Muzzle Brake?

[missjordan]

We have transitioned into breaking most of our big rifles. I think the amount of noise and percussion depends also on the break itself. My .338 win mag came with a boss muzzle break installed and it was very tolerable dealing with the noise and recoil. Last year I had Snowy Mountain Rifles rethread and install their break on the rifle and the noise and percussion increased with their style compared to the boss.


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[Mountain10mm]

I have the same Tikka T3 Lite. Mine easily shoots MOA groups with my reloads. Never tried factory loads as I already had a reload recipe from another 300WM and when I shot it in the T3, groups were less than an inch, so I left well enough alone. I agree, recoil is harsh on the bench as the gun only weights 7.5lbs with a scope. I'm sure a muzzle brake would help with recoil but they are deafening - not for me. I use a slip on rubber recoil pad at the bench which brings the recoil down from brutal to bad. I didn't buy the gun to shoot at the bench though, I bought it to carry up mountains and the weight, or lack thereof, is exactly what I wanted. Hard recoil is the trade off. And I've never noticed the recoil when shooting at game.

 

[Daubs]

I am a complete pansy when it comes to recoil. My 30-06 and my 7mm mag are standard rifles and weight 9lbs+, but i still flinch when sighting them in. I got myself a Lead Sled. I don't feel a thing on the bench.

Best $200 I've spent on hunting. Took it to my buddies shooting range, and everybody made fun of me. Within 15 minutes everybody was saying, hey can I put my gun on that thing.

In the field I don't even notice recoil when I've got a big deer and the sights.

 

[PatrickScotch]

Personally I hate muzzle brakes. I shoot a Ruger 77 338 Win Mag without a brake no problem. At the range I use a rest that takes in some of the recoil along with a PAST recoil shield. In the field I don't notice recoil at all. But it drops elk like nobodies business.

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[zpooch]

I have a Tikka in 300wsm. A Limbsaver changed the gun completely. I'd try that first, cheap and easy.

 

[stevevan]

I'm not a brake fan at all. I don't use them and I don't like being around anyone using one. As far as having a removable one to use at the range and take-off in the field. Maybe its just me but I believe point of impact should change by doing that. In the least you're changing the overall barrel length which should change the barrel harmonics. Perhaps I'm paranoid but I want to sightin and use the rifle in the field in the same configuration. I just bought a Christensen Ridgeline that came with a threaded muzzle and brake. Called Christensen and they sent me a thread protector. I put the cap on and put the supplied brake in my misc. drawer probably never to be seen again. As far as lightweight rifles with big calibers. I believe that is a good combination to create flinch. I'd rather carry a heavier rifle in a heavier rifle chambering and reduce the weight savings some where else. Maybe pack one less sandwich or shed a pound or 2 around the waist.

 

[JimP]

With a removable brake you just need to do as I do. When building up loads off of a bench use it you can also use it to sight in your rifle but you need to put some rounds down range with it off to make sure that your point of impact is the same. I have found that nothing changes on my rifle that has a brake on it, even the velocity of the round is close enough that it doesn't matter.

If you are around someone that has a brake on his rifle you need to use ear protection period. Even at the range if someone is shooting a rifle with one you should be wearing your protection at all times. That is the one reason that I will take my brake off when I am hunting, I have found that it isn't needed when there is a animal in the sights.

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

I haven't read through the whole thread but here is an incredible article (with data) on various muzzle brakes.

http://precisionrifleblog.com/2015/08/21/muzzle-brake-summary-of-field-test-results/

 

[Slugz]

Just my 2 sense and what I was taught......a high quality brake, correctly installed, bore aligned and properly tuned has zero effect on POI. IMO need to ensure the guy installing it is an EXPERT and not the local gunshop/gunsmith guy. In sporting style single shot rifles all venting is complete and the projectile is clear of gasses. I'd be interested to hear MCSeals comments on this.

 

[Multi-SpeciesHunter]

I have a Tikka T3 Lite chambered in 300 win and had a limbsaver put on it. I really don't find it kicks all that bad and I get good groupings. I have not shot it without the limbsaver but I would imagine it really helps my shooting.

 

[Laddy]

I am a complete pansy when it comes to recoil. My 30-06 and my 7mm mag are standard rifles and weight 9lbs+, but i still flinch when sighting them in.

Don't worry, I'm a total pansy too. I say that all the time about 300 mags. I cannot shoot tight groups because I flinch and anticipate the recoil. I'm not embarrassed to admit it in the least.

10 or 12 years ago I was at a gun store looking at their inventory of used rifles and came across a Rem 700 XCR 300 WSM for a decent price and bought it. As a shooter of 277s my whole life I still remember the first time I squeezed off the first round at the range "what the hell was that?!?!" Reminded me of a bar fight I got my into when I was in my 20s and lost

Gunsmith told me to try a brake, so I did. I didn't notice a huge difference. I still flinched and pulled shots high and to the right.

