Brake vs No Brake

Brake or No Brake?

Hmm.. well that would depend on a few things for me

Cartridge being one.

If.. I was running something from a 300Win and up yes, absolutely. After hunting w/a 300Wby that was braked I can see the benefits of a Radial Brake for recoil and shot follow up mitigation. Had the Tikka Lite in 300WSM been offered 10yrs ago when I had it, it too would probably be still be around. Even its flimsy tupperware stock.

Aesthetics the second

I’m admittedly a Radial Brake over a Gill/Ported version guy. Radials (if included from the factory) just tend to flow better with the factory barrel profile. Both Weatherbys (Vanguard/MkV) and the Browning X-bolt (before the gawd awful abomination Recoil Hawg now being offered) come to mind. Some of the Gill/Ported brakes I see out there on rigs just boggles my mind. They’re almost the dia of the barrel shank on the rifle…sheesh

Long and short of it..Yes, I’ve become a Radial Brake convert of late…
 
The fact that we’re discussing the POI shifts from adding a brake and not screwing on a suppressor in ‘26 is disappointing

So you're telling me screwing some sh*t onto the end of your barrel makes your shot hit somewhere else? Get outta here!

Next you're gonna tell me the difference in BC between a boat tail and a round nose doesn't matter at typical hunting distances.

My only braked rifle is my 8mm Rem Mag, the difference between brake on and brake off is so little
that I can ignore it. The recoil reduction with the brake is really noticeable, though. [Radial brake]

Definitely less concussive. Some of the non-radial brakes that angle back toward the shooter are super effective but pretty nasty. It has a bigger compensating effect because it literally pushes the rifle forward. The Insite Heathen is a good compromise. Not as "blasty" or nasty but more effective than the radial. Totally perception and subjective but like...30% less vs 45% less?

Still, the radials do a good job...they're all freakin louder anyway haha
 
i am not quite sure why brakes are polarizing. If you want one, regardless of cartridge chambering, go for it. Just know that it mostly affects those around you.
I put one on my 308. I love it. My rifle is accurate. My shoulder lasts a full day of shooting. It looks better to me. I supported a Cdn company.
All wins.

Nice shooting, OP.
 
i am not quite sure why brakes are polarizing. If you want one, regardless of cartridge chambering, go for it. Just know that it mostly affects those around you.
I put one on my 308. I love it. My rifle is accurate. My shoulder lasts a full day of shooting. It looks better to me. I supported a Cdn company.
All wins.

Nice shooting, OP.

Things that infringe upon chest thumping or adherence to traditions usually are lol.

See: Anything generating lighter recoil, any new cartridge, etc
 
Man these days even without the brakes I'm still wearing earpro

Eye protection is important but so is ear.

If, for some reason (not sure why) I could only choose one, it would be ear protection. With the electronic in ear protection available now (some at very keen prices) you get the best of both worlds, can go about you day to day and hear great (enhanced in some cases) but when that shot goes off you are protected.

What would make even more sense is suppressors but according to our Liberal overlord betters there would be a wave of death and destruction all across the land if they became available so we Peons will continue to live like cavemen.
 
Eye protection is important but so is ear.

If, for some reason (not sure why) I could only choose one, it would be ear protection. With the electronic in ear protection available now (some at very keen prices) you get the best of both worlds, can go about you day to day and hear great (enhanced in some cases) but when that shot goes off you are protected.

What would make even more sense is suppressors but according to our Liberal overlord betters there would be a wave of death and destruction all across the land if they became available so we Peons will continue to live like cavemen.

Pretty much the only western country that won't allow it, aside from maybe one other? Its bizarre.

Been wearing Howard Leight electronic earpro while hunting this season. Usually I'd just have one of those lil headband thingies with the foam plugs on each side and put it on if I had time. With an upgrade to gel cups tho, this things comfy enough and pretty low profile.

Sound could definitely be better, but it works.
 
Harmonics changing POI is a theory, and mostly myth. What's actually occuring in this case is a redirecting of gasses.

Who proved that and when?

If that were the case, how would something the counterweight that comes with Ruger Guide Guns move POI closer to where it is when its braked? I'd think by now the modelling of vibration of a barrel and something throwing it off would be pretty well modeled.

If we think about wanting to free-float a barrel, or in a military rifle like a Lee Enfield or an M14, kinda doing the opposite and wanting a certain amount of pressure or draw, we actually want the barrel to have a pressure load, right?

How's attaching mass at the end different?


Would seem to be its both. Maybe redirection of gasses plays more of a role? Dunno. But they both seem real enough. If I'm way off on that, welcome the chance to learn.
 
Pretty much the only western country that won't allow it, aside from maybe one other? Its bizarre.

Been wearing Howard Leight electronic earpro while hunting this season. Usually I'd just have one of those lil headband thingies with the foam plugs on each side and put it on if I had time. With an upgrade to gel cups tho, this things comfy enough and pretty low profile.

Sound could definitely be better, but it works.

I learned that lesson the hard way.

Ended up in an awkward position shooting an array of targets with a braked rifle with only over ear muffs, at some point the muff on my right ear shifted and I had ringing in my ears for a week afterwards.

Since then I double up with moulded plugs and electronic muffs over top. I can *just* hear people talk now (sometimes it is struggle) but it makes shooting really enjoyable (guns sound like a soft thud now as opposed to an obnoxious bang) and I am convinced it makes me flinch less.

The obvious bonus is should the muffs shift I am still good (happened in the summer at a shotgun match and I was able to finish the stage unimpeded).
 
I learned that lesson the hard way.

Ended up in an awkward position shooting an array of targets with a braked rifle with only over ear muffs, at some point the muff on my right ear shifted and I had ringing in my ears for a week afterwards.

Since then I double up with moulded plugs and electronic muffs over top. I can *just* hear people talk now (sometimes it is struggle) but it makes shooting really enjoyable (guns sound like a soft thud now as opposed to an obnoxious bang) and I am convinced it makes me flinch less.

The obvious bonus is should the muffs shift I am still good (happened in the summer at a shotgun match and I was able to finish the stage unimpeded).

Yeowch!!!

Was reading the other day (although I don't know what type of brake) that the difference between braked and unbraked can be like 9 dB. Which equates to a bit over 3 times louder? I know thats not the precise way to measure sonic energy hitting your ear but....3 times louder than something thats already that freaking loud...

Yeah no thanks.
 
Harmonics changing POI is a theory, and mostly myth. What's actually occuring in this case is a redirecting of gasses.
So why does the point of impact rise with the brake? I have yet to see a brake that pushes the muzzle up by directing the gases downward. If anything, brakes direct more gases upwards to reduce muzzle rise.
 
So why does the point of impact rise with the brake? I have yet to see a brake that pushes the muzzle up by directing the gases downward. If anything, brakes direct more gases upwards to reduce muzzle rise.
Directing the gasses upward relieves pressure above the bullet, while it's still present under the bullet, thusly pushing it up.
 
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