In response to popular demand, we’ve scaled it up a notch and have taken the 5.56 muzzle brake testing to 7.62. Specifically, 24 muzzle devices threaded 5/8-24 for use with .30 caliber cartridges joined in the fun, all of them getting tested for recoil reduction prowess on a .308. Come on in, the water’s just fine . . .
The procedure for this .308 test was basically identical to the 5.56 muzzle brake tests. You can find the first one here, the second one there, and the third one over here. For the Operators out there, we got a sweet Lux meter and tested the muzzle signature reduction effectiveness of flash hiders and other muzzle devices as well. Flash hiding test #1 is here, and #2 here. You may also be interested in the AR-15 Drop-In Trigger Roundup here.
These tests are expensive, but I’d love to do more. I’ve purchased air pressure sensors designed to log blast waves so we can compare the amount of concussion each muzzle device generates, and these will be used in test four. But I have a lot of brakes to round up for that and the funding is low. I also want to do another AR-15 trigger roundup (component triggers this time) and a couple of flashlight roundups (tactical and gun-mounted). Please consider supporting this sort of testing via my Patreon page. As a Patron you can also get free stuff, join live streams, gain early access, and more.
This test was made possible with the assistance of a few sponsors:
- Lancer Systems loaned me an L30 Heavy Metal rifle to use as the test bed. It’s an AR-10/SR-25 pattern gun, and it’s dang nice. I’m hanging onto it for a while longer, and after some accuracy testing and a few hundred more rounds I’ll follow up with a review on it. That said, I’ve shot Lancer’s .308s out to 1,000 yards before and have had this carbon fiber beast out to the woods with me a few times since December, and it’s going great.
- Gorilla Ammunition provided the ammo for this test. The way the test works, loading inconsistency in ammo will directly skew the results. Knowing that precisely-loaded, consistent, repeatable ammunition was critical, I reached out to Gorilla and was thrilled when they agreed to send me enough of their 175 grain Sierra MatchKing .308 loads to perform this test with some to spare. It’s among the most consistent ammo on the market.
- My local indoor range and one of my go-to FFLs, Sharp Shooting Indoor Range & Gun Shop, was kind enough to shut down their South bay for me so I could perform the test there. Originally the test was going to happen in early November, but has been weather-delayed since then. With no end to that in sight, Sharp Shooting saved my hide and put a roof over my head. Doing it indoors also helps with consistency thanks to a constant temperature, humidity, flat ground, etc. Frankly, I’d like to do the next 5.56 test and other stuff there, too, but it’s a big ask since they have to shut down half their range for a couple hours. Next time you’re in the market for firearms, NFA goods, optics, gun-related gear, etc, give Jeremy Ball or Nick Brown there a call (509.535.4444) and tell ’em I sent you. They’re one of the country’s largest stocking dealers for Primary Weapons Systems — anything PWS ships free — but they carry just about everything you can think of (including Lancer Systems and Gorilla Ammo, actually).
Recoil Testing
We’ll keep the test procedure description quick. For more info, refer to the video above and/or the 5.56 muzzle brake tests.
- The L30 Heavy Metal was strapped to the test rig, which was free to slide on a plastic table. I measured how far the rig slid back for each shot. This is one method of quantifying rearwards recoil energy. Bare muzzle is the basis for comparison against which all of the muzzle devices are measured.
- Only a single round of Gorilla .308 was loaded for each shot (one in the chamber, zero in the mag).
- The rifle’s Syrac Ordnance gas block was turned off. This means the action did not cycle — the bolt remained locked in battery — and each round was manually ejected before loading the next.
- Each muzzle device was timed properly, and tested twice.
- Recoil distance was measured in 1/16″ increments. All of the data here has been converted from that to decimals.
As simple and as “redneck” as this test looks — and is, sure — the average difference between the shortest slide and the farthest slide for all 25 tests (24 muzzle devices plus bare muzzle) was 0.1425″. Barely over an eighth of an inch. It’s crazy consistent.
So, who won? Well… .308 may not be 5.56, but a good design is a good design…
Precision Armament’s M4-72 Severe-Duty Compensator!
Yeah, no kidding. I’ve now thrown 95 different muzzle devices at it, and it’s still reigning supreme. In two calibers. In a design that’s shorter, narrower, lighter, and less expensive than a lot of its competitors. Respect.
