Muzzle brake on factory threads? To DIY or not?

[CostcoSamples]

I'm thinking about getting an off the shelf muzzle brake and installing it myself on my factory threaded barrel. Is that a bad idea for precision work? A high quality screw on brake is around $200, compared to a gunsmith installed brake for $350. Since I have no fancy tools (or even a vice for that matter), is it worth going the gunsmith route? I'm sure for any other type of gun it wouldn't matter much - but for a precision rifle? Or perhaps the difference is insignificant on a factory barrel?

How bad is a a cheap brake (say $60 for a NEA brake from CanadaAmmo)?

Thoughts, opinions, experiences?

 

[Shibby!]

Cheaper brakes are sometimes not worth it.


Have you considered something like a APA FB brake? They use a lock nut design to simplify the installation. Anybody with crescent wrenches could do it.

The bonus here is the APA FB and LB are some of the best brakes.

 

[OkayShooter]

All you need is a wrench to install and little bit of oil.

 

[tiriaq]

If I am installing a brake on a precision rifle, I will set the barrel up on the lathe, indicating it in on the bore. I will then cut the threads, and install a semi-finished brake, with an undersized bore. The brake is then bored to optimum internal diameter for the bullet diameter. Doing it this way, the axis of the brake and barrel are coaxial, and the brake will be at its most effective.
A finished brake that screws onto the factory threads will likely not be as precisely installed, and the brake's bore will probably be on the generous side, to guarantee clearance on any rifle it is screwed on.

 

[guntech]

What the previous thread stated...

Threaded factory barrels are made for the do it yourselfer... There is no doubt in my mind that a precision threaded barrel and a brake that is fitted to that barrel and bored and finished concentric to the bore involves considerably more time. It also results in a bit more efficiency and possibly more accuracy depending on brake design... but a brake that you can buy that is finished for the caliber and the rifle you can buy that is threaded... are made for diy.

Pride of ownership makes a difference to some as well.

 

[OkayShooter]

These are the easiest to install.

 

[tiriaq]

Threads and clamp, or no threads, just clamp?

 

[Suputin]

It is most important that the brake locks up solid on the shoulder at the back end of the threads. If the brake does not solidly and suddenly lock up then it will not be straight on the threads.