Least effective brake

[asd9055]

I own several "self timing" brakes, including from APA and Area 419, two Eric Cortina tuning brakes. All muzzle brakes are a compromise. Either you have great recoil reduction or some reduction with less noise to the shooter. The total amount of escaping gas from the muzzle remains the same, no matter what kind of brake, or none at all. The shape of the baffle (s), number of baffles, the size of the hole compared to the bullet and bore, size of the chambers (s) and ports all determine how much shock is delivered to the muzzle (bounce) and the direction of travel of the muzzle. The solution is a parabola. (Personal conversation with engineer who designs muzzle devices for an arms company). To avoid muzzle bounce, a smaller amount of gas should be discharged laterally in the first chamber, more in the second, in each successive chamber more and more. The last chamber of the brake, should be the largest in volume and have the tightest hole in the baffle (at the muzzle). If you have anything else, it is sub-optimum for muzzle bounce.

Reduction in recoil is determined by the direction of the release of gas. If gas is released back toward the shooters ears, it pulls the rifle forward to mitigate recoil. If the gas is released perpendicular, to the front, away from the shooters ears, it doesn't do much for recoil reduction. Again, recoil reduction is a compromise with noise. Muzzle bounce (shock) doesn't have to be. How much ear protection are you willing to wear or recoil punishment tolerate?

Put very well! Thanks for sharing!!!

 

[FEENIX]

 

[Reelamin]

The quiet brake is a radial brakes (holes all around like the Vais brake) made by Gentry (https://gentrycustom.com/) here in MT. There us nothing quiet about it. Radial brakes are the least effective brakes I have.

Yep that is the guy and does great work. I have one of his quiet brakes on a 300WSM. It is not one bit quieter than two other smaller radials on two other 300WSM.

 

[Ken61]

Yep. ears FOR SURE. Wish I had bought suppressors 40 -50 years ago

 

[FEENIX]

Yep that is the guy and does great work. I have one of his quiet brakes on a 300WSM. It is not one bit quieter than two other smaller radials on two other 300WSM.

The Vais MB I have is on a .300 WSM.

 

[SSgt G Cody]

I have a friend who is a ballistics engineer with the German military. He tells me that they use mostly suppressors, not brakes, on most of their rifles. Larger magnum sniper rifles use small brakes with 60 degree (from barrel axis) array of ports on top half of barrel, which is surrounded by a 12 degree cone to vent most report volume forward, rather than to the side. Most countries now, worldwide, are severely banning brakes for hearing health reasons!

 

[GLTaylor]

I own several "self timing" brakes, including from APA and Area 419, two Eric Cortina tuning brakes. All muzzle brakes are a compromise. Either you have great recoil reduction or some reduction with less noise to the shooter. The total amount of escaping gas from the muzzle remains the same, no matter what kind of brake, or none at all. The shape of the baffle (s), number of baffles, the size of the hole compared to the bullet and bore, size of the chambers (s) and ports all determine how much shock is delivered to the muzzle (bounce) and the direction of travel of the muzzle. The solution is a parabola. (Personal conversation with engineer who designs muzzle devices for an arms company). To avoid muzzle bounce, a smaller amount of gas should be discharged laterally in the first chamber, more in the second, in each successive chamber more and more. The last chamber of the brake, should be the largest in volume and have the tightest hole in the baffle (at the muzzle). If you have anything else, it is sub-optimum for muzzle bounce.

Reduction in recoil is determined by the direction of the release of gas. If gas is released back toward the shooters ears, it pulls the rifle forward to mitigate recoil. If the gas is released perpendicular, to the front, away from the shooters ears, it doesn't do much for recoil reduction. Again, recoil reduction is a compromise with noise. Muzzle bounce (shock) doesn't have to be. How much ear protection are you willing to wear or recoil punishment tolerate?

Well said and quite correct.

 

[Reelamin]

My son-in-law borrowed his dad's 300 RUM with a brake for his oryx hunt. His first shot was a bit rushed, so of course he didn't have hearing protection. The muzzle blast made him flinch. After 11 shots at different oryx, we finally got him within 100 yards, and he filled his tag on the last day. He'd have been much better off with a smaller cartridge and and no brake.

First time I have heard brakes make a worse shooter. I guess anything is possible in today's world.

 

[asd9055]

In my experience, and I HAVE NOT experienced all various brake designs, sound from a brake is always louder to people around the shooter, however, sound at the shooter, depends a lot on the brake design, and particularly the port angles.

