SSK Arrestor made a gun

[358jdj]

A while back I posted a question about porting my 358jdj.  Prior to porting the 14 inch tube was accurate but very difficult to shoot.  Recoil with 225 BT was significant to say the least.  Ten shots and my nerves where toast.

Well, i sent the barrel back to SSK to cut in an arrestor.  What a difference.  Now the recoil is minimal.  The Contender does not even lift off the bag.  Rearward recoil is minimal.  The "felt recoil is less than even my 7-30 barrel.  I am getting  one holer groups at 100 yards using a 4X leupold scope.  To say I am happy is an understatement.

The only downfall is the noise.  Gotta shoot the dang thing with muffs and plugs but it is worth it.  My advice to anyone suffering recoil issues with a Contender is to send the barrel off to SSK and ask for an arrestor.  I am a believer!  If I can find a elk this fall in a position where I can squeeze in a rest, they are dead meat at up to 250 yards.

[Minnesota1]

What load are you using in your 358 JDJ?  I picked one up and now I have formed the brass and am ready to go but I need some loads.

Thanks,

Bob

[jhalcott]

  I know what you mean 358, my own barrel has a Vais brake on it. I use 200 grain rn bullets in it. It is awesome on deer but accurate enough for ground hogs.  I have used 2520, h322 and imr 4064 powders. i found the 200 Hornady SP's harder than the RN's of either Hornady or Remington,meaning the wounds were smaller and less than instantly effective on the few deer I shot with them. I hate to give powder charges because each barrel is different. JDJ will give you data IF he made YOUR barrel. Besides ,MY barrel is a rechambered 35 remington.

[Graybeard]

Rearward recoil is minimal.  The "felt recoil is less than even my 7-30 barrel.

 

Sorry but I gotta STRONGLY disagree. Been there done that. I thought it was bad before the brake but afterward it was way more than the web of my hand could stand. Just a few shots and my right hand was toast for a week. Finally gave in gave up and sold it. Rearward recoil with the brake is just plain VICIOUS.

But you are right that it gives absolutely ZERO lift from the bags and no twisting at all. But none of that recoil energy disappeared it only turned rearward, that's just high school physics.

[Grumulkin]

Here are some details on the "physics" of this.  The force of propelling a given bullet weight at a given velocity is the sum of those needed to accelerate both the bullet and the powder.  The powder when burned, still has mass though it has been largely changed into a gaseous state.

Many of the muzzle brakes don't direct the gasses much to the rear because the holes are not that thick; an exception would be brakes in the "shark gill" style.  What brakes do is direct gas up to limit muzzle jump and the recoil you would get from the burned powder is redirected out and perpendicular to the bore.  The gas redirected perpendicular to the bore is the reason brakes are so loud.  Therefore, by basic high school physics, one will get less muzzle jump and less rearward recoil no matter what style of brake is used.

Of course, for the recoil sensitive, even a brake doesn't always tame recoil to an acceptable level.

[358jdj]

Graybeard,

I hear ya.  I have studied your info on the 358jdj for some time, including the info about a vicious rearward push with a muzzle brake.  While I appreciate and respect your opinions, in this case we are going to just have to agree to disagree.  I shoot .223, 7-30, and 30/40 Krag out of my Contenders in addition to the 358jdj.  I shot all four last weekend, one after the other.  With a muzzle brake, my 358jdj's recoil is VERY controllable and down right mild, even the rearward push.  Maybe it has to do with my load (obtained from SSK) consisting of IMR4064 and the 225 Nosler BT.

Keep your opinions coming.  I enjoy all you do and respect your work.  No offense taken or implied.