I totally agree, and teach my students to protect their hearing. I am a proponent of suppressors. I am annoyed that it takes the current process to acquire something that makes shooting safer.
@@selfworthy It's much the same situation in Australia. Unless you work for a Government agency, either directly or as a contractor on wildlife control, your chances of getting approval for a suppressor are zero. Yet in New Zealand, South Africa and the UK, nobody goes hunting these days without a suppressor. Whilst they're banned in Germany, I believe that they're compulsory in France - or is my information out of date? It's a funny old world out there. ps, I would have cheerfully paid $200 to save my hearing and not had to pay $4000 for hearing aids.
I recently got my first stamp back. I have taught many new shooters over the years and waited to teach my youngest daughter until I had suppressor in hand. The difference it made was MASSIVE. I will never again hunt or teach a new shooters w/o a shusher. Personally I think ALL gun owners need to file class action suit against the government to pay for hearing loss due to unreasonable pig headed hatred of 2A rights.
This has become my favorite gun channel. Great advice from someone who has a wealth of experience and knows what he is talking about. Thank you so much for this high quality content.
I am from Canada and first I want to say is thank you for your service. I recently had a hearing test from my employer and the results are recommending that I contact my doctor. Stamping parts in the auto industry for over 21 years. I constantly have to ask people to repeat what they said.
This guy is great. I’ve learned so much over the last couple years watching this channel. The information alone is very useful. But he’s such a good presenter that it’s easy to listen to and follow.
I have tinnitus badly. I worked in areas and machinery. And wore ear plugs daily. I got a suppressor for my 308 and it is much better than a break on the ears. Thanks for the information and video.
I’m in line for suppressors for just this reason. I wish they weren’t so complicated to get. Even 10-15 years ago when I started shooting, hearing protection wasn’t what it is now. I fired a lot of guns with no ear pro and some had to go. The shorter length carbine Mausers and Mosins are BRUTAL with no protection. I gave 2 Mosins away years ago because they were so obnoxiously loud. Man, I really loved those rifles, but they were zero fun to shoot. They weren’t worth hardly anything then, prices have come up on those old surplus rifles. Oh well. I really love your channel, brother. Very calm and relaxing to listen to. Tons of knowledge in that head of yours.
Excellent topic and excellent coverage of the topic. Thanks for posting. Now, maybe we should be pushing the government to eliminate their onerous fee and paperwork for sound suppressors.
AGREED!! I have been using Linear Compensators. They re direct the harshest of the report of a rifle away from the shooter and make short barrels more comfortable.
I think there's a place for brakes... but if you're only taking responsible shots then I'm not sure there's much validity for them in most hunting situations. A minor point of nerdiness, for anyone who may care and doesn't want to google it... an increase of 10dB is equivalent to an increase by a factor of 10 (so 20dB is x100). Also, an increase in 3dB is equivalent to an increase by a factor of 2. Love your videos, sir. You speak with wisdom, and I am grateful that you spare us the loud music, bright colors, and out of control presentations that most gun channels drown us in. It always a good day when you post. God bless!
I just watched your video and found it very informative . I to suffer from severe hearing loss my left is dead and my right only functions at 37% . however I had surgery on 4 disc in my lower neck and between my shoulder blades and without the use of a muzzle break I cannot handle the recoil of many long action calibers . I have a 270 win. , a 30-06 , a 7mm rem mag , and a 300win mag . all have muzzle breaks and I can comfortably shoot each one . without the muzzle break I could not enjoy these rifles . I wear ear plugs and muffs when shooting these rifles and the combination works well . Thank you for the video I always enjoy the subject matter you discus and watching all
I started using these fancy electronic hearing protectors while hunting maybe 6ish years ago. I'll take a tiny disadvantage at pinpointing which direction sounds are coming from over rinning ears. It took a while to get used to them but wouldnt go bck anymore.
I enjoy your videos and appreciate your perspectives. Muzzle brakes are not just for recoil as most people assume and many are poorly designed and do have a noise level and concussion that is not tolerable. There are some good ones on the market these days though and an overlooked advantage is to be able to spot your impacts, especially at longer distances, and then make a correction. Myself and many others use them in competition simply for that reason, even on smaller caliber rifles (6mm). If you can't spot your impact, you can't correct for follow up shots. Of course we use quality hearing protection as well.
Thank you for this, Mr GB. I suffered from tinnitus already before I began shooting. I always double up on hearing protection, unless shooting .22LR. Tinnitus is one of the great annoyances we humans must suffer, it's hard to explain to those who don't have it. Protecting one's hearing is very much worth it.
My tinnitus sounds like a constant very high pitch. Sounds like a hearing test is the best way I could describe it. A 24/7 - 7 days a week hearing test.
Oh hell, my hearing aids are in 18 hrs day, I’d forgotten that the turn signal in the vehicles makes noise. My tinnitus is knocked down by 90% when I’m wearing my hearing aids
Yes sir, worked in the heavy press industry by both building heavy machinery and service and repair for General Motors company. 50 years combined. So, I was diagnosed with tinnitus. So I know what you’re going through, Wear both ear plugs and ear muffs when at the range. So my my friends in our wonderful hobby. Protect your hearing!
Once again, GunBlue490 offers deep insight, and experience. I would add, that eye and ear protection was mandatory at every factory job I ever worked (since the late 2000's). Ear pro is less comfortable, but if the task requires it, you deal with it. Humans can adapt to anything. Older workers hated it: they just "got used to" the sound (went deaf). I've almost never shot without hearing protection on. Unthinkable for me, at 33 years old. Though my generation is used to ear buds, and loud music that will keep audiologists a busy part of healthcare for the rest of my life. Active hearing protection is great these days. Game changer. I shot a deer at 100m, noise cancelled, and the audio kicked back on so I HEARD the bullet slap the fur and boiler room. TWACK! 100% confirmation of shot on target. -30C for hours and hours, with crappy off brand batteries. It seems the technology peaked/plateaued years ago. Make sure you have stereo, omni-directional, automatic power shut off... and they're great. Another thing I like about active hearing protection is you can turn up the volume, and have super human hearing (to some extent). You're more aware of the noise you're making pushing bush. A snapping twig can de-activate the audio (briefly), so you know any deer around you heard that. I doubt they can work like hearing aids do, but it's similar technology. Active hearing protection is the future for military applications; need to be able to hear people around you. Bad shots are unethical, therefore flinches are unacceptable. Muzzle brakes should be the last tool in the toolbox. People should try limbsavers first, but they might need brakes, at least until they get used to recoil. They and everyone around them MUST use ear protection. Hearing loss makes people tired because your brain has to adapt to lower input to process the sounds. Hearing aids make a big difference in overall quality of life. I am very thankful for your channel. Greetings from Saskatchewan and God Bless!
