Muzzle Brake or not?

sir_charlie · #1 07-03-2022, 12:18 PM

Hi All,

I have a Sako AV .300 win mag I was gifted from
my grandfather. I took my first deer with it years ago but have not shot it much since after the scope needed to be repaired. Got a range membership and shot it a few times since to get it sighted in again and realized just how much it kicked.

Not exactly a big guy and it really packs a punch. Was reluctant to make any changes to it but decided to put on a proper recoil pad since all that was on there was the factory “plastic” end. Definitely helped take out the sting to shoot a little longer but still not exactly pleasant.

Thinking of putting on a muzzle break. On one hand I know I’d shoot it more and better - pretty sure in flinching but on the other hand I feel like I’m changing the gun a lot more by doing that and in some way ruining the classic/sentimentality of it.

I know it will be louder, more annoying for others at the range etc. so not looking for opinions on that. Really more curious on if this a major no no to consider for an older, more classic gun and I should just leave as is.

The alternative is to get another gun in a smaller caliber which I could use anyways and will at some point. But also hate to just have this gun sit in the safe. I want to put it to use.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

freeride · #2 07-03-2022, 12:25 PM

You could try a clamp on style of brake.
That way your not changing the gun as it hold sentiment value to you.

Or a shoulder pad on at the range as well.

marky_mark · #3 07-03-2022, 12:46 PM

Yes put a brake on it
Newer designed ones aren’t that bad for noise
They definitely make a difference for recoil

buckman · #4 07-03-2022, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marky_mark

Yes put a brake on it
Newer designed ones aren’t that bad for noise
They definitely make a difference for recoil

What brand of brake would you recommend Mark?I would value your opinion.

Jar4500 · #5 07-03-2022, 01:11 PM

Witt machine clamp on works well

Dean2 · #6 07-03-2022, 02:24 PM

These might help. No matter which brake you get. ALWAYS wear ear protection. Even the quietest are loud enough to cause permanent hearing loss from even one shot. The quieter they are the less recoil they abate, can't fight physics. See the chart in the second thread. The higher the loudness rating the quieter it is, but also shows how much the recoil reduction goes down. The highest quiet rating has the lowest recoil reduction rating.

http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showt...light=Kahntrol

http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showt...ight=weatherby

marky_mark · #7 07-03-2022, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buckman

What brand of brake would you recommend Mark?I would value your opinion.

I have had good luck the ones from insite arms in lloydminster
They manufacture their own called the heathen

marky_mark · #8 07-03-2022, 06:06 PM

This pos will make you go deaf and all your buddy’s go deaf too. It was a free one that came in the box like yours

This one you can shoot without ear plugs. Done it many times. As for your buddy’s hearing, well you can’t cure stupid. If someone wants to stand right beside the muzzle of your rifle, they are going to get an education real fast. If they are smart they could look right over your shoulder at watch the bullet and impact

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Carriertxv · #9 07-03-2022, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sir_charlie

Hi All,

I have a Sako AV .300 win mag I was gifted from
my grandfather. I took my first deer with it years ago but have not shot it much since after the scope needed to be repaired. Got a range membership and shot it a few times since to get it sighted in again and realized just how much it kicked.

Not exactly a big guy and it really packs a punch. Was reluctant to make any changes to it but decided to put on a proper recoil pad since all that was on there was the factory “plastic” end. Definitely helped take out the sting to shoot a little longer but still not exactly pleasant.

Thinking of putting on a muzzle break. On one hand I know I’d shoot it more and better - pretty sure in flinching but on the other hand I feel like I’m changing the gun a lot more by doing that and in some way ruining the classic/sentimentality of it.

I know it will be louder, more annoying for others at the range etc. so not looking for opinions on that. Really more curious on if this a major no no to consider for an older, more classic gun and I should just leave as is.

The alternative is to get another gun in a smaller caliber which I could use anyways and will at some point. But also hate to just have this gun sit in the safe. I want to put it to use.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It’s your gun you can do whatever you want to it no matter what anyone else thinks. If putting a brake on let’s you enjoy shooting it then put one on. Life’s too short to worry what others think.

58thecat · #10 07-05-2022, 05:40 AM

My perspective is it’s not a range rifle or a rifle that you would sit behind and shoot all day so that being said leave it as is, a few rounds prior to hunting season to verify point of impact and then off ya go for a one or maybe two more shots for the season, never felt recoil while taking game but on the bench is a different story.

elkhunter11 · #11 07-05-2022, 06:46 AM

I tried electronic muffs while hunting, and I hated them, especially in the wind, I do wear earplugs for waterfowl hunting, but that is an entirely different situation, as I am in an open field, and not listening for animals walking. I started hunting in 1972, used a 7mmremmag since 1980, and then 7mmstw since 1990, as well as other magnums including the 300wby, 300RUM, and 338x8mmremmag, and the 375H&H. I had hearing tests every two years at work, and in 2015, when I retired, my hearing tested normal for my age. My best three shot group ever, was fired with an unbraked 300RUM, and I shot sub 1/2moa with almost all of my big game rifles. I do shoot rifles in the 9lb range with scope best, and I do like more weight in the muzzle, and the McMillan BDL stock just feels perfect for me. I have shot several braked rifles, and I wear double hearing protection when shooting them, and I find the pressure wave when shooting a braked 50cal or even a braked 338Lapua or 340wby annoying. I have owned three rifles with brakes,a 7mmremmag, a 300wby, and a 6.5PRC, and I shot comparable groups with all three , with and without the brake. I don't go the range and shoot 50-100 rounds at a session with any of my larger magnums, even for load development, I stick to around 20-25 rounds at most at a session, and recoil isn't an issue.

270person · #12 07-05-2022, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

, I do wear earplugs for waterfowl hunting, but that is an entirely different situation, as I am in an open field, and not listening for animals walking.

Fess up. You wear the earplugs to minimize the chatter coming from a couple of feet over in the blind.

robfraser · #13 07-05-2022, 03:25 PM

Craig Boddington and lots of gun writers use a Lead Sled when shooting heavy recoiling rifles from a bench.
Boddington calls it a truly clever device.
Anyone use these?

Dean2 · #14 07-05-2022, 03:27 PM

If you want to seriously mess up your scope and or stock the lead sled is about the prefect way to do that. I am amazed Boddington would put a good rifle anywhere near one of those.

obsessed1 · #15 07-05-2022, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robfraser

Craig Boddington and lots of gun writers use a Lead Sled when shooting heavy recoiling rifles from a bench.
Boddington calls it a truly clever device.
Anyone use these?

Not a great idea....in fact one of the most truly awful device ever created regardless of what Boddington calls it.. just do a quick search...you will fill your day reading the horror stories....i have seen them with my own eyes...