Doing a repost here to see if I can get some more replies

I recently had a chance to shoot a super 14 223 factory braked Contender.
I put one round through it and that was enough.
Even with ear plugs my ears were ringing.
I was shooting out in the open down a sendero in Texas and the report was truly awful.

I've been considering buying a 15" non braked or ported 25-06, 7mm-08, or 45-70 barrel for my Encore or Contender and would like to know if anyone could tell me how they might compare to the near deafning, braked 223.

I have no precise comparisons but offer some nearby data points. I've only ever heard one 223 wearing a blast enhancer (muzzle brake) and that was on a 20 inch AR15 racegun. I can assure you that damn silly rooneygun contraption was much, much louder than any short 45/70 I've ever heard whether 14, 15, 18-1/2 or 18-1/2 inch ported. Based on a few shots taken from an XP100 in 7mm08 I'll tell you it was louder than the factory (unbraked) 16 inch 223 I used to have for my Contender (or any number of 16 inch CAR15s, unthreaded or wearing only flash hiders. Haven't shot or heard shot a 15 inch 25'06 Encore but would expect it to be no fun without muffs AND puffs.

Yup ,I dont like muzzle brakes on any of my TC barrels.I have to wonder why anyone would have one on a 223 as it is a pussycat to begin with!!!

Assuming you use factory ammo, the 45-70 can be tolerable with the right load. The 350 grain loads are usually high velocity and make the most noise. A 25-06 is absolutely pointless in a 15" barrel. In fact, it will be as loud as the braked 223 or worse and second, you'll never see 50% of it's velocity potential. You will see a VERY impressive fireball, if that flips your skirt. The 7-08 will still be loud as hell but more efficient in a 15" barrel. Factory 7-08 ammo may or may not have the big fireball, depending on that particular load.

If you handload you can come up with a reasonable 7-08 load but there are better 7MM cases for that purpose. If you want a 25 caliber, look to a much smaller case too.

I have a 308 barrel with a break on it. Recoil is light but the noise is deafening even with hearing protection. My 243 barrel is plain and not bad at all. The break on the short barrels is horrible on noise levels.
JM2CW

quote:

Originally posted by Race Bannon:
Doing a repost here to see if I can get some more replies

I recently had a chance to shoot a super 14 223 factory braked Contender.
I put one round through it and that was enough.
Even with ear plugs my ears were ringing.
I was shooting out in the open down a sendero in Texas and the report was truly awful.

I've been considering buying a 15" non braked or ported 25-06, 7mm-08, or 45-70 barrel for my Encore or Contender and would like to know if anyone could tell me how they might compare to the near deafning, braked 223.

I have a non-braked 14" Contender in 223...no recoil and very mild "report"...put on hard muffs and no report at all....

"Brakes" belong on cars/trucks not firearms

I had a 15" unbraked .223, and it wasn't bad at all. Better than my .260, but not bad. In fact, I though the .260 was tolerable and seemed to be pretty effective as well. I didn't load it super hot or anything.