I'm in total agreement with your position on muzzle brakes. The first thing I did when I brought home my new .30-06 Browning X-Bolt (a fine rifle, BTW) was to remove the factory-installed brake and put on the supplied thread protector. When at the range shooting from a bench I take a beanie, fold it in half, and put it between my shoulder and the rifle butt. Although it's not absolutely necessary to do this, it does take the edge off of the recoil, especially when shooting multiple rounds during load testing. (I learned about this trick from another RUclipsr, Desert Dog Outdoors.) One thing I noticed with another .30-06 I owned was that since I started going to the gym I have built up a bit of chest muscle (I'm a relatively thin guy) and that helped with recoil immensely. Now, no one is going to accuse me of being a bodybuilder, but I've found routine resistance training really helped with rifle kick, among other things. I've been enjoying your channel for the last several years; thanks for your labor of love.
Whenever I was on the flightline we were required to wear both soft foam inserts and large clamshell ear muffs. Despite this, hearing loss was common by the time aircrews and flightline crews reached retirement age.
I had a hunting partner that used to shoot a 300 Win Mag with a muzzle brake. I stood behind him when he was sighting it in once. I was just off his left shoulder, about 3 or 4 foot behind him. I was shocked when he touched off the 1st round. It felt like someone slapped me in the chest fairly soundly. I gave him plenty of room after that... Thankfully, I had excellent hearing protection...which wasn't always the case. But he had advised that we use hearing protection before he got started.
I recently bought a CVA Scout in 444Marlin. I asked the dealer to remove the brake before shipping because I'd had issues removing muzzle devices in the past on other rifles.
I'm an old blue jacket sailor and "snipe" with hearing loss from standing engine room watches and training with 5"/38 caliber naval guns , Browning 50 cal and depth charge explosions without hearing protection. Hearing loss puts stress on the brain and puts humans at higher risk for dementia. Reconsider wearing your hearing aid more often. Enjoy all your videos.
At our range we used to have tent screening between our lanes to keep hot brass from hitting other shooters. A few years ago we added plexiglass to cut down in noise from obnoxious muzzle brakes. When we installed the first one to test it, a shooter sat down next to it, fired a few shots from his AR and got annoyed by his own noise and moved to another bench. We said, yup, that works like a charm. And how ironic that the guy got to experience what he had been subjecting other shooters to.
@@sauerkrautjr the issue isn't the muzzle break itself, the issue is douchebags shooting larger caliber rifles at indoor ranges. I'm willing to bet my 9mm Carbine with a compensator device is less annoying to my range neighbors than the dude shooting his SK or AR15 with a plain birdcage on it two lanes over
I totally agree! When I first bought my 7MM RM I heard all the horror stories of heavy recoil so I was looking into putting a muzzle break on the gun to relieve this. I then sat next to someone at the range that had a muzzle break and realized there was no way I could put up with the noise. Turns out the recoil was very manageable and very glad I didn’t go through with the muzzle break. It’s another reason why I subscribe to the idea of magnum guns should be heavier and should have longer barrels, both will help in reduction of recoil.
Never got a gun ported. But did buy my Ruger Scout in the 450 BM which is only rifle I got that is ported, cause the Ruger factory done that. Was thinking getting 2 other rifles of mine ported but never did. Doubt I will do it now.
Your description of hearing loss fits what Im going thru perfectly, had I known what old age would be like when I was young, I would have done a lot of things differently. I despise muzzle brakes and IMHO unless you are shooting things like the heavy Weatherby mags or something like 50 bng you are better off not using a muzzle brake or at least using triple hearing protection...but you have to consider the guy next door to you that does not have that....or the guys your shooting/hunting with....shoot something where you can stand the recoil and forget using a muzzle brake...
I wish I had heard this a couple of years ago as a first time gun owner, I have hearing damage now due to a muzzle brake and my inexperience. It only took 2 rounds and not simultaneously to give me tinnitus in my left ear. I discharged my AR platform rifle on 2 separate occasions failing to put my hearing protection over my ears properly. Let's just say it was an extremely painful mistake with lasting consequences.
I have hearing loss also and it comes from shooting rifles and shotguns when I was a young boy. We didn't use hearing protection when shooting clay pigeons or sighting in rifles. I didn't realize the extent of my hearing loss until I tried to enlist in the military and they wouldn't allow me in because I failed both of my hearing tests.
Great video. I have shot a lot with muzzle breaks but not anymore. Some fairly popular CF Rifles (eg my Kimber 7mm Rem Mag Mountain Ascent) come with a factory muzzle break. I use a suppressor on every CF Rifle now. The loudest muzzle break I ever used was a factory fitted from new one on a 1957 BSA Royal 7x57. Actually quite a beautifully (hand) engineered piece of barrelling, but it killed everyone’s hearing!!
First time I shot a .50 bmg with a large aggressive muzzle brake I was 12 years old (right before the California .50 ban my father was shopping for one) and it was lets say a religious experience! The blast coming off the brake blew everything off the table even loaded 20rd rifle ammo boxes. Sadly being 12 I didn’t know better and only had soft foam insertable ear plugs and they stood no chance at mitigating the sound pressure. As I am sure you know due to the unique power of the BMG cartridge especially when paired with a muzzle brake the military came up with specific hearing protection protocols (dual ear pro, foamies plus over the ear muffs like you described I use peltor with built in coms similar to yours) for firing the Barrett .50 as it was one of loudest shoulder fired weapons in the inventory due to the muzzle brake. Whenever I shoot any rifle with an effective muzzle brake I always go with double layer protection just like is recommended with the .50. With the peltor headsets that magnify ambient sounds it makes it so you can hear quite conversations even with the foam inserts so no one has an excuse to not protect their hearing anymore. When I was younger it was a safety issue as when doubled up with ear pro you couldn’t hear sh*t and electronic ear pro was unobtainium and prohibitively expensive if you could find a shop that stocked them. I hope people new to shooting use the proper hearing protection from the start as you and I both know from experience it just takes one mistake when shooting and you will have to live with the hearing damage forever.
