Moderator vs Muzzle Brake

[User00040]

Hi guys,

I'm starting this thread to obtain some information regarding the use of moderators and muzzle brakes. I have shot bolt action rifles with moderators and seen muzzle brakes in use but never used one myself.

Having looked into moderators for stalking rifles (approx .30 cal, non-magnum) , most of the cheaper options make the rifle very front heavy and difficult to carry (important factor on the hill!) due to the increase in length. However, this can be remedied through a shorter,lighter and hence more expensive moderator.

On the other hand, a muzzle brake cuts recoil without adding too much length, but at the disadvantage of possibly increasing the perceived 'noise' and blast from the shot, which is also dependent on the quality of the brake.

In the U.S and on N.Z the muzzle brakes seem to be very popular as moderators are not easily obtainable, but the hunters that use them tend to be hunting with large calibers over long distances. By contrast, any reduction in disturbance from the rifle being discharged is desirable over here.

In his book, Lord 'Skips' Riverdale was very pro muzzle brake, he even designed his own.

However, it is also recommended that full hearing protection be used with brakes. Not sure if the muzzle brake is worth pursuing especially when a moderator has been applied for.

Any input/recommendations would be useful.

Cheers!

 

[Koenig]

Different tools for different jobs in my view. In the UK you are encouraged to have a moderator on slot for most CF Rifles. It’s a health and safety thing. It helps to stop the firer and others going deaf, lessens irritation to local householders and hash the added bonus making it difficult for the deer to work out where the shot originated. This characteristic has on more than one occasion got me a second shot. They can of course upset the balance of a rifle, particularly those not meant or designed for use with a moderator. A brake is more suited to driven game where the extra weight can stop you swinging through effectively. They give a reduction in felt recoil but do little to reduce noise, in fact they can be positively unpleasant for those around you. My PH in South Africa detested brakes for that reason. I am thinking of getting a brake for my T3 for driven boar, and liked the look of the Boar Brake sold through Corinium Range in Cirencester-£150/5. As for moderators there are loads to choose from. Myself and my shooting partner use ASE’s. Short, stainless steel (so they don’t corrode quickly) but also heavy. As a general trend aluminium ones seem generally bigger, lighter and more prone to corrosion particularly if abused. There is a firm (can’t recall the name) who offer titanium mods which could be interesting but I’ve never used one and think they would likely be expensive. Try before you buy ideally, or at least see what your mates are using and take a view before parting with your hard earn £. Also keep in mind your style and location of shooting. A high seat near houses in the UK vs driven boar in Europe call for different tools. Also bear in mind if you shoot overseas that moderators are not always welcome and in some places are illegal.

 

[Highlandsjohn]

No comparison in the two. Moderators save us from hearing loss and generally make the rifle much nicer to shoot.
MB to reduce recoil while being just about the most anti social invention ever attached to a rifle.. If you have a problem with recoil there are far better solutions..

 

[Hanechdene]

I have a muzzle brake on my 375 as well as a kick stop. The recoil is tamed to a point that it is perceived to be less than my moderated 300 WM or even a moderated 308.

It is a very balanced rifle with the brake on but you most certainly need to have hearing protection on!

 

[Ruger 1022]

Its not nice being in the pit or next pit down when someone is firing a big calibre with a brake as the blast is directed away from the shooter but hits the other shooter, they generally get described as anti social guns, I love my .223 with the mod on there is so little noise and very little recoil its just like shooting a .22 rimfire.

 

[the prowler]

Moderator every time. Fire a rifle near a tree with a muzzle brake, you will be in for a loud surprise.

 

[Lateral]

Aren't these two very different things, one to reduce noise, the other to reduce recoil. A moderator will reduce recoil to some degree, purely by adding weight to the rifle.

Last year, I bought a muzzle break to try on a 300wm, I was going to use for driven boar, as mod's are illegal in most of Europe, and not ideal for drive shooting. It's a tiny thing, and I was really dubious about it doing anything. Both I, and the guy I was with, were amazed at the reduction in recoil, and muzzle flip.

Down side to a brake, if you want to retain your hearing, you'll need to wear hearing protection, not an issue for driven, as I wear Peltors anyway.

 

[Koenig]

If it’s hard recoil you’re seeking to reduce, you’d be well advised to get a decent recoil pad. The Simms Laboratory Limbsaver is good choice. Knocks off about 40%. They sell for £30-40 depending on model.

 

[Koenig]

Lateral. I think you’ve just nailed it. Different tools for different applications.

