To Brake Or Not To Brake?

[stevevan]

Howdy: I need some advice and/or recommendations from you fellas who have experience with the use of muzzle brakes. I came into a midweight 'glass stocked rifle chambered in .300 Weatherby. I haven't been around muzzle brakes very much but I have an idea this rifle may be a candidate for something to reduce the recoil. I've done a bit of research on the internet and I understand the noise to the shooter is an issue. I'm asking from those who have a brake what is your observations as far as recoil reduction and the increase in muzzle blast. Any recommendations for a particular brake would be excellent. Finally, if you were to do it over again would you go the brake route or leave the barrel as is? Thanks guys.

 

[RICMIC]

I'm not an expert, but can speak from personal experience. I had a 300 WM Browning with the BOSS, and a custom brake on a Winchester 338 mag. They reduce the recoil quite noticeably, but the muzzle blast becomes fierce. Always wear plugs and muffs while at the range. Most systems allow you to replace the brake with a cap for hunting, but there can be some change in point of impact. If you choose to hunt with the brake on, there are ear plugs on the market that still allow normal hearing. I never seem to notice either the blast or the recoil when I'm shooting at a big elk.

 

[Iron Mike]

Just my two cents. I have a Sako 338 I put a brake on about ten years ago. I did it after putting the first box of shells through it at the range. I have regreted it ever since. Yes it knocked the recoil way down but you cant hear anything with all the ear protection you have to wear! I now also own a 375 RUM for Africa and it makes the 338 feel like a 270 but no way I would brake it. Get a lead sled for the range - they work like a champ to dampen recoil. If you are like me you dont feel nothing when shooting at the real thing and your ears will thank you.

 

[gypsumreaper]

I have a .204 ruger with a brake idk why the guy put it on but it's fierce I almost hate shooting it, I have hunted with guys with brakes and guided hunters with brakes and I absolutely hate spotting for them when they have a brake. You can't hear you feel it in the binos and it throws me off trying to spot. And everytime they have shot it has been a longer shot where I had to give the best spot I possibly could. And it's tough to do, my dad wanted to brake his 300, I kept talkin him outa it an finally said here shoot my 204 he did an was pissed how loud it was for him, then I said ok stand here and spot for me and I thought he was gonna throw his binos at me. I agree get a sled for the shooting range and when ur hunting you shouldn't focus on the recoil, I always try and watch my bullet hit and focus on the bullet hitting. It helps me hold my gun closer and ignore recoil. As a guide I always tried to move about 15-20 yards away from the hunter on the shot they would wonder why and I'd tell them, so I started packing 1 ear plug for the shooter side to try an help my ears.


If you get meat from the store then dont criticize me for having the courage to go out and kill my own meat

 

[Hilltop]

I have met very few people that were happy they installed a muzzle brake... I have a lead sled but I actually prefer wearing a thin recoil pad on my body instead. This allows me to shoot from all the normal hunting positions without beating up my shoulder. MidWay USA sells the pads for a very reasonable price...they work.

 

[stevevan]

Thanks for all your help. I'll save the $ from installing a brake and get a Lead Sled ordered. Take Care. Steve

 

[alaska2go]

Muzzle break all the way. Shooting a gun is like shooting a bow ! When you put your gun in something that prevents you to hold it differently than you would while hunting is bad. A guy doesn't have something hold the bow or draw it back because of too much weight does he ?? The whole point of practicing shooting is just that . Same cheek weld, mounting the gun level, breathing, position, same distance from scope, yada, yada.. The lead sled takes that away.. One of 10 year old twins can take my 338RUM & hit a 9" target @ 600 yards all day with a lead sled BUT, take the lead sled away he can't even remotely come close. Just my experience anyways. There are several articles on this and many go against the sled ..

 

[In God We Trust]

I put one on my .300 win mag and love it. If all you do is practice with a lead sled then you will not be able to produce the same results in the field. Lead Sleds are good for sighting in/ verifying accuracy and that is it. If I have to wear hearing protection so my .300 win mag kicks like a baby then that is OK with me. Not to mention if you start shooting a large caliber and it is uncomfortable enough so you develop a flinch then you will not be very accurate. +1 for a brake

 

[WapitiBob]

A WEIGHTED lead sled is probably the most efficient way known to shake the guts out of a scope. Keep the weight out of it and you'll be fine. If your rifle has excess recoil, weight the rifle with a composite stock, get a brake, or drop down in caliber.
Northwest Precision makes a brake that comes highly recommended from a guy that has shot a multitude of different brands.