Yup. same experience, and it came off and a flash hider went back on. Even with hearing protection had such a annoying pop to it, I could feel it in my head. Just not worth it. Maybe a blast forward design would be better, if absolutely wanted one.
@@Hill_Billy_Without_A_Hill 💯.... people argue the quicker follow up shots & etc... but i have no idea how on God's green earth that "taming" the recoil of a .223 could ever be worth such a tradeoff.
Ive got an ACE .308 that came with an INSANE muzzle brake. With hearing protection i felt the blast in my nazal cavity and chest and often made a pretty nasty flash. Very quickly i swapped it out for a smith vortex flash hider. No flash, no issues, highly recommend the vortex.
I made the mistake of getting a smith enterprise good iron muzzle brake for my M1A . Horribly loud ,blew some of my shooting gear off the range table. That was 25years ago. Sitting on a shelf in the basement.Can,t seem to sell it. My ears start ringing every time I look at it. Need to pour some holy water on it.
I agree captain. You covered all of what is important. I have two large displacement magnum rifles; both are threaded for muzzle devices and in both cases, I took the brakes off for all the reasons you covered. I'd rather get hammered by the recoil and I have gotten more used to that than sound! This was excellent coverage of an excellent topic. Thank you for your effort in producing this video and may God bless you this Christmas.
There's a reason why Winchester and Browning quietly discontinued the BOSS combination adjustable vibration damper and muzzle brake just a few years after introducing it with much fanfare. A friend of mine who had it on his Browning .330 Win Mag told me the half MOA gain he obtained in accuracy off the bench wasn't worth the debilitating sound intensity that even ear plugs and ear muffs could not adequately attenuate. He found that what had been a cost-adding feature resulted in a rifle he couldn't give away let alone work a trade for a replacement.
David Clark is still excellent but I double that up with plugs and triple up with a suppressor whenever remotely practicable. I switched to a bullpup for my shotgun after getting my enormous 12ga suppressor. Suppressors aren’t usually practical with handguns but my 22lr target pistol has a barrel just past the end of the trigger guard, so it works well. I don’t have a practical solution for centerfire pistols. Those of you soldering on with nielsen devices or running ablative in boosterless cans have my puzzled appreciation.
You do make a point. I too have a bad hearing loss and have to wear hearing aids. I do like muzzle brakes though. They have different designs some are better than others and some do not direct the gas back but to the side some even a little forward. The recoil reduction has a factor in eliminating flinches as well. I don't seem to have a problem shooting with hearing protection on. Any more I will use hearing muffs when hunting. I primarily hunt from a Muddy Bull blind. I have even used brakes on low caliber rifles to see the bullet hit target because of the reduction in barrel jump. But that's me. I can't get my hearing back, but I think with muffs even with a brake I am not making it any worse. But you do have good advice for those that have good ears and want to keep them that way. Love your videos.
Very..., VERY good to hear -- no pun intended, Master GunSmith! -- a Shooter that Cares so well for ThemSelves, an' for Others. That Care..., It's so 'in-grained' in You that, You just Naturally describe some o' the "counter-measures" to recoil that prevent it, without a brake. 🙂 Rick Bonner Pennsyltucky
I have no trouble wearing my hearing aids - I forget to take them out when I go to bed. I wear hearing protection when I shoot - both my 22s and my 6.5 Creedmoor with a brake.
As a former communications specialist, this is extremely poignant and often, underrated point made. Being able to hear is one of our greatest senses. It’s emotional, physical (as it can affect balance) and first line of defense (hearing is 360, vision is 270).
Hearing loss is cumulative and permanent! I am CONSTANTLY preaching to young people to protect their hearing, even when doing things that don't seem loud like using power tools.
Not the only problem. I bought a good mid-priced muzzle brake and absolutely could not get my gun to group. Someone suggested it could be a barrel resonance problem. Took the brake off and my groups were reduced by more than 100%
I remember we had ear plugs in basic, Inf AIT and Arty OCS. 1968-69, but their use was never enforced. No ear plugs in Vietnam, I have ringing and no hearing aid helps, plus they’re annoying. Never knew muzzle brakes were noise problems. No need for 50cal or 300 Win mag in rural NYS.
Their use is enforced at infantry OSUT today and electronic active earpro has filtered it's way into combat units but only in SOCOM. Big army doesn't get them for free but can wear your own in combat and training though if you want to drop like a thousand dollars.
Thanks for this video! I was at Knob Creek several years ago casually shooting and a guy set up two benches from me with a .50 BMG with a huge muzzle brake. First shot…he set off vehicle alarms and cleared the benches around him! Luckily, he wasn’t there long! Found another gun range after that!
I've shot at Knob Creek since it opened. The last few times I went, I swore I'd never go back, but the last time cinched. it. The range officers are ridiculous. It seems they all hate their jobs and want to make you suffer for it. Their goal is to make you uncomfortable enough to leave. While I have never been called down for a safety offense, I have seen many belittled, berated and ejected for quite minor ones. I shoot on private land now, and the advantages are tremendous. No having to wait for a cease fire to check or reset a target, no CHAMBER FLAGS, no child telling you when you can touch your guns you and no range fee.
@@robertfrapples2472 you would trust people fiddling with their firearm while you're downrange? Sure you don't need to berate people for a minor infraction, but those are pretty basic rules
Unfortunately some states seem to think flash hiders are only for "assault weapons" while a muzzle brake is "allowed" for what reason escapes me, so I have a muzzle brake that looks like a birdcage except the tip is more enclosed and is acceptable as a brake. Not by choice but it's the best I can do.
