Is it time for a muzzle brake?

[Buck8541]

This year I turn the big 40, and after many years in the Marine Corps as a sniper and later in the industrial trades, I have discovered that my back and neck do not tolerate recoil like they once did. Even with my 300 win mag, I have noticed that I get sore after the first couple of groups and develop a bit of a flinch. I swore I would be in my grave before I installed a muzzle brake but I think it might be time for one. Does anyone out there have any preferences or opinions on which brands work best for recoil reduction and sound. any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[blackdog]

What do you mean by 'works best for recoil reduction and sound"? Just about any brake is going to reduce recoil and increase sound. But my argument for that is 'who shoots a rifle without ear protection anyways?'.

The two brakes I've used extensively for the past 8 years are Nate Dagley, Straight Shot Gunsmithing and Nathan Wright, muzzlebrakesandmore dot com. Similar style brakes only the NW brakes cost about a third what the ND brakes to and seem to work pretty equally.

 

[packmule]

A suppressor will do both, but then you get into legalities in different states.

I use these folks for brakes & installation.

http://www.kdfguns.com/KDF MB Layout.html

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I have one on my .300 Wby. I am 72 and love it, especially for bench work and reload developement. Mine is the screw off type and I take it off when I am hunting as I really don't notice the recoil when I am shooting at an animal. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Buck8541]

Blackdog,

I know muzzle brakes increase sound, but I also know that some are not as loud as others. Thanks for the link I will check them out.

 

[Hilltop]

Buck,

Another thing to consider is your scope. Muzzle brakes are very hard on optics. I think I would consider some of the lighter recoiling rifles on the market in a decent weight setup with a great recoil pad before I would install a muzzle brake. Even if you find one that isn't as loud as the others, it will still be stupid loud to shoot. Ear plugs won't be optional anymore... even while hunting.

 

[OregonJim]

I only have one rifle with a brake. It is my favorite.
My Browning .300wsm has a Boss.

It "feels" like it produces less recoil than my .270.
Absolutely - ABSOLUTELY - have to wear protection.
I have a couple of Walkers Game ears..... a bit inconvenient but I have gotten used to it.
I have been known to just clip a set of electronic muffs to my belt so they are ready to use.

 

[SansSouci]

Buck8541,

I'm with Hilltop. Unless you're intending to hunt a whole lot of really big game, I'd consider buying a less recoiling rifle. But then again, I've never liked shooting rifles that hurt to shoot. My 7MM Rem Mag is the largest caliber rifle that I can shoot comfortably from a bench. I know that others can shoot larger rifles. I can, too. But I'd rather not.

BTW, last Monday a guide told me that he'd rather have a hunter show up with a .270 Win that he can shoot than a magnum that he can't. He was quartering a bull elk while he told me that, so I'm assuming he meant that a guy who can shoot a .270 Win will be able to kill a bull elk with it.

 

[woodtick]

I have one on my .300 Wby. I am 72 and love it, especially for bench work and reload developement. Mine is the screw off type and I take it off when I am hunting as I really don't notice the recoil when I am shooting at an animal. Just my 2 cents.

Hey CC have you tested it to see if you have point of impact change from swapping them out?? My buddies gun changed about 2" @ 100yds.

 

[woodtick]

This year I turn the big 40, and after many years in the Marine Corps as a sniper and later in the industrial trades, I have discovered that my back and neck do not tolerate recoil like they once did. Even with my 300 win mag, I have noticed that I get sore after the first couple of groups and develop a bit of a flinch. I swore I would be in my grave before I installed a muzzle brake but I think it might be time for one. Does anyone out there have any preferences or opinions on which brands work best for recoil reduction and sound. any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I had a Vias break installed and it took a ton away but it was also very loud!!

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Hey CC have you tested it to see if you have point of impact change from swapping them out?? My buddies gun changed about 2" @ 100yds.

No change in mine. Have shot it out to 400 yds w/o the MB.

