Why the muzzle brake hatred?

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GunNewb

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I just learned about muzzle brakes and read this field and stream article... http://www.fieldandstream.com/node/1000312299

It's hunters ragging on muzzle breaks. Im new to this- it reduces recoil substantially and makes the gun louder- when you should be wearing hearing protection anyway. You can even take it off the rifle when hunting and put it back on when you hit the range, allowing you to practice up with your ridiculous magnum or just enjoy a reasonable calibre (30-06).


Is this just fuddery protesting newfangled technology that results in better shooting; or is there a reason why muzzle brakes arent awesome?
 
The amount that the noise to the shooter increases with a muzzle brake is considerable. I found that I had to wear both plugs and muffs to comfortably shoot a braked rifle. Since I won't hunt with hearing protection, I will never own another braked rifle.
 
stubblejumper said:
The amount that the noise to the shooter increases with a muzzle brake is considerable.
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Never mind the fact that you give the guy next to you on the line a concussion and bleeding ears.

OP, they are very overrated for use on a hunting rifle and are extremely obnoxious to others on the range. If you don't like the recoil, load some softer loads for practice or get a better recoil pad.


Mark
 
You can even take it off the rifle when hunting and put it back on when you hit the range
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You have it backwards, take it OFF when you go to the range and put it ON when you hunt. This is just plain common courtesy, like the courtesy I extend to brake users for a period of time until I get sick of their mall ninjary and take the bench to the left of them with my flintlock.

If a guy has a 50 cal or .338 or some little target job I wont begrudge him his fun, but then again most of those guys are fully aware how loud their guns are and are considerate of others.

Theres alot of ignorant turds out there who like to keep the brake well back and within the firing line at a range. Most dont have the decency to poke the muzzel out a little farther at the range.

If the range is having a slow day I can tolerate a man enjoying his toy as long as im a few benches away, but being right next to them gets old pretty quick. Heck I can even see being warned "hey Mr this gun has a can on it, itl be noisy for a few rounds", at least he's letting me know.

I could care less if a man hunts with it.

I will say if you need a brake for 30-06, you need to go to the doctor.
 
It's to bad we can't use a silencer in Canada, reduces recoil and noise. I shoot a couple of rifles with brakes, but always warn anyone around we at the range. If to many people on the line I'll use it another day. Just commen courtesy
 
The problem with braked rifles is that their bark is literally worse than their bite. Recoil is an exhilarating, and enjoyable part of shooting powerful rifles, but redirecting the the muzzle blast back towards and out to the sides of the shooter is a flinch in the making. I challenge you to sit on the bench next to a .30-378 shooter, who is using a brake equipped rifle, and shoot a decent group. When he fires, you can feel the pressure wave hit you, not just hear it. That will disturb your aim to the extent that you'll give up in disgust and wait until he's finished.

Brakes have their place, which is on .50s, Cheytacs, and such. These rifles cannot be reasonably shot without a brake, but their long range capability suggest its unlikely they would be used on a standard rifle range where shooters were positioned close together.

I don't understand why anyone would use a brake while hunting. Rather than a brake, you need less gun if recoil is a problem. Recoil is best addressed through a quality recoil pad, proper gun fit, and the correct shooting technique. If it hurts, something is wrong, or the gun is too big for you. Either way, an adjustment must be made, perhaps to the LOP, perhaps to the quality of the recoil pad, perhaps to you shooting technique, but to trade flinch inducing recoil for flinch inducing blast seems counter productive. To continue using a rifle that is poorly set up for you, or to continue using a poor shooting technique, because you've traded one type of waste energy for another, will do little for your practical field marksmanship. Of course when shooting from the bench, a rifle can shoot tolerable groups even if the shooter is standing on his head, as he, for the most part, is removed from the equation.
 
stubblejumper said:
The amount that the noise to the shooter increases with a muzzle brake is considerable. I found that I had to wear both plugs and muffs to comfortably shoot a braked rifle. Since I won't hunt with hearing protection, I will never own another braked rifle.
Click to expand...

Times 2
 
I just came home from shooting NSCC. Many of the rifles, both service and precision, were fitted with brakes. Simply not an issue. At all. Of course, Connaught is a wide open range, with targets on 12 ft. centers. The only brake I have found to be really unpleasant was the one on a .50, being fired under a covered firing point.
 
About 2 years ago, I was shooting my rifle & the shooter beside me had a muzzle brake.
I was wearing quality ear muffs & but the muzzle blast was still bad.
On the way home, my car radio sounded fuzzy. To make this short, I would up having to get hearing aids. Believe me, they are NOT fun.
 
GunNewb said:
I just learned about muzzle brakes and read this field and stream article... http://www.fieldandstream.com/node/1000312299

It's hunters ragging on muzzle breaks. Im new to this- it reduces recoil substantially and makes the gun louder- when you should be wearing hearing protection anyway. You can even take it off the rifle when hunting and put it back on when you hit the range, allowing you to practice up with your ridiculous magnum or just enjoy a reasonable calibre (30-06).


Is this just fuddery protesting newfangled technology that results in better shooting; or is there a reason why muzzle brakes arent awesome?
Click to expand...

You got enough lines in the water, you should get a bite......
 
My local range is full of braked rifles including my own. The concussive effect if you are near by is somewhat unpleasant and you should double up on hearing protection. Bring extra in ear protection to hand out to others and let them know you have a brake. I say get a break and if others don't like it thats their problem!
 
I did not know there was a problem hunting with a rifle with a brake. I suppose the grass or the trees could get upset.

Anyone who does not wear ear protection when they shoot is looking for long term hearing loss, braked or not braked.

Hunting, range, shooting gophers ---- your ears dont know the difference.
 
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