I definitely understand this. My dad is deaf almost. I hate when we go to the range. I gave him ear plugs, and he puts them in his pocket. 🙄 but I'm always about some ear plugs 🤗 and muffs if needed, but I have two braked rifles. And I won't shoot without both. 🤷🏼♂️ and I don't shoot them with dad
My AR had the standard A2 bird cage on it and I thought changing it out and adding a new muzzle brake would reduce muzzle climb and boy oh boy was I wrong. The thing is loud as hell, the concussion is insane and it's now not fun to shoot.
You hit this out of the park. We shot skeet for many years with and without hearing protection. We finally went with the mold forming plugs that worked for but the damage had been done. We developed a major Flinch. It got so bad we would follow the target down to the ground without firing. A good friend let me try his shotgun with a double release on his over and under, it worked. The gunsmith who worked on our triggers set it to lock at 4 lbs and fired at 2lbs. He also put a big red "R" on our pistol grip, for safety reasons. This isn't for everyone but it kept me shooting . Thanks for a great video
@@___meph___4547 When GunBlue490 said Flinch could come from recoil , my response was how I over came my Flinch problem. It had nothing to do with hearing loss. Sorry if you took it that way
Muzzles breaks provide a significant reduction in recoil for rounds that have a high powder weight to bullet ratio. I love my brakes and they make shooting more enjoyable. They also allow me to stay on target much easier. Putting in ear plugs is something I do when or not I use a brake or not. Some of hearing loss is from age. So they are not for you but they are definitely for me!
I think if it’s only affecting you than hell yeah do what you do. Just don’t bring it to the range man that shits way to loud and these ear plugs can’t handle the concussion and noise. I double up and I still have issues.
I have an AR-10 in 308 that shoots sub Moa that has a muzzle brake I have shot a few deer with it this year I shot at a buck still hunting I was over 800 yards from my grandfather and he thought I was on the hillside right next to him that thing is ungodly loud
Great video I too have hearing loss Due to years of running heavy equipment and shooting. Unfortunately up here in Canada Suppressors are not legal. Whitch I believe is ludicrous. We have laws against Excessive engine noise in automobile and motorcycles. Mandatory hearing protection in the workplace. But we can’t use a suppressor. I really wish you could be a spokesperson for us and talk to our government. Now I know that wouldn’t happen! Just saying I agree with you. I’m 68 and recoil is starting to affect my shooting. I went and had a muzzle break put on my 7mag. And YES it’s very loud. I since found and put on a Falconstrike recoil pad. Wow it’s a awesome product. It reduces recoil substantially. I can shoot 20 rounds and it feels like I didn’t shoot at all. If I had put it on first I wouldn’t have paid 300 for the muzzle break. I have removed the break and now shoot without it. I am not affiliated with the company in no way. I am just a satisfied customer. So yes there is other options to reduce recoil. Cheers
I have lost my hearing much like you. I have completely lost hearing in my left ear and have to use closed CAPTIONING when watching TV or RUclips. My right ear is muffled and it is very hard to understand what people are saying to me. Not sure what caused it but the VA doctors said it was nerve damage. In the 60's and 70's I was shooting a lot of competition with pistols plus when I was in the Air Force I was around a lot of noise but had ear plugs and the ear muffs. I didn't start losing my hearing until the 90's and ALWAYS used good hearing precautions, if none were available I would put a 45 ACP IN EACH EAR. That was great hearing protection.
I have to double up on ear protection when I go to our local range now. Seems like more and more people are using them. I find it ironic that a suppressor, which reduces db’s are so hard to get.
I had a Sako Finnbear in .375 H&H Mag and wanted to tame some recoil at the bench so I had a machinist friend of mine make a custom muzzle brake for me. It worked great took the recoil down to about 30-06 level or so. But holy cow was it loud the people next to me at the range went and sat in their cars until I was done. They said they could feel the concussion of the rifle and it bothered them. I knew right them I could never hunt with the muzzle brake on, so I ended up selling the rifle sadly.
I didn't need to watch more than 30 seconds of this video because i completely agree, however i always enjoy your insight and sharing of knowledge on all things shooting and hunting. Thanks again for a great video, sir.
I totally agree, and teach my students to protect their hearing. I am a proponent of suppressors. I am annoyed that it takes the current process to acquire something that makes shooting safer.
And significantly reduces recoil.
Haha yeah. $200 plus the ATF,Homeland security and NATO approval 🤣🤣
In germany the supressors are completely illegal for sportshooting. but then complain about the ranges are too loud for neighbors...
@@selfworthy It's much the same situation in Australia. Unless you work for a Government agency, either directly or as a contractor on wildlife control, your chances of getting approval for a suppressor are zero. Yet in New Zealand, South Africa and the UK, nobody goes hunting these days without a suppressor. Whilst they're banned in Germany, I believe that they're compulsory in France - or is my information out of date? It's a funny old world out there.
ps, I would have cheerfully paid $200 to save my hearing and not had to pay $4000 for hearing aids.
I recently got my first stamp back. I have taught many new shooters over the years and waited to teach my youngest daughter until I had suppressor in hand. The difference it made was MASSIVE. I will never again hunt or teach a new shooters w/o a shusher. Personally I think ALL gun owners need to file class action suit against the government to pay for hearing loss due to unreasonable pig headed hatred of 2A rights.
This has become my favorite gun channel. Great advice from someone who has a wealth of experience and knows what he is talking about. Thank you so much for this high quality content.
Absolutely agree! I subscribed today.
I am from Canada and first I want to say is thank you for your service.
I recently had a hearing test from my employer and the results are recommending that I contact my doctor.
Stamping parts in the auto industry for over 21 years.
I constantly have to ask people to repeat what they said.
This guy is great. I’ve learned so much over the last couple years watching this channel. The information alone is very useful. But he’s such a good presenter that it’s easy to listen to and follow.
I use muzzle brakes all the time, but I double up on hearing protection. I have been using suppressors lately and I would recommend them to everyone.
Couldn’t agree more…love the no nonsense presentation and the wealth of knowledge you bring to the shooting community 👍 God bless.
What a great knowledge. I always learn something new. Protect your hearing regardless of what your more experienced buddies are saying.
You are absolutely correct! I have the same problem with the tenitis. It can drive a person crazy. I will not have a muzzle brake at all.
I also have hearing loss. I hate it when someone next to me has a muzzle brake, hurts even with double hearing protection.
