A muzzle brake for a large or medium caliber barrel. The muzzle brake has a body whose inner dimensions are substantially greater than those of the barrel and which is fitted with at least one stage of two openings prolonged by vanes upon which the propellant gases are applied to create a force in the opposite direction to that generated by these gases. The muzzle brake comprises a tubular component prolonging the free end of the barrel, that is engaged in the body and pierced with several vents directing the propellant gases towards the vanes. The diameter of the tubular component is roughly between the caliber of the barrel and the diameter at the bottom of the rifling grooves of the barrel.