The 6.5 Grendel is a long range flat shooting caliber that’s the answer to upgrading the 5.56 AR round but not making it as hefty as the 7.62.
The caliber has more power than the 5.56 and hence more recoil. Which makes a lot of users interested in using an appropriate muzzle device.
Here we’ll consider the concept of adding a brake while also checking out the best muzzle brakes available.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Muzzle Brake For 6.5 Grendel
- OUR TOP PICK: Area 419 - Hellfire Muzzle Brake
- RUNNER-UP: VG6 Precision - Gamma 65 Muzzle Brake 6.5 Creedmoor
- HONORABLE MENTION: Lancer Systems - Viper Brake 6.5 Caliber
Comparison of the Best 6.5 Grendel Muzzle Brakes
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Factors to Consider Before Buying Muzzle Brake For 6.5 Grendel
Adding a muzzle brake to your 6.5 Grendel rifle is an exciting concept. But adding a brake isn’t as simple as tightening the threads, there's a few considerations and consequences attached to it.
This Section Written By:
Ankit Kumar
Expert Author
Ankit Kumar is an engineer turned writer who specializes in topics related to firearms, gun safety and weapon tech. His passion towards enrolling in the Army drifted his interest towards light and heavy firearms. He’s a qualified competitive air rifle shooter and an avid nature lover. His other areas of expertise include survival, prepping and firearms/ammo storage. When he’s not writing, he’s either learning a new skill, trekking or enjoying a long drive.
Muzzle Brakes Are Loud
Those extra ports around the body of a muzzle brake give the expanding gasses multiple paths to vent. Without delving deeper into the acoustics mechanisms, just know that muzzle brakes will be significantly louder. Typically it becomes impossible for noise-sensitive shooters to fire a muzzle brake-equipped rifle without earmuffs.
Another small issue with using these brakes is that the side venting gasses creates more of a hazard to objects and people to the sides, so take proper precaution.
Does Diameter Matter?
Some people argue that any muzzle brake with a diameter larger than the diameter of the bullet works just fine. Well, then the question is. If it does work fine, why are their specific caliber brakes being manufactured?
Yes, a larger brake will work to a good extent. But getting a brake appropriate in diameter for the 6.5 Grendel will be more effective at controlling the recoil. All the brakes compiled in this review have been specifically designed for the 6.5 Grendel.
VG6 Precision - Gamma 65 Muzzle Brake 6.5 Creedmoor
Hybrid or Simple Design?
Some basic design muzzle brakes help only with mitigating the recoil. However, hybrid muzzle brakes help with reducing the recoil and also the muzzle jump. Hybrid brakes have more strategically placed vents. However, on the flip side, these brakes are also a tad hectic to clean.
Check the Thread Specs!
You got to have a barrel with a threaded muzzle to install a brake. It is important to ensure that you have the exact thread pattern as the brake you choose for proper installation. This is small but common important to miss when buying a brake.
Installation and Regular Maintenance
There are muzzle brakes that require specialized tools for installation. Then there are some which can be mounted or dismounted with bare hands. The ease of installation and speed of changing the brake decides what application it would be put up to.
It is also important to consider that a brake requires regular cleaning. Just like the barrel. Brakes with smaller ports require even more dedicated cleaning to ensure proper functionality.
Review of the Best Muzzle Brakes for the 6.5 Grendel
Now we're going to switch gears and see which muzzle brakes made out list and why. We'll be covering the ins and outs of each model.
Best Overall:
Area 419 - Hellfire Muzzle Brake
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Users were baffled with the aesthetics, ease of installation and performance of this brake. Some even reported the recoil dipping down to non-existent levels. The zero retention and self-timing capability makes it even more admirable. The price is slightly more than some counterparts, but it offers amazing value for the money considering its features.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Area 419 brake has an innovative and sturdy design. The self-timing brake doesn’t turn as you torque the collar to lock - simply level the brake and push the brake to lock it into place. The no tool adjustment and return to zero are excellent features. The brake doesn’t have top ports but still controls the muzzle very well.
Who Will Use This Most?
The brake is ideal for competitive shooters. Especially snipers. The brake is short, low-maintenance and offers quick switching without the need to adjust zero. That makes it great for tactical applications as well. If you are using a 6.5 grendel rifle, you ought to have this brake for optimal performance. The universal adapter also allows you to easily swap from brake to suppressor in under 30 seconds.
Bottom Line
The Area 419 Hellfire muzzle brake is the exemplar of an ideal brake for a rifle. The universal adapter eliminates the need to worry about thread pitch. Plus the easy installation, zero retention and self-timing capabilities with significant recoil and muzzle rise reduction make it just the perfect package. The price is higher, but definitely worth it.
Runner-up:
VG6 Precision - Gamma 65 Muzzle Brake 6.5 Creedmoor
Pros
Cons
The Gamma 65 Muzzle Brake from VG6 Precision is a muzzle brake and compensator hybrid. It has been CNC machined from high-grade stainless steel and is crafted with extreme precision.
It features a black nitride finish and can be mounted on barrels with 5/8-24 RH TPI threading. The brake is quite versatile and can be used with 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 Grendel, and 6.8 Remington SPC cartridges.
The combination of braking and compensating features allows the shooter to take consecutive follow-up shots with minimal adjustment. The vents of the muzzle brake have been meticulously designed and properly aligned to virtually eliminate the recoil. If your barrel has the proper threading, you can install the muzzle brake in probably less than a minute. The package also includes a crush washer so alignment is not a problem.
Bottom Line
The Gamma 65 is a muzzle brake and compensator hybrid and reduces recoil to such an extent that you won’t mind it. The brake is aesthetically pleasing and is perfect for use when hunting and long range precision shooting.