PPE on the ear can only do so much. Sound propagates through the facial bones and sinuses. The NFA is sadistic.
I have tinnitus badly. I worked in areas and machinery. And wore ear plugs daily. I got a suppressor for my 308 and it is much better than a break on the ears. Thanks for the information and video.
I’m in line for suppressors for just this reason. I wish they weren’t so complicated to get. Even 10-15 years ago when I started shooting, hearing protection wasn’t what it is now. I fired a lot of guns with no ear pro and some had to go. The shorter length carbine Mausers and Mosins are BRUTAL with no protection. I gave 2 Mosins away years ago because they were so obnoxiously loud. Man, I really loved those rifles, but they were zero fun to shoot. They weren’t worth hardly anything then, prices have come up on those old surplus rifles. Oh well. I really love your channel, brother. Very calm and relaxing to listen to. Tons of knowledge in that head of yours.
One piece of gear that we have to invest in is a good, custom molder hearing protection. It helps a lot!
Excellent topic and excellent coverage of the topic. Thanks for posting. Now, maybe we should be pushing the government to eliminate their onerous fee and paperwork for sound suppressors.
AGREED!!
I have been using Linear Compensators. They re direct the harshest of the report of a rifle away from the shooter and make short barrels more comfortable.
I think there's a place for brakes... but if you're only taking responsible shots then I'm not sure there's much validity for them in most hunting situations.
A minor point of nerdiness, for anyone who may care and doesn't want to google it... an increase of 10dB is equivalent to an increase by a factor of 10 (so 20dB is x100). Also, an increase in 3dB is equivalent to an increase by a factor of 2.
Love your videos, sir. You speak with wisdom, and I am grateful that you spare us the loud music, bright colors, and out of control presentations that most gun channels drown us in. It always a good day when you post. God bless!
I just watched your video and found it very informative . I to suffer from severe hearing loss my left is dead and my right only functions at 37% . however I had surgery on 4 disc in my lower neck and between my shoulder blades and without the use of a muzzle break I cannot handle the recoil of many long action calibers . I have a 270 win. , a 30-06 , a 7mm rem mag , and a 300win mag . all have muzzle breaks and I can comfortably shoot each one . without the muzzle break I could not enjoy these rifles . I wear ear plugs and muffs when shooting these rifles and the combination works well . Thank you for the video I always enjoy the subject matter you discus and watching all
I am a retired printer and have some hearing loss, I appreciate the conversation.
I started using these fancy electronic hearing protectors while hunting maybe 6ish years ago. I'll take a tiny disadvantage at pinpointing which direction sounds are coming from over rinning ears. It took a while to get used to them but wouldnt go bck anymore.
Great info. Thanks for taking the time to share your expertise.
I enjoy your videos and appreciate your perspectives. Muzzle brakes are not just for recoil as most people assume and many are poorly designed and do have a noise level and concussion that is not tolerable. There are some good ones on the market these days though and an overlooked advantage is to be able to spot your impacts, especially at longer distances, and then make a correction. Myself and many others use them in competition simply for that reason, even on smaller caliber rifles (6mm). If you can't spot your impact, you can't correct for follow up shots. Of course we use quality hearing protection as well.
This is such a great channel. Thank you so much for sharing your endless knowledge with us.
Thank you for this, Mr GB. I suffered from tinnitus already before I began shooting. I always double up on hearing protection, unless shooting .22LR. Tinnitus is one of the great annoyances we humans must suffer, it's hard to explain to those who don't have it. Protecting one's hearing is very much worth it.
My tinnitus sounds like a constant very high pitch. Sounds like a hearing test is the best way I could describe it. A 24/7 - 7 days a week hearing test.
Love my Muzzle brake. 6.5 Creed Tikka Arctic. I'm 64 years old.
Excellent video GunBlue490 hopefully this will help save the hearing of some of your young viewers.
Oh hell, my hearing aids are in 18 hrs day, I’d forgotten that the turn signal in the vehicles makes noise. My tinnitus is knocked down by 90% when I’m wearing my hearing aids
I’m right there with you. Hearing loss and tinnitus. Even if I bruise my shoulder, it will recover. My hearing will not. Ever.
Yes sir, worked in the heavy press industry by both building heavy machinery and service and repair for General Motors company. 50 years combined. So, I was diagnosed with tinnitus. So I know what you’re going through, Wear both ear plugs and ear muffs when at the range. So my my friends in our wonderful hobby. Protect your hearing!
Once again, GunBlue490 offers deep insight, and experience. I would add, that eye and ear protection was mandatory at every factory job I ever worked (since the late 2000's). Ear pro is less comfortable, but if the task requires it, you deal with it. Humans can adapt to anything. Older workers hated it: they just "got used to" the sound (went deaf). I've almost never shot without hearing protection on. Unthinkable for me, at 33 years old. Though my generation is used to ear buds, and loud music that will keep audiologists a busy part of healthcare for the rest of my life.
Active hearing protection is great these days. Game changer. I shot a deer at 100m, noise cancelled, and the audio kicked back on so I HEARD the bullet slap the fur and boiler room. TWACK! 100% confirmation of shot on target. -30C for hours and hours, with crappy off brand batteries. It seems the technology peaked/plateaued years ago. Make sure you have stereo, omni-directional, automatic power shut off... and they're great. Another thing I like about active hearing protection is you can turn up the volume, and have super human hearing (to some extent). You're more aware of the noise you're making pushing bush. A snapping twig can de-activate the audio (briefly), so you know any deer around you heard that. I doubt they can work like hearing aids do, but it's similar technology.
Active hearing protection is the future for military applications; need to be able to hear people around you.
Bad shots are unethical, therefore flinches are unacceptable. Muzzle brakes should be the last tool in the toolbox. People should try limbsavers first, but they might need brakes, at least until they get used to recoil. They and everyone around them MUST use ear protection.
Hearing loss makes people tired because your brain has to adapt to lower input to process the sounds. Hearing aids make a big difference in overall quality of life. I am very thankful for your channel.
Greetings from Saskatchewan and God Bless!
