Muzzle Brake...yea or nay?

[GhostMutt]

Trying to squeeze every last little bit of accuracy out of my 15-22, awaiting the barrel to be returned after being chopped down to 12.5 inches, with a 'match' grade recrown. I was wondering if changing the flash hider for a muzzle brake/compensator (not a moderator as i would need to add that to my ticket) would do anything to improve accuracy.

I watched a great review video on youtube of 30+ brakes though these were on 5.56 and i thought i'd ask if you guys thought it would really make any difference to 15-22, 25 yard accuracy and muzzle whip, in comparison to the birdcage flashhider that is currently on.

Or would it just be a waste of time and money?
If any of you have experience of such brakes then which are best suited to the 15-22.

 

[jagular]

IMO it's a waste of money on a .22 but since you're only concerned about time go for it. [emoji846]

 

[GhostMutt]

IMO it's a waste of money on a .22 but since you're only concerned about time go for it. [emoji846]

Ahem....i omitted 'money'......Time and Money So it wouldn't do anything on a 22lr is what you are saying. Got it!

 

[sithlord]

I'm sure it would alter the harmonics.

I'm not an expert by any means, however, since most people don't reload 22lr (yes, it can be done), you likely aren't going to be able to tune everything. It has as much to do with headspace as it does the crown as it does bullet seating and case preparation, light trigger, etc (there was an article I read a few years back that IIRC, was posted here about a place in TX where a lot of single hole testing was done).

The point being, since this is, traditionally, a 2-4MOA firearm, you might get that down to 2, maybe even slightly lower. With the right ammo, of course.

Squeezing accuracy is a labor of love, generally per firearm, etc. The 15-22 isn't meant to be a tack driver, so spending $$$ to accurize isn't as important.

To each their own, though, GM.

 

[GhostMutt]

I'm not an expert by any means
Squeezing accuracy is a labor of love, generally per firearm, etc. The 15-22 isn't meant to be a tack driver, so spending $$$ to accurize isn't as important.
To each their own, though, GM.

Neither am I, by any stretch of the imagination!
I don't really understand about harmonics and the like...i was just sounding out if a brake would add a little more accuracy and decrease the already minimal muzzle 'flip' when rapid firing.

I already have a nice trigger, the 12.5 inch & recrown (on its way). If a muzzle brake would vent the gases in such a way to get a bit more accuracy and a bit less 'flip' then i would consider one...that being said...i am aware that this rifle is never going to rival my bolt action, which is a real tack driver right out of the box....but anything i can do to help my 15-22 along, i'm willing.

However is the general consensus is that it would add nothing more that the birdcage already does then it would be pointless.

Just asking for the opinions of those more versed in such areas as myself.

 

[tomcatt51]

My 15-22s have brakes/comps just so the shot timer will hear them better.

What you're talking about would be pot luck as to if the weight change would improve accuracy. I guess you could get a tuner or play with added weight but with the barrel / chamber the rifle has I suspect it's wasted time.

 

[Casshooter]

I will be curious to see what the shortening/recrown does for your accuracy.
I have had competition lever guns recrowned in the past, but bulls eye accuracy was not the intended result of the work so I have no idea if it changed the rifle or not.

 

[Neumann]

A muzzle brake may adversely affect the accuracy of a long arm, because the gas flow at the muzzle is disrupted, possibly asymmetrically. It makes sense on a .22 target pistol used for rapid fire events, because short recovery time is of prime essence

 

[tomcatt51]

A muzzle brake may adversely affect the accuracy of a long arm, because the gas flow at the muzzle is disrupted, possibly asymmetrically.

Actually the opposite is true because a good brake will divert gases that would otherwise be passing the bullet just after the bullet exits the muzzle. So with a brake, the bullet exits into calmer, less turbulent air.

As to "possibly asymmetrically disrupted gas flow at the muzzle" that's also exists when the crown isn't perfect. It's a matter of accurate machining with a crown or a brake.

 

[GhostMutt]

Actually the opposite is true because a good brake will divert gases that would otherwise be passing the bullet just after the bullet exits the muzzle. So with a brake, the bullet exits into calmer, less turbulent air.

As to "possibly asymmetrically disrupted gas flow at the muzzle" that's also exists when the crown isn't perfect. It's a matter of accurate machining with a crown or a brake.

