Does a $200 muzzle brake really work better than a $20 one?

[Lead Waster]

I was looking at some brakes to replace my "flash hider" that come on an upper. The price range is nuts. From $15 for some cheapo from eBay all the way to close to $200 for some high end ones.

OK, so sure the cheap ones look ... cheap. A piece of steel with holes drilled in it with a hand drill, and the expensive ones look like some master machinist lovingly milled it with some expensive mill. BUT in the end ... aren't they just blocks of steel with holes in them?

Even some cheap ones have "chambers and slits", etc.

Do you guys think they really make a difference for ... range shooting from semi autos? I think for a bolt gun, they are useless because by the time you work the bolt, the gun has settled. For a semi-auto well, typically you are looking for your sight picture to return so you can quickly tap some target a second time in some rifle run-and-gun game. And for full auto ... well, who cares really unless you have some $20,000 autosear in which case you'd probably buy the $200 comp anyway.

So, for the average range shooter who might dabble in multi-gun ... does it really make any difference whether you screw on some masterpiece of milling or a chunk of steel with holes in the top?

I can see that DESIGN might make much more of a difference than "quality" of manufacture. But for range purposes does some multi-chambered masterpiece really WORK better than a cylinder with holes on the side and top to help mitigate muzzle rise?

Also ... I'm guessing for most medium caliber (.223/7.62) rifles, RECOIL is not an issue, but MUZZLE RISE might be.

Discuss...

[dousan]

Google muzzle brake test and there are some really great tests. I recall one was 3 parts with a bunch of brakes tested

[MrBlazito]

Here you go OP. Get some popcorn and enjoy.

[baih777]

Muzzle bakes need to be concentric to the bore and the hole diameter recommended be .020 bigger than the bullet.
My last ebay one had a 1/2 inch bore for 223.
I put this one on instead. Its legal.

https://www.strikeindustries.com/shop/index.php/sail-comp-for-223-5-56.html

[becxltoo984]

Cant beat this one for around $22.00

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Strike-Industries-WarHog-Comp-Muzzle-brake-5-56-223-22L-Ultra-Compact-1-2x28/401376191114?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

[kcheung2]

In many of those tests the $16 ebay/amazon version consistently scores in the top 1/3. Cost has very little to do with the physics of how well a brake redirects muzzle blast. It's more to do with machining complexity & quality. And profit margin, of course.

[Junkie]

I like the VG6 Gamma, and have picked up a few for $40 on sale

[Doheny]

Wasn't there a thread here a few days ago for a brake that cost around ten bucks? I've been trying to find it.

[Stanze]

I bought a Radical Firearms 5.56 NADA Zero Impulse Muzzle Brake for my featureless build last Primary Arms Memorial Day sale for $19.99

http://www.primaryarms.com/ZS556-CW

Regular price is $65.99

I haven't tried it yet.

[Sneaky]

I have an M4-72 and it works awesome! But the people next to you may give you dirty looks because the blast is pretty rough.

[kenl]

Muzzle bakes need to be concentric to the bore and the hole diameter recommended be .020 bigger than the bullet.
My last ebay one had a 1/2 inch bore for 223.
I put this one on instead. Its legal.

https://www.strikeindustries.com/sho...-223-5-56.html

someone (i think it was the same guy who did the others tests) checked out mbs for a 6.5 grendel. He found that there was very little difference between ones designed for 6.5 and ones originally built for a .30 cal.

Sorry, can't find the article right now

[M1NM]

Yes a high dollar one may be better in tests. Your shoulder won't be able to tell the difference.

[black_bunny]

I personally have an ebay one that was made in america at $35. it looks pretty good quality and it does the job just fine. someone else mentioned it but if you go on youtube and search "muzzle brake test" theres like 4 videos and the guy breaks it down from performance, quality, weight, and price. I went with thunder industries heart breaker cause at $65 it was one of the lightest and it was in the top 5 performance wise. I cant really tell the difference between the ebay one and the heart breaker brake. there might be a small difference but nothing i can really notice. that being said honestly the ebay ones seem to work just fine. just stick with one thats at least made in america.

[Scratch705]

I think for a bolt gun, they are useless because by the time you work the bolt, the gun has settled.

actually for a bolt gun, having a muzzle brake is to help the shooter to be able to spot their own shot/impacts. without a brake, a bolt gun will jump off target after each shot.

[stevebla]

Muzzle devices have the potential to affect accuracy. I don't buy the cheapest or most expensive find a good middle ground.