Filling in a muzzle break??

[huntswnm]

Can a gunsmith fill in the holes on a muzzle break and not affect the way a rifle shoots?
jeff

[45-70.gov]

i  hate  muzzle brakes

can   you just cut them  off.and  recrown

thinking about  doing that to  my 500 S&W
afraid to hunt  with  it  without ear plugs
don't want to hunt with earplugs

[huntswnm]

Well my problem is that my barrel in .243 is 15" long and has a factory muzzle break making it 16.25" long so it can be used as a carbine.  I shot it for the first time yesterday and didn't care for the muzzle blast.  Don't know about the noise cause I had hearing protection on.   I like the barrel and the way it shoots but was wondering if the holes in the break could be filled in hopefully reducing the muzzle blast.  Would that cut down on the noise as well?  I think it would be a good gun for my daughter to shoot in a couple of years but the way it is now I don't know if its a good idea or not.

Jeff

[torpedoman]

all muzzle brakes direct part of the blast (and noise )to the rear increasing the noise to the shooter nothing to ruin a day at the range like some one with a 300 win mag and a muzzle brake setting up next to you.

[45-70.gov]

you should get beside the muzzle break  on  my 50 BMG
it  will  clear  the table


maybe  a gunsmith could use a front sight with a barrel  band
if  it  is a rifle  i  wouldn't cut  it  below  16 inch

also  if  that  muzzle break  is  removable with a rifle stock you  MAY be  illegal already
if  it  is removable  just get  a linear break  or just  a screwpn  extention with no holes
and  soulder  it  on to  avoid  trouble.....check  this  out  i may be wrong tho

[John Traveler]

Per BATF regulations, a muzzle attachment, break, or extention to get the required 16" minimum length must be welded or brazed on.  A PERMANENT ATTACHMENT.  Soft soldering does not qualify.

[45-70.gov]

thanks  i  thought  it  was  something  like  that

[huntswnm]

thanks guys, but no one has really answered my original question.  My break is permanantly attached, the gentleman I bought it from said it was factory installed.  I know what the holes are for, dissipating energy, sound, etc.  BUT my question is, since this is permanantly attached, and needs to be there to keep the barrel longer than the 16" minimum could a gunsmith fill in these holes thereby doing away with all of the "advantages" of the break.  I need to keep the length but want to get rid of the noise and concussion.  Simply cutting it off and recrowning is not an option.  In theory my idea would basically just make a solid large end to the barrel.

Jeff

[trotterlg]

The only way I think it would be practical to fix it is to turn down the part of the barrel with holes in it and press a sleeve over the holes to cover them.  You would probably want to bore the inside of the break larger so there would be less pressure inside, remember, with the holes plugged the full pressure will be inside the sleeve.  If it were mine I would just sell it and buy something that is proper and will work for you without all the science experments.  Larry

[jhm]

Dollar's and sence wise Larry has given the responce to your question, to properly do what you are asking would cost alot more than buying another barrel, in fact it probably would cost enough to get a couple barrels.   Jim

[45-70.gov]

like  he  said  buy  another barrel

or  sleeve  internally  or extenally

i  thinks  hole plugs  woul be dangerous  if  they came out

are  they round  tap  and set screw[allen head]  and  loctite  do  that  your self

[Badnews Bob]

I don't think you can get rid of your muzzle blast. I had a .243 with a 18" barrel and the blast from that rifle was incredable It did not have a muzzle break and it would knock a soda bottle off the table next to me, We even tried an M14 style flash suppresor on it with no real improvement, It shot well but I sold that beast. I've since found that .243 really like 22 to 24" barrels anyway.

[huntswnm]

Thanks guy I appreciate all the advice and comments.

Jeff