Braked Rifles... What are people using.

I appreciate all the constructive replies, could have done without all the condescending BS replies though.
Thought it was pretty clear I was considering a brake with accuracy in mind, never claimed I couldn't tolerate a little recoil or shoot. I've had a 7 pound 7mm for years and can just get MOA with factory loads, and hoping to do a lot better with handloading. Just started handloading this year and thought perhaps adding a brake as well would truly realize this rifle's accuracy potential.

Dogleg said:
I haven't seen a rifle yet that shot to the same POI with the brake on or off so quick changes in the field are pretty much out. Since a 7 Rem doesn't kick much differently than a 30-06 you would probably be better served with a different recoil pad, strap on pad or padded jacket for practice and just taking those few shots in the field plain. Either that or use the brake all the time and resign yourself to using hearing protection for every shot taken, no exceptions. You can't even guarantee that the loads worked up with a brake will still shoot as well when the brake is removed, so a lot of un-braked shots will be needed regardless.
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If this is true about the POI shift with the brake removed it will be a non-starter for me.

Thanks
 
The only way that removing a brake cannot result in a change of POI is if it is replaced by a thread protector of equal weight. Sporting rifles generally have light contoured barrels, so any changes made at the muzzle will have dramatic effects down range. I inadvertently snap shot a friend's .375 which was equipped with a brake, which I failed to take into consideration, and the phone rang for 3 days without pause. I'll never own a braked rifle, when I'm too old to tolerate the recoil from big bores, I've got a 6.5.
 
M70-338 said:
I appreciate all the constructive replies, could have done without all the condescending BS replies though.
Thought it was pretty clear I was considering a brake with accuracy in mind, never claimed I couldn't tolerate a little recoil or shoot. I've had a 7 pound 7mm for years and can just get MOA with factory loads, and hoping to do a lot better with handloading. Just started handloading this year and thought perhaps adding a brake as well would truly realize this rifle's accuracy potential.



If this is true about the POI shift with the brake removed it will be a non-starter for me.

Thanks
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I'm quite sure you'll gave to re-zero before hunting season if you take the brake off.

I hope I was of some help. The condescension will come from all angles, I've found, even when you specifically state "keep your opinions to yourself". Even when you acknowledge the downsides of whatever you're proposing in your initial post/question, someone will STILL chime in and say "if you can't handle it, get a smaller caliber".... Apparently there's an ignore option to limit the amount of it that comes from any one person.

-J.
 
I have a Vais brake on my X-bolt 338 win reduces recoil to about a 30-06 level, the muzzle blast is much less than my Rem 600 350 RM with no brake.The Vais brake reduces recoil without much increase in blast I recommend them.
My 2 cents
 
One thing some people have missed in this thread is that you start a thread does not mean you own this thread. You can hope or wish how other people should respond, but it is up to others to freely express their opinions.
I have noticed that about one third of the questions have been asked by someone who has already made up their mind, and they just want the questions be answered by those who concur.
 
The military uses muzzle breaks on battle rifles and assault rifles because they are shooting long strings of shots and it helps control muzzle rise.
They use them on 50 cals for obvious reasons.
They use them on 338s for obvios reasons.

But putting a muzzle break on a rifle you may have to fire from inside a building is an interesting decision. Most 308 bolt military rifles have no muzzle break as far as I know.
 
PongoGN said:
The military uses muzzle breaks on battle rifles and assault rifles because they are shooting long strings of shots and it helps control muzzle rise.
They use them on 50 cals for obvious reasons.
They use them on 338s for obvios reasons.

But putting a muzzle break on a rifle you may have to fire from inside a building is an interesting decision. Most 308 bolt military rifles have no muzzle break as far as I know.
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As well, some military weapons have flash hiders, rather than muzzle brakes.
 
I have had a bit, to do with brakes, and more with sound moderators, (silencer) generally there is a point of aim shift, I have had as little as 1/2" to as much as about 6-7" at 100m, Generally I am not a fan of brakes, but they do serve a purpose, few positives, and sum serious negitives, for both you and others.
The type of rifle, that I found, had the least point of aim shift, were short heavy barrels, a .223 18" and 308 16".
My Sako finlight 2506 has a 2.5" shift with silencer removed, but its directly vertical, (rifle in New Zealand),
My .223 with a forward blow brake, blew so much dust up at times, it was hard for a second to see target, (small game rifle)
The only way you will ever know, is to give it a try.
 
Eagleye said:
This reflects my feeling as well. If I cannot shoot it well without a brake, it is not for me.
Regards, Dave.
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I shoot 50-100 rounds of .338LM in a sitting. I often shoot shotgun and other calibers in the same day so it's not about having too much gun or not being man enough to handle it: it's about making it easier on the body.

