to MUZZLE BRAKE or not to, that is the question...

[MrFiveDime]

I recently purchased a Tikka T3 Lite, low and behold one of the FB pages I follow tested it (Ak Operators Union, Local 47-74). What I found interesting was his (Rob) 'response' to someones question...

"I had to add muzzle brake, mine is in .270 win and it was kicking like a mule. Now it is gentle like a butterfly"

I don't see a lot of muzzle brakes on hunting rifles, so what does the CG community think? Who uses them and who doesn't, why and why not? Let the debate begin, keep it friendly. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

For those interested in the post, here is the direct link. https://www.facebook.com/AkOperators...type=3&theater

[MrFiveDime]

Just thought I'd throw this in there too since on another thread of mine here on CG, the scope 'rings' seems to be a common debate of whether factory rings will do the job or not. Someone added this comment to the above mentioned FB post.

"I ran a .270WSM in a Tikka T3 - it was a beast on both ends of the stock. You'd better get some STOUT rings too because I had hell keeping the scope from moving around."

[Hairball]

If a .270 kicks you like a mule, you are either very sensitive to recoil or your fundamentals need some work. With that said, many hunting rifles do not use muzzle brakes because 1, they are not shot often or for long strings at the range and 2, many people don't hunt with hearing protection so the redirected pressures can be very loud on a shooter without ear protection. Even a heavy recoil rifle will not be noticed much when hunting. However, sitting at the range all day shooting 50-75 rounds at paper from a .300 RUM can be rather unpleasant.

Edit: Here is a link to a table that compares common recoil for a given caliber. http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm

[MongooseV8]

Normally a 270 doesnt kick enough to warrant a brake. However in a lightweight hunting rifle like a Tikka T3 it could be beneficial. A friend of mine has one and it kicks more than my 7MM Mags.

A prefit limbsaver is another great option.

[MongooseV8]

If a .270 kicks you like a mule, you are either very sensitive to recoil or your fundamentals need some work. With that said, many hunting rifles do not use muzzle brakes because 1, they are not shot often or for long strings at the range and 2, many people don't hunt with hearing protection so the redirected pressures can be very loud on a shooter without ear protection. Even a heavy recoil rifle will not be noticed much when hunting. However, sitting at the range all day shooting 50-75 rounds at paper from a .300 RUM can be rather unpleasant.

Im 6' and 220lbs and shoot a lot of magnums. A Tikka in 270 is a handful. I am neither sensitive or lacking in fundamentals.

An efficient, eithcal hunter needs practice. If adding a brake allows that practice then Id consider that a responsible decision. Also shooting without hearing protection even a couple times while hunting is not a bright idea. (Not implying or pointing fingers)

[Hairball]

An efficient, eithcal hunter needs practice. If adding a brake allows that practice then Id consider that a responsible decision.

I would agree; however, I would argue that the overwhelming majority of hunters take their rifle to a range to check zero and take it out on a hunt where they may shoot a few rounds. After hunting season, these rifles sit unused until next hunting season.

[Rusty_Shackleferd]

I've shot my .300 WM without hearing protection all my life. I also do not have a muzzle brake on said rifle. Honestly, my rifle does not bother me when I don't have ears on while hunting. My adrenaline is increasing, my heart is pounding, and I'm focusing on breathing and a steady consistent trigger pull while holding on my target. Noise is the last thing on my mind, and I usually don't care that my ears ring after the shot because my shooting technique pays off.

Now, with that being said, the operative word in the last sentence is "usually." I once borrowed a guide's rifle on a hunt: a something something chambered in .300WM with a muzzle brake. Mine, may I remind you, does not have a muzzle brake. I made a single, successful shot on this hunt, and my god I was literally deaf for 10 minutes. I've never lost my hearing like that before or after that shot. It also didn't help the constant, now louder EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE I hear as I type this babble.

My point is don't put on a muzzle brake. Instead, put on some big boy pants and deal with the recoil of the rifle by not making it a part of your shooting. Instead, focus on the core aspects of accurate shooting: breath control, relaxing, slow and consistent trigger pull, and lastly target acquisition. If you're doing it right, recoil becomes a non-issue, and the need for a muzzle brake becomes moot.

As a disclaimer, I have a really efficient muzzle brake pinned and welded on my 14.5" 5.56 AR. I love the thing because it clears my sinus with it's over-the-top concussion and blinds me with its mini fireball production. I wear double ears for it. It puts a big fat ****-eating grin on my face when I take it out to shoot.