On the .308, the M4-72 reduced recoil by 64.43% from a bare muzzle. In 5.56, that figure was 73.84% in test one and 73.5% in test two. This discrepancy is not unexpected, as the larger bore diameter on these .30 caliber devices means the baffles will allow more gas through.
This is also the primary reason why .45 ACP suppressors are almost always louder than 9mm suppressors. Just to put it in perspective, if the 5.56 brakes have a bore diameter of 0.244″ and the .30 cal brakes have a bore diameter of 0.328″ (using a fairly standard 0.020″ overbore), then the surface area of a .30 cal bore hole is a whopping 81% larger.
Note: there is no comparison whatsoever between the inch measurements in this test and those in the 5.56 tests. The weight of the test rig was completely different. Really, the inch measurements in any of these tests are random and arbitrary anyway. The key stat is the recoil reduction as a percentage.
Recoil test results for all of the entrants can be seen in the graphs and tables below. Click on any of the images in this article to see them full-size. Additionally, all of the raw data can be downloaded in an Excel doc by clicking here.
The following numbers don’t have any real meaning by themselves at all, it’s just an invented index so we can rank all of the muzzle devices in this test by how much relative recoil reduction you get per dollar of cost. A higher number — meaning most performance per dollar — is better:
Recoil reduction performance in chart form:
All the hard stats in chart form:
Muzzle Brakes / Compensators
Listed alphabetically. All stated weights and dimensions are as measured by me. I noted obvious errors on many manufacturers’ sites so chose not to use any of their info across the board.
AAC BRAKEOUT:
This is an old design and has been replaced by the BRAKEOUT 2.0. I included it anyway since I had it and since I’m sure plenty of people own them and may be curious. Please send all complaints to Nick.
Machining is great and finish is good. As with most of the muzzle devices that act as a QD mount for a suppressor, you’re getting extra material and weight that you don’t need unless you own the applicable can, and you’re paying for that machining complication as well. The BRAKEOUT is supposed to be a best-of-both-worlds sort of a thing but, frankly, I’m not a big fan of the design. It’s a below average muzzle brake yet still has brake-like concussion (less so in v2.0), and it’s a poor flash hider (as seen here).
Click here to jump to its point in the video.
Material: Steel
Finish: Not Specified
Length: 2.568″
Diameter (at largest point): 1.136″
Weight: 3.603 oz
MSRP: $124.99
Dead Air Armament Keymount Muzzle Brake:
Dead Air’s Keymount Brake is another suppressor QD mount. Like the BRAKEOUT, that means extra metal that serves no function unless you own a Dead Air Sandman. Unlike the BRAKEOUT, it’s a full-on muzzle brake and compensator and placed about middle of the pack on recoil reduction (and doesn’t break the bank).
The one photographed above is a well-used sample that I borrowed for this test. I also have a brand new, 5.56 one for the next AR-15 test and the quality of the machining is really excellent. The finish is great, too, but put a can over the top and fire a few hundred rounds and you’ll nail that “experienced” patina seen above.
Click here to jump to its point in the video.
Material: Steel
Finish: Not Specified
Length: 2.602″
Diameter (at largest point): 1.082″
Weight: 3.638 oz
MSRP: $89
Dead Air Armament Sandman Ti:
Sharp Shooting has my Sandman Ti in NFA purgatory, but since they have a range on-site I’m able to borrow — staying on the premises — and shoot any NFA items of mine that are awaiting Form 4 approval. Takes a bit of the edge off the tax stamp wait.
At any rate, a .30 caliber suppressor has been missing from my silencer cache and the Sandman Ti was my choice. Dead Air’s QD mount system is awesome, but I wanted a direct-thread can for a handful of reasons. A full review on this bad boy will come eventually, but for now I’ll just say that the machining is perfect and there are no flaws in the Cerakote application. It was, without a question, by far the most pleasant .308 muzzle device to shoot at an indoor range. Blast and concussion? None.
Click here to jump to its point in the video.
Material: Titanium tube, Stellite baffle core
Finish: Cerakote
Length: 8.2″
Diameter (at largest point): 1.5″
Weight: 16.8 oz
MSRP: $849
Dynamic Resistance Muzzle Brake:
The .30 cal brake from Dynamic Resistance followed the Dead Air brake alphabetically and exactly matched its recoil reduction performance. It’s a clean looking, compact brake and compensator at a competitive price. I like the look of the curved baffles when viewed from the side.
