compensators and accuracy

[milktree]

Everyone knows that it's important to treat the muzzle (crown) of a gun with care, because it's so important to accuracy. The reasoning (for those who don't know) is that when the bullet leaves the barrel there's a lot of hot gasses squirting out around the bullet. If the crown is irregular, the gasses squirting out will deflect the bullet away from its path.

So, why doesn't a muzzle brake or compensator have the same problem? They're not sold as precision items or anything, you just screw them on. How come they don't mess up accuracy too?

Or is the answer, "they do, nobody who cares about 1/2 MOA accuracy uses them"

 

[Tim94gt]

I am always careful with the muzzle end of my guns.

I believe that compensators and muzzle brakes divert the gasses out to the side or top before the projectile leaves the barrel. This does two things, reduces muzzle climb and recoil allowing more accurate followup shots.

 

[whatluck]

I think just like anything else, there are muzzle breaks out there that are junk and will pervert your trajectory, and there are better ones which will not.

 

[oneswithfunes]

It is all about shot to shot consistency.

 

[Dan S]

Everyone knows that it's important to treat the muzzle (crown) of a gun with care, because it's so important to accuracy. The reasoning (for those who don't know) is that when the bullet leaves the barrel there's a lot of hot gasses squirting out around the bullet. If the crown is irregular, the gasses squirting out will deflect the bullet away from its path.

So, why doesn't a muzzle brake or compensator have the same problem? They're not sold as precision items or anything, you just screw them on. How come they don't mess up accuracy too?

Or is the answer, "they do, nobody who cares about 1/2 MOA accuracy uses them"

A well made compensator does nothing to upset accuracy. They use them on large caliber sniper rifles. Very popular with action shooters mounted on AR's, they allow faster follow up shots when time is part of the score.
Why would you settle for 1/2 MOA?

 

[GTOShootr]

I read this posted on another forum not long ago...

"Here is another one, for all you techies!!!!! an AMU gunsmith related this to me just the other day. seems they took a rifle barrel with a very nice crown and shot it and produced a very nice group, then hacksawed the barrel off and filed the muzzle to clean up the "new" crown and subsequently produced an equivalent group,...................so much for NEEDING a _______ degree crown, or custom cut with a lathe to be dead balls perpendicular to the bullets exit."

 

[oneswithfunes]

I read this posted on another forum not long ago...

"Here is another one, for all you techies!!!!! an AMU gunsmith related this to me just the other day. seems they took a rifle barrel with a very nice crown and shot it and produced a very nice group, then hacksawed the barrel off and filed the muzzle to clean up the "new" crown and subsequently produced an equivalent group,...................so much for NEEDING a _______ degree crown, or custom cut with a lathe to be dead balls perpendicular to the bullets exit."

There is not much information to support that any type of crown is better than any other. On the other hand I have first hand experience before and after crown damage and the resulting accuracy. Anyone who tells you that the crown is not important does not know what they are talking about. It is well documented that a square crown is important.

 

[Kenny474]

Most places I have seen that install muzzle brakes stress the importance of installing it perfectly straight to ensure accuracy. While you may be just threading it on, the threads on the barrel and the brake(if you bought a quality piece) have been machined to a high degree of precision. If they were just a tube with some holes in it, they wouldn't cost $100+ for a good one.

A good crown is vital to consistency. While you may get good results without it, you will always be more consistent with a good crown. I got a ding in the crown on my pellet gun and it did a number on accuracy until I had it turned on a lathe.