[waveslayer]

I brake all my rifles. I take a pair of sportears hunting. The reason is the benefits outweigh the cons. Why not reduce recoil? It helps improve accuracy. How? Reducing flinching from the felt recoil,but the noise will cause you to flinch... that's why you wear hearing protection.

I once shot a 7mm mag in Canada when it was 23 below. It filled my tree stand with smoke! If I had a brake on there it would have sent the smoke sideways away from my line of sight. Thus enabling me to get a visual on my deer. I didn't know if I hit him or not... long story short, found him the next day. Luckily we did, I thought I missed. The smoke was so bad I couldn't see crap! It ended up being in the top 3 biggest deer shot in Canada in 1999. He weighed 307 gutted

My wife thinks I only have 3 guns

[d4v0s]

I let go of my ego long ago and started putting brakes on all of my rifles. The best part, my 49 year old mother can enjoy my Savage 10FCP with a brake. The downside... noise sensitive pussies at the range will complain about getting "air on their face" and hate you just for owning a brake.

Also, when a 308 is a pleasant rifle to shoot all day, it gets shot a lot. My folks shot through 150 rounds of 308 last Saturday hahaha

I feel like whatever brings you confidence when hunting is what should be on your rifle. If less recoil helps you break the shot in an akward position during high stress, then get the brake. Part of being a man is not worrying about what other people do, too much ego and bro science in the gun world.

[NapalmCheese]

I let go of my ego long ago and started putting brakes on all of my rifles. The best part, my 49 year old mother can enjoy my Savage 10FCP with a brake. The downside... noise sensitive pussies at the range will complain about getting "air on their face" and hate you just for owning a brake.

How's that ego working out for you?

There is little to no point in having a brake on a hunting rifle. Brakes are loud, annoying to the people next to you, and largely unnecessary on hunting rifles. You'll rarely find the person who bought a semi-custom 500NE double gun and thinks "damn, if only I had a pair of muzzle brakes on this rifle".

If you develop a flinch with your hunting rifle what you need is more practice with lesser recoiling cartridges, not a muzzle brake.

[MJB]

If you have a muzzy break I will not hunt with you

It's too loud, the blast sucks most start flinching due to these two issues. Limb saver if your shoulder hurts but hunting it's a few shots a year usally single shots. Game doesn't stick around after a shot or two.

Now I shoot 270 in win m70, I did find ammo that hurt it was the "custom" by Hordnay. My gun didn't like it and it was painful after 10 rounds.
Now these lite model rifles have so little weight that felt recoil can be an issue in larger calibers.

[Jimmy's]

Brakes suck, if you need one get a smaller caliber rifle. Oh but you get on target faster!. Yeah yeah yeah

[duckman1]

I have a brake on my Remington 700 in .300WSM it takes the recoil to a very manageable push vs. a sharp crack. It's loud and I hunt with hearing protection and I warn my hunting partners that I'm about to shoot.

I also have .270 that's not braked and believe it or not the recoil is much sharper and IMO greater than the .300WSM.

[therealnickb]

The brake on my socom is ear splitting. I wouldn't consider adding anything like that to any of my hunting rifles regardless of caliber.

[Shorthair]

I let go of my ego long ago and started putting brakes on all of my rifles. The best part, my 49 year old mother can enjoy my Savage 10FCP with a brake. The downside... noise sensitive pussies at the range will complain about getting "air on their face" and hate you just for owning a brake.

Also, when a 308 is a pleasant rifle to shoot all day, it gets shot a lot. My folks shot through 150 rounds of 308 last Saturday hahaha

I feel like whatever brings you confidence when hunting is what should be on your rifle. If less recoil helps you break the shot in an akward position during high stress, then get the brake. Part of being a man is not worrying about what other people do, too much ego and bro science in the gun world.

The only time I have truly flinched is when somebody with a braked rifle sat down and fired a shot next to me.
Instead of name calling I would suggest making those nearest you aware of what's coming.
My 3006 deer rifle (factory but plate, no recoil pad) will beat me up a bit while wearing a Tshirt after 1+ boxes of hunting ammo.
A lead sled solves it off the bench.
Hunting I have never felt recoil from anything, 3006 , 10ga etc.
Brakes are an annoyance at the range the same as a neighbor revving up a loud Harley or hot rod at 5 am when they leave for work.
Inconsiderate and unnecessary in my opinion.