Ep. 266 | Muzzle Brake Breakdown

Muzzle Brakes are a diverse lot. Different lengths, port angles, port styles, port locations, materials and brands abound. But is adding a muzzle brake to your rifle right for you? And if so, what attributes make a particular muzzle brake the right one for you? Competitive shooter (amongst other things), Reuben Aleckson, brings a wealth of knowledge and visual aids to this podcast all about muzzle brakes.
As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.
Follow Vortex Nation Podcast on Instagram:
vortexnationpodcast

[@eazenutz33]

Love my Area419 hellfire brakes….and they go great with a Maverick suppressor. Good work gentlemen.

[@jeremiahcoles2378]

Blow my mind! This is super helpful for someone, like myself in canada where suppressors are illegal, wanting to get into PRS comps, thanks guys.

[@AJ1999Flex]

Nigga everything including handguns is illegal in Canada

[@BitsOfEternity]

I'm really late to the party - but just past the 27 minute mark, term you're looking for might be SPL ; Sound Pressure Level (a pressure wave created by the movement of (a large volume of) air). In reference to audio/speakers, the SPL relates to how much 'thump' you feel in your chest/body when the bass hits. There is more in an enclosed area, as the pressure bounces off of walls (or in a vehicle, off the ceiling and doors, etc) - but it is obviously much less than a single shot of a rifle going off - but it is the same idea/principle, at least, that's my take. Cheers

[@solomonanthony611]

Thanks for the cometary on this issue. Your knowledge of the subject was very educational when it comes to my choice of break devices. Now I know what to look for when I choose a break / compensator for my rifle.

[@jamses23]

Awesome! Looking forward to listening to this while I’m at work. Thanks for all the great content gents!

[@lupedavila1159]

Answered all of my questions!! I recently purchased a .300 Weatherby, recoil prevents me from watching the impact on target while zeroing in. Brake is the answer at the range while wearing ear protection. I will remove the brake before going hunting as I won’t have time for ear protection as I hunt. Valuable information! Greatly appreciated

[@Chuck_Stick]

The Precision Armament M4-72 is king. Been using it for 5 years, have tried many others, and it always wins. Loud for sure with quite the concussion, but still beats all the rest hands down.

[@shielamaebrenot8929]

That's my Husband's go-to brake for his DMR builds

[@Christoph1888]

I love these types of informative podcasts

[@bobmcmillen4502]

I shoot with EC tuner brakes. When I develop a load it acts just like seating depth. Seating depth changes your harmonics. Tuners change your harmonics. Gun easier to shoot and I can tune it in to shoot more accurately. Look it up. Erik Cortina. F-class shooter. It’s on KZbin. EC tuner brake. Best of both worlds.

[@DirtNastyCivilian]

I have a sidewinder (area 419) on my 300 prc. It literally goes from a rifle I can shoot all day at the range with the brake to a 1 cigarette per round gun without it. I swear by brakes ever since my 300prc.

[@Kross8761]

The best saying I've heard for muzzle devices is this. Most people who think they're in the market for a muzzle brake are ACTUALLY looking for a suppressor but don't know it. They don't cut recoil as much as a purpose-designed high quality brake like an Area 419 or an Ultradyne, but they reduce recoil by a noticeable and often quite significant amount while also making the gun less obnoxious for everyone nearby. A brake that acts as a QD attachment for a suppressor is the best of both worlds as long as you account for your POI shift. I don't have a rifle larger than .30cal so something like a Dead Air Sandman S with keymo brakes on all my rifles lets me switch one suppressor between any rifle I want to use quickly and easily. And I'm not even really using the keymo brakes as brakes, but as a QD system for my suppressor.

[@jacobivy2854]

I run an APA Gen 2 LB on my Sako S20 in .300 Win Mag. It makes it feel about the same as shooting my Tikka T3x CTR in 6.5CM without a brake.

[@Corborealis]

I just watched Gavin from UlrimateReloader build his Hulk 50 BMG bolt action single shot and he is running it with an APA Gen 2 FB XXX muzzle brake and his team says the brake makes all the difference in reducing recoil.

[@nebraskaman8247]

I’m surprised more people don’t use Holland breaks. They are fantastic, and allow for excellent accuracy. Although, most people haven’t even heard of them.

[@crush3095]

SO Stoked to discover the suppressor alternative that redirects the air forward I hope those are legal in California, that would be great to reduce the noise a little

[@jayg4mrusmc]

Yes! Suppressors are great! Shooting with you guys and at Bergara really drove that home with me. I'm a believer in having a nice quiet civilized time at the range.