Machining is completely clean. Parkerized finish is standard.
Click here to jump to its point in the video.
Material: 4140 Steel
Finish: Mil-Spec Parkerize
Length: 2.104″
Diameter (at largest point): 1.001″
Weight: 3.06 oz
MSRP: $75
JP Rifles Large-Profile Compensator:
Right in the middle of the pack on recoil reduction is the JP Comp. As you’d expect from JP, materials and machining are top notch. These comps come in all sorts of base diameters, bore diameters, and in either stainless or black finishes to suit most any rifle. They’re a popular sight on competition guns.
Click here to jump to its point in the video.
Material: Stainless Steel or Carbon Steel
Finish: Machined Stainless or Matte Black
Length: 2.752″
Diameter (at largest point): 1.221″
Weight: 5.432 oz
MSRP: $99.95
Knight’s Armament Company 762MAMS Muzzle Brake:
The MAMS — Multi-Axis Muzzle Stability — brake works as a QD mount for KAC’s QDC suppressors and also as a standalone muzzle device. It’s well made, albeit large and fairly complex. It’s also four hundred freakin’ dollars.
Near bottom of the pack here for recoil reduction, but it’s another combo device rather than a brake with big baffles. As such, it does have less concussion than basically any of the true brakes.
Click here to jump to its point in the video.
Material: Steel
Finish: Not Specified
Length: 3.293″
Diameter (at largest point): 1.142″
Weight: 5.185 oz
MSRP: $399.95
Kahntrol Solutions 3-Gun Muzzle Brake:
I can see Kahntrol Solutions’ hexagonal muzzle brakes working pretty well aesthetically with certain rifle builds. I’m guessing they’re buying cold rolled steel hex rod and having at it. Leaving the flats unmolested and using a treatment like black oxide rather than a coating (e.g. Cerakote) does result in a slightly porous looking surface with little pock marks in the metal. Not that one’s face is generally close enough to a muzzle brake to notice.
Solid performance, unique aesthetics.
Click here to jump to its point in the video.
Material: 4140 Steel
Finish: Black Oxide
Length: 2.6″
Diameter (at largest point): 0.988″
Weight: 3.03 oz
MSRP: $94.95
Kahntrol Solutions HexMod Brake:
The 3-Gun above is sized to be legal for 3-Gun and other competition use. The HexMod is more of an “open” brake — basically the same design, but in a larger diameter. Although larger baffles would typically mean more recoil reduction performance, Kahntrol states on its website that in .308 and smaller calibers, the HexMod and 3-Gun perform pretty much identically. I had a hard time believing that would really be the case, but, indeed, the HexMod cut recoil by only half of one percent more than the 3-gun did. Apparently, the HexMod comes into its own when you crank up the volume beyond .308.
Again, Kahntrol’s machining is clean, but the bar stock has some surface roughness to it that remains visible. The black oxide treatment on both brakes is even and looks good.
Click here to jump to its point in the video.
Material: 4140 Steel
Finish: Black Oxide
Length: 2.613″
Diameter (at largest point): 1.29″
Weight: 5.009 oz
MSRP: $99.95
Lancer Systems Nitrous Compensator:
The Nitrous comes installed from the factory on the Lancer L30 Heavy Metal rifle used for this test. Ahead of the ports is an enclosed blast chamber, and on the top of that blast chamber is a pair of holes. These holes vent gas upwards to combat muzzle rise. What makes the Nitrous unique, though, is that these holes are threaded, and the comp ships with 6 set screw “jets” allowing the end user to custom-tune downward force. Choose from any combination of no jets, two large aperture jets, two small aperture jets, and two solid plugs to get it just right.
It proved to be a bit more competitive in 5.56 than in this circle of .308 brakes, but it’s still a great looking muzzle device with flawless machining and finish and adjustable muzzle rise compensation to boot.
Click here to jump to its point in the video.
