Muzzle brake recommendation

[Arizona Jake]

For a number of years I have bee using a T/C Encore in 7mm Rem. BR and recently bought a 12" barrel in .454 Casull. I installed an Ultra Dot red dot sight and developed a good Max. load using Barnes X bullets and Winchester 296 powder. I have no problems with the load, handgun or red dot sight, but I have rather large, skinny hands and the .454's recoil gets very unpleasant for me after 5 or 6 rounds.  Strange, but I can shoot heavy recoiling rifles all day without a problem...

Anyway, can anyone recommend an effective muzzle brake for my .454 barrel? How effective are the muzzle brakes offered by Fox Ridge (T/C's Custom shop) ? As always, any and all help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Jake

[jhalcott]

 I seen people have odd problems with the factory T/C muzzle breaks. I have a VAIS break on my 358 JDJ and porting on my 6.5JDJ.I have a ported 45-70 barrel made by Belmm and ported by some one else.The Vais break is quite expensive but VERY effective,the porting on the 6.5 is really not needed on that caliber but was there when I got the barrel. The 6.5 does recoil LESS than my 7-30 waters barrrel which is set up identically. The ports on the 45-70 are 2 rows of 5 holes ,one on each side of the front sight. This seems to keep the "flip" down, but increases the back thrust of the gun.
  http://specialtypistols.ottllc.com/sp19.html   Here is another break to think about OTT makes the shark gill break.

[Heavy C]

I have two barrels with the Fox Ridge (Custom Shop) muzzle brakes.  I think they work great.  I had an OPS Tactical brake from www.eabco.com.  That one did'nt work so well on my handgun, but I had the same brake put on a 30-06 AI rifle barrel.  Extremely effective.  They have other muzzle brakes as well.  I've also heard good things about the brakes produced by SSK, but they are pricey.

[jhalcott]

 The muzzle break is like a retro rocket! the more gas ejecting thru the break the more "effective " it is! Some cartridges do NOT have a lot of gas to eject thru the break,some LOADS in certain calibers don't seem to have any effect thru a break. A heavy barrel could help as much as a break in some cases. I don't mean to confuse you but breaks are not always going to make your beast into a pussy cat.Go over to SPECIALTY PISTOLS and ask those guys.

[Arizona Jake]

Thanks for the advice, gentlemen. I will check into SSK and KDJ muzzle brakes.

Jake.

[Arizona Jake]

After checking a few websites, I decided I will go with the OTT "shark gill" muzzle brake.

Again, thanks.

JB

[Heavy C]

JB:

Let us know how the OTT brake works out.  I was reading about it on their website.  Looks pretty cool too!

[sawfish]

Sorry about this late reply, but I have gotten behind on my Graybeard reading.  I have tried a number of brakes, but favor those made by custom gunsmith Darrell Holland for one reason.  They are designed with a solid bottom, which means they do not kick up dirt dust, or rip holes in your pack when using it for a rest. I have them on my 45/70 rifles and on my .35 Rem. XP-100, and they are as effective as any brakes I have used.

Some 'smiths do not like them because they are a little more trouble to fit.  I sent mine to Hollands, and have been 100%+ satisfied.  Just MHO.  They are available from Hollands, or through Brownells.