Which Brake?

[JoshT]

true enough that the brake might make it easier to get back on target.....from recoil. but if there is a big cloud of dust or worse yet crap in your eyes from the brake directing the gases back at you.......you still get one shot. if needing a brake is a pass/fail on a rifle caliber, go a little smaller.

Wrong... I've shot mine in the dust and grass... I can see bullet impact. A radial break is terrible about blowing stuff all over... but a good baffle style break doesn't vent out the bottom, so all is well.

[RubblesPH]

I purchased a Winchester 300 win mag with a Boss system when they first came out in the early 90's.  The system works well for reducing muzzle jump (that's what I call it) recoil and accuracy.....but it is loud! 

I was in my early 20's when I first started shooting it and was religious about hearing protection at the range and about 50/50 in the field.  Needless to say, I have hearing loss and tinnitus (permanent ringing) in both ears.  Although some of damage could have been caused by a considerable amount of duck/goose hunts with multiple guns being shot at the flock......the majority can be contributed to the brake.

I guess the point I'm rambling towards is that you should be wearing hearing protection regardless if you have a muzzle brake or not and regardless if your in the field or on the bench.  Your hearing is priceless.....it sucks just turning 40 and I'm having difficulty hearing things in meetings and I'm already saying "huh", "what" and "look at me when your talking to me."  My kids think I'm nuts or way past my prime! 

There's so much technology out there that there has to be something that works for you. It's worth every penny too.     

Love my brake and will put one on my next gun.  Noise shouldn't be an issue since I'll already be wearing hearing protection anyway.   

[BIGDOG]

several years ago I sent my 300 winnie to George Vais and had his brake installed and did a trigger job at the same time and it/me shoots alot better!Now Ron Bartlett does the brakes!I don't feel the recoil and the sound in the field isn't even noticeable!I would recommend the Vais brake over any other brake on the market!  Jerry

[Antlershed]

Thanks for all the input. By now, my gun should be in the hands of the guys at DE.

Thanks for the help Josh, and I would have used the smith you suggested, but I don't know when I would have the time to make it up there, and the price to have DE do it is about the same.

Next is the scope and then a Jewell trigger. 

[257 Wby Mag]

None...

I've ran Vias and Boss', been around accubreak's, KDF's, etc, none are worth the trade off's. Get your trigger and glass mounted up and go shoot her, it won't be so bad. My big guns get shot at paper in a lead sled, then they go kill stuff. Let us know how she shoots when you get er set up. Later