[@TAWier]

I appreciate suppressors and I think they're great but the reality is they cost way more than most breaks/compensators and most people don't want to be on a registry and pay that extra TAX in addition to the already excessively high cost over muzzle breaks. The sound of other people using breaks on the range really doesn't bother me. We are there to shoot guns, not spit paper wads through straws. If it really bothers you, add foam ear plugs under your ear muffs.

[@leifhoklin2681]

@@TAWierscrew that. Brakes are beyond obnoxious. You can pretend all you want, but I guarantee 9/10 people want you gone when you start banging away with a brake. They’re rude as hell.

[@TAWier]

@leifhoklin2681 that's funny because I see other shooters at public ranges using breaks all the time and nobody else has every cried about it or expressed having any problems. Maybe you should join an Elmer Fudd club that has a private range which prohibits the use of any muzzle devices other than suppressors so that you can protect your poor sensitive feelings that so easily become annoyed by the sound of gunfire.

[@twissted1277]

I have a few and 3 of them are Apollo Max's they are the very best.

[@TheZakdiamond7]

Great convo

[@Thousand_yard_King]

My Savage 110 ss in 300 winmag has a built in brake that can be turned off so you don't have the sound coming back at you all the time. a custom ordered it from Savage.

[@hunterstacknivescollection]

Got some very cool options

[@daviddroescher]

First shot through my new MDRx 308 with the factory brake/ comp/flash hider (I'm lefty) felt like someone sucker punched me on the right side of my head went and fild stripped a cupple un used cig butts for my ears. The brake made the 308 kick like a child compared to my factory colt ar15. The 223w with there 3 way muzzle device was no need for ear screws. Almost no recoil no waitting for it to come back down for follow-up shots.

[@wonderingtimesllc7203]

I sure enjoy these podcast's!

[@justice1327]

Wow, a video from Vortx and Eric Cortina on the same day about muzzle brake / tuners.

[@thestrawberrypatch5644]

I run a Holland on a Kimber 300 WM. It's loud but doesn't hurt to shoot!

[@jamesboyce9510]

I caught your Total Recall reference, completely lost on this guy though lol made me chuckle.

[@jackblackpowderprepper4940]

I have a Witt Machining pressure compensator on my O3 A3. It's like a different animal.

[@rhekman]

🎵🎸It's a muzzle brake breakdown, never the same. 🎵😙 Put on a 22 takedown, that'd be insane! Apologies Zeppelin fans... I'll see myself out.

[@VortexNation]

This is terrific!

[@robertb.kolarjr3692]

What tolerance is ideal for a brake....basically hole size for bullet to travel through on exit?

[@alejandroflores-samaniego9320]

i run that Coda on my comp rifle, it’s pretty nice.

[@RMM--uv7uk]

I run a Area 419 HellFire , 3 port. I am a firm believer in Brakes

[@shauno7582]

Hey mate. Why did you go 3 port over 4 port on this brake? I’m looking at them and not sure j he is many ports to go

[@VortexNation]

Good question! Comes down to whatever you find sufficient to tame recoil while maintaining the form factor of a firearm that you like.

[@augustusczar7375]

I have a 24-inch 30-06 hunting rifle threaded, what break/comp would you recommend?

[@rpk5250]

Good video. It would be great to have one of these with Ryan that talks about the best all-around centerfire cartridge that does not need any compensation because of recoil yet is effective on the most game and target shooting

[@chadperry4021]

My answer despite not shooting one, 7-08.

[@brokendad2222]

I have a seriously bad back, I shoot a 25-06Rem. Has been around for ever shhots like a laser and recoil is very low.

[@djturnz]

I have just an AR style bird cage on my R700 .308 to protect the threads. I'm not sure what kind of muzzle device I should get.

[@triedproven9908]

Man somebody need to come out with a cube block and have some cylinders extrapolated from the center at 45° intervals for like 2 or 3 steps out. So like 12 relief cylinders.

[@briansallee4262]

Would it be worth putting a brake on a 6mm ARC hunting rifle if I’m trying to put together my 12 yr old’s first rifle? It already being a relatively low recoil cartridge, would it be noticeable or negligible?

[@leifhoklin2681]

No. The 6 ARC is plenty soft shooting as it is. Brakes are obnoxiously loud and you WILL damage your hearing and your child’s hearing in a deer hunting scenario. Not worth it, man.