Material: Steel or Stainless Steel
Finish: Black Nitride or Bead Blast Stainless
Length: 2.876″
Diameter (at largest point): 0.997″
Weight: 4.797 oz
MSRP: $90.05
Lancer Systems Viper Brake:
Ask Lancer to throw out size and weight considerations and come up with something that’s as effective as possible, and they’ll show you the Viper — our 3rd place finisher. Like the Nitrous, it has adjustable jets for tuning muzzle rise, but on the Viper they can also be used to tune for muzzle drift (push the muzzle left or right). Shaped a bit like the head of a pit viper, it’s a 3-chambered brake with rearwards-angled blast baffles.
Once again, machining and finish are top notch. For the shooter, this brake sounds and feels like most of the others. For those around you, it gives a heck of a thump. It can be tuned very effectively for shooting from a bipod or offhand, for left- or right-handed shooters. It’s available in two finishes and for 6.5 or .30 calibers.
Click here to jump to its point in the video.
Material: Steel or Stainless Steel
Finish: Black Nitride or Machined Stainless Steel
Length: 3.772″
Diameter (at largest point): 1.877″
Weight: 10.229 oz
MSRP: $169.99
Lilja Precision Rifle Barrels Heartbraker:
Lilja’s Heartbrake is so named for its heart-ish-shaped ports. Somewhat like the Thunder Technologies brakes in 5.56 test #2, actually. This baffle/port design certainly seems effective, as all of these brakes cut recoil more than I would have expected given their relatively small diameters and port sizes. It’s lighter on concussion and blast than most, too.
The straight-walled Heartbrake is designed to appear like barrel, and is offered in a couple diameter options to help make that happen. The 0.875″ one seen here was an exact match for the L30 Heavy Metal’s stainless barrel. It’s a really nice, precision piece.
Click here to jump to its point in the video.
Material: Stainless Steel
Finish: Machined Stainless Steel
Length: 3″
Diameter (at largest point): 0.875″
Weight: 4.056 oz
MSRP: $95
Nord-Arms Muzzle Brake OPEN 308 Caliber:
Nord Arms is located in Estonia, and their parts will be available in the U.S. very soon. They were kind enough to mail me their OPEN brake for .308, their OPEN and STANDARD brakes for 5.56, and one of their drop-in trigger units to include in my upcoming AR-15 drop-in trigger roundup. The wife promptly absconded with the Estonian postage stamps for her journal/scrap book thing.
Anyway, all of these brakes are available in 4140 steel or in Titanium. My steel examples are machined to an average degree of precision with a bit of roughness around the edges and some internal tool marks still visible. U.S. production versions will be nitrided, resulting in a deeper, more even finish, but mine are black oxide or parkerized. Clearly, this OPEN brake is massive, looking like it belongs on a .50 cal or maybe a Howitzer — it has the whole arrowhead shape, reverse-venting thing going on. Instead of shimming or using a crush washer to time it, the brake can simply be clamped down with the two included bolts.
Click here to jump to its point in the video.
Material: 4140 Steel or Titanium
Finish: QPQ Nitride (my non-U.S. model is black oxide or parkerized)
Length: 2.661″
Diameter (at largest point): 1.58″
Weight: 8.113 oz
MSRP: Not yet available for purchase in the U.S., but likely about $75 when Nord-Arms parts hit our shores soon
Precision Armament EFAB Hybrid Muzzle Brake:
The EFAB is another all-around muzzle device, designed to work as a brake (recoil reduction), compensator (muzzle movement — particularly rise — reduction), and flash hider (self explanatory). This design happens to be pretty darn good at all of those things. It’s also noticeably milder on blast and concussion than any baffled brake in this test.
As I’ve come to expect from Precision Armament, the machining is as clean as it gets and the materials and finish are excellent.
Click here to jump to its point in the video.
Material: HTSR 416 Stainless Steel Bar
Finish: Ionbond CrCN Matte Black
Length: 2.743″
Diameter (at largest point): 0.986″
Weight: 4.374 oz
MSRP: $169.95
Precision Armament M11 Severe-Duty Muzzle Brake:
Again, machining and finish on the M11 is as good as you’ll find. It’s a large and aggressive-looking brake that’s at home on a precision rifle or maybe something a little louder like my Mosin Nagant:
It’s also effective, and nailed a solid 4th place finish here.
Click here to jump to its point in the video.
