Better "flash hider"? Muzzle brake? How to get rid of this ridiculous fireball...

[JB5812]

So I was out sighting in my new Vortex 1-4 on my Ruger gunsite and it was going well... Until it got dark(er). That 16" barrel with the birdcage flash hider must bring out the worst possible flame that can be summoned from a .308. Not seeing the benefit of it. Completely blinding through the optics. I don't have this problem with any of my other rifles with no attachments.

What would be a better option than this obviously fail of a device? I'm up for a good muzzle brake or maybe just a better "flash hider"...

Thanks

 

[jimmykm21]

Best thing is a can , nothing else will stop flash in real low light.

 

[JB5812]

Best thing is a can , nothing else will stop flash in real low light.

It's not only real low light, it's quite visible when it's just darker from being overcast and the sun isn't covering it up. I just think there has to be a BETTER option than the one on there as even my gas guns don't do this. Just a bad combo or what? I'm shooting my match handloads with Varget, but again, I didn't have this problem with my Savage that I took out there as well shooting the same loads. I know it is MUCH more visible through the 1-4 Vortex since on 1x, I can see the whole barrel, but still no problem with other rifles.

 

[ranger1183]

Smith Enterprises makes a very good flash hider. Do a search on youtube for smith enterprises vortex flash hider.

 

[jimmykm21]

I'm trying to figure out why the flash is so pronounced .
Varget is a med to fast burning powder so it's fine in a 16" barrel shooting .308

It's not the powder , unless maybe it's under charged and there's not enough pressure to burn it off ?
Would this cause more of a fireball?
Maybe someone with more knowledge on this can chime in.

 

[JB5812]

I'm trying to figure out why the flash is so pronounced .
Varget is a med to fast burning powder so it's fine in a 16" barrel shooting .308

It's not the powder , unless maybe it's under charged and there's not enough pressure to burn it off ?
Would this cause more of a fireball?
Maybe someone with more knowledge on this can chime in.

44grns, standard COAL for use in a few different rifles, SMK 168's, neatly prepped brass, Federal 210's... Pretty common .308 load, so it SHOULDN'T be the components. If I don't buy another hider like the Smith mentioned above which seems pretty damn impressive at eliminating the flash, I'll get video of it this weekend. Even my buddy behind me was shocked. The flash was visible all around my profile from behind me. We both have shorter Savages shooting these loads as well.

Not sure, but I think it has to be the birdcage style flash hider doing this... Just look at the difference in the Smith videos on youtube as suggested above. The same style copy of the Smith had MUCH more flash than the Smith and was extremely similar. Guess it makes a huge difference...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q37PNfAnzuA

 

[jimmykm21]

I have that flash hider on a POF gas gun and no complaints. I also have their 1005-SS brake on a AR 10

 

[mikeltee]

Muzzle flash is caused by unused powder igniting after the bullet leaves the barrel. Reduce your amount or powder to lower the flash. Your load is probably for a 20+" barrel.

 

[DavidAR10]

Smith Vortex or a can.

Never go below 20" in .308/7.62 fodder... it's 2013.

 

[JB5812]

Muzzle flash is caused by unused powder igniting after the bullet leaves the barrel. Reduce your amount or powder to lower the flash. Your load is probably for a 20+" barrel.

Yeah I know that, but like previously stated, no problems with our Savages shooting the same loads, and even an AAC in 16" as well. That's why I think it's the birdcage style that just plain sucks or is doing something that I don't understand.

 

[lobhob]

Try out a long flash hider specifically for 308 and try out some factory hunting loads to be sure

 

[SPAK]

I've used a smith vortex on my bolt guns before and they reduce the flash very very well. Watching from the side it looked smaller than a .22 mag flash which was about the size of golf ball in low light.

 

[RRA_45]

Best thing is a can , nothing else will stop flash in real low light.

First post nails it. Get a can for a bolt action and you'll wonder why you waited.

 

[JB5812]

After looking around quite a bit, I'm going to try out a smith vortex as suggested by Ranger1183. I saw their videos then looked into it a lot more, and that hider seems to tame even the most extreme of flashes when compared to other types. I'd love a can for it, but that's later on and not going on the scout anyway.

Thanks