Rob,

Go ahead and bring your HEYM to the Hoot & Shoot in Juliff. I am certain somebody will shoot it. Hell, we shoot all kinds of other guns that inflict tremendous pain.

Like a certain someone's 550Mag with an ultra short stock, no muzz brake and 800gr bullets at just over 2200fps! Those were awful!

Sasquatch

quote:

Originally posted by Robgunbuilder:
Andy- Totally understand. Worst threading I ever saw was on a AK74. Out of curiosity, did you capture that gun? Any issues registering captured FAs these days? I got some of mine that way many moons ago when it was still accepted practice. -Rob

This was transported back to the states in a diplomatic pouch and ended up at Military Intelligence 9th infantry at Aberdeen. Once it was analysed and disected it went on to Opposing Force (OPFOR) staff.

I like the 74, especially with 30mm BG-30 grenade launcher and side folding stock. But whenever I shot it I used two sets of ear plugs, one soft and one pair of muffs, and staff was asking for hearing protection from 50 meters away.

The brake was designed by HP White labs and nixed for use in US by surgeon general as it exceeded the Z curve of sound pressure over time.

It was, I recall, a similar curve to most rocket launchers, which are horrible.

Andy

Fourbore:

Interesting thread. People sure do have strong opinions about breaks! Although I don't currently own a gun with a break, I wish that I had put a removable break on my 450 Dakota so I could use the break at the range and take if off for hunting. To me, that is the best of both worlds. With some of the really big boomers like Rob's 600 Ok, it is probably a good idea to use a break both at the range and while hunting as well if it is okay with your PH.

Good luck and good hunting.

Dave,

My 450 Dakota is alot prettier without the brake, but I shoot it more often because I do have it.



Andy

Do the mercury recoil tubes really work that well in reducing the felt recoil? I always believed it was the way the rifle was made. My dad had a 300 HH with a really nice wood stock nice and heavy and it was nice to shoot. Picked up a 300 win mag in a light weight syn stock and man that thing really kicked your ass.

The short answer is, yes they do. However they will alter the balance of the gun. After stock design, it is just a matter of Newtons third law of motion (if my memory serve me!).
Peter.

quote:

Originally posted by fourbore:

quote:

Funny story, when I used my 450 in Africa with brake on for PG, the only way I could get all the staff out of my way to shoot, was to literally shove them aside and ignore the sticks and shoot.

After first shot, they kept out of my way!

(Sucker was loud).

This makes the point. Not to be taken too literally. I assume they were not right under the gun- but; might it have been kinder to just kick a couple of them in the balls than inflict permanent hearing loss.

Recall this, more actual field experience from the receiving end:

quote:

I've even had someone let 3 shots off from a braked .416 Blaser right next to my ear whilst I was holding my binos to my eyes and telling him not to shoot yet....... and consequently I hate the bastard things
...[deleted]...
Muzzle brakes are a fuc**ng abortion that should be illegal worldwide.

Four bore,

I have heard what you say, but with damaged ear drums. My staff was a bit too formal for my liking, and insisted on sticks, to the point I missed many opportunities for shots off hand at reasonable ranges. Shooting before they had a chance to back off from ear damage zone was helpful. It was after all my safari. To your credit, and theirs, I will not use brake on next hunt as I am accustomed to recoil. But there is a learning curve, and they are paid for it, very well. A good team will know when to offer sticks and when to stay out of the way for a shot requiring follow through or forward allowance. The case I mentioned was a kudu at 75 yards running, and I sure as shit did not need or want sticks! Just my two cents.

Andy

quote:

Originally posted by Paul C:
Do the mercury recoil tubes really work that well in reducing the felt recoil? I always believed it was the way the rifle was made. My dad had a 300 HH with a really nice wood stock nice and heavy and it was nice to shoot. Picked up a 300 win mag in a light weight syn stock and man that thing really kicked your ass.

Yes. When properly fitted, they make an immense difference.

Peter is also correct about Newton's 3rd law of motion which states that for every action, there's an equal and opposite reaction.

As I posted on another thread, I think the mercury recoil reducers do make a difference but they do alter the guns balance. I had two Merkel 140 double, both in 500 nitro. One had a mercury recoil reducer and no recoil pad the other had a good recoil pad and no mercury recoil reducer. I could feel a difference in the recoil between the two rifle with the gun without the mercury recoil reducer seeming to have a much sharper kick. I do wish I had weighed both rifles to see if there was a difference in weight that could have contributed to the reduction in recoil.

I install a lot of muzzle brakes. Most of them are to reduce muzzle rise and not lose sight picture. Recoil reduction is about reducing felt recoil. Stock fit is probably the biggest factor, then weight, then recoil pad. If the gun is still more than you are comfortable with, then add a MB for practice. When hunting one never feels recoil because your mind is on the target and not on the gun, remove the MB and use the thread protector.......Tom

I think I read somewhere that MB make the blast non-directional, meaning that it makes pinpointing where the shooting is coming from more difficult. I have a Boss on my 7mm-08 (among other guns) and had a deer run right at me after I shot it, maybe some truth to this. Seems to be a lot of fuss about the use of MB, I for one have one on most of my hunting rifles. I don’t see a problem with them, at the range you have hearing protection and out hunting I am alone so it doesn’t matter. The loudest gun in my arsenal doesn’t have a MB on it, its my 357 Mag Vaquero.