Any pros and cons to the muzzle brake ?
I am going to buy a 300 rum and I am considering whether or not to put a muzzle brake on it any suggestions and are there any style of barrels that cant have one?
0
-
You've got to look at the entire package: rifle, caliber, sights, & your requirements.
The greatest advantage of a muzzle brake is that it reduces muzzle flip, allowing you to get back on target faster for subsequent shots. It also reduces felt recoil. And, in systems like the Browning BOSS, it can improve accuracy.
The disadvantage is that it will increase muzzle blast, making things uncomfortable for the guys shooting next to you.
I recommend buying everything from a full service gunshop. That way, you can be sure that every part of the package will work well together.
Neal0 -
The only thing to add is that some folks contend that a muzzlebreak makes the report louder. That may not be anything to consider when you're hunting, but for shooting paper, you may also want to invest in a pair of electronic hearing protectors. Best of luck and let us know what you decide. Steve 0 -
Posted - 09/04/2005 : 3:48:47 PM by nmyers "The disadvantage is that it will increase muzzle blast, making things uncomfortable for the guys shooting next to you."
Posted - 09/04/2005 : 11:15:25 PM by drsck
"The only thing to add is that some folks contend that a muzzlebreak makes the report louder."
These two statements are true, however understated. A Muzzle Brake fired in a hunting situation is almost unbearable, I know I have a .338 Win Mag with a BOSS and the first time I fired it without hearing protection I thought my ears were gonna bleed, it was terrible. I got the Eliminator sleeve for the BOSS eliminating the muzzle brake portion of the BOSS. Yeah it kicks but at least I won't go deaf when I touch it off while hunting. Many Guides in the West and Alaska are not in favor of their clients shooting a muzzle braked rifle either, too many times people are quick to shoot or the guide is watching the animal and can't cover his ears and gets his bell rung good.
Shoot a buddies muzzle braked rifle before you go spending the money on it, I will NEVER have one installed on one of my rifles.0 -
Gunner,
I think that nmyers gave a reasonable response to the question. You might want to check with Brownells to get an idea of what's available. They list quite a few different models. With today's designs, there are very few barrels that won't accommodate a brake of some sort including the ultra skinny lightweight barrels. Fat barrels have never been a problem, lots of meat to work with for threads and fitting.
Dave gives a very personal reason for never having a brake on a rifle. I feel bad that he had that experience but, and this is with all due respect for Dave, it was his own fault because he didn't have any hearing protection on at all. One of the very key safety rules when shooting any firearm is to have some form of hearing protection on at all times.
Most hunters will claim that there is no reason to use hearing protection while hunting but obviously they are wrong since any and all shots will have a negative impact on a person's hearing. The more you hunt and shoot without hearing protection the worse the problem is for everyone, there are no exceptions. So, if Dave had used some hearing protection, he would not have had that painful experience.
Shooting from the bench will be a problem for those sitting to your left and right. There's no way to avoid it other than to wait for fewer folks to be on the line, shoot on lower turnout days or shoot at one end of the line or the other making sure that the shooter next to you has hearing protection. Just try to be accommodating.
I shoot a lot of rifles with brakes including a couple of 300 RUMs. I don't have a problem with them because they allow me to shoot more than I would without them. But I've learned how and when to use them.
If you get a RUM or build one, get a brake. You'll enjoy your shooting much more.
Best.0 -
Muzzle breaks definately reduce felt recoil but the make the gun MUCH louder and create a concussion that requires getting use to. When you pull the triger you actually feel the pressure on you're face.
Another problem, I have a break on my 7mm stw, If you shhot off of a long table you must make sure the barrel is past the end of the table or the muzzle blast will lift the gun up and slam it back down.
I hunted from a blind made of hay bales a few years ago. I shot with the barrel inside the bales, when I pulled the trigger the whole world dissappeared. The muzzle blast turn the blind into a dust storm. All the loose particles on hay were floating around and I couldn't see poop for 2 or 3 minutes.
It's loud plain and simple Loud.
I like the break don't get me wrong, My 7mm stw with ful house hand loads kicks like a 243 with the break which makes it fun to shoot. It just takes a while to get use to the modifications to your shooting/hunting style you need to make and the people near you when you pull the trigger0 -
I have brakes on all my rifles and most of my pistols, and I always wear hearing protection, and also hand them to any one thats around at the time.
I always have a pair perched on my head even while hunting, it only takes a second to drop them over my ears when I see the big one coming closer.
I like to see the impact of the bullet, and a break allows that to happen.
They all are closed at the bottom, so they don't create a dust or hay storm.
Try one and you will enjoy the experience a lot more than without one.
Gun control is hitting what your aiming at.0 -
And to defend my self somewhat so that everyone doesn't think I'm an idiot for not wearing hearing protection I always wear hearing protection while shooting with the exception of hunting big game where I feel I need all my senses to be the best hunter I can be. If I'm shooting at the bench or at Prairie dogs I have protection on for every shot. When I'm in the woods I need to hear and I don't want some cumbersome mechanical listening device strapped to my head that will protect my hearing and still let me hear better than my own ears, I want to feel the wind on ears and in my face I not only see the game I persue but I often times hear them and even smell them first, these senses make us predators and efficient hunters. I have fired many shots at big game and I doubt their cumulative effect has really hurt my hearing, but if I continue to shoot big game with a muzzle braked rifle I'm sure in just a handful of shots I would do some form of permanent damage to my hearing.
If I were in the market for a rifle that it's primary purpose was to shoot from the bench or at targets I would readily consider a "braked" rifle, however it may be an inconsiderate choice to shoot from the bench in consideration of others at the range. If the rifle I were choosing were to be fired mostly from the bench to sight it in and develop loads but it's true purpose were my hunting rifle I, personally wouldn't consider a "braked" rifle.
Granted some people are more recoil sensitive than others and a brake will help them tame a large magnum, but it comes at a price ( muzzle blast and the need to wear hearing protection while hunting ).
I'm not a big person( 5'-10" and 183 pounds) but find it tolerable to shoot some of my big kicking guns without developing bad habits by limiting the amount of shots I take at the bench ( I have a 375 H&H that is very light so kicks really hard so I limit myself to one 5 shot group or 2 three shot groups per session ) this system works well for me.
There are trade offs for nearly every aspect of performance just be aware of the good and bad for each option you choose.[;)]0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
7 comments