Range Report Brake/hider effect on accuracy?

ssteve

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Minuteman
Jan 8, 2011
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Just picked up a aac-sd with a aac brakeout flash hider muzzle brake combo already installed. Gun shoots great to 300yards(farthest Ive had a chance to take it out to so far)and Im about to start developing some hand loads for it. Im wondering what effects the brake/hider will/might have on the ballistics and accuracy of the round a fair amount farther down range? I plan to shoot it out to about 700-800yards, but would like to do some varmint hunting out around 500-600 so thats where accuracy will be most critical for now. The brake works great but I have no need for a flash hider if it has any negative effects on the ballistics.
 
Re: Brake/hider effect on accuracy?

Hard to say. Depends the mass of the brake and how large your velocity node is for that barrel. Try it a 100 yrds with and w/o the brake. Are you hand loading?
 
Re: Brake/hider effect on accuracy?

Not yet but am about to start hand loading for it. It shot about 1/2 moa with black hills 168gr match stuff.
 
Re: Brake/hider effect on accuracy?

I think I read on the hide some time ago that a muzzle brakes/flash hider can improve accuracy, depending on the make and model. The explanation, IIRC, was that the attached flash hider reduced the effect of air turbulences in front of the muzzle and acts as an barrel extension (without accelerating the projectile or adding spin of course). This might be completely wrong, but I try to bleieve I experienced such behaviour with my handgun flash hider, too. I can remember the company advertised with an increase in accuracy, too. They are now out of business, so take my comments for what it's worth.

Rheology is not my strong suit.
 
Re: Brake/hider effect on accuracy?

The brakes on my 308 Win and 300 Win Mag 700's did not loose one bit of accuracy. You will be good to go on installing a brake.



Aron-
 
Re: Brake/hider effect on accuracy?

My rifle came with a flash suppressor and I just recently switched to a brake. I saw no loss of accuracy at all. This is far from scientific but just my 2 cents.

-J
 
Re: Brake/hider effect on accuracy?

Two of my guns shoot better with the brake and two shoot better without, BUT this all depends on the load I am shooting, Barrel harmonics play a big factor and I can change my load enough to make the reverse situation happen.
That is why browning put that thing they call the boss on the end of some of there rifles.