Thread: Muzzle brakes

I’m looking for experiences around muzzle brakes namely different types / manufacturers of muzzle brakes and what they have as I have a rifle I’m looking to put a brake on rather than a suppressor to tame recoil.

Looking for peoples experiences with the different ones from DPT, Hardy, Terminator, etc

I have DPT on a 23 1/4 in 30-06. Standard 30cal can for which I got an extra baffle and the brake. Makes the rifle lovely to shoot. Recoil simply not an issue. Its an old bitser rifle, bought off here for not much, deadly accurate. The brake reduces effectiveness of suppression by approx the same as removing one baffle. I was happy to put the extra one in to bring it back to normal. I don't mind a greater OAL. I have shorter rigs if I need one.

Terminator was awesome on my 7rum. Doesn’t blast dirt off the ground like a radial does. But does push the blast back past you, buts that’s why they work so well

You will lose friends with a brake ....

+1 for Terminator with the side ports getting around the dust blow back you can get with radial brakes. Have used several different radial brakes that came on rifles I bought. Run a T2 on my 7mmBM and recoil is real tame. Have a Maizzie QC brake for light weight 280ai this is radial, reduces recoil well and has a unique feature, an outer sleeve, that that allows you to open or close the ports quickly and easily. Means you can leave brake on & ports closed while your walking in. Any up close shots that might present can be taken off hand without scrambling for ear protection. Noise level same as an unsuppessed rifle. And since DPT came out with their brake end caps for their suppressors I find myself using these nearly all the time. I feel the level of recoil reduction is not quite as effective as the dedicated muzzle brakes but the noise reduction is awesome. Best of both worlds

MountainGear also make a Ti brake if you’re after saving every gram you can

I have used directional and radial brakes and suppressors. The brakes reduce the recoil noticeably more than the suppressors. However, the noise from the brakes is significant and I would not consider firing a braked rifle without hearing protection. I have not noticed a problem with dust being blown about with the radial brake - but I don't shoot in a desert environment. I prefer the radial because I can take it off and replace the brake without the problem of realigning a directional brake. The rifles I have used shoot to a different point of impact with and without a brake. I have not noticed significant differences between one brand of brake and another in practice, other than the cosmetic appearance and the price. A plus for a braked rifle is the significant improvement in retaining sight picture after the shot.

Big fan of the untimed radial brakes, great accuracy, quick and easy to install or remove, not as loud as the large side port style.

Running a DPT radial brake on my 358 Win which I use for thermaling (180gr at 2750fps so lively recoil unbraked). With only 45mm eye relief with the Hik Micro still no weatherby eyebrow.

6.5 PRC also came with a radial brake from factory and recoil is like a 243, have also used that for thermaling.

Some years back I ran a radial brake on a .300 WM which tamed recoil but since then there’s been a lot of different businesses making brakes so I’m just trying to gauge which one to go for

Originally Posted by rupert

...the noise from the brakes is significant and I would not consider firing a braked rifle without hearing protection... I prefer the radial because I can take it off and replace the brake without the problem of realigning a directional brake. The rifles I have used shoot to a different point of impact with and without a brake...

I found this one great on my 7mmWSM: https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....x-28-a-105422/

Very good recoil reduction and deals with the issue of POI change. As @rupert says you definitely need hearing protection with a break, so you either carry your rifle without it on for quick shots or commit to having to put plugs in before taking a shot.

The noise wasn't a problem as I usually hunted alone, but I've switched to a can as I now often take my dog.

Mate has a terminator t3 well tames his 300. Only worth if you are shooting at range and have time for ear pro.

Iv had the quotromax from Deane maisey radial worked well and have had to Pro Ti their directional also work very well as above with the directional good for debris

I’ve seen others that have first port at 90 degrees to reduce blowback, always thought that would be a good idea

Terminator no question. Had a hardy but the sharp edges of the ports catch on everything. Tore th liner out of my gun bag trying to get ghe bastard out. Sold it and got a terminator t2 and never looked back