 

[FlaFlatlander]

I also as someone mentioned above have a 300 win mag Browning with the Boss system. It is a brake but is also used to tune the barrel to help improve accuracy. I hate the thing! It is enough to shoot different bullets manufactures etc but to also have to tune the barrel is too much. Also the brake will make your fellow shooters hate you and when you are hunting and have to shoot without ear protection you will pay for it.

 

[libidilatimmy]

I don't like brakes myself. I've been in a couple different situations where hunters I was with shot at animals and the brake created a giant cloud of dust at the shot and no way could we tell the result of the shot till about 30 seconds passed. I also duck/goose hunt with a guy that has a ported barrel Benelli. After one hunt, I told him I'd never hunt with him again in the same blind as that shotgun. Absolutely horrible on the ears even with hearing protection.

 

[Sawfish]

They are very effective, but they are very loud. Some type of hearing protection is absolutely necessary. Some brakes have ports angled away from the shooter. This reduces the noise a bit, but also the effectiveness.

 

[CrossCreeks]

I am not a fan of muzzle brakes and had lots rather deal with the recoil than the bang but I have hunting buddies who love their brakes. It comes down to giving this for that. I think that if the recoil was so much of a problem that it affected my accuracy I would go to a different gun. I thank this is another one of those what to you prefer issues. Again I have a buddy who shoots a 270 short mag. with a brake and loves it .

 

[tdub24]

Muzzle break all the way. Shooting a gun is like shooting a bow ! When you put your gun in something that prevents you to hold it differently than you would while hunting is bad. A guy doesn't have something hold the bow or draw it back because of too much weight does he ?? The whole point of practicing shooting is just that . Same cheek weld, mounting the gun level, breathing, position, same distance from scope, yada, yada.. The lead sled takes that away.. One of 10 year old twins can take my 338RUM & hit a 9" target @ 600 yards all day with a lead sled BUT, take the lead sled away he can't even remotely come close. Just my experience anyways. There are several articles on this and many go against the sled ..

In my opinion, the point of the Lead Sled is not to get used to shooting, the point is to make sure the scope is in perfect alignment with the bore of the barrel. If you practice perfect form, that bullet will hit where the crosshairs align. Cheek weld, breathing, position, distance from scope is all in the shooter not the equipment. I use a Lead Sled and have yet to miss my mark while hunting. From 80 yards with a unscoped muzzleloader to 475 yards with a 7mm-08 on a bull elk.

I can not speak on a muzzle brake since I have never used one. They are loud and for me unnecessary.

 

[OregonJim]

This is one of those decisions that comes down to personal experience as long as you know what you are getting into.

They aren't for everyone.
If I were to shoot without hearing protection I'd absolutely hate it too.
Did it once

I personally love my .300 wsm Browning with the BOSS. I prefer shooting that gun over all my other calibers/cartridges down to .308 and .270. I swear it has less recoil than any other centerfire rifle I own.
I absolutely wear some type of game ear or electronic hearing protection when I shoot it, including hunting.
That is an absolute requirement. If I have someone with me they are in the electronic muffs as well.

I would definately shoot a similar gun with one before deciding and just go into it with the understanding that you are in hearing protection.

 

[406precision]

Breaks come at a cost and that cost is noise...some breaks are not designed to be shot from the prone position and create a cloud when the bullet leaves the rifle...however a properly designed break has many benefits two of the main ones are taming recoil and taming muzzle jump. I don't own many rifles without breaks and find that caring hearing protection around my neck for when it is needed is a small price to pay for being able to effectively see what I was shooting at after the trigger is pulled...being able to spot your own shots can be a real difference maker. As for not having time to put my ear pro in before the shot..

I'll take my chances as I don't shoot from unsupported positions or at moving targets so I usually have plenty of time to pop my plugs in prior to shooting.

Jordan@406

 

[battlebornnv]

I went back and forth on this same topic for my recent bull elk hunt..I shot 2 300 short mags, 1 with a brake and one without. The noise from the brake was intense and while yes there was less recoil but I was able to shoot both guns with essentially the same accuracy. I decided to go without the muzzle brake and while in the field getting ready to make the shot, the last thing on my mind was the recoil and frankly cant remember it kicking at all. Adrenaline and focus took over. The key to any gun is becoming very familiar with it at the range shooting from multiple positions that you would encounter in the field.

 

[Elkfitness]

I'm going to have my 300 win mag braked this offseason. More to stay on target than anything else.


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[miller1]

Has anybody tried one of the bolt on breaks?

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