Thread: Recoil Brake Noise

To what degree do brakes increase the noise compared to un-braked I wonder?
And what about when compared to a good suppressor?

Lastly, what about muzzle blast from a suppressor?

Originally Posted by Tahr

To what degree do brakes increase the noise compared to un-braked I wonder?
And what about when compared to a good suppressor?

Lastly, what about muzzle blast from a suppressor?

Without proper testing equipment it is hard to say.

I do know some brakes are louder than others, same with suppressors.

Some rifles/cartridges/calibres are louder using the same brake.

On centre fires in most circumstances suppressors aren't hearing safe.

Obviously they are more hearing safe than no suppressor or a muzzle brake.

Down range noise is greatly reduced with a suppressor or decent brake.

On non-magnum or heavy magnums shooting light projectiles a suppressor is much nicer to shoot.

Brakes are noisy, obnoxious, anti social devices that will save your shoulder & eyebrow

The noise from brakes is louder, mainly because the noise is directed back towards the shooter. Greg's brakes are awesome for recoil reduction, but you will feel the blast on your face, not unpleasant but it is there, I had a T2 on my 7RUM.
My 7SAUM with a radial brake doesn't direct the blast backwards, so you don't feel it on the face, but won't reduce the recoil as much as Greg's brakes.
I NEVER shoot any braked rifle without hearing protection so the noise increase isn't really an issue.
Suppressors are definitely quieter for the shooter.

On my old 17HMR I had an end of barrel Gunworks suppressor $99.00 on my new 17HMR I have a more expensive, over barrel, MAE suppressor and its gotta go its really noisy. Another DPT maybe? but then ill have baffle issues? and its a pissy HMR

No one else around you will thank you for using a brake. But for the shooter, it makes shooting your rifle a dream!

Some brakes increase the noise level to above where it's hearing safe even with hearing protection - the increased noise is more than the NRR of muffs/plugs

Muzzle Brakes: Sound Test - PrecisionRifleBlog.com

If using a decent side ported brake like a Terminator then yes to the shooter & all his lucky mates sitting next to him will be far louder than no brake, but to the animal you're firing at it is amazing how it diffuses the blast, the sound ends up rolling around the hills behind you & they don't seem to be able to pick a direction from where the shot was fired.

Plus your shoulder will love you for it

Originally Posted by Kiwi Greg

Without proper testing equipment it is hard to say.

I do know some brakes are louder than others, same with suppressors.

Some rifles/cartridges/calibres are louder using the same brake.

On centre fires in most circumstances suppressors aren't hearing safe.

Obviously they are more hearing safe than no suppressor or a muzzle brake.

Down range noise is greatly reduced with a suppressor or decent brake.

On non-magnum or heavy magnums shooting light projectiles a suppressor is much nicer to shoot.

Brakes are noisy, obnoxious, anti social devices that will save your shoulder & eyebrow

Greg,

U.S. MIL-STD 1474D and E specify 140 dB as the impulse noise peak exposure limit.

The European Unition directive 2003/10/EC specifys 137 dB for the same.

With an effective suppressor, those can be reached in pretty much all sporting & hunting centrefire calibres.

Whereas with a good and effective muzzle brake, the unsuppressed levels at the shooters ear can be 5-10 dB louder.

So the levels that the shooter will be exposed to are c. 163-170+ dB if not using any hearing protection.

Best Regards!

Tuukka Jokinen
Ase Utra sound suppressors

Originally Posted by Tuukka

Greg,

U.S. MIL-STD 1474D and E specify 140 dB as the impulse noise peak exposure limit.

The European Unition directive 2003/10/EC specifys 137 dB for the same.

With an effective suppressor, those can be reached in pretty much all sporting & hunting centrefire calibres.

Whereas with a good and effective muzzle brake, the unsuppressed levels at the shooters ear can be 5-10 dB louder.

So the levels that the shooter will be exposed to are c. 163-170+ dB if not using any hearing protection.

Best Regards!

Tuukka Jokinen
Ase Utra sound suppressors

Hearing safe is a very subjective subject, I'm not an expert but suppressed rifles still make my ears ring so damage is being done, not hearing "safe" for me.

I shot isn't too bad but multiple shots not so much, hearing damage is cumulative

Yes much better than no suppressor & miles better than any muzzle brake.

I have a couple of your suppressors I quite like them reasonably compact & lightish

Originally Posted by Tahr

To what degree do brakes increase the noise compared to un-braked I wonder?
And what about when compared to a good suppressor?

Lastly, what about muzzle blast from a suppressor?

F&^king LOUD! Unless you use decent hearing protection a suppressor is the only way to go. A good break like a terminator will make any big banger feel like a 243 though.

Originally Posted by Tussock

I got between the truck cab and a braked magnum when shooting off the deck of a truck. Probably the same as tucking in next to a bluff.

Percussion is like being kicked in the head from all directions at once.

Find out what damage that percussion does to your brain as the shockwave passes through your skull

I have used braked rifles that made your ears ring even though earplugs and the highest grade muffs were worn

The sound comes in through your face and forehead

Leaves you feeling a bit punch drunk sometimes


Terminator brakes are the quietest i have ever used for the shooter, loud for yer mates though

Quietest place to bino from is directly behind the shooter


Every time i do a load development and see that the rifle has a suppressor i say a little "you fuckin beauty"

Heard a story from a guy who let rip with his braked 338LM over the truck bonnet. When he got in to drive away after the event he was wondering what the f^ck the lines were all over his windscreen......it was cracked from the shock wave

Fuck#ng loud Bruce. Only ever used radial brakes on 7 rem mag or 7 saum (that's enough power for me) so can't comment re side discharge. Personally like suppressors better but on a magnum I reckon the long barrel and suppressor makes them too muzzle heavy for off hand shots.

Brakes are sort of like a necessary evil to stop you getting face caved in on a funny angle with a big booting gun. The noise is fuc$ing horrendous though.

Originally Posted by Mauser308

The radials are bastards over pumice too. Took me a few days to get the gritty scratches out of my eyes. Never again...

One the range, someone drops down next to me with one of those I find somewhere else to be - it's not worth it trying to shoot and flinching at someone else's report. I was RO2 a few days back and was standing behind a couple of guys one with a 7mm08 and the other a braked .308. They both touched of at the same time, and the blast wave was like a slap in the face. Even with plugs and muffs it hurt the ears...

Loudeners are just anti-social.

What would you suggest then... just go straight pipe?