Honorable Mention:
Lancer Systems - Viper Brake 6.5 Caliber
Pros
Cons
The Viper Brake from Lancer Systems is a tunable muzzle brake designed to reduce the felt recoil and muzzle jump from your 6.5mm rounds. The brake features a conical blast chamber design, to let the gasses expand properly. The chamber is complemented with four adjustable jets over the top, which direct these expanding gasses upwards, thus preventing muzzle jump.
Additionally, angled blast baffles are incorporated to reduce recoil and further stabilize the rifle. The package includes a jam nut and six tuning jets to let you adjust the recoil according to your needs.
It is available in black-nitride and stainless-steel finishes and looks awesome when mounted on a barrel. This muzzle brake is extremely helpful for precision shooters who need to adjust their rifle depending upon the situation.
Bottom Line
The Viper Brake is an exceptional muzzle brake for bench rest and precision shooters. The recoil and muzzle jump can be tuned to meet your requirements. However, the brake sends a tremendous blast wave, so you may have to re-zero your scope over long distances.
4. VG6 Precision - Ar-15 Epsilon 65 Muzzle Brake 6.5 Creedmoor
Pros
Cons
The Epsilon 65 combines the function of a muzzle brake, compensator, and flash hider into one. The precision-cut design of this brake features a three-stage chamber to reduce recoil, and the three prong design reduces muzzle flash. The brake is easy to install on barrels with proper threading, plus it also features a pre-drilled pinhole for permanent attachment on 14.5 barrels needing 16.1".
It has been properly machined to cut proper markings and reduce the overall weight to only 2.7oz. Apart from the side vents, six valve holes on the underside of the Epsilon 65 further balance gas flow to promote comfortable shooting.
The brake is available in a black nitride or stainless steel finish, so you can choose the one which suits your rifle best. The package also includes a crush washer for easy installation and alignment. Compatible with 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 Grendel, 6.8 Remington SPC, and similar calibers.
Bottom Line
The Epsilon is a combination of a muzzle brake, a compensator, and a flash hider. The brake drastically reduces the recoil and is good for hunting, precision shooting, and tactical uses. Considering its price, the Epsilon offers excellent value for money.
5. Vais - Micro-brake 6.8 Mm
Pros
Cons
The Vais muzzle brake features a simplistic design with an array of gas dispersing holes around its perimeter, limiting muzzle rise with no increase in muzzle blast.
Plus, multiple gas expansion chambers disperse and redirect gases for effective recoil control, while limiting blast effects. The holes are both horizontal and perpendicular to the center line to disperse gas and sound properly. The brake is available in a chrome-moly steel finish or a stainless steel finish.
Bottom Line
The Vais micro-brake drastically reduces the recoil of your rifle and has been explicitly designed to be used with small and mid-sized barrels.
Benefits of Upgrading Your 6.5 Grendel's Muzzle Brake
The 6.5 Grendel is usually and mostly used for long range precision shooting. It’s what the cartridge was designed for. One very big hurdle is the recoil.
The 6.5 Grendel has some extra weight and recoil compared to the 5.56 (due to its size), but also a better ballistic coefficient. This means the round has a flat trajectory over long distances. Reducing the recoil of the rifle, will no doubt add to the accuracy. That’s where the muzzle brake kicks in.
AR with muzzle break (Photo credit: full30.com)
The purpose of the muzzle brake is to reduce the felt recoil of a rifle. Muzzle brakes are known to reduce recoil by almost 50 percent, which will mean a substantial reduction with long-range precision shooting calibers like 6.5 Grendel.
The reduced recoil also helps with the quick realignment of sights after every shot, since the barrel deviates less. This is advantageous for hunting at mid to long ranges.
Note: Please check your local state laws to understand the permitted length of a rifle. A muzzle brake will extend your rifle’s length by a couple of inches.
Features of Great 6.5 Grendel Muzzle Brakes
Let's look at the features that your 6.5 Grendel muzzle brakes should have:
Quality
The very first feature to look for in a good 6.5 Grendel Muzzle Brake is quality. Or in any product for that matter. A good brake must be made from strong, lightweight, durable material which should be able to stand the test of time, gas impingement, and natural factors.
Proper Vent Placement
A good muzzle brake must have vents aligned in a proper direction so the gasses escape properly without interfering with the recoil or function of the rifle. A vent should not be present on the bottom of the brake, as it will create an upward force when you shoot from a prone position.
Recoil Reduction
A good muzzle brake must actually reduce the recoil of your 6.5 Grendel-based rifle, not only on paper but in reality. Your brake must require little or no tuning for muzzle climb reduction, and should be easy to tune if needed.
Doesn’t Require Gunsmithing
An exceptional muzzle brake should be a plug-n-play device which is easy to install, and doesn’t require a visit to the gunsmith. Fortunately, all the brakes mentioned in this review can be installed with minimum effort. Most do not contain shims or any extra material.
Easy to Maintain
A muzzle brake will collect grime and dirt, just like the barrel does. Hence, it should be easy to clean and preferably rustproof, so you can easily wash it.
Affordable
Finally, a good muzzle brake doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. There are brakes costing more than a couple hundred dollars, without the fee of a gunsmith. But keeping that in mind, our top picks won’t burn a hole through your wallet.
Conclusion
A muzzle brake helps with reducing the felt recoil, and hence the overall accuracy of your rifle. A good muzzle brake for 6.5 Grendel should be of good quality, have proper vent placement, and be easy to install and clean. The 6.5 Grendel is a long-range shooting cartridge with a lesser recoil and is apt for precision shooting. Using a muzzle brake reduces the recoil further to let you shoot accurately.
