Muzzle brake discussion

[d4dave1]

I am in the early stages of considering a muzzle brake(s) on one or more of my rifles. I have my reasons and I am fully aware of the sound issues so I am not interested in a debate on whether or not to use one.

Thread on muzzle brakes vs clamp on?
Any particular favorite manufacturers?
Any brakes to avoid?

My understanding is that the size of the brake relates to how much felt recoil is reduced. Correct? I am not a fan of large clunky looking brakes and the calibers that I am considering installing a brake(s) on most people wouldn't bother. So a streamlined small (ish) brake would appeal to me more. The searching that I have done indicates that no one is Magna Porting anymore. I have shot 3 or 4 magna ported rifles and they seemed okay to me so a bit lost on this one?

If at all possible I would like to source a brake in western Canada or at least Canada.

And Thanks to Jerry at Mystic Precision for the initial information on this topic.

I'm just looking for some opinions and input while chewing on the decision.
Thanks guys.
Dave.

 

[Gr33zi3]

not this specific model, but i had this exact thing done to my T3 Lite in 7mm mag. Not clunky at all and works wonders

 

[Hitzy]

Clamp on are pointless, threading is the correct way.
Vais is a decent option which can be contoured to your barrel profile.

 

[d4dave1]

Clamp on are pointless, threading is the correct way.
Vais is a decent option which can be contoured to your barrel profile.

Why are clamp on pointless?

 

[Hitzy]

Why are clamp on pointless?

Brake won't be true to the bore, and they usually mar your barrel.

 

[Unholysavage]

If you shoot prone, radial brakes will blast sand/rock/crap back at you. Gill/side-ported brakes don’t disturb the ground nearly as much, as there aren’t ports facing down.
If your muzzle is threaded the first brake I’d look at is the Insite Arms Heathen. Canadian-made, tool-free, well regarded by all.

 

[brybenn]

As said above even a 223 prone will kick debris up if the porting goes all around. The brake i use you likely wouldnt like as it shares looks with the barret 50 cal brakes. It is exceptional at reducing recoil and muzzle rise. I wanted to spot my own hits and that was my reason for adding it. Its much oversized in that a 9mm bullet will pass thru but it works. It diverts alot of gas back amd enough up. Its flat bottomed with no porting so it doesnt kick up debris
I bought it at true north arms. They have many designs and offer a rethreading service as well

 

[Hitzy]

If you don't like down ports, the Badger Thruster works well and can be turned down to your barrel profile.

 

[Markus]

I have never bought a manufacturers brake. I've always just sent the rifle to the Smith and had him make a brake and fit it to the rifle. Usually runs about $300 all in for the threading and building the brake.

 

[guntech]

The type of brake - it depends on the rifle and the use and what the owner wants...

On a light hunting rifle a tactical brake looks weird and does not perform any better than a slimmer more compact 'hunting' brake.

The best performance is achieved when the barrel is threaded true to the bore and the brake fitted and the bullet clearance bored while the barrel is still set up 'true' to the bore with 20 to 30 thou bullet clearance. At least that has been my experience.

 

[d4dave1]

Much appreciated guys, provides more info for me to chew on. One of my rifles that I am considering could end up mostly a bench rifle, but the rest are sporters so guntech's point about a "hunting" brake makes sense.

Not sure of the proper terminology, but a brake that is indexed so that there are no vents on the bottom also makes good sense.

Added weight and length might be considerations as well?

 

[guntech]

Brakes that have ports all the way around are "radial" brakes...
... lots of hunting rifles have them as the majority of hunters do not lay on the ground to shoot.

Here is a picture of a very light weight rifle with a radial brake that looks good and performs well. It's a style I have favoured for many years.

Here is an indexed brake on a heavy barrel with ports on the side.

 

[Kevin M.]

Guntech always in with solid info.

 

[Markus]

Brakes that have ports all the way around are "radial" brakes...
... lots of hunting rifles have them as the majority of hunters do not lay on the ground to shoot.

Here is a picture of a very light weight rifle with a radial brake that looks good and performs well. It's a style I have favoured for many years.

Here is an indexed brake on a heavy barrel with ports on the side.

I really like that indexed brake in the bottom pictures. Looks very nice. I usually have a Gill brake done but I may request something like this in the future.

 

[Lead hammer]

Insite Arms Heathen brake.

 

[d4dave1]

Brakes that have ports all the way around are "radial" brakes...
... lots of hunting rifles have them as the majority of hunters do not lay on the ground to shoot.

Here is a picture of a very light weight rifle with a radial brake that looks good and performs well. It's a style I have favoured for many years.

Here is an indexed brake on a heavy barrel with ports on the side.

Excellent information, Thanks guntech! That bottom brake is exactly what I had in mind.