At a Glance: Best 308 Muzzle Brake
- OUR TOP PICK: Precision Armament M4-72 Severe Duty Muzzle Brake
- OUR TOP PICK: VG6 Precision AR 308 Epsilon 762 Muzzle Brake
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Bravo Company BMCGunfighter MFG 1/2-28 Compensator
Comparison of The Best .308 Muzzle Brakes
PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
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Our Top Pick
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Precision Armament M4-72 Severe Duty Muzzle Brake |
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View Latest Price |
Our Top Pick
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VG6 Precision AR 308 Epsilon 762 Muzzle Brake |
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View Latest Price |
Our Top Pick
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Bravo Company BMCGunfighter MFG 1/2-28 Compensator |
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View Latest Price |
Muzzle brake devices and flash hiders are often confused, yet they’re far from the same. A muzzle brake is designed to help reduce muzzle rise from recoil by redirecting gasses out each side. Muzzle brake devices can actually improve accuracy.
4 Best Muzzle Brakes for .308-Caliber Rifles
Large calibres such as .308 (also known as 7.52 NATO) produce a lot of recoil, especially in lightweight semi-auto rifles like the AR-10. Adding a muzzle brake to your rifle will help reduce recoil and barrel rise, which makes placing follow-up shots much easier. Here are the best muzzle brake options for standard .308 rifles. Which of these muzzle brakes will you choose?
Precision Armament M4-72 Severe Duty Muzzle Brake
Here we have one of the best 308 muzzle brakes designed for rifles with a 1/2-28 standard threaded barrel. Precision Armament is well-known for producing high-quality parts and accessories for tactical rifles. Precision Armament describes this product as a muzzle brake and a “compensator,” which performs a similar function. This compensator is designed to channel escaping gasses through two small directed ports and one large port on either side and has been one of the highest-rated model in terms of recoil reduction.
KEY FEATURES
- Heat-resistant steel muzzle brake
- Angled side vent ports
- ½-28 threads
- Compatible with AR-10
When escaping gasses reach this muzzle brake, they escape evenly foam both sides. The pressure equalizes and stabilizes the barrel, keeping the energy from forcing it off-target. As a result, shooters who use the Precision Armament M4-72 compensator can expect improved accuracy on follow-up shots.
The Precision Armament M4-72 compensator is manufactured with heavy-duty HT3R stainless steel. This alloy resists heat, won’t rust and is strong enough to stay threaded on under constant fire.
Additionally, this muzzle brake comes with a lifetime warranty. It’s ideal for use on any standard AR-10 rifle chambered in .308/7.62 NATO. But what sets it apart from the competition? For one, it utilizes angular vent ports to direct gasses backward instead of only to the side. This is called “canted venting,” and it’s not used by all manufacturers. This unique venting design and high-strength steel construction reduces recoil and makes it ideal for use with rapid-fire and fully automatic rifle builds. If you’re licensed to produce an automatic rifle, a muzzle brake like this can help you manage the heavy recoil.
Pros
- Made from heavy duty HT3R steel
- Works with .308 and 7.62 NATO
- Lifetime warranty
- True muzzle brake with side as ports
Cons
- Heavier than some alternatives
- Not a flash hider
VG6 Precision AR .308 Epsilon 762 Muzzle Brake
Here’s another high-quality muzzle brake device for performance .308/7.62 NATO rifles. Like the Precision Armament variant above, the VG6 Precision AR 308 Epsilon 762 muzzle brake is designed primarily for use on semi-auto .308 rifles such as the AR-10. Unlike most muzzle brake devices, the VG6 Epsilon performs more than one function. It’s a “hybrid” muzzle device, and it functions as a compensator, flash hider, and it adds a great tactical look to your rifle.
KEY FEATURES
- Hybrid muzzle brake
- Also functions as a flash hider
- For .308/7.62 NATO
- Reduces recoil and barrel rise
So, what are the benefits of a hybrid muzzle device like the VG6 Precision muzzle brake?
