Accuracy and muzzle brakes

Can the average muzzle brake affect accuracy? Or maybe my question should be, Can an air rifle be MORE accurate WITH a muzzle brake than without one? I know there are special brakes, ported ones, etc. but I'm talking about the run of the mill (solid) nothing special brakes that are on most air guns. Thanks.

[jct842]

I am under the impression that they do help.  What a hollow base does not need is a blast of air to tip it.  most of my guns have one that has a large hole on each side such as used on army tanks, to vent off the blast of air, or CO2 in my case.   (I am allergic to pumping!)  only one springer...don't like a hold sensitive gun.

[IJL]

They will also change the resonant frequency of the barrel, that will effect accuracy, one way or the other......


Ian

[Wallis]

if we are talking about a B-26-2 in 22 caliber.  The nuzzle break on it was removed, and it shot better .The b26 in 177 shot bad without a break  I used the break from the -2 and it shot a lot better, and became less hold sensitive. also it quieted the muzzle report down

I think it may.  A brake adds weight to the front of the gun and changes the balance.  A gun may shoot better off the bench or off hand with the weight forward.  A brake may diminish the crack of the shot when speeds approach supersonic.  I dont know how PCP react to a brake although a shroud (a popular PCP add on) can quiet a gun.  That can affect your concentration.  Its like wearing earplugs.

[mikeiniowa]

If they are not mounted correctly you can have pellet clipping as it leaves the end of the brake

LOL...I know how that sounds!  I've read a few things about muzzle brakes, some say to push them all the way on so that the muzzle of the barrel actually touches the inside of the MB opening, effectively lengthening the barrel.  Others say that there should be a void between the muzzle end of the barrel and the inside of the MB opening thus creating a pocket of "dead air" inside the MB itself.

I think either way is good.  RWS brakes are hollow with only the last inch of the brake being the diameter of the barrel.  I set mine there and leave the void to muffle sound.  The RWS brakes also have a screw off nose which is handy if you lose a cleaning patch in the brake.