Muzzle Break Question.

[Napalm Bulldog]

What is a muzzle brake for? I have a Howa 1500 heavy barrel and was thinking of having a muzzle brake put on it. I think it makes the rifle a little more eye catching but besides that does anyone know the pros or cons of putting one on. Any info would be much appreciated. Thank you!

[EBR Works]

Pros: Reduced recoil & muzzle climb. Allows faster target acquisition for followup shot. Looks cool.

Cons: Increases muzzle blast. Pisses off other shooters around you.

Accuracy is unaffected if correctly installed.

Nice example video here:

http://primaryweapons.com/UserFiles/Media/DNTC308_web.wmv

[Tragic Image]

Pisses them off?...

or just makes them giggle if they're really Gun Enthusiasts?

[Dangerous1]

I was sandwiched between a couple of 50BMG guys at Angeles a couple of weekends ago. Their muzzle blasts were awesome! Blew my notepad and stuff off the bench.

[EBR Works]

I have had Angeles range employees curse and swear at me when shooting my short barreled .50 that has a very effective but epically loud brake. My .308 AR with Miculek brake has cleared people from the adjacent bench. I understand that they are banned from some competitions.

[EBR Works]

I was sandwiched between a couple of 50BMG guys at Angeles a couple of weekends ago. Their muzzle blasts were awesome! Blew my notepad and stuff off the bench.

Might have been me. I have inadvertently blown one of my AR builds on a bipod off the adjacent bench onto the concrete floor with the .50.

[Napalm Bulldog]

Thanks for the info, Now just have to figure out what kind to get.

[Super Spy]

I put one on my Ar recently...mostly so I'd have a featureless upper. It does help a bit with recoil and muzzle climb and yes the blast is louder and more directed sideways....I dig it!

[EBR Works]

Thanks for the info, Now just have to figure out what kind to get.

Is your barrel threaded currently? What caliber is the rifle?

[Napalm Bulldog]

.308 heavy barrel not threaded. 20 inch. Called ammo bros they said about $300 to put one on. They recomended one they have similar to a Holland break or a schrewed varmiter break. What would you suggest?

[EBR Works]

I would PM ar15barrels here for advice on this. He has a shop in Culver City. He'll take good care of you.

He threaded the barrel and installed the brake on my HB .308 AR.

[ar15barrels]

The primary advantage of a muzzle brake on a heavy barreled target rifle is the ability to see your impacts on mid-range to close targets.
If you are shooting by yourself, you probably are not seeing exactly where the bullet is landing on steel/reactive targets if the gun is still recovering from recoil.
The brake reduces the recoil so you can see closer impacts.
Past about 600yds, it does not make as much difference because the rifle will usually be recovered by the time the bullet lands.

It's around $120 to $150 for a muzzle brake install on a bolt gun, plus the cost of the brake.