Editing Muzzle brake (section)

== Effectiveness ==

Although there are numerous ways to measure the energy of a recoil [[Impulse (physics)|impulse]], in general, a 10% to 50% reduction can be measured.<ref>{{cite web |title=What Does a Compensator Do On a Pistol? |url=https://blog.refactortactical.com/blog/what-does-a-compensator-do-on-a-pistol/ |website=RE Factor Tactical |publisher=Scott Witner}}</ref> Some muzzle brake manufacturers claim greater recoil reduction percentages. Muzzle brakes need sufficient propellant gas volume and high gas pressure at the muzzle of the firearm to achieve well-measured recoil reduction percentages. This means cartridges with a small bore area to case volume ratio ([[overbore]] cartridges) combined with a high operating pressure benefit more from recoil reduction with muzzle brakes than smaller standard cartridges.

Besides reducing felt recoil, one of the primary advantages of a muzzle brake is the reduction of muzzle rise. This lets a shooter realign a weapon's sights more quickly. This is relevant for fully automatic weapons. Muzzle rise can theoretically be eliminated by an efficient design. Because the rifle moves rearward less, the shooter has little to compensate for. Muzzle brakes benefit rapid-fire, fully automatic fire, and large-bore hunting rifles. They are also common on small-bore [[vermin]] rifles, where reducing the muzzle rise lets the shooter see the bullet impact through a [[telescopic sight]]. A reduction in recoil also reduces the chance of undesired (painful) contacts between the shooter's head and the ocular of a telescopic sight or other aiming components that must be positioned near the shooter's eye (often referred to as "scope eye"). Another advantage of a muzzle brake is a reduction of recoil fatigue during extended practice sessions, enabling the shooter to consecutively fire more rounds accurately. Further, flinch (involuntary pre-trigger-release anxiety behavior resulting in inaccurate aiming and shooting) caused by excessive recoil may be reduced or eliminated.