What are the effects of a muzzle brake on the stock and scope and mounts. I have a broken stock and scope that I believe can be attributed to the physical effects of a muzzle brake on a .338 magnum. It sounded crazy to me at first but after it was explained it seems possible. I don't have the ability to explain it here but perhaps some of you physics guys can.

I'm not sure about the effects of a muzzle brake on the stock, scope, and rings. In theory, it should make everything lighter, but it could change the signature enough to cause damage. (like rimfire cartridges. rough on scopes).

One thing I have noticed, is that a lot of manufacturers only offer their .338 WM rifles in synthetic stocks. I'm not saying "all" manufacturers do this, just a lot of them. What's everybody's take on this?

mike

My theory (without seeing a graph of a rifles acceleration while recoiling) is that the peak acceleration would be when the chamber pressure is at its highest. I think that would be about the time the bullet is about an inch or two down the barrel. Since a muzzle brake can use gasses exiting the barrel to make a considerable reduction in recoil, people will shoot very large cartridges in fairly light rifles. The problem is that the reduction in overrall recoil occurs after the peak recoil occurs. However, the peak acceleration part of the recoil is not reduced.

I will skip the theory and give you my experience...

I own 4 rifles with muzzle breaks that I shoot a lot (just shot one this morning). Never had a scope problem with any of them.

My mussel brake on my 338 RUM reduces recoil on me. It also reduces stress on my stock.
The way the stock is made might have something to do with it also.

OddBall2 ----- I have shot thousands of rounds with many braked rifles of all stock designs without any side effects on scopes or stocks, except one. I broke a wood stock on a braked .340 Wby with 20 shots, Weatherby replaced it at no cost and 1,000 plus rounds later it is sound as a dollar. I think the original stock had a weak point in it to start with, as your stock probably had. Good luck and good shooting.

I have heard people say that a muzzle break effects accuracy of your shot and so on. All I know is I have a Remington 7mm STW that I have hunted with for years. The only thing I have to do is make sure it is still on at the start of each season. I have and old Weaver scope I wouldn't change for anything and I can drive nails at 400 yards.

You would really have to show pictures of the stock and scope. Busted scopes happen. There may be something there, but then, it could be a defective scope. If your rifles busts more scopes, and of different make, maybe you have a problem.

Busted Stock? The 338 has plenty of recoil, without pictures I have no reason to assume that your busted stock is anything but a wooden stock that split due to recoil forces.

It is a laminated stock. Split right up the middle through the action area. There is no doubt the break is from recoil.

It just happens that I was in a discussion about that very subject yesterday at a long range compitition. The theory is that a heavy recoil rifle with a brake installed will actually give the gun a double recoil so to speak. The first comes with the rifle being fired and the bullet a few inches down the barrel. The second is when the bullet leaves the muzzle and actually pulls the rifle forward with a significant jolt. The amount of stress transfered to the stock and scope mounts is significant. A cheap scope might not survive. A poorly made stock and light scope mounts may not as well.

Not saying you are wrong, but how does a muzzle brake pull a rifle forward? Wouldn't the gas have to pushed in a direction tword the shooter to pull the rifle forward. I don't have any rifles with them but I did not know that any brakes were designed to push gas back tword the shooter. Maybe there are I really don't know, just sounded odd.

quote:

Originally posted by Neverflinch:
Not saying you are wrong, but how does a muzzle brake pull a rifle forward? Wouldn't the gas have to pushed in a direction tword the shooter to pull the rifle forward. I don't have any rifles with them but I did not know that any brakes were designed to push gas back tword the shooter. Maybe there are I really don't know, just sounded odd.

They would have to in order to work. Newtons 3rd law in action. At any rate, the muzzle break doesn't do much until the bullet leaves the bore, so the initial hit on the stock would be the same. But most wood can withstand 338 quite well.

Do you think there is a possibility you may have had a pierced primer or seperated case head? That could cause a pretty nasty reaction to scope and stock alike, especially on certain rifles.

John

quote:

Originally posted by OddBall2:
It is a laminated stock. Split right up the middle through the action area. There is no doubt the break is from recoil.

Since you mentioned it is Laminated, the problem was probably just poor bedding.

Laminated stocks split easier than solid wood so I bet it was a bedding issue. And brakes do not pull the rifle forward except inthe case of some of the big clam-shell types on 50BMG guns. What they do is eliminate that recoil from the gas jet by dispersing it 90 degrees to the axis of the bore. When the brake is drilled all around it is a neutral force; something like Magnaporting is directional and is intended to counter muzzle rise.

quote:

Originally posted by tiggertate:
Laminated stocks split easier than solid wood so I bet it was a bedding issue. And brakes do not pull the rifle forward except inthe case of some of the big clam-shell types on 50BMG guns. What they do is eliminate that recoil from the gas jet by dispersing it 90 degrees to the axis of the bore. When the brake is drilled all around it is a neutral force; something like Magnaporting is directional and is intended to counter muzzle rise.

That's what I was thinking but wasn't sure. Thanks

I agree with the other guys that it's probably poor beddding. I had the stock on my laminated Ruger .338 split at the tang as well and I don't have a break. After talking with my gunsmith, he said it was a common occurance. Also, if the reat tang screw touches any wood at all, that can cause it. We had a guy in moose camp this last year with a Browning .30-06 auto. He found a slight split in the stock at the tang too. This in a .30-06. I don't see any way that a muzzle break can cause the damage you describe. Gasses are vented off to the sides. I'd get that sucker glass bedded.
Bear in Fairbanks