I don't foresee a problem with a muzzle brake on the shorty bolt gun. I don't know many guys that try to clear rooms with bolt guns so your teammates shouldn't have a problem with it either. If staying on target at shorter ranges is essential then a muzzle brake would be nice to have. Yes the rifle will be loud and (depending on the brake) the concision will be a good one but nothing too crazy or unbearable. I run a 22" bolt gun with an AAC 51t brake for my suppressor. The brake is noticably effective and the concision isn't bad however running suppressed is the best of all worlds.

 

[dms416]

I don't foresee a problem with a muzzle brake on the shorty bolt gun. I don't know many guys that try to clear rooms with bolt guns so your teammates shouldn't have a problem with it either. If staying on target at shorter ranges is essential then a muzzle brake would be nice to have. Yes the rifle will be loud and (depending on the brake) the concision will be a good one but nothing too crazy or unbearable. I run a 22" bolt gun with an AAC 51t brake for my suppressor. The brake is noticably effective and the concision isn't bad however running suppressed is the best of all worlds.

I'm not sure where you inferred any room clearing with a bolt gun, but...

The AR muzzle brake analogy was meant to illustrate my point that muzzle brakes (on AR's at the very least) are AT BEST a zero-sum game in regards to cost benefit. A can is not really a viable option given the current regulations in my area.

 

[Absit]

I'm not sure where you inferred any room clearing with a bolt gun, but...

Have a buddy shoot a braked AR next to you in a closed room.

 

[dms416]

Have a buddy shoot a braked AR next to you in a closed room.

Read my original post, ace.

 

[338RUM runner]

(not to mention it's annoying as hell to fellow shooters and teammates).


I was thinking the same thing about room clearing, It's about the same thing, shortcomings.

 

[Nisils14]

I have a brake on a 20" .308. While I feel 308 isnt a shoulder breaker, its pretty cool to spot your own shots and I can shoot all day. Brakes become more effective as the cartridges get bigger. Some even consider it required with some cartridges. The design of the brakes also dictates effectiveness.

 

[leadbullet]

If your buddies are annoyed by the brake report, tell them to plugs and muffs then grow a pair, that'll solve the problem.
Cheers

 

[remington patriot]

I have an 18.5 bbl with a SAS brake and I really like it. They are worth it and add a little more noise but a little less muzzle rise

 

[dms416]

I have an 18.5 bbl with a SAS brake and I really like it. They are worth it and add a little more noise but a little less muzzle rise

This is exactly the type of input I'm looking for. Thanks, RP

 

[mallrat]

Read my original post, ace.

You didn't specify what kind of teammates or fellow shooters, Gary.

 

[dms416]

You didn't specify what kind of teammates or fellow shooters, Gary.

Don't need to as it has NO bearing in this discussion, sport.

 

[MontanaMarine]

I have a Badger Ordnance 'Thruster' on my 20" 308. It makes a world of difference in spotting my own shots. Louder yes, but a worthwhile tradeoff in my opinion/experience. I'm wearing hearing protection either way.

I'll add that I'm handloading 208gr AMax over 49gr RL17, so there is a bit more recoil going on than with FGMM 168 or 175 type ammo.

 

[dms416]

I'll add that I'm handloading 208gr AMax over 49gr RL17, so there is a bit more recoil going on than with FGMM 168 or 175 type ammo.

Thanks

Out of curiosity, what twist are you running and what kind of velocity are you seeing with those 208's?

 

[MontanaMarine]

I'm using factory Rem varmint barrels, 1/12 twist. the 20" rifle is getting 2575 fps, the 22" rifle gets about 2620.

There's a thread I started a few years back that is still getting some action, concerning 208s in the 308Win, here's a link if you want to get into more experiences from myself and quite a few others.

http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...r-ballistics/24338-308-win-208-amax-rl17.html

 

[redirt78]

I had a brake on my 18" 308 and it was more annoying than it was worth in my opinion. Everyone's will be different so try it out and make your decision. That's my $.02 for free

 

[biffj]

Since a brake works by harnessing the kinetic energy of the high velocity gasses coming out of the barrel it would make sense that the more gas you have available and the more velocity it has then the brake will be more effective. Since the little 22 cals don't have a lot of recoil to begin with you get more noise than braking effect. On "real" rifles with enough powder to make some recoil the brake will have much more effect and a good brake moreso than a bad one. On any of them you will find that the shorter the barrel the more the brake will do. Some of that is due to the additional high pressure gas available and some is due the fact that your shorter barrel won't allow the bullet to reach as high of a velocity and therefore less recoil induced in the system. With the AR setup a pretty goodly amount of gas is dumped into the bolt which increases its rearward velocity and as it stops the energy is dumped into your shoulder. The gas that is used to operate the system is not available to help out with the braking so you don't get nearly as much recoil reduction as you would with a bolt gun. My .338 Lapua bolt gun gets a huge recoil reduction from the simple brake provided with the rifle and even moreso with the suppressor I built for it. Unfortunately as you noted you can't use these more effective brakes which also reduce the noise. My 300 blackout gets no help at all from the brake but there isn't any real recoil to reduce so it doesn't need it anyway. Its all relative.

Frank

 

[Blowby]

Added the JEC on my 20" .308 and love it. Easy to see the target shot and I completely forgot about the recoil while shooting. Something less to distract me while I learn this art.

 

[Coldcase1984]

Checked this out?
http://http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2013/03/30/simplistic-shooting-solutions-qd-brake-shield/

 

[Coldcase1984]

Do a search for the Quiet Brake Shield from Simplistic Shooting Solutions. Kinda like a Noveske Krink but screws onto AAC or YHM brakes. Adds 5 oz. though. Have not used one; ran across write up trying to figure out how to jazz up my bone stock LTR.