Installing a muzzle brake, is it worth it?

[longrange308]

Dear HighRoad Members,

I am considering installing a muzzle brake on my stock Remington 700. However, is it worth it, installing a muzzle brake on a stock rifle (non-custom)? Are there any benefits to installing a muzzle brake, or not? My rifle is a .308 Winchester, which is not known for a great amount of recoil, or at least to me anyway. A muzzle brake would improve the rifle cosmetically, but its kind of expensive just improving it's looks.

Let me know what you think

 

[pikid89]

it will definitely reduce the recoil assuming its a quality brake, but keep in mind that the brake will also dramatically increase the sound to an almost obnoxious level

given the moderate recoil of the 308, i think the money would be best spent elsewhere....but hey, its your rifle...

 

[jmr40]

I can't think of any good reason to put a muzzle brake on any bolt gun. On a rifle fired in full auto it may help enough with muzzle rise to make a difference there, but the negatives far outweigh any positives on anything else.

 

[cfullgraf]

I have a muzzle brake installed on a 223 Remington AR. I know, recoil in 223 Remington in a heavy barrel AR is very light.

It does reduce recoil. It does reduce muzzle jump.

It does increase noise behind the rifle.

If you shoot in a group, the noise is very unpleasant for the folks next to you.

I like mine and do not plan on removing it. Will I get another? I will make that decision when the time comes.

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

I am thinking of putting a muzzle brake on one of my Mosins just to keep from feeling like a punching bag after 30 or 40 rounds. I personally wouldn't put one on a .308 as I don't think the recoil is that bad.

 

[CD8226]

I have one on a 300 Win Mag. The only comment I will share is I killed a deer at a little over 200 yards and watched it fall in the scope. Try that without one. But it definiately increases the noise and also muzzle blast, a problem sometime early and late in the day.

 

[TonyAngel]

Just to be sure that I understand this. You are admitting that the recoil of a .308 isn't anything that is bothering you, but you want to add a muzzle brake because it's going to improve the "looks" of the rifle?

If this is right, I'd say it's foolish. The only thing that I could possibly see adding to a .308, is a suppressor.

 

[RX-178]

Well, here's my own experience with muzzle brakes, which I'll admit is pretty limited.

The first AK I had was a Century WASR, back when they were in the $350 or so price range. I didn't mind the recoil of it at all, it was fun to shoot, it was a pretty nice rifle. Sold it to my dad, and he still has it, and enjoys shooting it.

Some time after that I got an Arsenal SGL-21 from K-var, which came with an AK-74 style muzzle brake. I was /AMAZED/ at what a difference it made, even in the 7.62x39 which didn't kick hard in the first place. Not just for run-and-gun stuff, but just punching paper from a bench, it felt a lot better. I mean, unequivocal improvement, no ifs ands or buts about it.

It also made the thing louder than my PTR-91... which in my opinion was a bonus perk! None of my friends ever complained about how loud it was when they went shooting with me, so I don't know how much it's going to bother people.

I guess my point is, there's nothing wrong with putting a muzzle brake on a gun just for looks, but I think you'd be surprised how much better it feels to fire the rifle, even if you don't think the .308 round kicks very much.

 

[Kachok]

No way, there is nothing that will ruin a perfectly good 308 like making it stupid loud when it did not have any recoil to begin with. If there were a range here that would ban muzzle brakes completely they would get all of my buisness, because I hate those blasted things.

 

[longrange308]

Just to be sure that I understand this. You are admitting that the recoil of a .308 isn't anything that is bothering you, but you want to add a muzzle brake because it's going to improve the "looks" of the rifle?

If this is right, I'd say it's foolish. The only thing that I could possibly see adding to a .308, is a suppressor.

I don't think you read my post, or just didn't understand it. Go back and read it again, if you still don't understand it then give up and move on.

 

[dprice3844444]

it protects the silencer threads

 

[303 hunter]

Last year I bought a Remington 700 VTR in 308, with factory muzzle brake. It is LOUD! I do hunt with it some(with electronic muffs). If I had it to do over, I would buy another rifle without the brake. It is very accurate though, so I can live with it.

 

[husbandofaromanian]

Go all the way and get a silencer. A silencer is the ultimate brake, ultimate flash-suppressor and ultimate noise reducer all wrapped up into one. It can even shrink your groups.

I own two and I will no longer shoot without one. They make shooting much more pleasurable. They will also let you shoot without hearing protection.

 

[kcshooter]

I installed a brake on a .308 and it recoils like a .243. No kidding.

