Considering 3 Brands-Models of Muzzle Brakes- Any Opinions?

I have both the APA Fat Bastard Gen 2 and Gen 3. IMO Gen 2 is fine as Gen 3 rise adjustment is minimal. I have shot other rifles with different brakes, including T3 & T4. None of the other brakes surpassed the American made 🇺🇸 APA Fat Bastards.
 
That Hypertap was 83% effective on a .223, they did not give data for a .338. The bigger the rifle, the lower the percent reduction in recoil vs. a smaller caliber rifle. Ie, you can get a lot more recoil reduction as a percentage on a small caliber than a bigger caliber.
I'm thinking these bigger caliber rifles you can only get 40-50% reduction in the base amount of recoil, not 84%.

So, I've learned you have to look closely at what they advertise and how its based ---on what benchmark?

I'm learning a lot about what to look for and how to look for it by going through this thread with all of you.

This is really tops in my book and it compares the Fat Bastard to the T-4 and the MBM beast heads up. How do you
not look at hard data like this? I would like to have seen some of the APA products in this test by the way. I could be mistaken but don't think the were in there? Did I miss them?


https://muzzlebrakesandmore.com/testing-videos
 
Veteran said:
I have a .338 Lapua Magnum, Savage BA-110 LE , 17 lbs. I plan to use it mainly for long range targets, and long range hunting, all from a fixed, set
position, so weight is not a big deal. I am more concerned with Recoil reduction and accuracy and achieving a balance or the optimum best of both worlds for those two criteria, though I think I understand there is possibly some trade-off or conflict in the two depending on HOW recoil is reduced in a specific muzzle brake. I have read that accuracy is improved when there is a more balanced approach to have gas ports on the bottom and the top, regardless of the potential for dust signature, or flying debris. This is from actual testing of MOA vs. port design.

Here are the three my search has turned up that seem promising:

1) American Precision Arms - Fat Bastard, Generation 3 with tunable top and bottom gas ports.
Is the tunable part of this more hype than actual help? Does it just add another dimension of uncertainty or can it be deciphered--does it work?

2) Terminator T-4 (now available in the U.S. market)

3) Precision Armament - Hypertap or M11- Severe Duty

I'm more concerned with achieving accuracy and reducing recoil than the cost difference between all these choices, unless I can just get the same or very close to the same result from one of these and save several hundred dollars vs. other choices. But how would you rank the very best technical solution out of these three? Then what about the Bang for your buck choice?

I plan to integrate a barrel tuner in with this new brake. I have not yet decided which one. I am still looking at the EC Tuner, the ATS, The Ezell PDT,
and Harrell's, but using one of these brakes, because I think these brakes are better than the integrated tuner brake products offered for the
.338 LM rifle. Ie, I might just go with an integrated product if this was for a 6.5 Creedmoor or 7 mm mag. or something, but I want something a little better for the .338 LM and a tuner too.

Thank you in advance for any thoughts, ideas, questions, and your experience most of all.
Click to expand...
Ever consider trying EC tuner Erik Cortina
 
Warrior74 said:
Ever consider trying EC tuner Erik Cortina
Click to expand...
Yes, I am considering it, along with the Harrell's, ATS, Ezell PDT, etc. I have not narrowed that down yet except I don't think I want one either the EC or the Harrell's that has their own brake integrated already. It would be easier but from what I am seeing here, all brakes are not created equal, and some are much better than others. So, I'm looking for the best brake then will figure out the tuner to go with it.
 
I have a Ruger 77 stainless in 338 Win mag. Although I never minded the recoil my son found it a bit much (he's an adult). I sent it to Hill Country rifles in New Braunfels, Texas to have it accurized and have a muzzle brake installed. They suggested a Vaias muzzle brake. The muzzle brake is stainless matching the barrel, permanently installed, and looks as if the rifle were delivered from the factory this way. The accuracy job was fantastic, the recoil reduction unbelievable. I would say at most the recoil is much closer to my 6.5x55 Swede or possibly akin to my 270 Win. I was very pleased with the workmanship and overall result of both the accuracy job and the brake. Some might prefer a brake that can be removed vs the Vaias. I'm totally happy with my set up. Wear ear muffs but then again, who wouldn't fire a 338 Win mag without hearing protection? Just as an aside, Hill Country built me a very nice 7 STW on a supplied Remmington 700 action, also braked. Minimal recoil, superbly accurate! I took a buck and a cow elk with it last fall.
 
You want the best, go with Ultradyne. Excellent recoil reduction & excellent on muzzle rise. By far the best brakes and made in the USA!
 
Terminator Brakes are amazing for recoil reduction and accuracy. We've got rifles with T1's through T4's. My T4 is amazing as well. VERY little recoil.

