VAIS Muzzle Brakes?

[HighCountry10]

Thanks for the thoughts and opinions guys.  I am not neccessarily recoil sensitive and have never really been a guy to modify my rifle beyond its original condition but wanted to correct a few things with this rifle.  This rifle is shooting real well just wanted to attempt to make it more comfortable to shoot.  I do use a lead sled to sight in off a bench so no worries there, it is when I begin practicing shooting off my pack, prone, standing (realistic shooting situations while hunting) that I begin to notice it.

[tlbradford]

HighCountry10, we all tend to get a little sore when someone hits us in the shoulder 20x in a row.  With my .338 I am usually good off a bench for (3) 5-shot groups, on the 4th group I start twitching a little.  Now, I'll shoot 2 or 3 groups, switch off and plink with a .22 or .204 for a bit, then come back to the .338.  You can also throw in a snap-cap and dry fire for a time, when you feel yourself starting to flinch.

[dbllunger]

I have two muzzle brakes.  I have one built and installed by John Ricks from Shooting Star Rifles on the coast.  Works absolutely amazing and is beyond loud.  I use it on my varmint 7mm STW.  Love it but it blows dirt and crap every place.  If you use it with a short 9" Harris it will burn the paint on your hood.  I used a nylon fuzzy blanket once and it melted all the fuzz down to the base thread.  I also have a Gentry Custom on my daughters rifle.  Don't buy it.  They claim it is supposed to be quieter.  It also does not reduce recoil as much, but it deffinately works just fine.  They want another 60 bones for a cap and most will include it with the cost.    I wanted her to have a full power rifle that she could grow into.  After a few years the brake is coming off.   I HATE MUZZLE BRAKES FOR HUNTING, but I love the recoil reduction they provide. 

[littletoes]

If I was going to have a "Vias" muzzle break installed, and was mailing it off anyway, think I would send it to the man Himself. George Vias.

High Tech Gunworks
182 S. Cole Rd
Boise ID 83709
208 323 7674

Very very loud, even damaging to the unprotected ear. And if your shooting prone, they will throw dirt-by design.
But you can see your hits.

[gramps]

I have a brake on a Weatherby that was made by a gunsmith in Pilot Rock, Or. that does not have holes on the bottom.  It works very well, but is loud like all of them....but I wear different types of hearing protection depending on the situation while shooting or hunting.

[dbllunger]

Varmint brakes are usually blind on the bottom to keep from blowing stuff around. 

[T-ROY]

i had this break installed on a 300wby, sold it one season later.  There is no dought that it tamed the recoil and a very nice looking brake, but the roar of the muzzle was unberable on your ears. more than i was willing to put up with. just my experiance. I won't do it again

[Intruder]

No experience w/ a VAIS but I have a break on my 300 win and I truly love it.  Now, the noise is a bitch but the recoil reduction is awesome.... between the Pacmyr and the break my gun recoils similiar to a 257 Roberts.

I always carry plugs while hunting in the off-hand chance that I have ample time to put em in.  I do 1/3 time or more. 

[NORRISKI2]

I have a few hunting rifles including a 7mm WSM with a custom made muzzle brake from a local gunsmith.  I like the recoil reduction but hate the loud noise. For a person who has had three reconstructive inner ear surgeries I can not expose myself to unnecessary loud noise, so I can't shoot the 7mm WSM without ear protection. One of my other rifles is a Tikka T3 lite in 300 WSM.  I chose to go a different route for that rifle.  I had my gunsmith add a Sims recoil pad and a mercury reducer in the front end of the stock.  The positives are that it reduced recoil and muzzle flip, but it did add some weight to a rifle that was intended to be a pack rifle.  I believe mercury reducers are more common in shotguns but it seems to work pretty well so you might check into that.

[littletoes]

Theres other answers.

Install a break for loadwork, then remove it and install a "cap" for hunting situations that you will most likely fire one or possibly two shots, where hearing protection will not be worn.

Most 'Smiths can/will manufacture both.

Thats right, most high quality muzzle breaks are threaded on, very few use your existing barrel anymore, but there are a few.