OP I would recommend a threaded on model. Rick at ATRS (forum sponsor) can set you up with a custom brake to matcj your barrel contour and finish and the pricing is comparable to others. His work is top notch.
 
I shoot my 338 win much better with a brake when shooting steel. Before the brake after 25 rounds I was getting shaky now I go through 50 in a afternoon, my scores are consistent throughout the day. For a few rounds hunting I wouldn't worry about recoil I just remove the brake and readjust my POI, I'm about 3" right and down 2" with Hornady 200 grs, SST. I take off the brake to please the hunters that refuse to wear hearing protection when hunting.
BTW just because it doesn't hurt doesn't mean you are not suffering hearing loss, any sound over 85db will result in some hearing loss, any rifle braked or not is well over that even a .22 rim fire.
 
It seems to be a reoccurring theme around here that some folks here are of the belief that brake users have too much gun for them, and such users are insensitive to other shooters because their guns are loud.

I don't agree. I have a 12.5 in 870 and I shoot 3in magnum slugs out of it just for $hits and giggles, the louder and more recoil the better, and it gets a ton of laughs whenever people shoot it.

The reason I use a brake on my bolt guns is so when I'm looking through the glass, I'm not looking at the next lane, or trying to re-establish a sight picture after I let of a round. I've got brakes on both my rifles and it was nice being able to watch the vapor trail follow the round out to 1k and watch it splash on the gong. I use brakes not because I can't handle a little discomfort, I just want to be able to see what's going on after I let off that round.

As for the noise.....well, it's a gun after all, nobody said these things were quiet.

+1 for ATRS:

http://1.bp.########.com/-P9Ebo2P9bVU/VX5QJ3g2f_I/AAAAAAAAXto/Hl81Wg944q8/s1600/P6149845.JPG

And another popular one, it works great, but it's not fitted for my rifle:

http://2.bp.########.com/-X9Cw6lSer34/VX-XaTfzGZI/AAAAAAAAXyM/ZwF0XQA4bAo/s1600/P6159935.JPG
 
Isn't this the "Hunting and Sporting Arms" forum? I don't think the OP is interested in shooting long range targets competitively with a 7RM Finnlight, so the LR rigs posted really don't apply here. Chances are he won't be laying on a mat with muffs on shooting at a steel deer.

Yes, guns are loud, but they're much louder with a brake, nobody can deny that. You need to shoot the rifle in the field as it was sighted in on the bench. That's either with the brake on or off, you can't swap between the two and expect the same POI.
 
Since I cant own a silencer in Canada, I make sure I have the loudest guns on the line... ;) You dont like it. Take up Knitting. :p

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Sorry for trying to lighten up to mood around here... Jezzzzzzzzzzzz... I added smiley faces to clear up any confusion with my statement... lol...
 
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Mister Donut said:
It seems to be a reoccurring theme around here that some folks here are of the belief that brake users have too much gun for them, and such users are insensitive to other shooters because their guns are loud.

I don't agree. I have a 12.5 in 870 and I shoot 3in magnum slugs out of it just for $hits and giggles, the louder and more recoil the better, and it gets a ton of laughs whenever people shoot it.

The reason I use a brake on my bolt guns is so when I'm looking through the glass, I'm not looking at the next lane, or trying to re-establish a sight picture after I let of a round. I've got brakes on both my rifles and it was nice being able to watch the vapor trail follow the round out to 1k and watch it splash on the gong. I use brakes not because I can't handle a little discomfort, I just want to be able to see what's going on after I let off that round.


[IM]
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Agree fully. Clays with the 10g make me laugh and laugh and laugh. I don't know why, but it does.... But that's not for precision shooting.

-J.
 
bearkilr said:
Isn't this the "Hunting and Sporting Arms" forum? I don't think the OP is interested in shooting long range targets competitively with a 7RM Finnlight, so the LR rigs posted really don't apply here. Chances are he won't be laying on a mat with muffs on shooting at a steel deer.

Yes, guns are loud, but they're much louder with a brake, nobody can deny that. You need to shoot the rifle in the field as it was sighted in on the bench. That's either with the brake on or off, you can't swap between the two and expect the same POI.
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I didn't know my rifles couldn't be used for hunting and sport shooting.
 
You're correct, you don't "own it", but the original question was "what brake", not "brake or no brake".

Stating your opinion and/or experience respectfully and with humility is fine, but stating that someone is outright mad, or that their idea is crazy, isn't fine, unless it's a safety issue.

The entire CGN community would be stronger if some members were a lot more helpful, and a lot less judgemental. We'd also be looked upon by the public in a more position be light if we didn't say things like "I try and be as loud as possible.... take up knitting...."

-J.
 
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