[@jdrollason]

​@@leifhoklin2681he's right. Put a suppressor on it

[@nk-dw2hm]

Got a vg6 break for $25 on sale, can't wait to test my ar with it at 200+ Expect to have a little better ability to keep eye on the target and watch the bullet

[@Ipo_Ooped_Maself]

The vg6 gamma is all right it's definitely a decent mid-range brake however I hate to burst your bubble it's not going to be ideal for reaching out to 200 plus. It's best for around 100 yards and in shooting fast it keeps it nice and flat but it's loud if you want to reach out further you're going to need a three chamber break and you don't need to watch the bullet at 200 yards that's something you do out past 500 where you see the vapor trail and usually the spotter does that for you

[@nk-dw2hm]

@@Ipo_Ooped_Maself watch my impact is more what I meant, and only need a little improvement from a birdcage to make it worthwhile at that price. Already group well at 200, but it'll be nice to stay on target slightly better when I take it further

[@Ipo_Ooped_Maself]

@@nk-dw2hm oh don't get me wrong if you're taking a step up from the old a2 birdcage the vg6 gamma is night and day different and especially at 25 bucks that's a great deal I'd like to know where you got it at that price if you don't mind. I could use one for my 300 blackout but when I bought mine three or four years ago it was like 50 or $60 it's hard to find good muzzle devices for 300 blackout other than a suppressor and you kind of need something until you can get out of NFA tyranny jail. If you do like the vg6 gamma the epsilon is another good model it's basically the same thing with an extra chamber and a flash hider as well and if you got to do a pin weld you can get away with a little bit shorter barrel since it's like 2 in long just thinking out loud

[@nk-dw2hm]

@@Ipo_Ooped_Maself primary arms had a black Friday (or just before) blowout of all vg6 muzzle devices they had in stock. Like you I'm moving in the suppressor direction, but for that price I'm happy to get something qd later. Ps reddits "gundeals" is where I found that sale, has a lot of meh deals but some insane stuff occasionally

[@rayramirez8776]

I stick with the OG A2 birdcage on all my AR's and Ak's.

[@johnkaraphillis754]

Can’t imagine anyone who enjoys shooting for load development that doesn’t mind 30 plus rounds fired behind a 300WM at one setting. They are louder but the trade off is a no brainer. I wear hearing protection while hunting also.

[@44hawk28]

Proper hold techniques mitigate any muzzle rise on a Tommy Gun. First of all most of them way more than enough and fire from an open bolt and there is no Muzzle rise. I see people put that against their chin and shoot it in full auto and still be able to write their name with the damn thing. The 5 1/2 lb that I qualified within the Air Force and the second time I qualified with it when it was eight below zero and a 50 mile an hour wind in my face. Where I fired 40 rounds in full auto and still shot a 3-inch group. Has no Muzzle rise. As long as you're holding it like you're supposed to.

[@P07H34D]

$15 flashy boy from the 1980s vs $200 ear blaster you decide!

[@ZekeWoodard]

I’ve always wondered who is on the wall behind y’all

[@The10thManRules]

I only run muzzle devices that are compatible with my Dead Air Sandman S.

[@YoureSoVane]

Brakes are a tool. You don't always need a screwdriver, just like you don't always need a brake. Big bullet and lot of power, you might need a brake. Shoot high volume, you might need a brake. One shot at a time, 30-06 level of power like most hunting situations and you probably don't need it.

[@leifhoklin2681]

A brake is never the answer on a hunting rifle.

[@TAWier]

Until suppressors are available without a $200 Federal TAX stamp for each suppressor and all the possibilities of government intrusions that accompany that, I'll stick with my muzzle breaks. Any of you high faulting muzzle brake hating suppressor snobs who are offended by my use of brakes... well, just be offended then. Zero Foxtrot 💁‍♂️

[@ethanbarnes3973]

A2 is king.

[@clinto1012]

Anyone have experience with clamp on breaks?

