Muzzle Brake on a Big Bore

[Chago]

"your making up for shitty shooting by getting a caliber that can knock over a tree in one shot...." Seriously!?! Who do you think you talking about - exactly? I think that is great that you are a military trained sniper - thanks for your service. But you may be stunned to learn that there are a lot of folks with a bit of experience behind a rifle on this forum. Military and otherwise. An amazing number of them shoot large calibers at dangerous game and put a bullet exactly where it needs to go - time after time after time. And I have no clue what point you are trying to make about a giraffe - planning to snipe one with your trusty .300 at 400 meters?

And you would be hard pressed to find any experienced hunter on this sight remotely impressed with the idea of "knock down power" - whatever you think you mean by that. Anyone with any experience in hunting larger game is focused on penetration and wound channel.

And I can only speak for myself, but I have no idea what you are talking about with respect to shooting a lower recoiling rifle more accurately. Lower than what? Specifically. I'll shoot a cloverleaf with a .22lr or .404. So will most of the experienced big game hunters on this forum.

But to the main point, I hate being around muzzle brakes. That is a fact. They are also significantly louder than a conventional rifle. That is also a fact. They are particularly unpleasant on a range where everyone is side x side. That too is a fact. Clearly that is unimportant to many. Fortunately, I don't have to put up with that attitude now, because I have my own range. But I do feel bad for PH's and trackers who are in the business and have to grin and bear it.

Sorry let me clarify. I'm reading my posts seeing why you think I'm attacking everyone with big calibers. Not the case at all and I apologize if that's how it came off. I own many large caliber rifles out of bolts, levers and OU. And I am fully aware there are other great shooters on here and throughout the world. Let me clarify what I mean.

I'm more speaking to the crowd that's suggesting go smaller caliber rather than get a brake because you can't handle the caliber. To me the accuracy and follow up Trump's all. And a lot of guys and I repeat a lot not everyone. Buy bigger calibers to give them a buffer. Because a mis placed shot even with a cannon will do enough damage that the animal will dispatch anyways. Can we agree on that? When I made the comment about the 300 on a giraffe. The point I'm making and realistically could have even used a 6.5 creedmoor for that point. A well placed shot Trump's all power in the world. But people I find a lot of the times go bigger because they fear in real world hunting situations you may miss a little and having a ton of knock down power will make up for it. As my argument was take less caliber, even brake it to make the rifle shoot like a pussy cat. And become really good with that rifle. Or if you want the punch, keep the heavy caliber and brake it so it's more manageable.

You sir may be a great shooter. And I fully believe you if you tell me you can hit clovers with big bores. But imo, these forums are full of the average hunter. And I know if you have spent enough time at the range you know what I'm talking about. The guy who has a gun, shoots maybe half a box out of it before going on a hunt next week. Then they go hunting. I think we can all agree that is more common then the devoted hunters who spend thousands of rounds of practice. I can't count how many times I've had those crusty looks from guys at the range because of my brake. But then within a hour they are seeing my groups and asking me to sight in there rifle. Imagine that. Asking someone else cause they are not confident enough and tired of getting there ass kicked from the recoil. So I instead of encouraging people who already don't shoot a lot which is imo more then not. To get a big caliber and don't brake it. Rather get a caliber and brake it and shoot better and become more confident. Rather than get th safety net of a bazooka.

As per the DG, that's fair. I missed that. But I still stand strong on argument of a brake. I would want a brake even more. Because in a heated situation where I'm taking a reactionary shot. I would want a rapid follow up. And again, no one can argue the fact that a braked rifle will have follow up shots at a fraction of the time.

 

[Red Leg]

Fair enough. I appreciate your response.

Sometime we'll have to try three aimed shots offhand at 70 meters with .375's. I suspect you may be surprised how quickly three can get delivered in the kill zone from a Blaser R8 without a brake even in the hands of an old guy like me. And I'll leave my Blaser S2 at home - it wouldn't be fair - at least for two shots.