I had a pretty serious shoulder injury about 12 years ago, and for about 6 years following, the recoil from a .308 would leave me sore at best, immobile at worst. I could only put 20-30 rounds down range before I had to quit. This was when I had it installed and it allowed me to shoot well during this time without much pain or swelling.

I have flare ups from the injury now and then but no longer require the brake. I still like it.

Since that was my only scoped bolt action at that time (was mostly a pistol guy back then), to me, it was well worth it.

When I hunted, I took McNett wrap and wrapped the muzzle brake to cut down on the noise. No big deal. There are linear comps that cut down on the noise and still reduce recoil for .223 AR's, and they work, I have one, so possibly something like that for a .308 is out there?

For cosmetic improvement only? That's only something you and your budget can answer.

 

[mokin]

There are too many rifles out there with muzzle brakes that don't need them already.

 

[taliv]

if you only plink with the rifle slow fire from a bench, then no, for most people the benefit of reduced recoil will not be offset by the dramatically increased noise.


if you want to be competitive, you will need one. (excepting NRA matches where they are banned)
if you want to shoot practical long range, you will need one. (or a suppressor)
if you hunt you will NOT want one

vast majority of competitors are using them, and not for looks.

 

[mastiffhound]

My WASR-10 with slant brake would still rise pretty good with fast follow up shots. After getting a AK-74 style brake it doesn't seem to rise at all. Keep in mind that the 74 muzzle brake weighs about 10 to 15 times as much as the original slant brake though. It seems to help with recoil a bit but it didn't kick like a mule before either. I voted yes it was worth it. It made the gun seem to shoot better but my father in law thought so too. He doesn't have a dime invested in the WASR so the mental achievement (problem) that paying for something yourself creates isn't an issue.

 

[HankB]

I had my .375 H&H Mag-Na-Ported and it helped a lot - I'd say recoil was down 20%, but muzzle jump was cut in half.

A .308 doesn't kick much in most rifles, but you're considering a brake for aesthetic reasons . . . OK, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

I'm assuming it's one of those larger, screw-on breaks you're considering; it WILL reduce recoil - more than traditional Mag-Na-Port - but it will GREATLY increase noise at your ear. Your choice.

If you're only interested in aesthetics, an alternative would be to add a barrel band front sight with a hood and possibly the flip-up night sight option. You can view these at http://newenglandcustomgun.com/ - go to "Front Sights."

 

[adelbridge]

I dont know which 700 you have but if you want it to appreciate in value the way some collector guns have I would suggest leaving it unaltered.

 

[Robert]

On a hunting rifle or a bench rifle, no. On a competition rifle for use other than bench, you bet. Lowering even mild recoil will allow you to stay on target better and will make for easier follow up shots. So it really depends on the use of the rifle.

 

[Heavy-D]

I would only entertain a muzzle break to attenuate recoil. In this case, (for a .308) I would not do it. As others have said, the noise is deafning. I had a rifle with the BOSS system on it. I shot the thing onece without hearing protection (while hunting) and my ears rang for a week. I promptly purchased the conventional recoil attachment for the gun and replaced the ported muzzle break on the gun. It has remained in that configuration ever since.

 

[pcf]

Personally I hate muzzle brakes. The increased muzzle blast towards the shooter negates any advantages.

One other advantage of a muzzle brake or flash hider is protection of the crown. It's not a major issue on a rifle that's going to live on the bench, but for a game, hunting or tactical rifle I think it should be taken into consideration.

 

[TurtlePhish]

Everyone's made good points. If you want less recoil for whatever reason, get it. Just be warned of the noise and whatnot. If you feel that the benefits don't justify the cost, then maybe you'd be better off leaving it alone. I personally would get it if cost wasn't prohibitive, simply because there's no real reason to want more recoil (unless you're shooting a .22 ) and I wear earpro whenever I shoot (I am not a hunter).

Keep in mind that the 74 muzzle brake weighs about 10 to 15 times as much as the original slant brake though.

You probably have the Tapco brake if it weighs that much, and all the Tapco break really is is a muzzle weight. Real 74 brakes are mostly hollow and weigh very little.

 

[kcshooter]

I wear earpro whenever I shoot (I am not a hunter).

I wear electronic ear protection even when hunting.

 

[TurtlePhish]

I wear electronic ear protection even when hunting.

That's probably what I would do, too. I was referencing the many hunters who don't (ouch). With electronic earpro, your hearing isn't affected nearly as much as with standard plugs or muffs, so there isn't too much of a reason not to wear it.