I'm in total agreement with your position on muzzle brakes. The first thing I did when I brought home my new .30-06 Browning X-Bolt (a fine rifle, BTW) was to remove the factory-installed brake and put on the supplied thread protector. When at the range shooting from a bench I take a beanie, fold it in half, and put it between my shoulder and the rifle butt. Although it's not absolutely necessary to do this, it does take the edge off of the recoil, especially when shooting multiple rounds during load testing. (I learned about this trick from another RUclipsr, Desert Dog Outdoors.)
One thing I noticed with another .30-06 I owned was that since I started going to the gym I have built up a bit of chest muscle (I'm a relatively thin guy) and that helped with recoil immensely. Now, no one is going to accuse me of being a bodybuilder, but I've found routine resistance training really helped with rifle kick, among other things.
I've been enjoying your channel for the last several years; thanks for your labor of love.
Whenever I was on the flightline we were required to wear both soft foam inserts and large clamshell ear muffs. Despite this, hearing loss was common by the time aircrews and flightline crews reached retirement age.
My new favorite RUclips channel. Love your content!
I had a hunting partner that used to shoot a 300 Win Mag with a muzzle brake.
I stood behind him when he was sighting it in once. I was just off his left shoulder, about 3 or 4 foot behind him.
I was shocked when he touched off the 1st round. It felt like someone slapped me in the chest fairly soundly.
I gave him plenty of room after that...
Thankfully, I had excellent hearing protection...which wasn't always the case. But he had advised that we use hearing protection before he got started.
I recently bought a CVA Scout in 444Marlin. I asked the dealer to remove the brake before shipping because I'd had issues removing muzzle devices in the past on other rifles.
I'm an old blue jacket sailor and "snipe" with hearing loss from standing engine room watches and training with 5"/38 caliber naval guns , Browning 50 cal and depth charge explosions without hearing protection. Hearing loss puts stress on the brain and puts humans at higher risk for dementia. Reconsider wearing your hearing aid more often. Enjoy all your videos.
At our range we used to have tent screening between our lanes to keep hot brass from hitting other shooters. A few years ago we added plexiglass to cut down in noise from obnoxious muzzle brakes. When we installed the first one to test it, a shooter sat down next to it, fired a few shots from his AR and got annoyed by his own noise and moved to another bench. We said, yup, that works like a charm. And how ironic that the guy got to experience what he had been subjecting other shooters to.
Many rifles are sold with muzzle brakes. Don't hate the player, hate the game
@@sauerkrautjr the issue isn't the muzzle break itself, the issue is douchebags shooting larger caliber rifles at indoor ranges. I'm willing to bet my 9mm Carbine with a compensator device is less annoying to my range neighbors than the dude shooting his SK or AR15 with a plain birdcage on it two lanes over
@@JJ_SDWR that too, unsuppressed sbrs or pistols in rifle calibers are the worst in my experience.
@@JJ_SDWRthey’re deafening even at outside ranges!
Thank you for sharing.
I totally agree! When I first bought my 7MM RM I heard all the horror stories of heavy recoil so I was looking into putting a muzzle break on the gun to relieve this. I then sat next to someone at the range that had a muzzle break and realized there was no way I could put up with the noise. Turns out the recoil was very manageable and very glad I didn’t go through with the muzzle break. It’s another reason why I subscribe to the idea of magnum guns should be heavier and should have longer barrels, both will help in reduction of recoil.
7mm mag isn't bad; Like a 3006. Only recoil i've ever been impressed by was a 3.5" 12ga turkey mag. I think I actually took a step back.
Thanks again for sharing
You're absolutely right. And yes I have tinnitus in my left ear, being a right hand shooter.
Great video sir as always. Legendary!
Never got a gun ported. But did buy my Ruger Scout in the 450 BM which is only rifle I got that is ported, cause the Ruger factory done that. Was thinking getting 2 other rifles of mine ported but never did. Doubt I will do it now.
Your description of hearing loss fits what Im going thru perfectly, had I known what old age would be like when I was young, I would have done a lot of things differently. I despise muzzle brakes and IMHO unless you are shooting things like the heavy Weatherby mags or something like 50 bng you are better off not using a muzzle brake or at least using triple hearing protection...but you have to consider the guy next door to you that does not have that....or the guys your shooting/hunting with....shoot something where you can stand the recoil and forget using a muzzle brake...
Great advice. This is such valuable information for new shooters and the misinformed.
Semper Fi
Thanks GunBlue, enjoyed the video. I don't shoot any heavy recoiling rifles anyway so no muzzle brake in my future.
Very informative video as always, thanks for posting.
I wish I had heard this a couple of years ago as a first time gun owner, I have hearing damage now due to a muzzle brake and my inexperience. It only took 2 rounds and not simultaneously to give me tinnitus in my left ear. I discharged my AR platform rifle on 2 separate occasions failing to put my hearing protection over my ears properly. Let's just say it was an extremely painful mistake with lasting consequences.
I'm very sorry to hear that.
Lived it.. and because of You, I know more!
I have hearing loss also and it comes from shooting rifles and shotguns when I was a young boy. We didn't use hearing protection when shooting clay pigeons or sighting in rifles. I didn't realize the extent of my hearing loss until I tried to enlist in the military and they wouldn't allow me in because I failed both of my hearing tests.
Great video. I have shot a lot with muzzle breaks but not anymore. Some fairly popular CF Rifles (eg my Kimber 7mm Rem Mag Mountain Ascent) come with a factory muzzle break. I use a suppressor on every CF Rifle now. The loudest muzzle break I ever used was a factory fitted from new one on a 1957 BSA Royal 7x57. Actually quite a beautifully (hand) engineered piece of barrelling, but it killed everyone’s hearing!!
First time I shot a .50 bmg with a large aggressive muzzle brake I was 12 years old (right before the California .50 ban my father was shopping for one) and it was lets say a religious experience! The blast coming off the brake blew everything off the table even loaded 20rd rifle ammo boxes.
Sadly being 12 I didn’t know better and only had soft foam insertable ear plugs and they stood no chance at mitigating the sound pressure.
As I am sure you know due to the unique power of the BMG cartridge especially when paired with a muzzle brake the military came up with specific hearing protection protocols (dual ear pro, foamies plus over the ear muffs like you described I use peltor with built in coms similar to yours) for firing the Barrett .50 as it was one of loudest shoulder fired weapons in the inventory due to the muzzle brake.