 

[Reelamin]

I have pretty much been lucky and one shot with a brake. Worst was when I was shooting boogers for elk. I missed the first shot (high) and then hit it three times with my 300RUM. I shoot animals if they are still standing. That time my freaking ears hurt a lot and my hearing was noticeably less the rest of the day. Another time my daughter was using me for a rest. Arm on knee and she layed the rifle across my arm like a log. I freaking plugged the wrong ear because the correct hand was on my knee making the rest. Yeah, Gentry "quiet" brake from a 300WSM for two shots two feet from my ear is not quiet. I didn't care as it was her first big enough to mount muley and I would take it again in half a second.

 

[MT-Shooter]

I own several "self timing" brakes, including from APA and Area 419, two Eric Cortina tuning brakes. All muzzle brakes are a compromise. Either you have great recoil reduction or some reduction with less noise to the shooter. The total amount of escaping gas from the muzzle remains the same, no matter what kind of brake, or none at all. The shape of the baffle (s), number of baffles, the size of the hole compared to the bullet and bore, size of the chambers (s) and ports all determine how much shock is delivered to the muzzle (bounce) and the direction of travel of the muzzle. The solution is a parabola. (Personal conversation with engineer who designs muzzle devices for an arms company). To avoid muzzle bounce, a smaller amount of gas should be discharged laterally in the first chamber, more in the second, in each successive chamber more and more. The last chamber of the brake, should be the largest in volume and have the tightest hole in the baffle (at the muzzle). If you have anything else, it is sub-optimum for muzzle bounce.

Reduction in recoil is determined by the direction of the release of gas. If gas is released back toward the shooters ears, it pulls the rifle forward to mitigate recoil. If the gas is released perpendicular, to the front, away from the shooters ears, it doesn't do much for recoil reduction. Again, recoil reduction is a compromise with noise. Muzzle bounce (shock) doesn't have to be. How much ear protection are you willing to wear or recoil punishment tolerate?

I own several "self timing" brakes, including from APA and Area 419, two Eric Cortina tuning brakes. All muzzle brakes are a compromise. Either you have great recoil reduction or some reduction with less noise to the shooter. The total amount of escaping gas from the muzzle remains the same, no matter what kind of brake, or none at all. The shape of the baffle (s), number of baffles, the size of the hole compared to the bullet and bore, size of the chambers (s) and ports all determine how much shock is delivered to the muzzle (bounce) and the direction of travel of the muzzle. The solution is a parabola. (Personal conversation with engineer who designs muzzle devices for an arms company). To avoid muzzle bounce, a smaller amount of gas should be discharged laterally in the first chamber, more in the second, in each successive chamber more and more. The last chamber of the brake, should be the largest in volume and have the tightest hole in the baffle (at the muzzle). If you have anything else, it is sub-optimum for muzzle bounce.

Reduction in recoil is determined by the direction of the release of gas. If gas is released back toward the shooters ears, it pulls the rifle forward to mitigate recoil. If the gas is released perpendicular, to the front, away from the shooters ears, it doesn't do much for recoil reduction. Again, recoil reduction is a compromise with noise. Muzzle bounce (shock) doesn't have to be. How much ear protection are you willing to wear or recoil punishment tolerate?

Most of my MBs are self-timing. "IF" your POI does not shift when you remove it, have fun with it. "I" never take mine off during hunting, it is much easier for me to use my hearing protection than worrying about any changes in barrel harmonics.

Unfortunately, when hunting here in western MT, I don't have time to put ear plugs in before the shot. I have shot a rifles with a MB and no hearing protection. Not fun. So in an attempt to solve this dilemma, I will be experimenting shooting my hunting rifles with MB's and without to determine POI shift if any. Sure would be nice to be able to remove the break before hunting and save our hearing! Will post the results as they unfold.

 

[MT-Shooter]

I have a friend who is a ballistics engineer with the German military. He tells me that they use mostly suppressors, not brakes, on most of their rifles. Larger magnum sniper rifles use small brakes with 60 degree (from barrel axis) array of ports on top half of barrel, which is surrounded by a 12 degree cone to vent most report volume forward, rather than to the side. Most countries now, worldwide, are severely banning brakes for hearing health reasons!

Banning brakes is an overreach of governmental authority. One can simply wear hearing protection. They might just as well ban guns as well. Bad idea.

 

[MallardAddict]

Unfortunately, when hunting here in western MT, I don't have time to put ear plugs in before the shot.

Pretty much any time I hunt I use the ear plugs with a plastic neck band. It takes about 2 seconds to put them on.

 

[Rob01]

With the inexpensive electronic ear pro now there is no reason not to wear it. You can actually hear better sometimes with it as the old excuse is "I have to hear the game" was always used.