At what point should a muzzle break be considered?

Re: At what point should a muzzle break be considered?

The answer is not what requirements need to be met but rather what do you want to do with the rifle?

brakes are used to reduce recoil to either get you back on target quicker or reduce the recoil of the rifle. What's your tolerance for said recoil? Are you going to shoot rapid fires? Are you going to need quick reacquisition?

A brake is a personal decision unless it's a specific type of shooting, i.e. F-Class or other sanctioned events.
 
Re: At what point should a muzzle break be considered?

Distance of the shot should have nothing to do with whether you need a muzzle brake or not. Whether or not you want a muzzle brake at the end of the barrel is strictly a personal choice. The function of a muzzle brake is to reduce the felt recoil when shooting. For example if you have a light but heavy recoiling rifle, then you might consider a muzzle brake to tame the recoil down. Also the design of the muzzle brake is also a personal choice. Some will just plain look cooler for you and if all other things where equal than that would be your choice of muzzle brake.

One other thing there is no minimum caliber for the application of a muzzle brake. I personally have a muzzle brake on my 308 and 223 rifles. I have even seen muzzle brakes on 22lr clones or trainers of their larger counterparts (muzzle brakes on these rifles would be almost strictly cosmetic and to keep the trainer exactly the same as the larger caliber counterpart).

Hope this helps

Gene
 
Re: At what point should a muzzle break be considered?

I personally believe that brakes are installed to fix a shooter error and flaw. With that said, brakes are effective on heavy recoiling guns, but on 308s and such i personally believe the owner of said rifle is looking to correct a shooter flaw with a mechanical fix as opposed to correcting the error in the marksmanship ability. If i had to run a brake it would be the American Precision Arms Fat Bastard or Lil Bastard.
 
Re: At what point should a muzzle break be considered?

some times people benefit from the brake...these people would be shooters that have sustained injuries that could not shoot otherwise. something that helps recoil tremendously is having a proper fitting weapon
 
Re: At what point should a muzzle break be considered?

I have a muzzle brake on my AI .308. I originally had a suppressor on it, but the brake is lighter and shorter. It reduces recoil, allowing faster followup shots, and, as a side benefit, it annoys the shooters next to me. Not much not to like about that...
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Re: At what point should a muzzle break be considered?

One other thing I might ask is have you considered going through the process of getting a suppressor?

Suppressor has a number of benefits along the lines of reducing recoil as well as the operational benefits in a tactical, hunting, or close-quarters (read: "cramped") firing line environment.

Sure, it takes longer to complete the process but putting together a quick NFA firearms trust and getting a suppressor might achieve the same effects without all of the nasty off-axis blast.

[First Post from long time unregistered lurker!]
 
Re: At what point should a muzzle break be considered?

I say brake every damn thing. They reduce recoil (main design purpose), but they also protect the crown. I am a little rough on my rifles (I use them, not baby them), so that is a nice benifit.

I do agree with deadly though, they should NOT be used as a hardware solution to a software problem. If you choose to run a brake, you should still be able to effectivly use the weapon without one.

I also would like to expand on what Lindy said...if you run a can at your home range or in the field, a brake is nice for situations that a can would be an incomberance. I do not like to run cans at competitions for example. There is no point unless all the other competitors are running them as well. It is still loud on the line, even if your rifle is not. A brake makes the rifle perform and feel very similar to a can, so it is more comfortable if you are used to firing it with a suppressor.
 
Re: At what point should a muzzle break be conside

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: saleen308</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'd love to have a supressor but, my range is non NFA friendly. </div></div>
F/A is one thing, banning suppressors is ill.

If you decide to go with a brake, a suggestion is to have it threaded 5/8"-24TPI with decent shank length to still entertain a thread-mount suppressor (and work performed by someone knowledgeable in such). Maybe you'll find a new range. In the least, it would add value in resale. However, this will limit the available options in muzzle brake devices.

If your going to spend the money and lost time for the work, I'd have it done with standard suppressor threads with brake and a thread protector.

Besides, you live in Texas.
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Re: At what point should a muzzle break be conside

At what point should a muzzle break be considered?

When the scope splits your forehead open, that might be a good time to consider a brake.

And all of the above responses as well!
 
Re: At what point should a muzzle break be conside

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dark Horse</div><div class="ubbcode-body">At what point should a muzzle break be considered?

When the scope splits your forehead open, that might be a good time to consider a brake.

And all of the above responses as well!

</div></div>

LOL, my thoughts also. I can understand brakes on most of the bigger calibers, like .308 and up. Then again I think my .270wsm needs one.