 

[User00040]

To clarify, I'm trying to weigh up the pro's and cons of the two options.

Strongly leaning towards a Freyr-Devik moderator but would still be open to trying a brake which did not require timing.

 

[North Stalker]

I tried a muzzle brake on a .308 I had, never again and to say the lad I was with was impressed with the look, he was unimpressed by the noise.... I have a Hardy Gen VI on my .270 and had the Gen IV on my previous .270, at .290gm, it is well balanced, reduces recoil. I’d think fitted to a .308, it would be a pleasure to shoot. It tames the bark of the .270 well.

 

[VSS]

My daughter uses a muzzle brake because, being very small, she found that the moderator she was using unbalanced the rifle. Her accuracy is much better with the brake than it was with the mod. However, even with the small calibre (222) it's unpleasant for me to be alongside her on the range or out stalking.
She will definitely be going back to using a mod if / when she can afford one that's small and light.

I don't use a mod or a brake on my 270 as it's not screwcut. If it were, I would choose a mod over a brake any day, just for the sake of my ears. Recoil isn't a consideration.

 

[Edinburgh Rifles]

Moderators will reduce recoil not just through added weight
Some of the lower performing moderators for sound attenuation did extremely well on recoil reduction

MAE are excellent for recoil but not because they are heavy
Some of the heaviest mods did much less for recoil

Reviews and Tests – Edinburgh Rifles

The brake on my 338lm significantly reduces felt recoil, more so than the moderator
Yes it’s not something you want to be lying beside, but that is only relevant to range use

Some mods are as little as 149gr, arguably no heavier than a solid steel brake
Depends on application but most rifle chamberings really don’t need a brake if they fit well

I would say for sporting application anything below a 7RM/300wm it’s not worth it

 

[Lateral]

To clarify, I'm trying to weigh up the pro's and cons of the two options.

Strongly leaning towards a Freyr-Devik moderator but would still be open to trying a brake which did not require timing.

If you've mentioned, I can't see where, but what calibre is the rifle ?

 

[SDC7x57]

Having shot 7mm Rem Mag with a MagnaPorted barrel, and 375 H&H Mag Blaser with a muzzle brake (and KickStop) extensively, I'd certainly agree about both the better balance of the rifle, and the reduced recoil......but the noise is downright brutal.

I'm one of the many who now have a resident 24hr 'bird' whistling away in one ear after a lifetime of shooting and being far too close to heavy machinery,before the arrival of the top class hearing protection available nowadays. So, in short, I've been 'moderated' in my advancing years . The other plus that is when using a moderated rifle, the source of the sound is often not apparent to the animal and follow-up shots, or a shot at a second animal is often possible. This rarely happens when the leaves are still falling off the trees after firing a larger calibre rifle fitted with a brake!

 

[Lateral]

Moderators will reduce recoil not just through added weight

How does that work ?

 

[Edinburgh Rifles]

How does that work ?

Same way
Redirection of gas/energy
Most modern moderator designs incorporate a muzzle brake internally that will direct gas flow sideways and backwards into a chamber before a traditional baffle stack

 

[VSS]

The other plus that is when using a moderated rifle, the source of the sound is often not apparent to the animal and follow-up shots, or a shot at a second animal is often possible. This rarely happens when the leaves are still falling off the trees after firing a larger calibre rifle fitted with a brake!

This is something I've been told several times, and it would seem logical, but my experience doesn't support the theory. Several times I've been able to shoot more than one deer out of group using my unmoderated rifle, which is something I never achieved when I had a modded rifle - the rest of the group always legged it at the sound of the shot.

 

[SDC7x57]

Interesting, VSS. I agree that there are certainly times when you can get multiple shots off, moderated or unmoderated. I suppose we're about 50/50 hill vs woodland on our bit, and it has become quite normal to have to stand around and wait after shooting a beast for the rest to amble off. I thought initially it was happening because of a (usually) fairly strong breeze, but not these days, because it happens so often. I had a young Dutch lad out a few weeks ago and he shot two sub bucks during the rut - in both cases the does just stood, barely bothered. We waited at least fifteen minutes on both occasions.

The old 7x57 has never been a overly loud round (IMO...) and the moderator is a Schultz & Larsen which came with the rifle......

 

[hogey]

Moderator every time. Fire a rifle near a tree with a muzzle brake, you will be in for a loud surprise.

Yes indeed.tried a brake on my 243 and went on range to zero.The bench was alongside a steel container and my first and only shot nearly ruptured my eardrums .