Whenever I shoot any rifle with an effective muzzle brake I always go with double layer protection just like is recommended with the .50.
With the peltor headsets that magnify ambient sounds it makes it so you can hear quite conversations even with the foam inserts so no one has an excuse to not protect their hearing anymore.
When I was younger it was a safety issue as when doubled up with ear pro you couldn’t hear sh*t and electronic ear pro was unobtainium and prohibitively expensive if you could find a shop that stocked them.
I hope people new to shooting use the proper hearing protection from the start as you and I both know from experience it just takes one mistake when shooting and you will have to live with the hearing damage forever.
Thank you for your knowledge and service!!!
I was shocked by the concussion/blast produced by a VG6 when I installed one on my .223... first time I had ever heard a .223 with a brake/comp
Yup. same experience, and it came off and a flash hider went back on. Even with hearing protection had such a annoying pop to it, I could feel it in my head. Just not worth it. Maybe a blast forward design would be better, if absolutely wanted one.
@@Hill_Billy_Without_A_Hill 💯.... people argue the quicker follow up shots & etc... but i have no idea how on God's green earth that "taming" the recoil of a .223 could ever be worth such a tradeoff.
A muzzle brake on a .223/5.56 is pointless
@@BaconSlayer69 .....so... you agree?
Thanks for another great video Sir!
Ive got an ACE .308 that came with an INSANE muzzle brake. With hearing protection i felt the blast in my nazal cavity and chest and often made a pretty nasty flash. Very quickly i swapped it out for a smith vortex flash hider. No flash, no issues, highly recommend the vortex.
Yep! That’s why I love my suppressors 😁
I made the mistake of getting a smith enterprise good iron muzzle brake for my M1A . Horribly loud ,blew some of my shooting gear off the range table. That was 25years ago. Sitting on a shelf in the basement.Can,t seem to sell it. My ears start ringing every time I look at it. Need to pour some holy water on it.
Thanks Again! Another straight forward informative video. I'm pretty sure Santa has you on the nice list!
I have learned to wear both ear plugs and ear cover when I go into the indoor gun range. Makes a huge difference :)
Limbsaver makes great recoil pads that helps your shoulder
You Sir are a wealth of seasoned knowledge that is missing from a lot of current "experts" on RUclips.
I agree captain. You covered all of what is important. I have two large displacement magnum rifles; both are threaded for muzzle devices and in both cases, I took the brakes off for all the reasons you covered. I'd rather get hammered by the recoil and I have gotten more used to that than sound! This was excellent coverage of an excellent topic. Thank you for your effort in producing this video and may God bless you this Christmas.
There's a reason why Winchester and Browning quietly discontinued the BOSS combination adjustable vibration damper and muzzle brake just a few years after introducing it with much fanfare. A friend of mine who had it on his Browning .330 Win Mag told me the half MOA gain he obtained in accuracy off the bench wasn't worth the debilitating sound intensity that even ear plugs and ear muffs could not adequately attenuate. He found that what had been a cost-adding feature resulted in a rifle he couldn't give away let alone work a trade for a replacement.
They offer the weight without the built in muzzle brake. I have a BOSS equipped A-Bolt with both weights.
David Clark is still excellent but I double that up with plugs and triple up with a suppressor whenever remotely practicable. I switched to a bullpup for my shotgun after getting my enormous 12ga suppressor. Suppressors aren’t usually practical with handguns but my 22lr target pistol has a barrel just past the end of the trigger guard, so it works well. I don’t have a practical solution for centerfire pistols. Those of you soldering on with nielsen devices or running ablative in boosterless cans have my puzzled appreciation.
You should check out the flow through suppressors. They are excellent for gas operated carbines and rifles.
You do make a point. I too have a bad hearing loss and have to wear hearing aids. I do like muzzle brakes though. They have different designs some are better than others and some do not direct the gas back but to the side some even a little forward. The recoil reduction has a factor in eliminating flinches as well. I don't seem to have a problem shooting with hearing protection on. Any more I will use hearing muffs when hunting. I primarily hunt from a Muddy Bull blind. I have even used brakes on low caliber rifles to see the bullet hit target because of the reduction in barrel jump. But that's me. I can't get my hearing back, but I think with muffs even with a brake I am not making it any worse. But you do have good advice for those that have good ears and want to keep them that way. Love your videos.
Enjoy watching you sir very good information..
My Springfield 30-06 with a shorter barrel sure gave me a flinch...big fire visible on first shot..never seen again.
100% agree. Your shoulder can always heal even from the worst brusing gun. When your hearings gone its gone.
Absolutely 💯
Wow you completely changed my mind. Thanks
Thanks for the video about muzzle brake. I learned something new today.
Very..., VERY good to hear -- no pun intended, Master GunSmith! -- a Shooter that Cares so well for ThemSelves, an' for Others.
That Care..., It's so 'in-grained' in You that, You just Naturally describe some o' the "counter-measures" to recoil that prevent it, without a brake.
🙂
Rick Bonner Pennsyltucky
I have no trouble wearing my hearing aids - I forget to take them out when I go to bed. I wear hearing protection when I shoot - both my 22s and my 6.5 Creedmoor with a brake.
I agree with you about hearing loss cause I have it too.... But still like brakes on my larger cal. rifles.....be well.
As a former communications specialist, this is extremely poignant and often, underrated point made.
Being able to hear is one of our greatest senses. It’s emotional, physical (as it can affect balance) and first line of defense (hearing is 360, vision is 270).
Hearing loss is cumulative and permanent! I am CONSTANTLY preaching to young people to protect their hearing, even when doing things that don't seem loud like using power tools.
I have tinnitus. I had a muzzle break but no more.
Very interesting. Thanks so much!
Not the only problem. I bought a good mid-priced muzzle brake and absolutely could not get my gun to group. Someone suggested it could be a barrel resonance problem. Took the brake off and my groups were reduced by more than 100%
What can I say , another great video
I remember we had ear plugs in basic, Inf AIT and Arty OCS. 1968-69, but their use was never enforced. No ear plugs in Vietnam, I have ringing and no hearing aid helps, plus they’re annoying. Never knew muzzle brakes were noise problems. No need for 50cal or 300 Win mag in rural NYS.