 

[Buck8541]

Thanks a lot for all the feedback, I have lots of other rifles. My go to rifle is a Remington 700, in 280 loaded with 160 gr accubonds @ 2800fps. I guess I am just frustrated that I can no longer shoot my bigger calibers as easily as once did.

 

[OregonJim]

Thanks CC, that makes a ton of sense.

I am a recoil whimp but you never notice recoil when shooting at an animal.
I have been planning on acquiring something above .300 but I have dreaded the recoil of something along the lines of .338
I think bench shooting with a brake, then taking it off in the field might be just the ticket.

 

[OregonJim]

Hey CC have you tested it to see if you have point of impact change from swapping them out?? My buddies gun changed about 2" @ 100yds.

Tick, did he have any stats on further out. Wondering if that difference stayed consistent down range or if it kept getting larger. I could accept 2" @ 100 if it stayed 2" at 300.

 

[woodtick]

Tick, did he have any stats on further out. Wondering if that difference stayed consistent down range or if it kept getting larger. I could accept 2" @ 100 if it stayed 2" at 300.

Yeah it kept drifting larger and larger, I can't for the life of me remember what it was. Substantial I remember that! I haven't got much experience with removable breaks, so it was a 1st for me!

 

[Hilltop]

Thanks CC, that makes a ton of sense.

I am a recoil whimp but you never notice recoil when shooting at an animal.
I have been planning on acquiring something above .300 but I have dreaded the recoil of something along the lines of .338
I think bench shooting with a brake, then taking it off in the field might be just the ticket.

I have read that installing a brake changes point of impact with many rifles. It is my understanding that the lighter the brake, the less it will change point of impact. I researched them extensively when looking at elk rifles for my wife. In the end, we went with a 7mm-08 with no brake.

I am also a recoil wimp. I have tried many ways to practice without recoil but the problem is that most change point of impact. I bought a lead sled with the hope that I could practice recoil free. I can do that but my guns all have to be re-sighted in off the bi-pods because they all shoot differently out of the sled. My only solution that has worked is to wear a field recoil shield. It helps...

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

One thing I know is that I have never been real sensitive to recoil. I'm a pretty big guy (6' & 245#) and played contact sports in college and the military and never was bothered much by big hits. I also have been a competitive shooter for 50 years, so I guess this helpd too.

 

[hoshour]

I'm not a fan of the big calibers.

A well-placed shot from most rifles you would shoot deer with, like a .270 or 30-06 will put down any game in the Lower 48 on which there is a season. And, a poorly placed shot from a big caliber won't do any better. It may pack more punch (on both ends) but I don't see where it is any more lethal or significantly quicker in dropping the animal. A heart/lung shot is a lethal shot, no matter the caliber (within reason)..

 

[woodtick]

I'm not a fan of the big calibers.

A well-placed shot from most rifles you would shoot deer with, like a .270 or 30-06 will put down any game in the Lower 48 on which there is a season. And, a poorly placed shot from a big caliber won't do any better. It may pack more punch (on both ends) but I don't see where it is any more lethal or significantly quicker in dropping the animal. A heart/lung shot is a lethal shot, no matter the caliber (within reason)..

After my testosterone driven younger years have wore off this has become so true to me it ain't funny, I love big guns just cause of the shear power! But the last 3-4 years my Custom .260 AI has been my weapon of choice clear up to elk and I've punched several elk tags with it to!!! I've quit shooting shoulders and now take out the lungs.

I almost put a break on my latest 300RUM build and decided against it, I don't know why but they just bug the crap out of me, I decided an extra pound with a dead mule recoil reducer and limbsaver would tame the 8lb beast good enough and it did.

 

[In God We Trust]

I have a KDF on my 300 win mag. Why go with a smaller caliber instead of a brake? I love my 300 with a brake, it works great for western big game and will shoot long range. The only time I drop down in calibers is when I hunt antelope and shoot a 270. Get the brake you wont regret it.