Muscle Brake question

[CRNA]

Been looking into putting a brake on my 7RM after hunting season. I was looking at various websites of muzzle brake manufacturers and saw the site that offers the Muscle Brake. Question is: would it be completely ridiculous to put a 4 port magnum Muscle Brake on my gun? It looks like it may be the one that would decrease the recoil the most, but is it overkill?

Also, any other opinions of what brakes to look at? I want something that is going to really drop recoil, and preferably do it without throwing a shovelful of dirt in the air when shooting prone. I have heard that some brakes are quieter than others, but I wonder how "quiet" any brake could really be.

I have never owned a braked gun, so I'm completely in the dark. I know a lot of guys on here do use them though, so I'm counting on y'alls experience.
Thanks
Steve

 

[rscott5028]

I have several different brakes on various rifles. My 2 favorites are CSR and Holland.

I have a 3 port CSR Muscle Brake on my 300WM and it works nicely.

I also like the Holland QD brake a lot on my 6.5x284. But, I can't draw a fair comparison between them.

Most of the gases escape from the 1st port and some from the 2nd and 3rd. I've been told by some mfgs that the 4th port is mostly because some guys subscribe to the more is better theory.

As a general rule, the more effective a brake is, the more noise it makes. But, some brakes do a better job of diverting some of the noise away from the shooter.

-- richard

 

[joe0121]

I want a muscle break for my .308. how hard would it be to install if the barrel is already threaded. Whats involved in timing it.

 

[rscott5028]

I want a muscle break for my .308. how hard would it be to install if the barrel is already threaded. Whats involved in timing it.

Measure the thread size and pitch on your barrel. Then, call Center Shot Rifles and verify that he has what you need.

You can install it by hand and use a file or belt sander etc to time it or just use spacers.

In anycase, you'll need the bore of the brake reamed to .020-.030" over your caliber.

The cost of installation by a good smith is far less than the cost of messing it up if you don't have the right tools.

-- richard

 

[joe0121]

Measure the thread size and pitch on your barrel. Then, call Center Shot Rifles and verify that he has what you need.

You can install it by hand and use a file or belt sander etc to time it or just use spacers.

In anycase, you'll need the bore of the brake reamed to .020-.030" over your caliber.

The cost of installation by a good smith is far less than the cost of messing it up if you don't have the right tools.

-- richard

Not so much the cost it's the time. Only one smith within 50 miles of me and hes like 80 years old it's at least a month wait for about anything. Plus this is a DIY build from the word go so I want to do as much as I can on my own.

 

[rscott5028]

If it's already threaded and you're a DIY kinda guy, then it's not difficult.

Call Jim at CSR tomorrow and he'll point you in the right direction.

-- richard

 

[AZShooter]

To the original poster: You don't need a muzzle brake on a 7 Rem mag. While a few could argue that it would make your 7 Rem Mag a pussycat the recoil is so low as to not warrant one. The trade off will be hearing loss PERIOD. Even if you use plugs and muffs the brake will get through. No point in doing that for a rifle that has reasonable recoil. Maybe when you make a 408 CheyTac or some other monster rifle get the brake. My opinion.

 

[CRNA]

To the original poster: You don't need a muzzle brake on a 7 Rem mag. While a few could argue that it would make your 7 Rem Mag a pussycat the recoil is so low as to not warrant one. The trade off will be hearing loss PERIOD. Even if you use plugs and muffs the brake will get through. No point in doing that for a rifle that has reasonable recoil. Maybe when you make a 408 CheyTac or some other monster rifle get the brake. My opinion.

Are you serious?

 

[joe0121]

If it's already threaded and you're a DIY kinda guy, then it's not difficult.

Call Jim at CSR tomorrow and he'll point you in the right direction.

-- richard

Thanks! I'm a couple months off, waiting on my stock to arrive. Should be a hoot. I'm gonna cerakoate it, lap the lugs etc. Once I get 50 rounds down range If I get to 1/2 MOA I'm stopping there. If not Ill have the action trued.

 

[joe0121]

Are you serious?

I'm all about breaks. Heck I'd use one on a .223. It's not recoil pain it's follow up shots that im interested in.

 

[CRNA]

I'm all about breaks. Heck I'd use one on a .223. It's not recoil pain it's follow up shots that im interested in.

Thats exactly my point. I can shoot my 13+lb 7RM for 50 rounds in a session with a tshirt on and never be uncomfortable. I recently realized how nice low recoil can be shooting a friends gun.
I know they are loud. I would probably take the brake off to hunt with since I don't hunt with earplugs.
I have no problem with the fact that hearing loss would occur if shooting a braked gun and no protection.
I seriously question the poster that claims that there would be hearing loss while shooting a braked gun with both ear plugs and muffs.
And if so, then the Cheytac would blow the shooters ears off their head with a brake. Not sure how solid the logic is behind that post.

 

[ultraedge]

I use the 3 port slabbed musclebrake with top ports on my EDGE rifles and am really happy with them.You don"t get the concussion in your face.

 

[CRNA]

I use the 3 port slabbed musclebrake with top ports on my EDGE rifles and am really happy with them.You don"t get the concussion in your face.

Good to know. I will have to look into them. I don't like the idea of the shock wave hitting me.
I have read that Vais brakes are quieter, but they will kick up a good bit of dust and dirt.

 

[joe0121]

Thats exactly my point. I can shoot my 13+lb 7RM for 50 rounds in a session with a tshirt on and never be uncomfortable. I recently realized how nice low recoil can be shooting a friends gun.
I know they are loud. I would probably take the brake off to hunt with since I don't hunt with earplugs.
I have no problem with the fact that hearing loss would occur if shooting a braked gun and no protection.
I seriously question the poster that claims that there would be hearing loss while shooting a braked gun with both ear plugs and muffs.
And if so, then the Cheytac would blow the shooters ears off their head with a brake. Not sure how solid the logic is behind that post.

I've been in the Military, Marine Corps. And during my service I served on a Machine gun team, and gunner in Iraq. All I ever wore was the cheapo foam ear plugs. Sometimes none at all if I was on the radio. I ran the M2 and 240G and have some hearing loss obviously. I have also been on several helo's and c130 without ear plugs. So I know a thing or two about hearing loss as a result of fire arms. i've used everything from MRE toilette paper to cigarette buts (gross i know but better than being deaf at 21) in a pinch

If you wear a set of gel style ear plugs
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0044DEESS/?tag=lrhmag19-20

and decent ear muffs:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001T7QJ9O/?tag=lrhmag19-20"

I couldn't see any civilian small arm giving you issue with hearing loss.

For hunting if you have the coin they make what amount to a hearing aid, it amplifies certain sounds and if a noise above a certain level say 80DB it blocks it. Really spendy but i wish I had known about it when I was in Iraq. From what I understand a lot of spec ops units have them now.
In-Ear Hunting Hearing Aids - Speech Enhancement

To say putting a break on a weapon will result in hearing loss even with quality hearing protection is preposterous at best.