Muzzle Brakes seem to be a topic of discussion that creates a lot of interesting differences in opinions.<BR><BR>Vote and then post a reply as to your thoughts concerning your vote!For Long Range Target Shooting, do you feel a rifle with a brake......is beneficial...is a detriment...has no affectFor Long Range Hunting, do you feel a rifle with with a brake......is beneficial...is a detriment...has no affect

On a target you have all the time to get on your ear muffs or other ear protection, not so out in the wild, and if you are near someone else, they will not like to get their ears blasted.
Get a silencer!

STIG

Wear some plugs and enjoy watching the show!

If your using enough gun for long range hunting you will propbably appreciate the brake. Seems to keep the flinching to a minimum. Maybe I'm just a wuss.

i had a brake on a rem 300 wby when i was a kid i only shot it onece hunting and had a new barrel put on. for a target rifle i have no prob with a brake. as you can wear plugs. but a brake does not belong on a hunting rifle of any kind. if you dont care about your hearing then you should about others.

There are a good number of Large Calibers that I'd prefer to have a Muzzle Brake on if I'm shooting them. Always nice to watch people shoot a rifle with a Brake and watch their expression after they realize the Brake really works. The first shot might go anywhere , but then they settle down and focus on shooting.

Not a lot of fun to shoot beside one though, or even just sit next to it. I remember trying to shoot my 357Mag Revolver one day and a guy turned one loose on some BIG Caliber beside me just before my Sear Released. Wow, the concussion tilted me sideways(or so it seemed). Not real sure if that shot made it to the 25yd target or went beyond the 100yd berm. Decided it was time for a Soda Pop.

They are brutal to adjacent shooters when shot underneath a roof. But, I still like them.

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Not a lot of fun to shoot beside one though

Yep. That why those of us who use them need to be considerate and not set up right next to another guy shooting. Of if we have to due to space, warn them before we touch one off!

Are they beneficial? Yes, if you are recoil sensitive. I understand the purpose and why shooters use them. I also respect their right to have and use them. However, I voted that they are a detriment. This is due to the noise. I have constant ringing in my ears to remind me why I don't like brakes.

Ear plugs or muffs or both are not enough if you subject yourself to that level of noise for long periods of time. I had an ear specialist tell me that you will still suffer hearing loss even with protection. Ask Tom Knapp or other professional shooters. If I see someone with a brake at the range, I move as far from them as I can get. If that isn't possible, then I leave.

I wish silencers were legal in all states. Especially if you didn't have to go through all the hoops to own/use one. I would like to see manufacturers, the NRA and SCI and other organizations get behind this issue and lobby for it. They would see many more people interested in hunting and shooting.

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Originally posted by Antelope Sniper:

quote:

Not a lot of fun to shoot beside one though

Yep. That why those of us who use them need to be considerate and not set up right next to another guy shooting. Of if we have to due to space, warn them before we touch one off!

+1


But how few actually do so?

I hate the bloody things, they have no place in hunting IMO as if you're scared of your rifle practice with some reduced loads or shoot a .375 which will do for everything on earth I am led to believe. If you can't shoot a .375.....well no comment.

For target shooting they bug the hell out of your neighbours, my shooting is at the NRA centre at Bisley and it's always busy.

A suppressor reduces felt recoil and muzzle flip and is much more socially acceptable.

Shooting next to grow men who feel the need to put a muzzle break on a poxy .223 because it's "cool" has done this to me...