Author Topic: Muzzle brake or not, on my .338? (Read 1169 times)

HuntingGuy · « **on:** July 02, 2005, 12:56:27 PM »

Hi all,

I have had this Tikka T3 .338 WIN MAG for a year or so now. I don't like shooting it because it kicks my @$$ after a few shots. So, I put on a LS precision recoil pad, and still not alot of noticible recoil change! It's hard to sight this gun in when I'm all shooken up by the 3rd shot.

So I am faced with the question, should I put a muzzle brake on it or not?

What do you guys think? Besides the noise, is there any disadvantages, and what are the true advantages to it and how noticibly will it take care of the prob?

I have talked with one gentleman who has this same gun with a brake, and claims he can shoot all day with a shirt on.

Thanks

TScottO · « **Reply #1 on:** July 02, 2005, 02:49:20 PM »

Find out what sort of shirt the gentleman you spoke with is wearing and you will find your answer.

If the 338 is a gun you want to shoot off the bench a lot then I might have a break installed. If the gun will only be shot a time or two while hunting, I wouldnt bother.

Save the 200 bucks it would cost for a break and buy or build a rifle rest that allows you to stand up and shoot. Sitting is awful for bench work with a big rifle. With the left over change take a friend out to lunch.

Take Care,
Scott

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 02, 2005, 02:51:12 PM »

Try a Mercury Recoil reducer in the stock before you make it a extremely load gun with a muzzle break. Worked great on my Ruger #1 in 45-70 and my Encore 416 Rigby. I also installed a simms pad.

http://www.mercuryrecoil.com/suppressors/index.htm#top

beemanbeme · « **Reply #3 on:** July 02, 2005, 03:22:46 PM »

shoot from a stand up bench. And if you can't do that, jack your front rest up as high as it will go and lower you shooting stool so that you are sitting as nearly erect as possible. When you mount the rifle, pull it firmly into your shoulder WITH BOTH HANDS and have your cheek firmly on the stock.
Each rifle is different but I kinda agree with the fellow with the shirt. But I will guarentee he didn't jump full grown into shooting his .338 in a shirt. Not for any time that is.
Before I bought a .338, I had a pretty long track record of shooting 30-06's, 7mags and .300wm's and such frequently from the bench so it didn't take long to acclimate to shooting it. It is something that you do need to keep your hand in however.
All that said, I would not own a rifle with a brake on it.

Lone Star · « **Reply #4 on:** July 02, 2005, 03:48:33 PM »

My current .338 is a Savage 116 with the "adjustable" brake. It is very easy to tell the difference between shots with and without the brake turned on. I'd call the recoil with the brake and 200-grain loads about the same as a .30-06 with 180s. With the brake truned off, it's a full .338....

It is loud with the brake on, but with adequate hearing protection it is not at all unbearable. I can feel the blast wave in the face if the muzzle does not overhang the end of the bench. If it overhangs, then it isn't as bad for me or for other shooters.

jro45 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 03, 2005, 03:12:52 AM »

I have the 338 rum witch does have some recoil but a friend has the 338 Win Mag. He uses those shoulder pads that you can buy for recoil. They fit under your shirt or you could ware it over your shirt. Me I have a brake thats removeable. I use it when at the range sighting in then take it off for hunting.

Mikey · « **Reply #6 on:** July 03, 2005, 04:25:08 AM »

HuntingGuy: get yourself a PAST Recoil Sheild - they really work. This is one of those you can wear under your shirt, really. They are not all that expensive but very worth the expense. I have one that I have used for close to 1K rounds of heavy recoiling bench shooting, which is the worst type for recoil, and I can still raise my arms all the way up to here (lol).

Those recoil sheilds really work. As for the muzzle brake, I dunno. As TScott0 said - if you're only going to fire a couple of rounds off the bench it may not be worth the expense. I have tried muzzle brakes on a number of my rifles and choose not to use them. The PAST Sheild helps deal with the recoil, but nothing touches the muzzle blast from those brakes, except lots of hearing protection, and that is not the type of thing you might find yourself wearing while out stalking or still-hunting and listening for sound. In addition, muzzle brakes do not make you a lot of friends on the range. Even I will move farther down the shooting line if someone comes along with a brake on his rifle. JMHO. Mikey.

oso45-70 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 03, 2005, 06:09:13 AM »

HuntingGuy.

