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Long-range shooting is one of the most popular forms of firearm training, as it’s extremely satisfying to hit your target without being able to see it with the naked eye. While anyone can get into long-range shooting, there are a lot of aspects that you may not immediately consider when starting out. Not everyone needs to build a Precision Rifle Series (PRS) rifle right at the start of their long-range journey, even though we have a guide about How to Build a PRS Rifle. Instead, you can start to tune your favorite rifle that you already own into one that is better equipped for shooting at distances more than 200-300 yards. One of the best ways to do that is by installing the proper muzzle device to help your bullets reach their target as accurately as possible! If you’re curious about what some of the best muzzle devices are and how they can improve your shooting, here’s what you should know.
What Are the Best Options for Long-Range Muzzle Devices?
When it comes to muzzle devices, there are tons of different styles and categories to choose from, with the most popular being compensators, flash hiders, muzzle brakes, and suppressors. Each one serves a different purpose, with compensators being most popular on pistols to help control recoil between shots and flash hiders working well with tactical rifles to keep muzzle flash as low as possible. While these options can work with long-range rifles, the two best options for shooting past a normal range are muzzle brakes and suppressors.
Muzzle Brakes
This type of muzzle device combines the best parts of compensators and flash hiders into a bulkier version of both. The main selling point of a muzzle brake is that it uses baffles and fluted pieces at the end to direct the gases from the end of the barrel in specific ways. Generally, this means when you fire a shot, the brake directs the propellent gases upward and to the sides. This significantly reduces muzzle rise and sway, as the pressure of the gases counteract the recoil to keep your rifle steady and on target. The reason this works so well for long-range shooting is because it helps you maintain consistency when shooting. By minimizing how much the barrel can move after each shot, you don’t have to make as many corrections for each follow-up shot. This means you can more easily walk your shots to the target, helping you dial in your scope and skills at the same time.
Suppressors
The other muzzle device that works best for long-range shooting is also a little more difficult to obtain, but it makes up for that by being exceptionally useful. For starters, a suppressor is designed to reduce the audible report of your firearm when you fire a shot. However, this does not make it a “silencer” like Hollywood would have you believe, and it does not eliminate the sound from the shot; it only reduces the overall noise. That being said, suppressors accomplish this goal by using internal baffles that redirect propellant gases, much like a muzzle brake. The difference is that the baffles store the gases and prevent them from all being ejected at once, which is what results in the reduced noise.
Another benefit that comes from redirecting how the gases leave the barrel is an overall reduction in recoil. This allows you to remain looking through your optic to watch your shot and take follow-up shots without having to reset your rifle and reacquire the target. Finally, extending the overall barrel length of your firearm with a suppressor helps stabilize the projectile further, ensuring it remains accurate at longer ranges. Both the noise and recoil reduction are crucial for long-range shooting, but for different reasons. For example, the recoil reduction is obvious, as staying on target while taking multiple shots is crucial for everything from shooting competitions to hunting and tactical shooting. The noise reduction is more of an intangible benefit at the start, as it makes training and practicing both safer and more comfortable. Long-range rifles tend to be larger calibers with louder reports, and regular training can damage your ears without proper hearing protection and make longer shooting sessions uncomfortable. A suppressor reduces this considerably, helping protect your ears and sanity. And, if you’re ever hunting or in a tactical situation, a suppressor helps keep your location hidden while you fire.
Which Muzzle Device Should You Choose?
Truthfully, the answer depends on how you want to use your long-range rifle. If overall accuracy is your concern, then a muzzle brake is probably your best bet. While a muzzle brake isn’t as comfortable on your ears as a suppressor, the entire design is focused on minimizing recoil, and a high-quality muzzle brake does this job extremely well. One of the models used by a lot of professional long-range shooters is the Area 419 Hellfire Match Muzzle Brake. Designed as a 4-port muzzle brake and available in some of the most popular long-range calibers like 6.5 Creedmoor, the Hellfire Match is a self-timing brake that focuses on managing recoil and eliminating muzzle rise. Another top choice among shooters is the MDT Comp Muzzle Brake, which combines some of the best features of a compensator with their well-known muzzle brake design. This results in a high-tech piece of equipment with tuneable top venting ports, allowing you to control exactly how much gas is released at the top to make your shots as smooth as possible.
If you’re leaning more toward a suppressor for your long-range rifle, there are countless options for which one to pick. Generally, you want to go with a suppressor that is designed as closely to your rifle’s caliber as possible. Many suppressors advertise that they are universal, and while that is often true to an extent, choosing a suppressor that is better matched to your rifle helps ensure gases are redirected properly.
This means sticking with top suppressor brands, such as SilencerCo, who makes the Harvester EVO suppressor that is an excellent choice for both versatility and value. Another top contender for precision suppressors is Otter Creek Labs, specifically their Hydrogen line of suppressors. There are several models available, but the Hydrogen line is developed for use in .30 caliber rounds, such as 7.62, 6.5, and more. These are common calibers for long-range shooting, so matching an Otter Creek Labs Hydrogen suppressor with your rifle will help you stay on target and improve your skills.
Hit Your Target at Any Distance With OpticsPlanet!
Once you’ve figured out the perfect muzzle device to help you start shooting like your favorite sniper, there is a ton more gear to help you finish out your build! From countless rifle scopes that help you spot your target to spotting scopes that let you survey the field and get the best view possible, our team is here to help you find the right additions to your collection. Check out everything we have to offer today to save big!
