Muzzlebrakes on Rifles

chambero · May 12, 2004

I am seriously considering buying a very lightweight rifle in 300 WSM to replace my 7 mm Rem mag A-bolt. I am also thinking about putting a muzzlebrake on it. Are there any drawbacks to muzzlebrakes other than increased noise? I've never had one.

T264 · May 12, 2004

I just had a Vais Brake put on my new 300 weatherby SBGM, and so far am very pleased. It reduced the recoil and muzzle jump significantly without any drastic noise increase. I received alot of advice for and against having one installed but after running a few rounds through it with a (this particular)brake I am convinced I made the right choice.
T264

txhunter58 · May 12, 2004

I have one of the original KDF recoil arrestors on a featherweight 7mm mag. Before the brake, it kicked like a mule and I could not shoot it accurately (flinching). With the arrestor, it kicks no more than a 243 and shoots great. However, it is LOUD. I always use ear protection at the range, but never seem to do it in the field. After shooting 2-3 times at game, my left ear rings for days. Can't be good.

Don't know anything about the above mentioned arrestor, but I have heard good things about the Gentry brake.

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)

manny15 · May 12, 2004

>I have one of the original
>KDF recoil arrestors on a
>featherweight 7mm mag. Before the
>brake, it kicked like a
>mule and I could not
>shoot it accurately (flinching).
>With the arrestor, it kicks
>no more than a 243
>and shoots great. However,
>it is LOUD. I
>always use ear protection at
>the range, but never seem
>to do it in the
>field. After shooting 2-3
>times at game, my left
>ear rings for days.
>Can't be good.
>
>Don't know anything about the above
>mentioned arrestor, but I have
>heard good things about the
>Gentry brake.
>
>txhunter58
>
>venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore
>I am)

I have to agree with txhunter I've expeirenced the same, can't be good, with the new limb saver recoil pad why bother with the exspence & noise of a muzzle break..?..

Elmacho · May 12, 2004

I have a 7mm rem mag, had a problem with tendonitis in shoulder and man did it hurt when I fired. I started flinching and couldn't hit the broadside of a barn. Put the brake on it and it kicks just like my little 243. Noise has not been a factor to me yet, but if someone is sitting to the side of you, you better warn em.

Wait til you fire it at the range. you will see people about 5 benches to the side stop what their doing and look at you after you fire it.

Good luck

huntsonora · May 12, 2004

I have the Vais muzzlebreak as well and highly recommend it. I have it on my 300RUM and it has dramatically reduced the recoil without blowing my eardrums out as other breaks do.

Drum

swampcruiser · May 12, 2004

I currently shoot a pre64 model 70 in 300 win mag w/ boss. I put a sims pad on and reduction was incredible. I hate the muzzle blast from the BOSS (about blows my hair back- and people avoid sitting near me at the range), so I decided to get the CR (convetional recoil- no holes-so no recoil reduction)for $30 to try. No muzzle blast is nice but wow! I never realized how much recoil it actually cut. I think I'll try to make sure I have plugs for my ears when I put Mr. Muley in the cross hairs this fall.

lefty · May 12, 2004

I agree with Manny. I got the crap kicked out of me with my 7mm mag until I put a Limbsaver pad on it.I would shoot five or six shots and have a sore shoulder for days. Last week I put twenty-five shots thru it and had no soreness at all. My accuracy is much better since I don't flinch now. It still kicks, but all the energy goes straight up and not back into my shoulder. Don't understand, but I like it. My buddy put one on his 7 mag with the same results.
Give it a try and if you don't like it then go to the brake. They aren't that expensive. I put mine on myself and could go back to the old pad if I wanted to. I think they're great!

txhunter58 · May 13, 2004

I would have to agree that trying the limbsaver recoil pad is worth a try before investing in a muzzlebrake. I shoot a 50 cal muzzleloader that I use a slip on limbsaver pad for. I can shoot it at the bench all day without a problem, and without it, it really punches you. I think I paid less than $30 for the slip on. Of course, that adds some length to your stock, but the T/C Omega I put in on is too short for me anyway. They do make custom fit that replaces your existing pad and wouldn't increase the length.

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)

ICMDEER · May 13, 2004

I have a muzzlebrake on my 300 win mag and it makes a big difference. I am far more comfortable and shoot much better with it than I did before ot was installed. It is a Gentry and the ports are aimed forward. It makes less noise than other brakes, and sertainly reduces the recoil.

I also had a local gunsmith put a brake on a 270 for my daughters. It is ported mainly through the top and angled forward as well. I really like it, too, because it keeps dust from flying when you shoot it laying down and it also reduces the noise by having the ports aimed forward.

There are all sorts of brakes out there, and I am an advocate for them. Use ear protection whenever you can, even without the brakes.

Jim

RELH · May 13, 2004

I have installed approx. 8-10 muzzle brakes on customer's mag rifles. This includes Vais, Gentry, KDF, and Gunner's Choice. Any one that tells you that their brand of muzzle brakes does not increase the noise, is full of B.S. or already deaf.
Of the brakes listed above, Vais is the best when it comes to increased noise. Gunner's Choice is about the worse along with the "Boss system".
If you value your hearing down the line, I would try a Limbsaver or Pachmayr Decelerator recoil pad first to see if it tames the recoil. I would not go to a muzzle brake except as a last resort. Even with the best muzzle brake, everytime you fire your rifle, without ear protection, you lose several decibels of hearing. This will add up in a very few years.
If I had problems with the recoil of a mag, I would prefer to switch to a non mag and a good recoil pad befor resorting to a muzzle brake. I want to keep my hearing as long as possible and I do not want to wear ear plugs in the field while hunting.
If you do go with a brake, go with the Vais brand, they are a little higher in price then some of the others, but they do a better job of redirecting the noise.

RELH