Can muzzle brakes change point of impact?

[Maverick223]

Nope, can't change a thing. The projectile is long gone before gas venting can affect it.

With that logic, the crown makes no difference either...and well, it does. A muzzle device (brake, flash suppressor, sound suppressor, compensator, et al) will change the flow of gas from the muzzle as well as the barrel harmonics. The BOSS device tune the barrel harmonics using a muzzle attachment, and is now available without holes (no recoil reduction or greater perceived loudness). Nick at DTA informed me that they no longer offer the Vortex (or any other flash hider), nor do they recommend installing one (they do offer a brake for the .300WM and .338LM variants). He went on to say that the flash suppressor could make the rifle not meet its 0.5MOA guaranty. I would imagine that the slant brake (not really a brake, more of a compensator) would effect the flow of gas much more than the average brake, however on an AK you will likely never notice the difference.

 

[Uncle Mike]

YES...it can, and usually does change the POI.

 

[oldFred]

If a buckshot hits a 45 acp and doesnt change it's path, why would a brake?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfDoQwIAaXg

 

[Maverick223]

If a buckshot hits a 45 acp and doesnt change it's path, why would a brake?

There was a total of about 6" behind the POI...what did you expect to see a U-turn? Personally I saw a little movement after impact.

 

[Snakum]

Just be sure that the bore on the brake is in alignment with the bore o the gun, a friend of mine put one on an SKS that was misaligned so much that the bullet actually hit the end of the brake, that caused the POI to be way off.

Been there, done that. When I first put the Tapco 74 style brake on I noticed my POI was WAAAAY off. So I rezeroed and while cleaning the gun I noticed the bullets were impacting the top of the brake just enough to knock it off course. I didn't think there was enough slop in it for that, but there was. So I put a star washer on as a temp solution. Then when I got home filed the base of the brake down just enough that it screws on very snuggly while catching the spring-loaded detent. Problem solved, and I love that the AK-74 brake makes double taps easier due to a reduced, straight back push.

So yes, my POI changed a lot when I went from the slant brake, but for a very good reason.