Muzzlebrakes may not be suitable for all applications, but they definitely can provide a HUGE percentage reduction of recoil energy – especially with magnum-type cartridges. This can significantly ease the discomfort of shooting these hard-recoiling calibres. Muzzlebrakes work by redirecting the propellant gas perpendicular to the centreline of the bore as it exits the muzzle, rather than allowing it to push forward in line with the bullet, which not only disrupts the bullets flight, but also shoves the rifle rearward due to the ‘jetting effect’ of the propellant gas. This uncontrolled recoil effect is not only an uncomfortable (and sometimes painful) experience for the shooter, but it also puts considerable stress on the rifles scope mechanism and mounting, as well as the stock and recoil lug system.
The four main methods of reducing recoil effect are to: add weight to the rifle, fit a recoil pad, fit a silencer/suppressor, or fit a muzzle brake. A combination of these things may often be used. Fitting a recoil pad is no problem, but the other three options come with some drawbacks.
- Added weight will help to reduce recoil, but obviously makes the rifle heavier to carry around and may adversely affect the balance/feel of the rifle.
- A suppressor will reduce recoil and also reduce noise, but can add significant weight and bulk to a rifle. They may sometimes cause a larger point of impact shift, but not always. Hot suppressors can also create a heat shimmer/mirage effect, and can make a barrel heat up quicker and then stay hot for longer. Suppressors that are robust enough to handle magnum pressures are also usually heavier.
- A good muzzlebrake will reduce recoil while adding minimally to the weight and overall length of the rifle. There is usually a slight bullet point of impact shift depending on whether the brake is fitted or removed.(This is also the case with suppressors or flash-hiders as well.) The downside is that they do significantly increase the muzzleblast/noise out to the side of the shooter. As a result hearing protection MUST be worn when firing the rifle.
As they say ‘there is no such thing as a free lunch’, and there is always a trade-off. However, the negative effect of the muzzlebrake noise/pressure wave can be easily negated by fitting earplugs (and/or other hearing protection such as ear muffs), when you are shooting. In most cases this is easily done, especially in range shooting situations, or for long range hunting when you have plenty of time to line up the shot. If you are bush hunting and don’t want the brake on, you can simply remove it and fit a thread protector cap. This is the big advantage of our screwed-on brake system over the integral or permanent porting modifications, such as ‘Mag-na-port’. The brakes can also be removed regularly when you are cleaning the rifles bore with copper solvent and gun oils.
After extensive testing our new ‘max’ series, high-efficiency compact muzzlebrakes are now available to the market.
- MAXIMUM RECOIL REDUCTION
- MAXIMUM MUZZLE CONTROL
- MINIMUM ADDED LENGTH
- MAXIMUM RETAINED ACCURACY POTENTIAL
CNC produced, or custom made-to-order options. Designed and made in NZ.