Ergonomics and design, in my experience at least, trumps everything in a quick second shot. But again, that is just my experience.

I also would insist on shooting individually with a separate timer. The muzzle blast would give you too much of advantage.

 

[IvW]

I laugh everytime I read these. The only argument I ever read against brakes is sound and the other is the typical manhood measuring "if you can't handle your rifle well go down to one you can handle".

If you have ever had to track a animal more then 10 yards. Bigger caliber. This forum is full of massive calibers. Truth is, your making up for shitty shooting by getting a caliber that can knock over a tree in one shot.

Manhood...have nothing to do with it.

I'm 6'3 235lbs. Military trained sniper/marksman. I don't own a rifle without a brake.

="Chago, post: 563519, member: 39981" I own many large caliber rifles out of bolts, levers and OU.

Really...I would love to see your levers and O/U fitted with breaks.....

I'm more speaking to the crowd that's suggesting go smaller caliber rather than get a brake because you can't handle the caliber. As my argument was take less caliber, even brake it to make the rifle shoot like a pussy cat. And become really good with that rifle. Or if you want the punch, keep the heavy caliber

As per the DG, that's fair. I missed that.

The crowd you are referring to has a lot of DG hunting experience and you clearly have no idea what happens while hunting DG...

Again nothing to do with manhood, and stepping down in caliber is exactly what we suggest if you cannot handle a large caliber. Same as what you suggest.

You dismiss the term "Knockdown power" and then refer to "Punch"

What is "Punch"?

A larger caliber does give you a larger margin of error.

The only correct statement is that shot placement is very important.

Again we are talking Large bore rifles and DG in Africa, not long range high velocity flat trajectory shooting....

I can just assume you have no or very little experience hunting DG in Africa....expecting the PH and the trackers to wear earplugs on a DG hunt well that is a disaster waiting to happen.

As for having a break on a 6.5 Creedmore so you can see the bullets fly well...I have never heard of that.

 

[sestoppelman]

Had to catch up on this fun times thread!! What a hoot!

Now as for me, today at the range, well here we go again! Had just a few more shots with my UN BRAKED .338 Win mag when a guy and his gal sat down next to me. She was shooting some little deer rifle of unknown caliber, nothing stupid loud.
But then,,, the dude breaks out something, big, long and ugly and on the end was a BRAKE, not BREAK, that looked like it had formerly resided on the barrel of a Sherman Tank!! Unfortunately I didn't notice this piece of dumbass, jerk-face ordnance till it went off!
A wave of gases, noise and gale force winds smacked me upside the noodle and like another time I have related here, I literally thought the rifle did a Napoleon Blownapart on the numbskull shooting it! I loudly said what the hell?!?!?
Looked back at the gal, and she gave me a little like oops sorry look. I cursed a few choice words under my breath, shook my head to clear the bad memory away, un cross my peepers, and tried to continue shooting. Good thing I was almost done! My startle reflex hit me hard and adrenaline had me shaking like a dog sh**ten carpet tacks!!
Before MR big noise could fire again, I moved my Craftsman steel tool/range box forward in the hopes that it would block the hideous and obnoxious blast that some BRAKE lovers claim doesn't exist and had the STEEL lid up on it and waited to see the effects. BOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SLAM!!!!!!!!!!!!! Down went the lid on my STEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLL box, I kid you not, it blew it right over only blocking the onslaught of gas and winds into my face for a millisecond!! FFS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mr Big noise looked at me with a predictably dead-from-the-neck-up, moronic stare to which I addressed him this way as politely as possible. "THAT THING IS RIDICULOUS, JUST RIDICULOUS!!!!!!!! He put it in the rack behind the line and got his gal on the bench and had her shoot some more. I packed my S**t and left. Oh, did I mention, I HATE MUZZLE BRAKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I aint no "sniper" and didn't serve in our armed force either, childhood hearing loss, ( of all things!), but have been shooting for over 55 years and in my view the proliferation of brakes for pussies is the most dumbass thing to ever happen to our shooting sports. That is just my ever so humble opinion on BRAKES.

