Do muzzle devices effect accuracy?

[Droppin Deuces]

So I'm building a new AR - basically a complete 16" LaRue - and it will be primarily a bench gun first, then plinker, then planet saver.
At the moment, I'm a little hung up on my choice of muzzle devices. My first choice is the AAC Blackout flash hider with the Battlecomp being a close second.
With all other things being equal and knowing that the purpose of each of these is very different, which one will ultimately effect accuracy the most, if at all?

[B Strong]

So I'm building a new AR - basically a complete 16" LaRue - and it will be primarily a bench gun first, then plinker, then planet saver.
At the moment, I'm a little hung up on my choice of muzzle devices. My first choice is the AAC Blackout flash hider with the Battlecomp being a close second.
With all other things being equal and knowing that the purpose of each of these is very different, which one will ultimately effect accuracy the most, if at all?

Anything you hang on the muzzle end will effect accuracy to one extent or another, but the only way you'll know is to test each one on your particular rifle - there is no standard accuracy effect table available, because each rifle is unique unto itself, just like each shooter - one zero doesn't fit all and one muzzle device doesn't have the same effect on every rifle.

[kahai808]

Anything you hang on the muzzle end will effect accuracy to one extent or another, but the only way you'll know is to test each one on your particular rifle - there is no standard accuracy effect table available, because each rifle is unique unto itself, just like each shooter - one zero doesn't fit all and one muzzle device doesn't have the same effect on every rifle.

Couldnt say it better!

[Droppin Deuces]

Understood. Probably won't do much testing, so I'll just get what I think looks the best. Thanks!

[goodlookin1]

If you're a target shooter, it might affect accuracy....especially over long distances. But it is my understanding that these devices do not necessarily affect accuracy, but rather just changes your Point of Impact. So long as it hits the new POI consistently, then you havent lost accuracy.....you only need to readjust your sight alignment/re-zero your scope.

Maybe I'm wrong, I dunno. I havent found any accuracy loss, anyways.

[Nathan Krynn]

If you're a target shooter, it might affect accuracy....especially over long distances. But it is my understanding that these devices do not necessarily affect accuracy, but rather just changes your Point of Impact. So long as it hits the new POI consistently, then you havent lost accuracy.....you only need to readjust your sight alignment/re-zero your scope.

Maybe I'm wrong, I dunno. I havent found any accuracy loss, anyways.

+1 on this one

[tiger222]

Whatever you install, make sure it does not move from installed position, if the device is not tight and it spins one way or the other your POI will move....

[captbilly]

If you want it for a bench gun than no muzzle device

Anything you hang on the muzzle end will effect accuracy to one extent or another, but the only way you'll know is to test each one on your particular rifle - there is no standard accuracy effect table available, because each rifle is unique unto itself, just like each shooter - one zero doesn't fit all and one muzzle device doesn't have the same effect on every rifle.

I know that an AR doesn't "look right" without a muzzle device but you do have to ask yourself why do you want one? No serious bench shooter would ever consider anything other than a nice target crown on their rifle because extensive testing has shown that muzzle breaks, flash suppressors, sound suppressors, etc. all have a negative impact on accuracy. What happens is that the muzzle device creates turbulence on the exhaust gases coming out of the muzzle, and since these travel faster than the bullet they will push the bullet in unpredictable ways. It's not likely that a simple flash hider is going to take your gun from a 0.5 MOA gun to a 5 MOA gun but it will almost certainly be worse with the device than without.

But the other big issue for me is this. Most people want the shortest barrel possible on their AR. For us Californians that is 16". If you add a muzzle device and still stick to 16" you barrel will actually be even shorter than 16" (generally 14.5" or even shorter). You are probably giving up 50-75 fps, or more, for that muzzle device, and what do you get in return? Slightly less muzzle flash? Does that matter to you? If you use a brake then you will get some reduction in recoil but an AR's recoil is so low as to be a non-issue for most people, so reducing this already very low recoil to an even lower amount seems to be of little value, especially for a bench gun. Some guys precision shooting that requires rapid fire do care about the very light recoil because it take slightly longer to get back on target. By the way a brake will piss off the people sitting next to you on the bench because it redirects gases and noise backwards (that is how it works) towards the side.

[Nathan Krynn]

Good valid points. I have built some AR's with just a crown and they do look weird.

I will say this though I do use brakes as it does limit muzzle raise and when I am in a 3 gun type event it makes the follow up shots way faster. I really don't care if people think it is too noisy at the range, its a gun range, but we do use a private one for the most part.

[Droppin Deuces]

Well, it's not going to be a bench gun only, but that's more than likely where it will see the most action. So I wouldn't necessarily say I'm going to be a serious bench shooter. The point of this gun will be to have something that will reward me better when target shooting than my other carbines currently do, but also do the things that those other carbines do.
I have a "plinking/fun" gun and a "SHTF" gun(both standard carbines - one piston and one DI). I guess this will be my "If the SHTF when I'm out plinking" gun.

[lazuris]

If money is an issue focus on an aftermarket trigger 1st. Inconsistant triggers = inconsistant POI. A good break will reduce felt recoil and allow for faster followup shots. Any point of aim point of impact changes due to break installation will be resolved as you re-zero the scope. I'd recomend a PWS break. They work great and dramatically alter felt recoil. However, the guy next to you won't like you very much.

[Droppin Deuces]

Trigger is done. Everything about the rifle is or will be top notch, I just wasn't clear about the effect of the different muzzle devices.
I'm thinking I may just go with the AAC or Vortex. I get the feeling I won't be very well liked with a brake on there...

[Nathan Krynn]

Its a gun range, its going to be loud.

[Droppin Deuces]

I know.. But I know how irritating it can be to have some dude blasting away right next to me with an excessivley loud rifle. Especially when I'm trying to focus. I don't want to be that guy =)

[Nathan Krynn]

I can understand being that courteous.

I am just spoiled by my range and I need my rifles the way they are, some need brakes to get those 5+ rounds a second and expect them to be on target.