Most important features in a muzzle brake

[TexasTightwad]

To those of you who have voted for "Minimizing POI shift vs bare muzzle", I'd like to know why that is a priority to you. For me, it's not a priority because I don't switch back and forth between my brake and a bare muzzle, so once my optics are set, the shift does not matter.

 

[Unknown]

I’m looking for the


Alcohol and guns.... what could go wrong???

?

Because everyone knows no good story begins with "here, hold my salad".

 

[Unknown]

I agree with TexasTightwad that the sled tests aren't great. While the sled tests do show something, all the issues such as muzzle flip, peak intensity, and duration of the recoil impulse, and duration of muzzle flip aren't shown. The problem is that I can't seem to find any other tests that either solve those problems, or test as many different muzzle brakes to provide information.

At least the people in the sled tests are trying to give some information to the general public, and that was more than the public had before they did the tests. If anyone can direct me to videos tests with more and/or better information, I would really appreciate it.

I sort of doubt that there are many alternative tests because that many muzzle brakes are expensive, and I can understand why makers of various muzzle brakes that already have decent sales would not want to do testing, or provide free brakes for testing that might show their product to be inferior to other brands.

 

[TexasTightwad]

Here is a series of articles along with a video or two. His testing methods are excellent.
http://precisionrifleblog.com/2015/06/24/muzzle-brakes-field-test/

 

[Snuby642]

The guy with the sled tests did well with what he had available.
The test though not calibrated measuring devices apear to have been done fairly.

The cost of setting up proper lab tests with calibrated metrology eqipment would be born by who.

I worked with accelerometer sensors , strain gages etc, for cutting edge weapons platforms, and the testing and data collection provisions for over 30 years.

Props to the guy without a military contract budget for the rudimentary comparisons.

 

[Sean the Nailer]

There are a few more options you might want to add to your design, for 'the crowd':

Jagged door-jamb jabber-thingy's sticking out the front
Ronnie Ray-Gun fins for 'extra cooling AND extra cool' effect
Von Dutch style pinstriping, so that the bad shooters can still talk to guys about how pretty their guns are.
Lots and lots of slots, vents, holes, and crevices so that theirs is 'gooder than the rest' because it makes espresso too.
And most importantly.... Don't forget the highest qualification:
Government Contract Overrun Surplus!!!!!


I'm just hack'n on ya, and yes, I added a few votes to your poll. There's a bit of marketing humor for you, and you're right when you said that you were limited to the number of poll items. Not all the good questions were on there. Good luck with your quest.

 

[QuickNDirty]

The 6.8 would only go through the plate if I struck the same spot twice. The 5.56 was going through about 2/3 of the time on the first strike.

That's not what I would have expected. Were you shooting the same type of bullets in each caliber?

 

[TexasTightwad]

That's not what I would have expected. Were you shooting the same type of bullets in each caliber?

I have to make a small correction. It was .223, not 5.56.
Both FMJ. The .223 was Remington, probably 55gr but I'm not sure. The 6.8 was a 115gr handload. Honestly don't remember how much H-322 I put in them, just that it was right around halfway between Hodgon's recommended starting and max loads.

 

[TexasTightwad]

I'm still hoping somebody will explain why POI shift is important to them.

 

[kortik]

The sled tests are not bad, but there are better tests. If you opened a CO2 bottle attached to the sled, it would go farther than if you hit the sled with a hammer, but the hammer would obviously hurt your shoulder more. Sleds fail to show peak intensity and how long a force is applied. They just show a semi-accurate representation of total force, and total force is a lot less important than peak intensity.

I agree. You certainly understand basic physics very well.... In my opinion, sled test is a case of showing something "pretty", which, however, is not giving a good idea how well the felt recoil is reduced as sensed by the shooter. Felt recoil is what really irritates some people, me included... I have sufficient experience of shooting Enfield No.4 in 303 British, in sitting position and from the sand bag. This rifle with original brass butt plate recoils in a sharp manner and teaches anybody really fast the meaning of the "felt recoil".

 

[MosesTheTank]

The ability to blow the pages clear out of the data book of the guy next to you.

 

[Yasherka]

Would you shoot a brake if it was good but was in the shape of a big fat dick? Actually, what am I asking here because I’m sure some guys would opt for the dick brake

Ummm, that wasn't one of the choices. @TexasTightwad could you put it up though? Asking for a friend

 

[Bender]

Ummm, that wasn't one of the choices. @TexasTightwad could you put it up though? Asking for a friend

Only if it has LED lights and vibration

 

[TexasTightwad]

So do you guys prefer a brake in coated carbon steel or stainless? I think my preference would be carbon, simply because it costs less and is easier to machine, and therefore the finished brake can be sold for less. I could make two versions though.

 

[flyer]

Carbon steel with a nitride finish.

Not parkerized, black oxide or blued.

 

[TexasTightwad]

Definotwly not blued. I know some guys just like the nostagia, but is is miles behind newer coating options.

Maybe titanium nitride. It would never rust or scratch and would be eye-catching. Eye-catching is not what you want in combat, but would be fine for everything else.