Brake vs. Bare Muzzle vs. Flash Hider...it matters.

[WS6]

These groups were all fired by someone I consider to be an accomplished shooter, using an SR25, and match grade ammunition. They were fired on different days, with the groups using a muzzle-brake being fired on a calm day, and the groups fired "bare muzzle" being fired on a day with some slight wind, which the shooter says would account for roughly 0.25moa variance at a maximum.

The muzzle brake was a Surefire SR25 brake/SOCOM suppressor mount.

It appears that the brake causes not only fliers, but also a significant reduction in accuracy. I will post the flash-hider groups early next week. I am posting this both as a datapoint, and to generate discussion about the impact of accuracy that various muzzle devices have.

Bare Muzzle:


Muzzle Brake:

[gaijin]

Was the brake timed with crush washer, peel washer or precision washer?

[WS6]

Was the brake timed with crush washer, peel washer or precision washer?

It was timed with the included Surefire shims. The SR25 times off of the front of the muzzle, and the back of the inside of the brake. It's about the most effective way of timing a muzzle device true that I know of.

[gaijin]

Any evidence of the bullet kissing baffles?

I've also experienced fliers with brakes.
Like you, proved it by removing brake and accuracy returned.

[WS6]

Any evidence of the bullet kissing baffles?

I've also experienced fliers with brakes.
Like you, proved it by removing brake and accuracy returned.

Negative. Nothing untoward was noted when the brake was removed, per what I was told.

[gaijin]

That can be damned frustrating.

I've wondered if it's possible it's a "turbulence" issue disrupting bullet flight.
Guess I'd expect it to be consistent, instead of random fliers however.

[Tspeis]

Interesting info. I do think it's heavily dependent on the type of brake being used as I've seen some that actually increased accuracy vs bare muzzle on a bolt gun. Looking forward to where this discussion goes.


Tspeis

[IraqVet1982]

Distance?

[WS6]

Distance?

100 yards

[georgeib]

I've gotta say that given the different conditions under which these sets of groups were obtained, and other differences that you haven't even noted. And given the number of groups, I don't see a significant statistical variation here. Certainly not nearly enough to draw any sort of conclusions.

OTOH if he had done:
1) a minimum of 10-20 groups each,
2) on the same day,
3) under windless conditions,
4) using the same ammo and from the same batch,
5) with a clean rifle and barrel between sets,
6) using a bench rest,
you could then begin to draw some conclusions on variations of accuracy that a muzzle device may cause.

As it sits, the information provided is pretty close to meaningless in supporting the assertions being made.