For one, you get the benefits of a muzzle brake (accuracy and reduced barrel rise) along with the concealing effects of a standard flash hider. In tactical situations, it’s highly advantageous to have both. But does it work?
In this case, it does work. In fact, most people who use this muzzle brake report that it works very well. It’s thoughtfully-designed and produced using tough, high-quality steel. It also comes with a forever warranty.
The VG6 Epsilon muzzle device is primarily designed to direct gasses, reduce recoil and barrel rise, and reduce flash. In its most basic form, a muzzle device with hybrid functionality is just a muzzle brake with a flash hider milled onto the end of it. It sounds almost too simple to work, yet it works amazingly well.
When it comes to functionality, it’s hard to beat the VG6 Precision AR 308 hybrid system. You don’t have to sacrifice the tactical advantages of a flash hider, and you still get the precise control of a muzzle brake. If you’re looking to get that recoil reduction for an all-in-one muzzle device that bolts onto a standard AR-10, it’s hard to go wrong with the VG6 Precision Epsilon 762.
Pros
- Made from high-quality steel
- Features a flash hider and a muzzle brake
- Works with standard AR-10 rifles
- Reduced recoil
Cons
- Heavier than many stand-alone compensators and flash hiders
- Bladed flash hider is more delicate than traditional birdcage
Bravo Company BMCGunfighter MFG 1/2-28 Compensator
Here’s a compensator that looks like a standard flash hider. With this muzzle device, you can maintain a ‘stock’ look and enjoy the benefits of a well-designed muzzle brake and flash hider. The Bravo Company BMCGunfighter muzzle device is the other side of the coin when it comes to hybrid muzzle device design philosophy. It performs a function similar to that of the VG6 Precision Epsilon 762, but it does so in a different way.
KEY FEATURES
- Looks like a MIL-SPEC flash hider
- Works as a hybrid muzzle brake and flash hider
- Threads onto barrel with a crush washer
- Features an interior cone and tuned slots
This muzzle device functions more as a flash hider than a muzzle brake, but you still get some additional accuracy and stability from this modification with great recoil reduction. In other words, it’s the ultimate flash hider for your AR-platform .308 rifle.
The most obvious use for the Bravo Company compensator is for the AR-10 and similar semi-auto .308 rifles. However, it works on any .308 rifle that accepts threaded muzzle attachments. That makes it an excellent option for tactical bolt-action rifles as well.
The Bravo Company compensator features a standard nitride finish, which is the same as the barrels of most AR-10 rifles. It includes a crush washer in the installation kit, as this is necessary to keep the compensator from unthreading itself. This muzzle device fits on any standard 1/2×28 threaded barrel.
Bravo Company designed this compensator with an interior cone and tuned slots, which helps hide the flash while simultaneously reducing recoil. Additionally, this design produces less muzzle blast and reduces noise when compared to other muzzle brakes, which makes the best .308 muzzle brake for indoor ranges and close-quarters-combat.
Pros
- Reduces recoil
- Hides flash
- Reduces barrel rise
- Threads onto standard .308/7.62 NATO barrels
Cons
- Nitride finish may not work with custom builds
- Crush washer can only be used once
Aero Precision AR-308 Birdcage Flash Hider
Here’s a classic muzzle accessory that’s an excellent addition to any .308 AR-10 rifle. While it’s technically not a “muzzle brake” by most definitions, this flash hider has numerous benefits.
KEY FEATURES
- MIL-SPEC flash hider
- Lightweight factory-style replacement
- Ideal for NATO-style rifle builds
- Made for standard AR-style .308 /7.62 NATO rifles
Aero Precision is known for manufacturing high-quality MIL-SPEC and upgraded AR-10 parts. This flash hider is made in the USA, and it’s designed to redirect muzzle gasses and hide the flash.