[@shauno7582]

Old mate missed asking a massive import question.. More or less ports better or worse! How many ports you guys think is optimal. Say on a .308 win

[@VortexNation]

We consulted the all-knowing Ryan Muckenhirn on this one! He says: This is a very difficult thing to state definitively. Looking back in time to when I worked for a company that made many, many muzzlebrakes for several manufacturers, as well as our own, the running joke was something along the lines of: "Designing an effective brake is highly scientific. Drilling holes in metal until it feels better than it did before!" Port size, placement, direction, and body type all have a big impact on how a brake feels, as does rifle style, weight, and caliber. Some of my favorite comps were "high pressure" operating, and had a single, large port with high-pressure jet ports in the top (see: Nordic Components Corvette Comp), and some of my fellow shooters absolutely hated them. Other very popular options, like the Rolling Thunder, SJC Titan, and the JP 3-Port comps were heralded as outstanding as well, but many of us also saw and realized that they had a tremendous amount of mass that they were adding to the system, and this may have assisted. Radial brakes have many, many holes, and in the right application, can be very effective as well. I run a radial on a few rifles, and have always been impressed by the feel. I realize this round-about explanation is not so definitive, but truly, "it depends". My next comps will be a 2-port design from Hawkins, and I'm certain they'll work!

[@shauno7582]

@@VortexNation wow!! Wasn’t expecting that hey! Thank you so much for this reply. It’s a huge help for me! Love all these episodes and talks you boys do! Also thank Guru Ryan for his help on this one 😊🙏🏻

[@VortexNation]

Absolutely! Happy to help! And will do - if you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask!

[@shauno7582]

@@VortexNation well in saying that, does adding an adapter plus brake throw out the harmonics even further than just the brake?

[@timnichols3582]

I heard 4 ports is optimal. which would be a little bastard in the spa brand. I just bought a fat bastard which has 5 but I have yet to receive it so can't tell you how well it works (or not).

[@anthonyhobor7977]

It's not a tuna 😂. Good Arnold joke.

[@ALovelyBunchOfDragonballz]

I wish more people understood brakes instead of just saying "i aint need no brake on a .22" Some breaks make a 6 pound magnum rifle 'not painful' to shoot, some brakes make a .223 AR have zero movement when firing. Not all brakes are for recoil, some brakes are for minimizing sight movement between shots.

[@jquack67]

So you had the opportunity to title the video "Muzzle Brakedown" and didnt take it?!

[@bmstylee]

I run the Surefire Pro Comp on my long guns. They are inexpensive and effective. People around you aren't generally impressed with it.

[@Darthdoodoo]

Im tired of hearing about "loud breaks at the range" as if we aren't shooting a damn supersonic rifle 😂😂it sucks but its part of the game

[@richardrobertson1331]

There must be massive gas disruptions and turbulence created by compensators and muzzle brakes. Granted, most of the escaping gas is behind the bullet but, at a great distance, is there any evidence of bullet wobble by examining the shape of the holes in the paper targets? Also, I don't understand the concept of "over compensating". By the way, if I am at the range and my neighbor is using a muzzle brake, I find a new shooting spot or come back another day. I don't make any comments to him. It's just uncomfortable dealing with his added noise and blast. Last point, I wish our government would see the value of hearing protection using noise suppressors, rather than looking to reclassify sportsmen into criminals.

[@kevinh4631]

If anyone has taken offense to me showing up at the range with my braked rifle, I have zero fox given, It's a rifle range! It you're ear(butt) hurt by it, well then double up on ear pro like I do and have a good day. I've had guy show up with a Large bore rifle, and a brake on it, I literally felt the blast and it would move my hair and I was 4 benches down. Did I get butt hurt,, NO, I just put in some foamies under my over ears and continued to shoot. Yes it was annoying, he would only shoot once and then sit back for 4 min and then shoot again. Even with that brake that rifle would kick his aZZ! After he was done shooting I asked him what the gun was. A 338 Lapua, and he was a long range competitor and was just zeroing the rifle with a new scope. He was actually a really nice guy. So: moral of the story, "dont shoot the shooter" sometimes its just what happens at a RIFLE RANGE! Be nice and Keep your face on the gun!

[@e115x525]

What really sucks is when some dude with an 8" AR10 comes and sits down next to you and your eyes start watering every time he pulls the trigger

[@sterlingduck5402]

Totally agree! I've been both in the same situation as you multiple times and caused the situation you refer to a few times. I tend to warn people before I shoot so they know. However, I don't stop shooting. If someone comes to the range and takes the bench next to mine, especially when there are empty benches, I warn them. I let them know it may cause an issue. Yet, I still shoot. However, I do the same if I'm shooting something that might eject brass into them. Muzzle brakes are tough, yeah, but having some guy shooting and his brass bouncing off the rifle or head of the shooter next to him is worse. Some guns have brakes. We have known they can be obnoxious for 40+ years. Double up on hearing, and then if the brake bothers you, either leave, wait, or use it to practice stress while making shots. Didn't wear hearing protection that day? Well, then your issue entirely! (I carry lots of foam plugs to give out because that is a bigger issue than I ever thought it would be)

[@austingorby5401]

Can confirm. My 338 lapua with a 28” barrel and an APA XX bastard brake shakes the range. I love it.