Someone told me to get a heavier barrel (defeats the purpose of the XCR thing Remington was trying to do).....I didn't. It sat in my safe until two years ago when my nephew graduated from college and I gave it to him. It's his problem now.

 

[JimP]

One nice side effect to shooting heavy recoiling magnums is that when you drop back down to a light caliber such as a .25-06 or .22-250 is that you don't even feel them.

 

[7shot]

I would put a muzzle break on it and just use ear protection. Tell whoever is hunting with you to do the same and watch the big game fall to the ground. I shoot a 7 mm WSM 180 gr. and with the break on that gun, I don't even get knocked much off target, and often I can see the bullet hit through the scope. I love to shoot that gun all year long and use it as a long range hobbie as well as hunting gun. My technique and accuracy are so much better knowing I can just sit there and gently squeeze, because the 'love tap" coming is not a big deal. Now shooting it without ears on is a big deal. I have only had once with my son that we had to but off a quick shot on his cow elk that we did not have ears on because we were getting off horse and it was a scramble to kill that cow.

Most of us grew up not using ear protection now we have to train ourselves that that is part of the hunt when using a break. We have gotten good at having ear plugs looped through our ball cap strap so they are back in position when needed. Or a pair in a pocket that is handy. If using muffs, just have them on the strap of a pack and they are easy to access without digging around. Just my .02$ - I know I will never have magnum rifle without a break, i just like to shoot too much in the offseason.

 

[HuskyMusky]

I'm not a fan but if that's your only option, well then... maybe buy some electronic ear muffs for the field etc... don't want be shooting a 300mag with a muzzle brake without ear protection.

Add weight... I read so much about all of these 300 mags in ultra light rifles... and I think? that doesn't seem like a great combo.

put a bigger heavier scope on it... adds weight... can only help.

bigger/heavier bases and rings.

shoot lighter bullets, 150gr 165gr... kind of misses the point of a 300mag IMO but a 150 or 165gr TSX might make up for the loss of bullet weight.

If it doesn't have a big soft recoil pad on it, put one on it.

You'll never notice it in the field, the kick, but at the range you want nice groups to be confident.

good luck.

 

[troybackman]

I couldnt get any factory ammo to shoot in 2 tikka 300 wm. If you are still looking for a load recipe try a 168gr berger classic hunter with 70.5 gr of RL-19. Im only getting 2760 fps but they shoot solid 1/2 moa. In both rifles.

 

[mcseal2]

Just my 2 sense and what I was taught......a high quality brake, correctly installed, bore aligned and properly tuned has zero effect on POI. IMO need to ensure the guy installing it is an EXPERT and not the local gunshop/gunsmith guy. In sporting style single shot rifles all venting is complete and the projectile is clear of gasses. I'd be interested to hear MCSeals comments on this.

I have only owned 2 rifles with brakes over the years and never removed one so I really can't say. I just shot them with the brakes at all times. If they have enough recoil to need the brake for me I'm afraid my flinch would return trying to shoot them without it.

 

[GKPrice]

The T3 has a hard recoil pad from what I've read. You might try a Limbsaver. Check out the reviews. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/960397/limbsaver-recoil-pad-prefit-sako-75-synthetic-finnlite-a7-tikka-t3-t3-lite-ruger-k77-22-synthetic-rubber-black

I just bought a T3x Lite last night in 7mm Mag. If it shoots well I might get a removable muzzle brake. If it doesn't it will be sold.

I'm working up loads for a T3X 7mm RM now - Although the new improved recoil pad is "better" by a mile than what came on the T3's I put a Limbsaver Gen 2 on mine first thing - Now, here's the thing that everyone should understand ... recoil is perceived differently by EVERY single shooter and even though I'm not bothered a bit by my new 7 mag with the Gen 2 pad on some days it feels present than other days and admittedly, I shot a 338 Win Mag for years and still love most all things about the chambering but I dropped to the 7mm RM mainly because I refused to put a confounded MUZZLE BRAKE on any of my rifles - 1) it will permanently ruin your hearing 2) nothing looks worse to me than an extra 1 1/2" to 2" of "contraption" sticking off the end of a rifle barrel 3) unless a "tactical" model don't shoot prone ! you'll get a face of dust or worse with every shot 4) added cost - Anyone noticed any BOSS brakes on Browing or Winchester rifles these days ?
There IS a muzzle brake design, one with multiple patents, that does not "crack" like every other brake will, honestly these brakes are no different than the rifle "bang" with no brake at all - I've used many of them and referred friends and acquaintances to RICHARD BUSS for many years and still do (obviously) He is an old school gunsmith in Eugene, as honest (and blunt) as the day is long - I might still use one of his brakes in the future but if I do it will be because they work as advertised and not because I like them (541-349-1290)