Aero Precision’s AR 308 flash hider resembles the standard MIL-SPEC flash hider found on military and law enforcement duty rifles. It weighs just 1.92 ounces, and it’s made from heavy-duty heat-resistant steel.
But how does this flash hider work, and is it useful for accuracy? The idea behind a flash hider is that the side grooves will redirect gasses and split up the flash. It makes it more difficult to see where the shots are coming from at night. Also, it makes nighttime and low-light shooting easier, as there’s no giant fireball in your line of sight to mess up your vision.
There’s a lot to be said about this classic A2-style flash hider, especially if you’re going for the traditional MIL-SPEC rifle look. The Aero Precision AR-308 birdcage flash hider fits a standard 5/8×24 TEl threaded barrel, which is what you’ll find on the majority of .30-caliber AR-10 rifles. It also works on some tactical bolt-action rifles, such as the Ruger Gunsite Scout, which is chambered in .308/7.62 NATO.
Pros
- Lightweight muzzle device
- More durable than alternatives
- Hides flash effectively
Cons
- Doesn’t reduce recoil
- Doesn’t significantly reduce barrel rise
Flash Hider vs. Muzzle Brake vs. Compensator
We’ve used a lot of technical terms in this review, and it’s time to clarify the precise differences between flash hiders, muzzle brakes, and compensators. Here’s how they differ and which to choose.
Fundamentally, all three of these devices are designed to mount on the muzzle of a rifle and redirect escaping gasses. A flash hider redirects the muzzle blast and splits the fireball up into separate mini flashes, making it difficult to pinpoint the location of the rifleman.
A muzzle brake redirects gasses to the side, which stabilizes the weapon and reduces barrel rise. A compensator does essentially the same thing, but it also directs gasses out of the top. This reduces barrel climb more effectively than a muzzle brake, though some muzzle brake devices reduce recoil more effectively.
Which Muzzle Device Reduces Recoil?
The greatest recoil reduction can be achieved using a standard muzzle brake device.
This is because a muzzle brake redirects a huge amount of gas out of the sides, and the vent holes are usually much larger than a flash hider or a compensator. However, a standard muzzle brake isn’t as effective at hiding muzzle flash or reducing barrel rise.
Which Muzzle Device Reduces Reticle Movement?
Reticle movement refers to how far off target you end up after placing a shot. Although the term is usually specific to optics, we can use it here to describe shooting with iron sights as well.
Before adding a muzzle brake for accuracy, make sure you have the best AR 10 lower receiver for your rifle with a tight fit. For the least amount of muzzle movement, you’ll want a muzzle device that redirects gas out and to the sides.
The best choice is a compensator, as these devices are specifically designed to reduce barrel rise and to keep you on target. They don’t necessarily reduce recoil, but they can help you make follow-up shots more accurate than even the best .308 muzzle brake.
Most Economical Muzzle Device?
Economics is important to consider when choosing the best .308 muzzle brake, especially if you’re looking for high-quality parts. The best bang for your buck depends on what you want the muzzle device to do.
For all-around performance, the most useful and economical option is the hybrid muzzle brake. These devices are a combination between a muzzle brake or a compensator and a flash hider. They cost about the same as standard muzzle devices, and they feature practical two-in-one functionality.
What is the most effective muzzle brake? Best .308 Muzzle Brake Overall
Choosing the best 308 muzzle brake for your .308 rifle is essential, and it can dramatically improve the performance of your gun. But what’s the best .308 muzzle brake on the market today?
If you’re looking for the best combination of quality and performance, it’s tough to go wrong with the VG6 Precision AR 308 Epsilon hybrid muzzle brake. This muzzle brake stabilizes the barrel while simultaneously hiding the flash, making it an ideal all-in-one muzzle upgrade.
It’s tactically superior to standard muzzle devices such as the traditional MIL-SPEC flash hider. The primary drawback to the VG6 Precision AR 308 Epsilon muzzle brake is that it adds a bit of extra weight and length due to the addition of a flash hider.
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