[@daviddroescher]

Has the sniper scouts 0 their barret 50 when I was at the range confirming 0 on my 16 in the prone sand jumping up 18" all around me. So what think the enemy was gonna stop shooting so I could get a clean shot ? Nope. Just good training._.

[@Portuguese-linguica]

So by that logic your ok with hot brass in your face because it's a rifle range .

[@canadianguy1955]

Honestly have zero use for muzzlebreaks, or a threaded barrel. I hunt, and the threaded barrel is just one more thing to go wrong, and the muzzle breaks are just extra weight and bad for hearing.

[@Honkers716]

Literally 1:16 into this video "I wouldn't wanna shoot it without a break" 1:51 "Admittedly, I shoot this gun better with a break" 2:30 "It makes the gun more shootable" 2:54 "You're just going to shoot a lighter (recoilong) rifle better" " you're less likely to make bad habits, like a flinch" Go on, talk some more. I love your uneducated opinion. You should get a job at Vortex and tell these guys what they don't know, since you know so much. You must stalk a lot of paper targets in the woods

[@canadianguy1955]

@@Honkers716 I hunt thick bush and hard woods where most shots are under 150 yards. If I'm not pushing deer, I'm sitting in a stand or box blind. A muzzle break ads weight. Which is a negative when pushing deer or in my tree stand. A muzzle break directs gasses, making it a louder noise in my box blind. What if you don't use that muzzle break well now your threaded barrel cap can work it's way lose throwing accuracy off. I also find it not surprising to me that out of all the hunting camps here in Ontario I've been to I have yet to see a single muzzle device being used. There are more negatives then positives to adding the extra weight onto the rifle when hunting in thick woods. I also prefer to practice my rifles in the configuration they will get use out of in the woods. So I would never be using one of them to make my practice easier. I want my practice to lead me to be better at managing it's recoil in the cases I'm shooting at game, so adding a break is counter to that. Which brings me back to I have zero use for a threaded barrel or a muzzle break on hunting rifles. It's a pointless waste of money and time, that only adds negatives in the woods. Magnum calibers? Still wouldn't use a break. at 6 foot 250 pounds I have zero issue with shooting a 300wsm without a muzzle break. Maybe if you got to the range and actually put the practice in you'd be able to do the same. Also odd how you don't see very many Safari guns in the largest of calibers with breaks. Ya because it's a pointless add on that only negatively effects you while trucking around the wilderness on foot.

[@Honkers716]

@@canadianguy1955 I hunt in Colorado, enough said. I'm also 5'6" at 150 lbs. But I can get really deep in the bush, ask your mom 😉

[@canadianguy1955]

@@Honkers716 Well if you need to use breaks to make up for your short, and underweight stature go right ahead. But unlike you I'm not the size of a women, the fact is I have zero use for such devices on my hunting rifles. And so do most hunters, especially those hunting big game with the various magnum length cartridges. Like honestly go look up safari rifles. The only time I've seen a break on an African hunt was on a 50cal and that's as far from a normal hunting rifle as you can get.

[@Honkers716]

@@canadianguy1955 🤣 Look at the snowflake have a meltdown ^

[@xxstr8jacketxx]

I use the ultradyne Apollo on my PRS and SJC titan on my 3 gun AR I love them

[@jasonrad9332]

Oriented, not orientated. Good stuff otherwise.

[@anthonywychock3449]

Way to much small talk. This could of been a 30 min video and just as educational.

[@leifhoklin2681]

I loathe muzzle brakes. The volume and concussion is unreal. If I’m shooting at my club and someone shows up with a brake, I let them know it’s totally obnoxious and I pack up and leave. The guys that really irritate me are the ones who put brakes on ARs…really, guys? Why they hell do you need a brake for your AR? Drive the rifle properly and you won’t need a freaking brake. I don’t think there’s any good way to hunt with them without sustaining instant hearing loss unless you get a shot that allows you all the time in the world to get two layers of hearing protection on.

[@pepebeezon772]

Keep seething fudd

[@kwharrison6668]

Interesting. I have one on my 308 and it’s actually quieter for me as the shooter than without it. It’s just the one that’s came with my Tikka T3x CTR.