Brakes and Bipods

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Figured I'd get a discussion going on brakes and bipods.

Gentleman, and ladies, I invite you to comments on your recommendations for a muzzle brake and a bipod for an entry level long range setup.

So far, I've got the Savage 10T-SR in .308. Optic will be a Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-24x50 FFP MRAD (to be purchased soon), with Vortex 30mm rings.

The nice thing about the Savage is that it comes equipped with a threaded barrel, so what brake would you choose? I'm wondering what people think of the ATRS AR10 brake, versus the MDT Elite brake.

https://www.albertatacticalrifle.com/hikashop-menu-for-categories-listing/product/47-atrs-ar10-muzzle-brake/category_pathway-86

https://mdttac.com/ca_en/mdt-elite-muzzle-brake.html

Similar enough prices, but how about performance?

As for a bipod, I'm sure the $400+ units are very nice solid performers, but in the more frugally minded part of the market how are the Caldwells? Any other decent products in the, I bought a budget rifle to get into long range shooting and don't want to spend nearly as much as the rifle on a bipod?

One final question, what is the more commonly used size of bipod? I see there are 6"-9", 9"-13", and 13.5"-27" units. I assume the first two sizes would be most commonly used for prone shooting, whereas the largest would be more for sitting or very uneven terrain?

Fire away.
 
My brakes have all been gunsmith custom made. My personal "experience" seems that my Gill brakes have reduced recoil more than my 4 hole radial brakes. Maybe that's just specific to the gas volume being redirected due to those specific brakes.

I like the look of a brake shouldered and timed to the barrel threads rather than using a crush washer or a nut. However they likely run more expensive than a prefeb brake.


Sorry I can't comment on bipods. I've always shot off sand bags or an adjustable front rest.
 
I don't have experience with either brake, so the only comment I'll make is that between the two, I would prefer the MDT due to the self timing design. Crush washers are for the birds.

At a minimum I would spring for a Harris. While a $400 bipod is certainly not necessary, just remember that a bipod (in combination with rear support) creates the support system for your precision rifle. I would avoid overly cheap bipods, especially knock-offs. A cheap bipod made of Chinese pot metal with a lot of flex in the wrong places, will probably not provide the level of support a precision rifle needs and will be a weak link in the chain. Saving $50 but causing a lot of undue stress chasing your tail and time on 1+ MOA groups is not a smart $50 savings IMO.

Bipod height will be based on your body type and what is most comfortable for you. While traditionally it's always been stated that the lower you are, the more stable you are, new schools of thought are suggesting that people are more comfortable when placed a little higher up, and if you are more comfortable and not straining muscles, you are certainly going to shoot better. The exact bipod height can't be answered through a computer screen, but bipods with more adjustment will have the advantage of being setup correctly for you (such as an Atlas).
 
Bipod: Harris BRMS 6-9” simple, affordable, proven.

Brake: Insite Arms Heathen. One of the best brakes on the market and Canadian.
 
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Between those 2 choices of brake, I'd recommend the MDT Elite. I have one on one of my rifles and it's quite effective. I'd also suggest checking out the Insite Heathen, I have a couple of them on different rifles and they are very effective.

For bipods, no cheaper than a Harris. The BRMS 6-9", as mentioned is the way to go. you can definitely spend more on a bipod but I would never get a lesser one or a knockoff like the Caldwell.
 
I have used a few brakes and I've been really liking my timber creek outdoors heartbraker brake so far. It does a good job of reducing recoil, has good muzzle rise control and doesn't kick back as much gases towards the shooter. they are made in Oregon. Only thing about them is that it's a bit more heavy of a brake. But I'm ok with that.
 
My go to bipod is the Scorpion Optics 6-9" bipod. A knockoff of the Harris, it has gone through many hunting seasons and many range sessions without every going wrong. For $80 (and lifetime warranty) I figured it was worth a shot. Been happy with it so far and it's been on a dozen different rifles, from .223 to .308 and even a 50 BMG. It did everything my old Harris did at less than half the cost.

Here is the old bipod currently sitting on my M40A1 clone.

HxU2ko9.jpg
 
Taking a look around, the Harris bipods do look to be of decent quality. I'll have to look around and see if any local shops stock their products.

Edit: I did find one local shop that stocks the Scorpion bipods. None with the Harris' though, might have to see if any can order some in, and actually be competitive on price.
 
Price wise I would go the 6-9 Harris Bipod

Brakes, I would go with Heathen from Insite Arms or the Hellfire from Area 419
All of these end up on EE if you watch for them. I also have the ATRS Gill Brake listed currently
 
I currently own a Harris, and Magpul. I have shot with an Atlas. Honestly the magpul is by far my favourite. It is much better than the Harris (honestly I don't know why people like them so much, I think they are highly overrated), and in my opinion, as good as an Atlas for a much more reasonable price.
 
The Magpul is a good budget bipod, but like any Magpul product wait for the gen 2. The only Harris worth owning is the S-BrM with POD-Loc and even then I only have them on my .22s. The ATLAS is the most versatile and is the one I use the most.
 
The only brakes I have experience with is the surefire 7.62 warcomp, I love it on my AR10 rifles, but I'm thinking for a laugh threading my Winchester XPR bolt actions, the 308 not needed, but the 300 and 338 win mags I want recoil reduction.
The bipods I've used are the Blackhawk transverse 9 to 13 inch, I love it, I'm planning on getting one for each of my XPR rifles and the AR10 rifles, and my sks, well one of them has one, the other is a laminated stock so it is staying original haha, the tacticool one has a magwedge rail and a bayonet bipod
 
Most effective brake I've used is a Badger Thruster. Needs to be bored out to diameter, and I get it timed to the barrel by the Smith.
I've tried many different designs, but nothing comes close to how effective these are
 
Hitzy said:
Most effective brake I've used is a Badger Thruster. Needs to be bored out to diameter, and I get it timed to the barrel by the Smith.
I've tried many different designs, but nothing comes close to how effective these are
Click to expand...

Timed brakes are a pain in the ass. I'm never using a timed brake again with the availability of great self timing brakes these days.

Order a barrel with 5/8x24" threading and install your own brake. Burn it out, order another barrel and install muzzle brake (and barrel) yourself.
 
Heathen brake. Pops off in seconds to clean, reduces recoil nicely, the first port stops the sound wave from bothering you. Harris bipod. Upgrade the bipod later.
 
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