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