Their use is enforced at infantry OSUT today and electronic active earpro has filtered it's way into combat units but only in SOCOM. Big army doesn't get them for free but can wear your own in combat and training though if you want to drop like a thousand dollars.
Thanks for this video! I was at Knob Creek several years ago casually shooting and a guy set up two benches from me with a .50 BMG with a huge muzzle brake. First shot…he set off vehicle alarms and cleared the benches around him! Luckily, he wasn’t there long! Found another gun range after that!
I've shot at Knob Creek since it opened. The last few times I went, I swore I'd never go back, but the last time cinched. it. The range officers are ridiculous. It seems they all hate their jobs and want to make you suffer for it. Their goal is to make you uncomfortable enough to leave. While I have never been called down for a safety offense, I have seen many belittled, berated and ejected for quite minor ones. I shoot on private land now, and the advantages are tremendous. No having to wait for a cease fire to check or reset a target, no CHAMBER FLAGS, no child telling you when you can touch your guns you and no range fee.
@@robertfrapples2472 you would trust people fiddling with their firearm while you're downrange? Sure you don't need to berate people for a minor infraction, but those are pretty basic rules
Unfortunately some states seem to think flash hiders are only for "assault weapons" while a muzzle brake is "allowed" for what reason escapes me, so I have a muzzle brake that looks like a birdcage except the tip is more enclosed and is acceptable as a brake. Not by choice but it's the best I can do.
Linear compensators are great
I definitely understand this. My dad is deaf almost. I hate when we go to the range. I gave him ear plugs, and he puts them in his pocket. 🙄 but I'm always about some ear plugs 🤗 and muffs if needed, but I have two braked rifles. And I won't shoot without both. 🤷🏼♂️ and I don't shoot them with dad
TOTALLY agree. Thank you.
My AR had the standard A2 bird cage on it and I thought changing it out and adding a new muzzle brake would reduce muzzle climb and boy oh boy was I wrong. The thing is loud as hell, the concussion is insane and it's now not fun to shoot.
M-110 self propelled Heavy Howitzers did my ears in after many Rock Concerts
. Oh and the the old 110 had one Hella muzzle brake.
excellent, tks
Try out the Lyric hearing aid - takes 2-3 weeks to adjust to - and they are expensive - and they're amazing
I have always hated public ranges for the same reason - too load.
You hit this out of the park. We shot skeet for many years with and without hearing protection. We finally went with the mold forming plugs that worked for but the damage had been done. We developed a major Flinch. It got so bad we would follow the target down to the ground without firing. A good friend let me try his shotgun with a double release on his over and under, it worked. The gunsmith who worked on our triggers set it to lock at 4 lbs and fired at 2lbs. He also put a big red "R" on our pistol grip, for safety reasons. This isn't for everyone but it kept me shooting . Thanks for a great video
@@___meph___4547 When GunBlue490 said Flinch could come from recoil , my response was how I over came my Flinch problem. It had nothing to do with hearing loss. Sorry if you took it that way
Muzzles breaks provide a significant reduction in recoil for rounds that have a high powder weight to bullet ratio. I love my brakes and they make shooting more enjoyable. They also allow me to stay on target much easier. Putting in ear plugs is something I do when or not I use a brake or not. Some of hearing loss is from age. So they are not for you but they are definitely for me!
You are nuts.
Same here
I think if it’s only affecting you than hell yeah do what you do. Just don’t bring it to the range man that shits way to loud and these ear plugs can’t handle the concussion and noise. I double up and I still have issues.
I have an AR-10 in 308 that shoots sub Moa that has a muzzle brake I have shot a few deer with it this year I shot at a buck still hunting I was over 800 yards from my grandfather and he thought I was on the hillside right next to him that thing is ungodly loud
Battle Comp is supposedly loud on the firing line.
Great video
I too have hearing loss
Due to years of running heavy equipment and shooting.
Unfortunately up here in Canada
Suppressors are not legal. Whitch I believe is ludicrous.
We have laws against
Excessive engine noise in automobile and motorcycles.
Mandatory hearing protection in the workplace.
But we can’t use a suppressor.
I really wish you could be a spokesperson for us and talk to our government.
Now I know that wouldn’t happen!
Just saying I agree with you.
I’m 68 and recoil is starting to affect my shooting. I went and had a muzzle break put on my 7mag.
And YES it’s very loud.
I since found and put on a Falconstrike recoil pad. Wow it’s a awesome product.
It reduces recoil substantially.
I can shoot 20 rounds and it feels like I didn’t shoot at all.
If I had put it on first I wouldn’t have paid 300 for the muzzle break.
I have removed the break and now shoot without it.
I am not affiliated with the company in no way.
I am just a satisfied customer.
So yes there is other options to reduce recoil.
Cheers
I have lost my hearing much like you. I have completely lost hearing in my left ear and have to use closed CAPTIONING when watching TV or RUclips. My right ear is muffled and it is very hard to understand what people are saying to me.
Not sure what caused it but the VA doctors said it was nerve damage.
In the 60's and 70's I was shooting a lot of competition with pistols plus when I was in the Air Force I was around a lot of noise but had ear plugs and the ear muffs. I didn't start losing my hearing until the 90's and ALWAYS used good hearing precautions, if none were available I would put a 45 ACP IN EACH EAR. That was great hearing protection.
hearing loss can be sudden and unexplained. I woke up once almost completely deaf but luckily it went away after an hour.
I have to double up on ear protection when I go to our local range now. Seems like more and more people are using them. I find it ironic that a suppressor, which reduces db’s are so hard to get.
You described my hearing 100%
I had a Sako Finnbear in .375 H&H Mag and wanted to tame some recoil at the bench so I had a machinist friend of mine make a custom muzzle brake for me. It worked great took the recoil down to about 30-06 level or so. But holy cow was it loud the people next to me at the range went and sat in their cars until I was done. They said they could feel the concussion of the rifle and it bothered them. I knew right them I could never hunt with the muzzle brake on, so I ended up selling the rifle sadly.
I didn't need to watch more than 30 seconds of this video because i completely agree, however i always enjoy your insight and sharing of knowledge on all things shooting and hunting. Thanks again for a great video, sir.