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Joined: Jan 2001
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 8,737
It's funy to read all of these posts about the brakes and the pros and cons.

I have no automatic hatred of them but I don't like when I have hunters shooting them for several weeks in a row with me. I can plug my ears from time to time but the truth is quite often I have to look through my glasses to watch the shot. I need to see impact and reaction to improve my locating the game.

I have known two fellas percsonally with braked rifles that had the thread protector. On paper it sounded good but in practice the POI was over an inch different at 100 meters. that was ofcourse carried out the further the shot was. Even with earplugs in and head phones on those rifles were by a large margin much louder then an unbraked rifle. I got to the point of moving a long way off and behind when he would shoot. It was very unpleasant to be around, even in the desert much less a somewhat enclosed rifle range.

I remember one instance from last season very clearly We were squated down looking over game for the best animal. We were about 80 yards from the herd but with the thick bush it was hard to see all the animals to be sure of the best trophy. There were about 40 animals but we could only ever see 10 or so at one time.

We finally settled on the one we wanted and watched for the right chance to shoot. I was squatted down sitting on my heels with both hands holding my leica's to be sure of a good hit. I was about 12 feet from the hunter and even with him.

When the bull turned sideways, broadside at under 75 yards the hunter took the shot. I never saw what happened even with my solid hold and good position. The sand and dust that blew into the air, and the blast from that brake actully pushed my balance point backward and I fell back breaking my fall with one arm. There was dust and sand in my shirt, mouth, ears, hair, and my hat blew off!

The hunter was just fine aside from not seeing any part of the impact with the blown up dust. The crap that blew into the air was to his sides and not back towards him. My ears were ringing for days after that, and I was beginning to worry it was permanent. It was especially bad when I was trying to fall asleep at night. That constant buzz was driving me crazy in the still of the night. It's events like this that form my opinions on these muzzle blast enhancers.

They have a place on a gun used by a fella with bursitis or tendonities of the shoulder. Maybe some other injury or problem. Better to have a braked rifle then to never be able to hunt again. Its like a disability feature for hunters like close parking at the store, or ramps built into the cross walk curbs.

I guess I don't see the brake as a needed item for a healthy guy that can still use a rifle without one. Not any more then using the handicapped parking or using a wheel chair when I could walk.

I have no problems taking hunter with a brake. I now know to prepare for the shot a bit better. When ever possible I will stand right behind him. Although not always possible in the heat of the moment. I also don't use my glasses but plug my ears which is a risk in mot seeing the reaction to the shot as well. The price you pay for reduced recoil!


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BP-B2

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 869
Campfire Regular
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Posts: 869
JJ, have you ever tried those moulded ear plugs with the automatic dampening valve. I have talked to guys that have them and they swear by them. They're not cheap, but since they're custom moulded to your ear they're comfy.

Even if a guy put them in a few moments before a shot was anticipated, they would still let you hear clearly up until they closed at the "BLAST".

I'll have to remember the "Muzzle Brake"/"Wheel Chair Access" comparison. The range is one thing, but out in the field muzzle brakes are about as much fun as lead boots.

RO <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Joined: Aug 2005
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Campfire Tracker
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Joined: Aug 2005
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JJ - In my case the thing to keep in mind is that I am always alone when I fire my braked rifle in the field. I will never be going to Africa or on a guided hunt where it would be necessary for me to shoot near another person.
While at the range I either get off by myself or warn others who might try to use the bench immediately beside me. I do try to show regard for others at the range.
Also, in my case, years ago I developed a bad case of pinched nerves in my neck to the extent I couldn't work for 2 months. The person who was treating (and who was a shooter himself by the way) warned me I might have to quit shooting. You can guess my response to that!
Fortunately the doctoring worked and my neck problem has not returned. Since I wanted to try a heavier caliber rifle for moose hunting the only answer was to try the brake.
They aren't necessarily the answer for everybody but they work for me.
Given your line of work I can understand why they aren't your favourite accessory. Jim.

Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 247
Campfire Member
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Posts: 247
I have one on a .300WSM and a buddy has another brand on his .300 WSM. The Gentry is MUCH quieter. Your perception may differ.


"A spirit of national masochism prevails, encouraged by an effete corps of impudent snobs who characterize themselves as intellectuals."
Spiro Agnew
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,572
Campfire Regular
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I've tried them all, and there's not one that remains in my safe. I've got a screaming left ear since the first unprotected shot from a braked rifle back in 1996. No thanks to them all for me. If the recoil is too much then shoot something with less recoil. Hearing aids run from $600 to $2500 apiece, and insurance doesn't cover them (except for some GMC policies....note their financial health!), and once the tinnitis stays for about a month, you might as well learn to live with it, because it ain't going away. Tread carefully with the braked rifle, NEVER touch one off unless you and every one around you is protected.
Don
PS have you ever seen one of the brake manufacturers claims independantly verified with actual data? I haven't!

IC B2

Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 59,910
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Campfire Kahuna
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M
Joined: Jul 2001
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Gentry's brake has the vents angled SLIGHTLY away from the shooter. This makes a little difference but not much (and has been tested). Some other brakes have the same feature.

That said, there isn't much that can be done with a conventional muzzle brake to make it a heck of a lot quieter, though some are definitely louder than others.he loudest I have ever experienced was the original brake on the Browning BOSS. Man, that sucker would blow out a stone monkey's ears, even if they were plugged and muffed.

A number of years ago, Gentry designed a thin covering for his brake. This allowed the inital gas to escape normally, but then it was re-directed toward the muzzle. He brought it up to my place to test it one day. It was a LOT quieter--but didn't reduce recoil much! Which is probably the reason he never brought it out.

MD

Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1
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Joined: Nov 2011
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I just had a Gentry Quiet Brake installed on my Interarms Mark X 30.06. WOW, what a difference! It cut the recoil in half atleast, and I don't think it sounds any louder.
I am impressed!

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