Only bummer is, I have a TBAC Ultra 9 currently and an Ultra 338 Suppressor on the way and going to have to change to their brakes sooner or later before season. I like my T4 so much, I've put off even shooting that rifle suppressed so I don't potentially decrease accuracy and gain recoil. Plan on shooting only suppressed if I can help it, otherwise all my rifles would wear Terminator brakes.
 
I haven't given it much thought. I do have a muzzle brake on my .338WM. It reduced the recoil greatly. It was built by a gunsmith here in Montana. It's set up I would call a 360 degree brake. Being it vented in a 360 degree. The porthole aren't nearly as large as others I've seen. That maybe because it's cover over the main part. I will have to ask him about it. I use it in Africa 2 year ago. I never lost sight of the animal I was shooting in my scope (2x8 Leupold). Yardage was not much more than 50yds at any animal. 2nd round chamber within a few seconds and ready to shot if needed. None of the animal never travel more than 40 yards or so from where they were hit. Watched all travel and drop in my scope. I was more than ready to shot again if needed.
The gunsmith when though what he does, and that it is set up not to have much in jump nor blow dust either. I haven't really tested it for muzzle velocity lost if any. Grouping didn't change that I notices. Now you have me thinking. I realize that won't get me to far, but I will have to explore to make a better assessment of what's going on at lease with that brake. Accuracies and velocity are what I work towards. I do feel that a muzzle brakes is a lot easier on the shoulder. This is going to be interesting, because I have 2 rifles coming out somewhere in the next few months. One from a the gunsmith that place the first muzzle brake, and another smith with a different brake.
 
Veteran said:
I have a .338 Lapua Magnum, Savage BA-110 LE , 17 lbs. I plan to use it mainly for long range targets, and long range hunting, all from a fixed, set
position, so weight is not a big deal. I am more concerned with Recoil reduction and accuracy and achieving a balance or the optimum best of both worlds for those two criteria, though I think I understand there is possibly some trade-off or conflict in the two depending on HOW recoil is reduced in a specific muzzle brake. I have read that accuracy is improved when there is a more balanced approach to have gas ports on the bottom and the top, regardless of the potential for dust signature, or flying debris. This is from actual testing of MOA vs. port design.

Here are the three my search has turned up that seem promising:

1) American Precision Arms - Fat Bastard, Generation 3 with tunable top and bottom gas ports.
Is the tunable part of this more hype than actual help? Does it just add another dimension of uncertainty or can it be deciphered--does it work?

2) Terminator T-4 (now available in the U.S. market)

3) Precision Armament - Hypertap or M11- Severe Duty

I'm more concerned with achieving accuracy and reducing recoil than the cost difference between all these choices, unless I can just get the same or very close to the same result from one of these and save several hundred dollars vs. other choices. But how would you rank the very best technical solution out of these three? Then what about the Bang for your buck choice?

I plan to integrate a barrel tuner in with this new brake. I have not yet decided which one. I am still looking at the EC Tuner, the ATS, The Ezell PDT,
and Harrell's, but using one of these brakes, because I think these brakes are better than the integrated tuner brake products offered for the
.338 LM rifle. Ie, I might just go with an integrated product if this was for a 6.5 Creedmoor or 7 mm mag. or something, but I want something a little better for the .338 LM and a tuner too.

Thank you in advance for any thoughts, ideas, questions, and your experience most of all.
Click to expand...
T 4
 
WeekendWarrior said:
Considering the long range application as well as recoil reduction, you might want to consider Erik Cortina's tuner-brake combo, not just his tuner. https://erikcortina.com/store/ols/products/ec-tuner-brake-ss-65mm

I know you want separate parts to combine afterwards, but Erik has done a great job with the brake and I personally dont think there is a difference in performance because he sells the brake and tuner as a single unit. I have this on my Savage 110 ba 300wm, and it's awesome. The recoil reduction is far greater than the brake my rifle came with. I know it's only subjective data, but it is what I experience. I used to get a bruised shoulder after shooting a box of ammo with the savage brake, I switched to the EC tuner-brake and two weeks ago I shot 60 rounds to generate some load DOPE without issue. I guess you could buy a larger brake and attach a tuner to it, but its hard to beat the nice four port brake Erik designed, and happened to thread to be compatible with a tuner.

For what it's worth, I did a custom 300wm ultralite hunting build and have been using the five port design brake (more similar to the brakes you are considering) from Rokslide: https://store.rokslide.com/ti-pro-3-st-p81.aspx. My shoulder feels about the same shooting a few boxes of ammo with this brake vs the EC tuner-brake.

The key for me was reducing the recoil enough to spot shots, and I'm able to do that with either brake. Just my 2 cents...
Click to expand...
How much milling is required to attach the Erik Cortina EC Tuner/Brake.. ??? Several months ago I saw a video where it required a LOT of milling. I heard his new ones do not require it but Im not positive?
 

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