Re: Muzzle brakes on .308 any regrets?
Why would anyone want more recoil?. . . . Kind of a loaded question. I don't think anyone "wants" more recoil but at what cost are you arresting your own rifles recoil?
My opinion is that it is not worth the trade offs to brake a freakin 14 to 17 pound .308. We are not talking about a 9 pound hunting rifle. We constantly see small statured people performing excellently in back to back days of shooting without a brake on such rifles. Would a brake improve their scores? Maybe, maybe not. Depends on a lot. While it may be obvious that I am not a fan of brakes, there are certain types of rifles (.338LM/.338NM and many big .30 Mags) that I will almost always install brakes on. But by definition (brakes on .308 title of thread) that is not what the discussion centers on.
Some of you say that it improves your score. What does it do to the scores of the shooters on either side of you? Seriously. I would like to know. Have you thought about it? Do you care? When you are out shooting by yourself, the welfare of others may not be on your short list of worries. When you are in the presence of other shooters, it should matter everytime.
I can assure you that there is a large and growing group of competitors that are complaining and pushing for some type of segregation on the firing lines. You may say they are just whining. My opinion from being there constantly is "bullshit". They have a legit complaint.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Greg Langelius *</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> While being a bit noticeably louder; hey folks, a match firing line is loud, it's supposed to be loud, so get over it. If the heat's oppressive step outside the kitchen. If the sound's too loud, put on double hearing protection. 'S what I'd do... </div></div>
I'm going to pick on Greg (sorry Greg) cause his post is the closest for me to quote.
Question for you Greg. Would you get pissed if I were shooting next to you and while we were both trying to do our best, I reached over and slapped your hat half off or grabbed a handful of whatever is on the ground and threw it at you and your rifle? Not kidding here. Serious question.
Every year, I have seasoned as well as new shooters commenting about the extremely hostile environments that come with being squaded next to a brake. I personally have had my cap turned sideways on my head numerous times from that same horizontal muzzle blast that you all say keeps "dusting" down. Oh, and by the way, several times that rifle was a .243Win. This has happened from just about every type of popular brake out there. I'm sorry Greg but being noticeably more loud and having your own gear filled full of sand/grass/mud or feeling like Metro just flashbanged you in a bathroom stall is not the same.
Shooting in open air ranges with benches and gear having good seperation may minimize the effects but doesn't make it go away. Put those same shooters on a crowded line or stacked in close on the deck of a tower and have everyone shoot under the same buzzer. Very, very different game. Even when shooting one at a time, there are instances when a brake will even bite the owner in the ass such as shooting from within a structure, vehicle or next to an object that will put that blast back on you.
Funny that most of the top finishers at most of the top tactical comps are not shooting brakes. Brakes are good money makers for many shops. Some shooters think that brakes look cool. Brakes do cut recoil. None of those three things are bad. However, most of what we do is a group sport and we all strive to do the best we can in stressful situations. Many people spend a large amount of money and even more valuable time off to go the range for practice or to a competition and do the best they can. I absolutely, positively can guarantee you that your brake is having a negative effect on your neighbors compared to an unbraked rifle.
I personally was approached by 5 shooters, 4 of which finished in the top 10 at this Springs SHC. The other was a lady that is just getting into this sport and is showing great promise. Everyone of them had stories from that weekend where they were squaded next to brake and compensators that were knocking them senseless and making it very difficult for them to get a shot off without flinching. I also personally had at least 3 shots that went somewhere into another zip code due to an explosion from the side right about when I was trying to get my own shot released. None of this is the fault of the SHC or RO staff. It is just the results of our sport allowing a wide range of equipment.
I know of a couple of shooters that had wins with a brake. Great shooting and congratulations. BUT. . who is to say that one of their fellow shooters to either side may have had the winning score but was hobbled by the next door muzzle brake? Guess it's like how many licks to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop. . . we will never know.
I have always thought that one of the main rules of competition conduct is to perform the best you can but never at the expense of another competitor. Well, it is my opinion that every brake on the line violates that very rule. <span style="text-decoration: underline">I will be using up valuable time at the shooter number squading part of our sniper comp in December but we are going to be the first ones to squad all brake shooters together. No penalties or changes in the way the match is shot for them except for being side by side with others that choose to equip their rifles with a brake. </span>
I challenge every competition out there to do the same type of segregation. No handicaps or rule changes against the shooters using brakes except to have them enjoy each others company throughout the events. This little experiment would cost the ones putting on a comp nothing and take very little extra time on the front end.
It is my opinion that after about a year of this, the ranks of shooters using brakes will shrink enormously.. . . at least those that are actually shooting their rifles and trying to improve themselves. Not only will they experience competition from a different perspective but I predict that with few exceptions, they will witness most of the top finishers around the country will be running rifles witout brakes.
I am working on a special brake with some adjustable side ports that I can actually aim. Next time I am having to eat dirt while next to a certain type of rifle, I will adjust it so I can share the love back.
Everybody have a safe Labor Day.