Hi. I was wondering if anyone has tried these muzzle brakes or have them on their rifle. I know the preferred method is to have the barrel threaded but due to the lack of funds and a local gunsmith a clamp on is the easiest way for me to go. I'm also wondering about accuracy and so called harmonics. Do muzzle brakes actually have an adverse effect on one or both? I have a Rem 700 308 Tactical with a 20" bull barrel and being 64yos and not having the same fatty arms the recoil is a little to much for me LOL. Thanks.
Muzzle brakes should have No bad effect on accuracy If Installed correctly.
They can change the harmonics and possibly move the POI but in most cases the extra weight on the end of the barrel dampening harmonics and Improving consistency. (The same thing is done quite often by simply adding a weight to the muzzle.
The only thing I fond objectionable about clamp On brakes is the fact that alignment is questionable
because the outside of most barrels are seldom concentric to the bore and this can throw the brake off the centerline so most clamp on brakes have a larger bore hole for the caliber to allow for this
(.040 to .060)
The most effective bore diameter for recoil reduction is .020 average (.010 clearance on each side).
The only way to assure that the brake is in perfect alignment and minimum bore dia. is to thread the barrel on a Lathe concentric to the bore center line (Often the Outside of the barrel is out of round or
off center by .005 or more ) but threading corrects this to the same center to the bore.
Note: If a competent gunsmith installs a clamp on brake and uses a mandrel or range rod to align the brake, it can be installed correctly and safely but you still have the large bore hole that will reduce efficiency.
The plus side to a muzzle brake is often the improvement in the shooters trigger control because he is not thinking so much about getting the crap kicked out of him and more about trigger control.
Just my opinion