So, if the crown is good (the word used to describe the guy who is doing the work...was exceptional ) then that would render the work of a muzzle brake not worth putting on? Are we at the consensus that a brake is useless on a 22? or could a good brake with an exceptional crown, provide less muzzle rise and 'better' accuracy?

 

[tomcatt51]

So, if the crown is good (the word used to describe the guy who is doing the work...was exceptional ) then that would render the work of a muzzle brake not worth putting on? Are we at the consensus that a brake is useless on a 22? or could a good brake with an exceptional crown, provide less muzzle rise and 'better' accuracy?

On a blow back action .22LR rifle there just isn't much gas pressure left when the bullet exits the muzzle. The bullet ~16 inches down the barrel is where gas starts to vent around the case and the bolt starts moving back. There's even less for a brake to work with using std velocity ammo vs hi-velocity.

Just adding the weight of the brake to the end of the barrel will change the way the barrel resonates and will (slightly) reduce muzzle rise.

So, "could a good brake with an exceptional crown, provide less muzzle rise and 'better' accuracy?" Yes, it could, only one way to find out...

 

[Blackstuff]

IMHO muzzle brakes/flash hiders on .22lr rifles are just thread protectors and/or ornaments. .22lr does not produce enough gas to make a muzzle brake work in they way they are intended.

But make you gun look cool by all means, i know i will be once it arrives!

 

[capx28]

was looking at the same idea ghostmutt. Alot of good info or at least theory here. Just wondering if your talking about a comp designed and made for a .22lr or one designed and made for .223? is there a difference?
As soon as i can decide on a freefloat rail i will be changing it out and next would be the muzzle device.I saw the same youtube vid. very interested to see what route you go and how it works out. Of course most important is how it looks Keep us posted.

 

[GhostMutt]

was looking at the same idea ghostmutt. Alot of good info or at least theory here. Just wondering if your talking about a comp designed and made for a .22lr or one designed and made for .223? is there a difference?
As soon as i can decide on a freefloat rail i will be changing it out and next would be the muzzle device.I saw the same youtube vid. very interested to see what route you go and how it works out. Of course most important is how it looks Keep us posted.

I don't really want to break the bank on a brake after hearing some of the things said on here...however, the smallest chance of squeezing out a little more accuracy and less muzzle rise, plus the chance to look is really tempting.

I like the look of the Jerry Miculek designed DPMS compensator. Designed by the great man himself and it tested very well on that vid and is relatively low cost. I am still looking around though at the moment....waiting on my barrel to be returned then i'll consider my options.

 

[Vortec MAX]

I have a Precision Armament muzzle brake just collecting dust. I thought about putting it on the 15-22 just for fun. I tried that brake on my 3-gun rifle and didn't like it. It would pulse gas/air back into my face on every shot. Are the threads on the 15-22 the same as on a regular AR?

Mike

 

[trebor127]

I have a Precision Armament muzzle brake just collecting dust. I thought about putting it on the 15-22 just for fun. I tried that brake on my 3-gun rifle and didn't like it. It would pulse gas/air back into my face on every shot. Are the threads on the 15-22 the same as on a regular AR?

Mike

The threads are the same 1/2" UNEF.....28tpi

keith

 

[cjt50]

Just another thing to consider about a muzzle break on a 22lr, they load up with lead / carbon where the gas is redirected.

I have a Tactical Solutions one (made for 22lr) on my Browning Buckmark and after about 1000 rounds it was loaded with lead. Since it is made from aluminum a sonic cleaner was a no go. Ended up cleaning it with a drill bit.....

Haven't used it much since.

 

[peterdeb]

YEA, the rifle looks incomplete(I was going to say stupid) without it. Not concerned with performance, carbon buildup or whatever. It is an AR-15 lookalike and I don't remember seeing an AR without one. Just my humble opinion.

 

[GhostMutt]

YEA, the rifle looks incomplete(I was going to say stupid) without it. Not concerned with performance, carbon buildup or whatever. It is an AR-15 lookalike and I don't remember seeing an AR without one. Just my humble opinion.

I more than many am well aware of the tacticool factor...lego for big boys....if i could hang a coffee machine from mine i probably would.
I like the flash hider, the only reason for me to swap that out for a comp or brake would be if it improved accuracy or decreased muzzle rise in any significant way. Hence this thread....

 

[tomcatt51]

This is what I'm using. Minimalist AAC brake but unfortunately discontinued.