Load development with muzzle brake for a suppressed rifle

[FattyBinz]

Just got my TBAC Ultra 7 for my new Seekins Element Havak 6.5 PRC. Had the Area419 Hellfire Match on it before but I shot with the suppressor for the first time today to find my max safe chargeweight. Using N565 with Berger 156s. I was really surprised at how little the suppressor helps with recoil. Its not the worst, but still unpleasant. Since I don't mind recoil in an actual hunting situation or when shooting just a few shots, but as I move onto shooting a whole bunch in the next stage of load development, I'd rather shoot with the brake. I usually go to the range during weekdays when there aren't many people around me, so I'm not worried about blasting people in neighboring lanes. Question is, if I develop a load using a brake, will the accuracy of whatever optimal load I (hopefully) find be consistent when I shoot and hunt with the suppressor? Since the suppressor adds a bit of velocity, will it keep the same accuracy/precision, but just add a bit more speed? If there is any chance of the accuracy not translating from the brake to the suppressor, I think I'd rather just hide a shoulder pad under my shirt lol

I'm using the Area419 suppressor mount, so I can switch between the hellfire match brake the the Ultra 7 easily

 

[fisherman983]

Maybe, maybe not. No reason to waste time with a brake. Just shoot with your supressor on

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[Pickettpuncher]

My groups opened up slightly with my suppressor.

 

[JGRaider]

My groups opened up slightly with my suppressor.

Tweak your load.....not uncommon.

 

[Runolfson]

I personally felt the recoil reduction was close to the same as the brake. But maybe my brake was not a good one. With my Ultra 5 on my 7prc I can spot my impacts. But my rifle is not super light, comes in at 9 lbs with the suppressor.

I think the biggest difference you're potentially going to see is a shift in POI. Speed change is not significant.

 

[deadwolf]

Leave the suppressor on if that’s how you plan to hunt.

Double check that it is on tight every few shots. They will come loose.

If you’re at the range with a muzzle brake, go to the end of the firing line ; )


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[FattyBinz]

Leave the suppressor on if that’s how you plan to hunt.

Double check that it is on tight every few shots. They will come loose.

If you’re at the range with a muzzle brake, go to the end of the firing line ; )


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yeah, I thought it would stay snug but I was really surprised at the end of the session when I went to take it off and it was loose.

 

[Pickettpuncher]

Tweak your load.....not uncommon.

Planning on it. It helped one rifle and hurt another

 

[wind gypsy]

Same load may shoot fine in both, might not shoot as well with one. Can’t know for sure. Regardless, “load dev” with a brake isn’t really load dev for it suppressed.

 

[mtnbound]

I'm not familiar with that mount, but I see minor POI changes when I swap suppressors around ( I have direct thread and Griffin mounts). These are only noticed when shooting small round-count groups; when you move up to higher round-count groups, the POI shift doesn't seem to be enough to be worried about. An accurate load is an accurate load, whether it's suppressed or not. At least, that's what I have found, so don't overcomplicate the LD.

 

[hunter121212]

I vote for developing it how you plan to hunt. Most of my rifles do change grouping with vs without a suppressor, and I have just a couple that don't.

 

[dreadi]

If you're going to use it suppressed, develop your loads while suppressed.

 

[waspocrew]

Agreed, work with it how you plan to hunt with it. Not worth the hassle if it shots well with the brake and then find out the suppressor changes things.

 

[Vern400]

Think of it as two different rifles. The chambers are identical, but the natural frequency of the barrel is completely different. It's likely your accuracy nodes are going to be a slightly different velocities. And your point of impact will be different.

Light-barreled guns and AR platform guns will move poi more than a heavy varmint bolt gun. My brother has an m&p 15 that moves 8 inches at 100 yd, maybe more. You might be looking at a small move or maybe not.

You could develop loads for a thread protector, a muzzle brake and a suppressor. Throw in cheap bullets and really good bullets. Now you have six favorite loads. You're making your life very complicated very quickly