Material: HTSR 416 Stainless Steel Bar
Finish: DLC Matte Black or Bead Blast Stainless
Length: 2.668″
Diameter (at largest point): 1.366″
Weight: 5.538 oz
MSRP: $119.99
Precision Armament M4-72 Severe-Duty Compensator:
No doubt about it, Precision Armament came up with a gem in the design of the M4-72. As mentioned earlier, across both 5.56 and .308 it has remained the recoil reduction champion against 95 other muzzle devices. Rearwards-angled baffles are definitely a key design feature — although not one that’s unique to the M4-72 — but I otherwise can’t explain why this thing keeps beating out competition that’s significantly larger, heavier, more concussive, more expensive, etc.
Click here to jump to its point in the video.
Material: HTSR 416 Stainless Steel Bar
Finish: Ionbond CrCN Matte Black or Bead Blast Stainless
Length: 2.278″
Diameter (at largest point): 0.986″
Weight: 3.2 oz
MSRP: $99.99
Precision Firearms LMD Large Diameter Brake:
Once again, Precision Firearms’ LMD has surprised me with great recoil reduction performance out of a small, aesthetically-clean package. Like Precision Armament, Precision Firearms’ workmanship is aces. Maybe the trick is putting “precision” in your name?
This is the LMD Large, but PF also makes an LMD Small with a smaller diameter. They’re also available in four different finishes.
Click here to jump to its point in the video.
Material: 416 Stainless Steel
Finish: Black Nitride as tested (also available in Cerakote, machined stainless, or bead blast stainless)
Length: 2.035″
Diameter (at largest point): 1.102″
Weight: 3.95 oz
MSRP: $95 as tested (from $85 to $105 depending on finish choice)
Primary Weapons Systems PRC (Precision Rifle Compensator):
PWS’s PRC looks like it has a bunch of baffles but actually has just one — bored to handle up to .338 caliber — at the muzzle. It’s wide open through the rest of it, which may explain its low level of concussion. Of course, it probably also explains why it placed in the bottom 1/3 of these muzzle devices on recoil reduction. Not that cutting recoil by exactly 50% vs. a bare muzzle is anything to sneeze at! There was some tough competition here. If you’re shopping for muzzle stability, low concussion, low dust kick-up, and kicking half of your .308’s recoil to the curb, plus like the PRC’s looks, it could be a solid choice.
Details on build are not available on the PWS website. It’s obviously steel, but I’m not sure what the rough-textured coating is. It’s kind of cool in that it’s a very matte finish and seems kind of thick and feels like fine sandpaper, but it does show scuffs and such pretty readily.
Click here to jump to its point in the video.
Material: Steel
Finish: Not Specified
Length: 3.003″
Diameter (at largest point): 1.102″
Weight: 5.079 oz
MSRP: $99.95
Seekins Precision AR ATC (Advanced Tactical Compensator):
Seekins Precision has built a reputation on, well, precision machining and their ATC is no exception. Despite a design that involves 90° edges in many places, everything is crisp, clean, and burr- and tool mark-free. I’d actually be quite curious to test an ATC that didn’t have the linear holes drilled through all of the baffles to see what sorts of differences that would make. Obviously it’s lighter for that additional air space and maybe has less concussion, but I wonder if it might jump up a few percentage points in recoil reduction with solid baffles. Still, it placed solidly in the top half here and it’s relatively lightweight and narrow.
Click here to jump to its point in the video.
Material: 416R Stainless Steel
Finish: Bead Blasted Stainless or Black Melonite
Length: 2.432″
Diameter (at largest point): 0.953″
Weight: 3.122 oz
MSRP: $89
SIG SAUER Micro-Brake:
SIG’s QD mount for its suppressor line allows the very front part of it to be swapped out quickly and easily without removing the mount from the rifle:
That’s actually the “Micro-Brake” part, but since the entire thing is required for it to function I’ve measured it as a complete unit for the purposes of the stats below. A flash hider, larger brake, and other options are available or will be soon. Can a “micro,” single-chamber brake like this actually do anything? As it turns out, yes, it can and does. The Micro-Brake served to reduce recoil by 44.85%.
Click here to jump to its point in the video.