BTW, I do wear plugs AND muffs when I shoot ANYTHING!! Flame on if you please. I got my big boy panties on, I can take it, go ahead, make my day, BRAKE pussies!

 

[BnC 04]

Was at our range the other day and it was fairly full on the 100 yard side. After the second iteration of firing the rangemaster got on his speaker and announced "any rifles with tampons hanging off the barrel will be shifted to the right side benches". I think everyone without a brake agreed to the moving due to the clapping that went on after the announcement.

 

[sestoppelman]

My kind of rangemaster!!

 

[PaulT]

I too just had a recent visit to the gun range and was seated next to a guy with a brake, and it was only a .308. At least he was polite and apologised for the impact on my shooting. I was wearing plugs AND ear muffs but the blast of noise and gases was enough to interrupt and effect my shooting so I held off until he was finished.
The range officials actually also apologised as it is supposed to be range policy to separate brakes from non-braked rifles.

Maybe the shooter operating a rifle does not feel the effect of a brake but from my experience I am sure that anyone in the near vicinity certainly does..

Personally I know my own effective recoil tolerance limits and will stick to shooting non-braked rifles within that limit.

 

[sestoppelman]

I wear sissy pads like the PAST recoil shield for the hard kickers. I get that no one likes to be slapped around by our rifles, but that's what those pads are made for. I use them for bench work, and leave them off for hunting. No extra noise and it does tame recoil on the bench which is the only place its needed, not in the hunting fields.

 

[IdaRam]

Had to catch up on this fun times thread!! What a hoot!

Now as for me, today at the range, well here we go again! Had just a few more shots with my UN BRAKED .338 Win mag when a guy and his gal sat down next to me. She was shooting some little deer rifle of unknown caliber, nothing stupid loud.
But then,,, the dude breaks out something, big, long and ugly and on the end was a BRAKE, not BREAK, that looked like it had formerly resided on the barrel of a Sherman Tank!! Unfortunately I didn't notice this piece of dumbass, jerk-face ordnance till it went off!
A wave of gases, noise and gale force winds smacked me upside the noodle and like another time I have related here, I literally thought the rifle did a Napoleon Blownapart on the numbskull shooting it! I loudly said what the hell?!?!?
Looked back at the gal, and she gave me a little like oops sorry look. I cursed a few choice words under my breath, shook my head to clear the bad memory away, un cross my peepers, and tried to continue shooting. Good thing I was almost done! My startle reflex hit me hard and adrenaline had me shaking like a dog sh**ten carpet tacks!!
Before MR big noise could fire again, I moved my Craftsman steel tool/range box forward in the hopes that it would block the hideous and obnoxious blast that some BRAKE lovers claim doesn't exist and had the STEEL lid up on it and waited to see the effects. BOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SLAM!!!!!!!!!!!!! Down went the lid on my STEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLL box, I kid you not, it blew it right over only blocking the onslaught of gas and winds into my face for a millisecond!! FFS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mr Big noise looked at me with a predictably dead-from-the-neck-up, moronic stare to which I addressed him this way as politely as possible. "THAT THING IS RIDICULOUS, JUST RIDICULOUS!!!!!!!! He put it in the rack behind the line and got his gal on the bench and had her shoot some more. I packed my S**t and left. Oh, did I mention, I HATE MUZZLE BRAKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I aint no "sniper" and didn't serve in our armed force either, childhood hearing loss, ( of all things!), but have been shooting for over 55 years and in my view the proliferation of brakes for pussies is the most dumbass thing to ever happen to our shooting sports. That is just my ever so humble opinion on BRAKES.

