05-18-2021, 03:52 PM
(This post was last modified: 05-18-2021, 04:56 PM by lazyengineer.)
Interesting topic, and great to see someone posting and doing tests. Though as Klem notes, the variability of results as a function of tuning the break, is about the same as the variability of results I get just doing replicates, so it's tough to conclude much. Interesting all the same, and I appreciate the testing and reporting.
I will say, when i comes to breaks, I have some design-bias these days. I would never buy that break - but not for the reasons you might be thinking. I find the large flat impact flanges that this break has (4 of them) are highly effective force capturing surfaces for reducing recoil. I've also found they are highly effective at rebounding and directing that blast back at the shooter and those beside him, quite fiercly, and it just can get unpleasant. Design features I look for in a break today, are systems to manage that blow-back. I have found two design elements that I think (well, I think) work and help.
1) a protective blast-skirt between the flat flange area and the shooter. The Ruger PR break does a nice job of this, but others sometimes will too. This is where small diameter holes are drilled and strageically placed inline bettween the shooters face, and the main blast area. They are drilled in the main chamber area of the break, and direct the blast directly out. Obviously one can only "direct" a gas expansion blast so well, but in any event, they do appear to create a pre-blast "skirt", between the main blast area, and the shooter. Then when the main blast hits the flange, which rebounds the blast directly back to the shooter, that rebounding blast encounters that "skirt" blast zone, which takes some of the sting out of it.
![[Image: 90590B.jpg]](https://shopruger.s3.amazonaws.com/products/90590B.jpg)
2) redirect the blast out at a more angled degree, but without the direct flange with it's flat rebound right back at the shooter. This is the BCM Gunfighter design. And this one definately works. It does a pretty good job as a muzzle break, but the concussive high noise blast is dramatically less than other break designs. It's not quiiite as good of a break, but works pretty darned well.
5.56 version is the same size and weight as A2 FH, which I value. This is my favorite general purpose 5.56 muzzle device now:
![[Image: opplanet-bravo-gfc-mod-0-bcm-gunfighter-...teel-ar-15]](https://op2.0ps.us/original/opplanet-bravo-gfc-mod-0-bcm-gunfighter-compensator-mod-0-5-56mm-stainless-steel-ar-15)
Here is their .30 cal version. Which is longer unfortunately, but makes a great P&W option for a 14.5 Grendel barrel. If you look closely, they have a little port on there on each side, right between your face and the main blast area, to give that "skirt" I was talking about, incorporated into it as well.
https://www.themusastore.com/collections...-mod-1-762
3) I've also taken to just running switching .30 cal breaks on 6.5's. I used to bemoan how hard it is to find 6.5 diameter breaks. But anything that makes that flange rebound surface lesser, will decrease it's effectiveness, but also decrease it's blast effect. I run a .300 BO Gamma break on my Grendel, and am very happy with that little A2 FH sized break.
All of these are "tunable" by different crush-washers or changing out shims. Though in my opinion, in a semi-auto rifle and to a handloader, a tunable break is just one more thing with settings, that I don't know what the right setting is.
Also, I value a small and light break. I like to keep my guns as tidy in shape and weight as I can. Adding 3" of heavy steel break on the end, such as this tuner, undermines that goal. If it's bigger than an A2 FH, it already has a strike against it with me.
I will say, when i comes to breaks, I have some design-bias these days. I would never buy that break - but not for the reasons you might be thinking. I find the large flat impact flanges that this break has (4 of them) are highly effective force capturing surfaces for reducing recoil. I've also found they are highly effective at rebounding and directing that blast back at the shooter and those beside him, quite fiercly, and it just can get unpleasant. Design features I look for in a break today, are systems to manage that blow-back. I have found two design elements that I think (well, I think) work and help.
1) a protective blast-skirt between the flat flange area and the shooter. The Ruger PR break does a nice job of this, but others sometimes will too. This is where small diameter holes are drilled and strageically placed inline bettween the shooters face, and the main blast area. They are drilled in the main chamber area of the break, and direct the blast directly out. Obviously one can only "direct" a gas expansion blast so well, but in any event, they do appear to create a pre-blast "skirt", between the main blast area, and the shooter. Then when the main blast hits the flange, which rebounds the blast directly back to the shooter, that rebounding blast encounters that "skirt" blast zone, which takes some of the sting out of it.
2) redirect the blast out at a more angled degree, but without the direct flange with it's flat rebound right back at the shooter. This is the BCM Gunfighter design. And this one definately works. It does a pretty good job as a muzzle break, but the concussive high noise blast is dramatically less than other break designs. It's not quiiite as good of a break, but works pretty darned well.
5.56 version is the same size and weight as A2 FH, which I value. This is my favorite general purpose 5.56 muzzle device now:
Here is their .30 cal version. Which is longer unfortunately, but makes a great P&W option for a 14.5 Grendel barrel. If you look closely, they have a little port on there on each side, right between your face and the main blast area, to give that "skirt" I was talking about, incorporated into it as well.
https://www.themusastore.com/collections...-mod-1-762
3) I've also taken to just running switching .30 cal breaks on 6.5's. I used to bemoan how hard it is to find 6.5 diameter breaks. But anything that makes that flange rebound surface lesser, will decrease it's effectiveness, but also decrease it's blast effect. I run a .300 BO Gamma break on my Grendel, and am very happy with that little A2 FH sized break.
All of these are "tunable" by different crush-washers or changing out shims. Though in my opinion, in a semi-auto rifle and to a handloader, a tunable break is just one more thing with settings, that I don't know what the right setting is.
Also, I value a small and light break. I like to keep my guns as tidy in shape and weight as I can. Adding 3" of heavy steel break on the end, such as this tuner, undermines that goal. If it's bigger than an A2 FH, it already has a strike against it with me.