Material: Steel
Finish: Not Specified
Length: 1.511″ (including mount)
Diameter (at largest point): 1.198″ (including mount)
Weight: 2.946 oz (including mount)
MSRP: $69
SkyArms .308 Muzzle Brake:
This is one of the more compact brakes in the test, and I had high hopes for its recoil reduction prowess based on its rearwards-venting ports. It didn’t quite live up to my guesstimate of how it would perform, but it still cut recoil by over half and was only beat out by one other brake that’s legitimately smaller than it (but also costs almost twice as much). I like the SkyArms Brake’s looks — kind of a shark gills thing going on — plus it has clean machining and a rough, matte finish similar to PWS’. That finish, I believe, explains the seemingly random extra thousandths of an inch on the length and width measurements.
Click here to jump to its point in the video.
Material: 4140 Steel
Finish: Black Matte
Length: 2.001″
Diameter (at largest point): 1.001″
Weight: 2.967 oz
MSRP: $69.95
SureFire PROCOMP 762:
The PROCOMP is the performance-per-dollar winner, cutting recoil by 53% with an MSRP of just $59. Despite this, it’s flawlessly machined and the melonite finish is deep and even. SureFire also makes versions of this brake with QD mount functionality for their various suppressor lines. If you don’t own a SureFire can, this is the PROCOMP you’d want. If you do own a SureFire can, obviously go with the QD version that fits your suppressor, and know that its function on its own as a brake will be identical to this one.
Click here to jump to its point in the video.
Material: Steel Bar Stock
Finish: Black Melonite
Length: 2.712″
Diameter (at largest point): 0.868″
Weight: 3.19″
MSRP: $59
Thunder Beast Arms Corporation 30CB Brake:
TBAC is well-known for strong, quiet, and lightweight suppressors, and it looks like they’re nailing the light-yet-effective thing when it comes to muzzle devices as well. Their flash hider showed its skills in flash hiding test #2, and the 30CB Brake seen above definitely punches out of its weight class. Two, rearwards-angled baffles are responsible for its surprising recoil reduction given their diminutive diameter.
Frankly, the machining and finish on TBAC’s muzzle devices is so freaking good that it made me wonder if I made the right .30 cal suppressor choice. Eventually I’ll shoot my Dead Air next to Tyler’s Thunder Beast and we’ll see where the chips fall. And again, the machining and finish on the Dead Air brakes is A-List all the way, but these TBAC units just take it to the next level. I’m not saying it’s alien technology…but…
Click here to jump to its point in the video.
Material: Steel
Finish: Ionbond DLC
Length: 1.709″
Diameter (at largest point): 1.062″
Weight: 2.103 oz
MSRP: $125
Thunder Beast Arms Corporation CB Series Flash Hider:
…it’s probably alien technology. This is the .30 cal version of the CB Flash Hider seen in flash hiding test #2. Looks like the way the prongs come together a little bit towards the muzzle provides some recoil reducing gas redirection, as it took over 17% of the punch out of the bare muzzle.
Click here to jump to its point in the video.
Material: Steel
Finish: Ionbond DLC
Length: 2.316″
Diameter (at largest point): 1.062″
Weight: 3.116″
MSRP: $125
VooDoo Innovations Jet Comp .30 Cal:
VooDoo Innovations is sort of like the aftermarket parts division of Adams Arms, making not only AR-15 parts but parts for Glocks and other rifles and pistols. Their Jet Comp is a 3-port brake with muzzle rise-compensating ports on top. It’s a simple, clean design and it’s also extremely effective, taking 6th place here. Solid “A” for machining and finish. VooDoo’s “LifeCoat” finish can actually refer to a handful of different processes, but in this case I believe it’s a PVD nitriding of some flavor.
Click here to jump to its point in the video.
Material: Steel
Finish: LifeCoat
Length: 2.312″
Diameter (at largest point): 0.941″
Weight: 3.109 oz
MSRP: $89.18
Final Thoughts
The top 10 brakes in this test placed within 10% of each other — from ~64% recoil reduction to 54% recoil reduction. The vast majority reduced recoil by half (50%) or more. Really, this was a good crowd and they’re all very effective. Can you tell the difference between a 54% reduction and a 64% reduction? I’m going to do some blind taste tests to try and answer that objectively.
But if you’re looking to reduce recoil as much as physically possible and keep that muzzle rock steady, Precision Armament’s M4-72 continues to prove itself and has now defended its title against 95 contenders across two calibers.