muzzle break on a .308

hitch.bd

hitch.bd

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My wife just got her hunter number and will start hunting this year. We have decided to get her a .308 bolt action as it will take down anything from Bambi to Bullwinkle with Yogi and Booboo in between. and I already reload for it and have buckets full of ammo and reloading components. We could get her a Savage FLXP3 starter rig for $459.99 on sale right now, but I think she should spend a little more and get something that she won't wanna upgrade from in a few years. A Tikka T3 or a Rem 700 SPS are my thoughts. I think a Limbsaver pad and a muzzle break are perfect to lighten up the recoil so she can shoot it regularly to get comfortable with it.
The Question: I don't know much about muzzle breaks.
What types, cost, quality etc...and rough idea on install costs.
Any answers to the above question will be greatly appreciated. regards, Hitch
 
IMO the noise is more of a problem than the recoil. Don't get a muzzle brake, and do the limbsaver or kickeez. Smaller people sometimes handle recoil better anyhow. They roll with the punches.
 
I would not shoot a rifle with a brake without good hearing protection.
A brake can be used for practice, and then removed for hunting.
A good pad and a brake would make the rifle much more comfortable to shoot in practice.
A good pad alone would make a difference.
Adding a brake could cost $150 - $200 or more, depending on the 'smith and the brake.
Is a Remington SPS that much of an upgrade over a Savage?
 
Sorry guys I forgot to say that my wife is very hard of hearing( not just when I talk to her!!!) she can turn her hearing aids off and have no worries about sound.( I am not as lucky when she talks AT me!!)
 
Just reload (or purchase) some reduced loads. .308s are light recoiling guns without muzzle breaks. My wife is 5'5, 115 and loves mine. She promptly told me she wanted nothing more to do with her 30.06 when she shot my .308.

I think most guys would be surprised how tolerant woman can be to recoil. I find it often exaggerated.
 
We can start with the recoil pad and go from there if it is still too much of a punch. I just want to get a little info in advance.
Tiriaq; I thought a 700SPS was a step or two up. The action was smoother, the barrel was heavier, the mag was metal not plastic the trigger guard was metal(I think) the savage was definately plastic. The Savage with scope and rings was $459.99 the Rem 700 was $720.00 by it's self. (not that cost always denotes quality)
 
I would avoid a brake for hunting. Consider that a .308 isn't much of a kicker and that the kick it does have can be managed very well with a Limbsaver ( or similar ) pad. Alternatively, consider a slightly heavier rifle such as a Weatherby Vanguard (which IIRC has a good factory pad and is also a quality rifle at a reasonable price )
 
blasted_saber said:
Just reload (or purchase) some reduced loads. .308s are light recoiling guns without muzzle breaks. My wife is 5'5, 115 and loves mine. She promptly told me she wanted nothing more to do with her 30.06 when she shot my .308.

I think most guys would be surprised how tolerant woman can be to recoil. I find it often exaggerated.
Click to expand...

True enough, Some 100 gr bullets and a light powder will be in order for her.
 
Tomochan said:
I would avoid a brake for hunting. Consider that a .308 isn't much of a kicker and that the kick it does have can be managed very well with a Limbsaver ( or similar ) pad. Alternatively, consider a slightly heavier rifle such as a Weatherby Vanguard (which IIRC has a good factory pad and is also a quality rifle at a reasonable price )
Click to expand...

She did like the Vanguard's feel till she saw the price tag. I keep telling her to forget the price buy quality it'll last a lifetime. that is the route I went when I bought my Sako TRGs in 30.06. 15 years ago.
 
you can also add some leadshot to the stock when shooting paper(heavier gun less recoil). that way she can still carry a lighter rifle in the woods
 
I had a custom rifle built for my old lady (5'2" with a coller bone that healed wrong and very recoil sensitive because of it) . The gunsmith said a stock that fits is the most important part of felt recoil. He cut a LOP for her installed a good recoil pad. Slimmed down the grip and forend. This is a light rifle and she can shoot it all day. First shot she took she turned to me with a big smile and said it doesn't kick at all. Kicks me like a mule though.

I was impressed how well fitting the rifle to her did for recoil. He did everything he could to talk me out of a muzzle break and Iam glad he did. I also went with a thumbhole stock which he mentioned and I also believed helps with felt recoil. With boyds set up to ship items under $100 bucks I would recomend you buy a cheaper stocked rifle for the barreled action and get a stock from boyds and fit it to her with a good pad plus she has her choice in colors :)

I have seen the difference it makes.

A weatherby vanguard in the cheap synthetic stock is 499.99-599.99 a boyds stock is going to be about 130 canadian shipped to you. If you are at all wood savy you could do it yourself. My smith was shocked how little work was required for the stock to finish.

If you would like to go this route I could PM you some tips on what we did to measure her up as me and the smith did it over the phone and it fits perfect.

Hope this helps.

Jason
 
hitch.bd said:
We can start with the recoil pad and go from there if it is still too much of a punch.
Click to expand...

This ^^^ is the way to go, for sure.

People underestimate how much louder rifles can get with a brake added. Or, rather, how much louder the shooter may perceive them to be.

-M
 
also don't discount other cartridges. The fact your are set up for the .308 makes your choice easy. But if you are going to shoot lighter bullets (also reduces recoil) I find that a 150gr out of a 7mm-08 will penatrate better than a 150gr out of a .308 Win and recoil is close maybe slightly less in the 7mm-08. This is personal opinion and I have no scientific data to back it up. Just personal expierience.

Also you don't have to get the boyds you could cut down and alter a factory wood but In testing for my old ladies rifle I found laminate to handle recoil better and once slimed down and cut to her short LOP wasn't that heavy.

once again just my $0.02
 
I've got a Weatherby Backcountry in .30-06 with a Jennings muzzle brake which angles the ports 30 degrees forward. It takes the edge off recoil which is important for me when my elderly relatives shoot it, but also doesn't blast my ears like a regular brake. Go to the Jenningsoutdoorsports.com site and take a look, then call Dave Jennings and see what he can set you up with. He's an honest guy and will never over-sell you, has prices competitive with Wholesale Sports, and offers first rate craftsmanship.
 
My advise would be that if felt recoil is a concern, look at a 7mm-08. This caliber is very popular with women and will do most of what a 308 will do.

I would stay away from a muzzle break and get a good shoulder pad when you target practice.

Good luck!

Duke1

PS. For some discussion on the 7mm-08 versus the 308, please see:

http://shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=16887
 
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