BTW, I do wear plugs AND muffs when I shoot ANYTHING!! Flame on if you please. I got my big boy panties on, I can take it, go ahead, make my day, BRAKE pussies!

OK, just so we’re clear and there is no misunderstanding. What you are really trying to say is you prefer rifles without muzzle brakes?
Oops, Sorry, I forgot to speak up. I SAID, YOU DON’T LIKE MUZZLE BRAKES?


I am not a fan of the damn things either. I am even less of a fan of the people who are just plain inconsiderate in their use.

 

[sestoppelman]

EXACTLY!! Now you're catching on,,,

 

[Hogpatrol]

Had to catch up on this fun times thread!! What a hoot!

Now as for me, today at the range, well here we go again! Had just a few more shots with my UN BRAKED .338 Win mag when a guy and his gal sat down next to me. She was shooting some little deer rifle of unknown caliber, nothing stupid loud.
But then,,, the dude breaks out something, big, long and ugly and on the end was a BRAKE, not BREAK, that looked like it had formerly resided on the barrel of a Sherman Tank!! Unfortunately I didn't notice this piece of dumbass, jerk-face ordnance till it went off!
A wave of gases, noise and gale force winds smacked me upside the noodle and like another time I have related here, I literally thought the rifle did a Napoleon Blownapart on the numbskull shooting it! I loudly said what the hell?!?!?
Looked back at the gal, and she gave me a little like oops sorry look. I cursed a few choice words under my breath, shook my head to clear the bad memory away, un cross my peepers, and tried to continue shooting. Good thing I was almost done! My startle reflex hit me hard and adrenaline had me shaking like a dog sh**ten carpet tacks!!
Before MR big noise could fire again, I moved my Craftsman steel tool/range box forward in the hopes that it would block the hideous and obnoxious blast that some BRAKE lovers claim doesn't exist and had the STEEL lid up on it and waited to see the effects. BOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SLAM!!!!!!!!!!!!! Down went the lid on my STEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLL box, I kid you not, it blew it right over only blocking the onslaught of gas and winds into my face for a millisecond!! FFS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mr Big noise looked at me with a predictably dead-from-the-neck-up, moronic stare to which I addressed him this way as politely as possible. "THAT THING IS RIDICULOUS, JUST RIDICULOUS!!!!!!!! He put it in the rack behind the line and got his gal on the bench and had her shoot some more. I packed my S**t and left. Oh, did I mention, I HATE MUZZLE BRAKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I aint no "sniper" and didn't serve in our armed force either, childhood hearing loss, ( of all things!), but have been shooting for over 55 years and in my view the proliferation of brakes for pussies is the most dumbass thing to ever happen to our shooting sports. That is just my ever so humble opinion on BRAKES.

BTW, I do wear plugs AND muffs when I shoot ANYTHING!! Flame on if you please. I got my big boy panties on, I can take it, go ahead, make my day, BRAKE pussies!

Hey Ses, Feel better now?

Disclaimer, I wear the PAST pad AND have a brake on my 28 Nosler. I guess that qualifies me as a super pussy.

 

[sestoppelman]

Nothing like a good rant to perk a guy up!!

 

[Hogpatrol]

 

[sestoppelman]

Love it!!

 

[Hogpatrol]

I'd feel a lot better about myself if you just called me a Candy Ass.

 

[sestoppelman]

Well, I wouldn't want to appear to be rude you know.

 

[BeeMaa]

In the military, you only pick on the ones you like.
It's when people stop busting your chops that you have to worry.

You guys must LOVE muzzle brakes.

 

[BWH]

I hate the brake. Had one put on a 270 years ago, had a opportunity to get a custom one installed for nothing. Hate it. Just too loud without hearing protection. Not much difference on Recoil. Rather shoot big gun without

 

[Chago]

Long live the brake!!!

I do all my shooting on private land or public land. Not at ranges with covered roofs etc. I can see how that could get ridiculously loud especially since your all 5' apart.

I'm a proud pussy.