Accuracy with and without Muzzle Brake installed?
Most of my rifles do not have muzzle brakes. However,a 7 mag Sendero that I intend to take on a hunt soon does have one which is easily unscrewed to remove. I don't find the noise/blast objectionable with the muzzle brake and the rifle shoots well with it. I'm told PHs object to them though and thought I could just remove the brake if that was the case. However, knowing that minor changes in variables can sometimes have significant impacts, thought I'd ask about folk's experience with accuracy with their brakes removed. I know I need to shoot it without the brake to know for sure, and will, but thought I might benefit from some expert experience first. Thanks much for any insight on what I should expect. . .or avoid.
Edit: I did check with the owner of the business in SA and he said bring what you shoot best and the PH will have to work with it. I won't meet the actual PH until the hunt so was just thinking that if the rifle shoots fine without the brake then I'd be ready to shoot that way if the PH objected. More a concern of not wanting to irritate the PH than anything else. Thought I'd also take some extra ear plugs that allow conversation while still providing hearing protection. Just thought I'd inquire here as to experience folks have had with changes in accuracy with or without the brake. And hoping that any adverse potential with using the rifle without the brake might surface in advance of me actually doing it. I've learned things the hard way too many times in the past. And this is the best place I know to get advice from people who truly know what they're advising. Thanks much.
Edit: I did check with the owner of the business in SA and he said bring what you shoot best and the PH will have to work with it. I won't meet the actual PH until the hunt so was just thinking that if the rifle shoots fine without the brake then I'd be ready to shoot that way if the PH objected. More a concern of not wanting to irritate the PH than anything else. Thought I'd also take some extra ear plugs that allow conversation while still providing hearing protection. Just thought I'd inquire here as to experience folks have had with changes in accuracy with or without the brake. And hoping that any adverse potential with using the rifle without the brake might surface in advance of me actually doing it. I've learned things the hard way too many times in the past. And this is the best place I know to get advice from people who truly know what they're advising. Thanks much.
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I would sure let the rifle determine the brake+/-. Maybe the PH don't like standing to someone shooting a big braked rifle. Good luck on tour hunt. 0 -
Like charliemeyer007 said, let the rifle determine on or off, if your comfortable shooting it and it's accurate with the brake on, hunt with it on.
I would assume your paying for the hunt with a "professional".
As long as it is legal to hunt with the weapon you bring, and the caliber is proper for the game you hunt, it's your call as to the weapons choice.
You are paying for his expertise in locating, and tracking the game,along with other smaller issues, not his likes or dislikes as to a brake on your rifle.
Have a good hunt!0 -
22hipower,
"I'm told PHs object to them..."
This should have been one of the questions which you ask the Professional Hunter before you book his services. I would call and ask about the brake before doing anything further. He might tell you that it's O.K. after all.
Load testing has to be done with and without the brake since the harmonics of the barrel will change based on the weight and length of the brake. We shoot most rifles with brakes or suppressors but some competitions have rules against using brakes due to muzzle blast and close proximity of other shooters.
TANK78Z,
While I applaud your bravado, it is surprisingly out of place as an answer to this situation.
It's true that the client is paying for certain services from the PH or Guide but that does not grant the client carte blanche to jeopardize one of the most important assets for everyone, his hearing, nor anyone else for that matter. The PH occupies a very distinctive place with regard to the client and in most situations it places him in the immediate personal space of the hunter. A PH will often offer to become a bipod to aid in the successful culmination of the hunt. A brake would be a horrible idea in this situation or many others I've seen.
Often these types of questions are asked during the interview part of the PH selection process.
Best.0 -
22hipower,
Winchester/Browning sold the B.O.S.S. system as an adjustable muzzle brake for tuning loads and the plain tuner with no holes in it. The tuning part was fine but the brake worked terrific! If you wanted to shoot without the brake, you simply switched to the non-ported version.
You could have a gunsmith make a blank muzzle weight to use as a substitute for your brake if the PH does have some qualms. I've worked with this before and it is viable. No matter what you choose, be sure to have a thread protector made if you leave the brake off for any period of time at all.
Wearing plugs can be iffy when the PH is whispering instructions and suggestions at a critical moment. It's not the time to take one out to hear then re-insert it.
There are other types of plugs which allow for hearing then electronically or mechanically close down at the shot. Some are reasonably priced, others are priced like hearing aids.
It never hurts to be considerate of the PH but take some time to do some testing to establish what works and what doesn't.
Best.0 -
Nononsense, thanks for the advice, very helpful as always. I'll check on getting a blank muzzle weight. And I'll have a second rifle along without a brake (6.5X55 with 140 grain Nosler partitions) that ought to be fine for most plains game. I don't have to take the 7 mag with the brake but it is one that I shoot reasonably well at the 300-400 yard shots we were told to expect.
Edit 3/13/12: Thanks for the suggestion on the Surefire ear plugs; I'll get some and an extra set for the PH. It will work out fine one way or another on the muzzle brake use. Appreciate everyone's input and suggestions.0 -
If you do decide to take the brake off, be sure you have some means of protecting the threads on the muzzle. The dummy muzzle brake or a threaded collar to keep them from encountering the only rock for a 100 yard radius (Murphy's Law). 0 -
I almost lost a ear drum when a guy touched off a shot from a muzzle braked rifle. The side blast came back at about a 45 degree angle from the muzzle and I was in it's blast path and about 6 ft to the side and rearward of the shooter.
Thought at first I was shot, the blast took off my cap, ear was dead at first then eventually started ringing and was still ringing days later!
I no longer hunt or hang out in same vicinity with anyone that is using a muzzle brake, unless it's me that's using the brake.0 -
Might be a little off topic but it seems they answered your question...
The Surefire EP3 Earplugs are great for this application.
They allow you to hear the person talking, even whispering next to you and then will close down like the electronic muffs when they feel the sonic pressure.
They are a great inexpensive alternative ($7-$13/pair)to the bulkier electronic muffs. I have several pairs of them and for TV Broadcasters or Police Officers that need in ear radio communication the filter can be pulled and your radio/driver can be plugged right in. I have several pairs in strategic locations they are worth the money.0 -
22hipower,
In my travels and discussions with PH's (I've never hunted Africa, but hope to some day) I've found most of them expect people to have some sort of brake or muzzle porting on their rifles. Most rifles made to go to Africa are big and kick a lot. Most PH's understand a brake makes a lot of sense. And, most every one I've talked to has said they have made the adjustments to make it work for them and the guided hunter.
On the other hand, the guys I talk to who don't want you using a brake the most, are the guides in North America. Especially the ones who have horses. And, to me, that is understandable. Where you don't have horses, you can plan for and take care of your own ears. You can't do that for a horse. They can't keep a horse from spooking and possibly hurting itself with the loudness and concussion some brakes put off. Not to mention once bothered by it, a horse will be gun shy for a long time to come. Not very useful for a very useful animal if that issue isn't addressed right up front.
I would get hold of your PH and see what he says. The sooner you know the better the situation can be handled.0
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