Gunsmithing Muzzle Brake Test Question

[vfin]

If a muzzle brake designed for a .308 projectile is mounted on a rifle chambered in 5.56, what affect (if any) would you expect regarding projectile ballistics, reduction of recoil, etc ?

Anyone know the answer or care to venture a quess?

vfin

 

[McCrazy]

Some muzzle brakes are more effective than others to begin with. They all operate off the principle of redirecting escaping gasses in a direction which reduces felt recoil, but R&D on some muzzle brakes is less important than making something unique that looks cool.

The projectile ballistics should not be affected as long as the brake is properly designed and installed. Shooting a smaller caliber through a muzzle brake designed for a larger projectile will reduce the efficiency of the brake somewhat as gas will be able to escape around the bullet rather than be forced out the brake's ports as designed for function. It is not a big deal though as the smaller calibers are in less need of recoil reduction.

For example: say you put a brake on a .308 AR to help with recoil. For some reason you take that same brake and install it on a .223 AR. The brake will still have some effect but not as much due to there being less gas as well as a lower percentage of gas being redirected through the brake ports. However, the .223 recoils so much less than the .308 that the loss in brake effectiveness isn't a huge problem.