Thread: Muzzle brakes

Am I right in thinking that the directional brakes( terminator etc) are a fit and use operation. Ie; not removable. Some of the radial brakes say they ate removable and that you can have an equivalent size tube on to keep POI much the same.
Also, I have some sonic defender earplugs that still Dr pretty loud with my regular bare rifles. Are they ok to use for single shot hunting with a braked magnum?
Also, how much of a problem is a radial brake prone on dry ground...does something like a raincoat under the muzzle mitigate getting s..t in your eyes?
Appreciate your thoughts.

Sorry about typos

Get a Terminator & good heating protection. They are removable. Yes radial brakes can blast shite into your eyes

Cool, you can screw them on and off with a spanner presumably.

I just do mine up hand tight

Directional brakes are a fit and use option. Taking them on and off may cause wear which will change the position of the brake on the barrel. The radial brake appears to offer the option of remove or substitute for a non-braked tube but it is not practical. Browning offered something like that with their BOSS system (which has a locking ring) but it is quite a performance getting the accuracy sorted out so changing the brake is not something to contemplate doing in the field. Sonic defender ear plugs are more advertising that hearing safety; in my experience, one shot was enough for me to realize how inadequate are the sonic plugs. You need really effective hearing protection when using a brake (and for those around you) or you will lose your hearing and gain tinnitus, especially with a braked magnum. I've used a radial braked magnum for about 15 years and never noticed the dust effect in the eyes that keeps on coming up in the internet stories and in magazine advertising. I think it may be a selling point rather than something real, at least in NZ rather than Iraq. If you want to reduce recoil and also have the option of taking the recoil reduction device on and off, have a silencer fitted.

Originally Posted by chainsaw

I just do mine up hand tight

Same. I hardly use it unless shooting steel. Hand tight works for me over a days session and doesn't stress the threads or top dead center.

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Originally Posted by stevodog

Am I right in thinking that the directional brakes( terminator etc) are a fit and use operation. Ie; not removable. Some of the radial brakes say they ate removable and that you can have an equivalent size tube on to keep POI much the same.
Also, I have some sonic defender earplugs that still Dr pretty loud with my regular bare rifles. Are they ok to use for single shot hunting with a braked magnum?
Also, how much of a problem is a radial brake prone on dry ground...does something like a raincoat under the muzzle mitigate getting s..t in your eyes?
Appreciate your thoughts.

Raincoat under a muzzle brake might mean time for a new raincoat..... or some extra ventilation. ..

Haha...true that

I've recently had a T2 side ported brake put on my new 28 Nosler.

My smith slightly under indexed it to allow for it eventually settling on the shoulder after being taken on and off a few times.

The brake is bloody amaising, it's a hunting weight rifle pushing 195gr bullets at 3100.

It is super easy to shoot, my suppressed 7mm08 has more felt recoil, no joke.

I just use the cheap flanged christmas tree style ear plugs on a string, they are fast to get in and I only hear a dull thud. They work very well and only about $4 a pair.

I had a radial in a previous rifle. Built a new one and put a T2 terminator on it wouldn’t go back to a redial. T2 is the way to go hands down.

see a terminator brake was in the top ten at king of 2 mile.

Thanks for the info all. Would electronic earmuffs be ok for bush hunting with brake on? I'm looking at 20-22 inch barrel something boomstick

Ideally you should always wear hearing protection while hunting (even with suppressed rifles). Although it is definitely not very practical, earmuffs work okay in the bush but the sweat and sound difference doesn’t suit me, luckily I basically do no bush stalking.

What I want to reiterate is that, use the best hearing protection you can afford. I have recently got custom ear plugs made by an Audiologist. So that they are actually fitted to the shape of an individual ear. They are great but aren’t grade 5+ earMUFFS unfortunately.

Take it from me..
It sucks big time to lose your hearing, I have a permanent hearing loss in both ears from ONE shotgun blast. I was a child at the time which makes it easier to get damage. Constant ringing in my ears, reduced hearing ability and hearing aids for life are the result.

Be careful and my advice is grade 5+ earmuffs and earplugs. Double up. Try to avoid shooting in confined spaces like under sheds etc this does direct the noise back to the shooter.

At the end of the day though I love the T3 brake on my rifle it reduces so much recoil it’s hard to believe. Just got to carry good hearing protection for yourself and others while hunting.

Nice to read the whole thread and, so far, no mention of a single muzzle break. This may happen with cheap Chinese bamboo barrels.