Range Report Groups with loose muzzle brake?

[turbo54]

Anyone have experience with what their known-good rifle does when/if the brake comes a bit loose and unthreads, say, a 1/2 or full turn?

I ask because I'm doing some load development, and realized after several groups, that my brake was a 1/2 turn loosened. The thread-fit between brake and barrel is very good, but there's still a bit of wiggle.

I'm inclined to scrap my results and repeat the test - but thought someone may have some direct experience, and could say "won't make a lick of difference" or something.

 

[shootnf]

Re: Groups with loose muzzle brake?

I had my muzzle brake get loose. Had to keep hand tightening it. My groups were terrible. I think the people I was with thought I did not know how to shoot. Went home. fixed it. and it shot great like before. The people at the range thought it might be because of cooper buildup. But groups came back even without cleaning.
I would scrap the results and start over. IMHO.

 

[K2Ballistics]

Re: Groups with loose muzzle brake?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: shootnf</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I had my muzzle brake get loose. Had to keep hand tightening it. My groups were terrible. I think the people I was with thought I did not know how to shoot. Went home. fixed it. and it shot great like before. The people at the range thought it might be because of cooper buildup. But groups came back even without cleaning.
I would scrap the results and start over. IMHO.
</div></div>

+1. I have doubled my group size due to a loose brake. BTW, a little blue lock-tite does the trick for me.

 

[sticshooter]

Re: Groups with loose muzzle brake?

yep,anything loose on the end of your barrels equals bad news.a loose brake not only opened my groups up but changed poi about 4".

 

[majohnson2]

Re: Groups with loose muzzle brake?

To be accurate your going to need to starting over. There isn't anyway around it.

 

[808Huntress]

Re: Groups with loose muzzle brake?

My experience with this subject mirror the other poster's results. Had this happen and my groups opened up a bit to where it had me checking scope,rings,bases,action screws etc. after everything checked out good and scrathing my head for a bit I realized I hadnt checked the brake.

It was loose! After I got it fixed up everything went back to normal. IMHO I would re-test my loads after fixing the issue just to make sure.

Hope this helps!