Brake or no brake

[Andrew]

I'm debating having a muzzle brake installed on my .338 but wondering if its truly worth the money and the increased noise?

[rtspring]

Yes yes yes! I shoot a 300 RUM and the brake toned it down alot.  Noise is louder but I can deal with that. 

When shooting at an animal you wont even notice the diffrence in noise.

Rtspring

[PNW_Hunter]

This is very specific to your personal recoil tolerance; if your struggling to shoot it effectively then I'd say you should look into it. They do an excellent job of taking the recoil down though (have friend that shoots .300 RUM with a brake, but causes ear splitting noises)

I personally am 6'6" so I feel no need for a brake but it depends on your situation!

[coop2424]

This is very specific to your personal recoil tolerance; if your struggling to shoot it effectively then I'd say you should look into it. They do an excellent job of taking the recoil down though (have friend that shoots .300 RUM with a brake, but causes ear splitting noises)

I personally am 6'6" so I feel no need for a brake but it depends on your situation!

I have one on my 338 and the recoil is about the same as my 243.  I always wear ear protection and even if I was hunting with it I will have time to put ear protection on.  I like to be able to shoot 20-30 rounds and really never feel it during shooting or later or start to develop a flinch because of the recoil.  I would never shoot it without ear protection.

[BULLBLASTER]

A brake on a very heavy recoiling rifle is nice. Not only does it reduce recoil but also allows a shooter to spot their own shots at extended ranges. I try to wear ear protection whenever shooting even hunting with or without a brake.

[300rum]

I don't care for Brake's, they are just too loud and recoil isn't that bad after you get used to it.  If you are just shooting off a bench at a range, then yeah, but for a hunting rifle, I wouldn't go for it.  .338 in all but the lightest rifles shouldn't be that bad. 

[yorketransport]

I don't like brakes on hunting rifles. If you plan to shoot it a lot from the bench it may make sense, but if you just practice from field conditions (which is what I prefer to do with hunting guns) it won't be necessary. Just use a sand back or strap on recoil pad when shooting from the bench.

I've run rifles up to the 458 Lott and 416 Rigby and never felt a brake was necessary if you have the proper technique. Size has very little to do with it. I'm only 5' 7" and 140#. The wrong technique will guarantee a painful experience no matter what caliber you shoot.

Andrew

[dscubame]

 

[snowpack]

Stock fit usually determines how much the recoil will affect someone.  A properly fitting stock can make a rifle with less weight and twice the recoil energy more comfortable than one with half the recoil energy.  The worst rifle for me is a 94 win in .30-30, fit is horrible.
For noise, they've done testing on brakes and only on some have they found a noticeable increase in decibels.  Some are drilled to increase the impulse of the pressure wave so you get it over time (like millisecond), and a few are set up with certain loads to cancel out a portion of its own noise.

[rtspring]

I don't like brakes on hunting rifles. If you plan to shoot it a lot from the bench it may make sense, but if you just practice from field conditions (which is what I prefer to do with hunting guns) it won't be necessary. Just use a sand back or strap on recoil pad when shooting from the bench.

I've run rifles up to the 458 Lott and 416 Rigby and never felt a brake was necessary if you have the proper technique. Size has very little to do with it. I'm only 5' 7" and 140#. The wrong technique will guarantee a painful experience no matter what caliber you shoot.

Andrew

Not to argue but, I promise you if you shot my 300 Rum 4 times in a row without a brake , your shoulder would be badly bruised! No matter technique you use! 

Millions of people have Brakes installed, its not a macho thing on how much a guy can take! Its about being comfortable shooting a rifle! Kinda like a pad on a wooden chair.  It just makes it better.. 

[Biggerhammer]

I've put muzzle brakes on everything from .223 Remington to .450 Ultra Magnum and .500 Jeffery. Especially enjoy them on my larger long range cartridges, I can spot my hits and make corrections if need be by myself. As for hearing protection. A good set of low profile, light weight electronic muffs go a long ways.  I always wear them up on my hat or head when I hunt and their quick to pull down when it's "Go" time. They also amplify sound so you can whisper quieter with a hunting partner during a stock or while setting up for a shot.

I have used many brakes over the years, for cartridges up to .375 bore I use Vais Arms. For cartridges larger than .375 and 300 brain bullets plus. I prefer a Muscle Brake by Center Shot Rifles.

A couple of my Muscle Muzzle brakes. One .458 diameter and one .338.








Here's some of my Vais Arms brakes.

7mm

The smith did a exellent job fitting this one, easily removed and the seam is near perfection.





This is a .458 Cal Harrell's muzzle brake, this style brake is better suited for the smaller diameter bullets. It did not reduce recoil very well with the .450 Ultra Magnum so I had a Muscle Brake installed.



This is a Harrell's muzzle brake I had installed by Benchmark Barrels(Arlington WA) on a .375 Ultra Magnum XCR. I had them install the brake and fit a thread protector in case I chose not to use the brake.








Another Vais Arms on a custom .375 Ultra Mag in a Mtn rifle stock. The 260gr Accubonds kill coyotes dead. :/

[mountainman]

Have had a half dozen or so different brakes on multiple calibers. Once I shot my first DE brake by Shawn Carlock of Defensive Edge, I will use no other brake, until something better comes along. Shoot three different guns with them, and IMHO, and many others, it is the best out there.

[Rick]

Its a personal choice. I haven't shot a .338 yet that I thought needed a brake.

[yorketransport]

Not to argue but, I promise you if you shot my 300 Rum 4 times in a row without a brake , your shoulder would be badly bruised! No matter technique you use! 

Millions of people have Brakes installed, its not a macho thing on how much a guy can take! Its about being comfortable shooting a rifle! Kinda like a pad on a wooden chair.  It just makes it better.. 

I'm not against brakes, I have them on 2 handguns (300 Rum and 338/375 Ruger) and one rifle (375 Rum improved). These are dedicated long range guns though, so seeing hits is important.

And I had a 300 RUM rifle for about a year. I shot it quite frequently and would never have braked it. Sold it when I got the 300 Rum pistol. 

Andrew

[rtspring]

I see your side,  I love the Brake on mine.   

[cem3434]

I have brakes on several hunting rifles and they were worth every penny I spent.

[Biggerhammer]

Kirby Allen's "PainKiller" brake is about as sexy and functional as they get.

[mountainman]

Not to argue but, I promise you if you shot my 300 Rum 4 times in a row without a brake , your shoulder would be badly bruised! No matter technique you use! 

Millions of people have Brakes installed, its not a macho thing on how much a guy can take! Its about being comfortable shooting a rifle! Kinda like a pad on a wooden chair.  It just makes it better.. 

I'm not against brakes, I have them on 2 handguns (300 Rum and 338/375 Ruger) and one rifle (375 Rum improved). These are dedicated long range guns though, so seeing hits is important.

And I had a 300 RUM rifle for about a year. I shot it quite frequently and would never have braked it. Sold it when I got the 300 Rum pistol. 

Andrew

Agree Yorkie. The brake comes of during hunting season. My go to hunter is a lightweight 300 ultra, and not being recoil sensitive, have never shot it with a brake. No problem  putting 20 or more in a session. Brakes go back on when pinging long range targets so as to spot the hits!