Muzzle Brake

[Buckeye Bill]

Hello,

I was looking at a very nice Ruger M77 MKII in 30-06 today on a used rack. This one had a 22 inch barrel with another two inches of muzzle brake. It was a nice rifle with wood stock and nice gloss finish on the metal. It has after market rings that seemed like they were tall or High. The price was tempting but I just do not know anything about muzzle breaks.

How about a down fast lesson on muzzle brakes dealing with pros and cons.

Thanks!

 

[Sagebrush Burns]

They are loud!

 

[Buckeye Bill]

Ok, copy that.

Cons: Loud!

I will be wearing my hearing protection.

I do hear what you are saying that they are louder.



Bill

 

[DGW1949]

The side blast from a heavy caliber rifle with a brake is perty-bad. I'm talking bad enough that if ya shoot at a public range, no one wants to be around you. I'll leave it to you to decide whether that would be a pro or a con. :lol: .

DGW

 

[Kudu m77]

When shooting prone the brake kicks up a lot of dust. Guess it is not the end of the world but dust in your eyes and all over your rifle might bother you.

Pieter

 

[gmartinnc]

I don't want that extra weight on the end of my barrel, or the noise, or dust.

 

[rugerjunkie]

I dont see a need or a use for a brake on a hunting rifle. If it kicks too much you need a smaller caliber not a brake! Some are obnoxiously loud! If it was going to see a lot of bench time too then why not. Like was said...keep the ear muffs on!

Kicking up dust is remedied by having a brake without holes on the bottom. Some will say holes that are not symetric , like holes on the sides and top but none on the bottom , affect accuracy. I dont have any first hand knowledge of that.

Pros? Reduced recoil. A friend has a very effective brake on a varmint rig in a 6mm and be can keep the crosshairs on the pdogs when he is shooting. I have a 223 without a brake that most of the time cannot keep on them.

There are newer designs out there that claim to direct the gasses(noise) forward and away from the shooter. Probably quieter but less effective on recoil.

 

[700xcr]

Pro: It get you back on target faster after the shot. Reduces barrel rise.
That will put the target back into field of view faster. Reduces recoil, be like a push verse sharp and fast recoil.
Cons: loud and side muzzle blast. Person next to you know when you touch the trigger.
I have a brake on the 375 Ruger Guide Gun and can see the target in field of view through scope standing off hand after the shot.

 

[Buckeye Bill]

Thanks for the responses. Like I said, the break is on a used Ruger MKII in 30-06 that is sitting on a rack of used guns. The price is right and it is in very good condition. I do not much care for rifles with a great deal of recoil. I can handle 30-06 OK and the rifle would not see a great deal of use. Hunting and preparation for hunting at the range. It did catch my eye and I wanted to pick the brains of the Ruger forum members to draw from the vast pool of experience. I am always looking for another Ruger to ad to my collection.

Bill

 

[martyj]

If its in good shape should be a nice rifle to have. The extra noise the break might have actually doesn't bother the shooter.
If at a range most people have ear protection anyway.
I guess I hunt by myself and not as a group so I only get to see the benefits of having one and not the down side.
I would never pay the extra to have one installed but if its there use it to your advantage.

 

[Bloodhound]

My .338 77R came to me with a muzzle brake...I didn't think I would like it, but After a couple of years of shooting the rifle I really like it...softens up the recoil. Its still a thumper but not as bad as without it...mine screws off and I can shoot with or without the brake.