I'am not a fan of brakes of any kind on a hunting Rifle, As for as hunting goes I don't think you will need it on a 338, Sighting in you can use a past shooting pad. When you are hunting you will not even notice the kick........Joe.......

Lawdog · « **Reply #8 on:** July 03, 2005, 01:37:02 PM »

Remember "there is no such thing as a Quiet muzzle brake". You make a mistake and fore a braked rifles without the proper hearing protection and you will ruin your hearing to some degree. Why not try something cheaper than a brake and will reduce recoil to acceptable levels. Mercury recoil inserts. Fits inside the stock so no one knows it's there and they work. I have them in all my heavy kicking rifles and am able to shoot calibers like my .450 Rigby, .416 Rigby from the bench without undue discomfort. I prefer C&H Research brand myself. Go to http://www.98.net/chr/ and check them out. Lawdog

while99 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 03, 2005, 09:19:08 PM »

I have a .338 Winchester Magnum but without a muzzle brake. Brakes simply make too much noise for me. I'd rather have a sore shoulder than permanent hearing loss. Sure, you can wear hearing protection at the range, but I don't know of anybody who wears hearing protection when hunting, and it only takes one shot to damage your hearing.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 04, 2005, 01:14:33 AM »

Quote from: while99

I have a .338 Winchester Magnum but without a muzzle brake. Brakes simply make too much noise for me. I'd rather have a sore shoulder than permanent hearing loss. Sure, you can wear hearing protection at the range, but I don't know of anybody who wears hearing protection when hunting, and it only takes one shot to damage your hearing.

I wear hearing protection, the electronic ear muffs. I like to use my handguns and they get loud.

dave375hh · « **Reply #11 on:** July 04, 2005, 02:23:09 AM »

Hunting Guy,
I second the use of the Past recoil shield. I've used a Past Mag. Plus shield for years. When you shoot off the bench your testing the rifle not your testoserone. The use of a bench is to eliminate variables, and flinching is the worst of them. As long as the recoil dosen't bother you when hunting, The Past, or a bag of lead shot is the most economical answer. Both go behind the butt. The Past RS is the most conveniant because it stays in place, while a bag of shot has to be reset for each shot. Also the Past RS can be worn under your coat or shirt while hunting as long as it dosen't interfere with the gun mount.

roper · « **Reply #12 on:** July 04, 2005, 03:24:42 PM »

Everyone handles recoil differently and what may be acceptable to one isn't to another. If it was me I'd put a brake on it and get good hearing protection for range work. Shooting should be enjoyable. All my mags have brakes except one and I have afew LR varmit rifles with brakes. For me there is no disadvantage since I have a brake installed for one reason and that is to reduce recoil which it does and in the varmit rifles it allows me to see my hits. Just my .02

beemanbeme · « **Reply #13 on:** July 04, 2005, 04:24:54 PM »

do you buy good hearing protection for the other folks at the range? What about the concussion waves flowing acrost the benches on either side? What do you do about that?

Mac11700 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 04, 2005, 06:32:29 PM »

Stock fit has a major impact on how much recoil your getting...and also how much is being transmitted into your cheek...will only amplify what your feeling on the rest of your body...

Try this simple fix...get a soft neopreane shell holder for your stock...and put some soft foam rubber under it...I use some that's called Rubatex...and you can get it anywhere they sell airconditioning supplies...if you can't find that...the black soft pipe insulation can be had in different thicknesses as well and you can use that...this you can get at most harware stores...Lowes...HomeDepot...Ace...

And like others have told you...sit completely upright when shooting these heavy hitters from the bench...or stand up....I shoot real heavy loads from my 1895 GS 45-70...and it will flat rock ya if not for the padded shell holder and my Limbsaver recoil pad on it...but since adding both..it still recoils...but the face slap is gone..and it makes the recoil so much more manageable...if still too much for you..again..add a mercury recoil reducer to the stock...

Mac

Ramrod · « **Reply #15 on:** July 04, 2005, 08:06:07 PM »

The Brits have been shooting great big elephant guns like the. 450, .470, and the .577 Nitro Express for well over 100 years. And without any contraption like muzzle brakes. But alot of red-blooded Americans with muzzle brakes on their .300 or .338 Win mags think the British are a bunch of fairies. Hmmmnnnn. Maybe a little real life practice is what is needed here. Not something you get from a shooting bench.

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #16 on:** July 06, 2005, 03:47:40 AM »

No brakes for me for several reasons.

First is the noise. While I double up (plugs and muffs) my hearing protection at the range, I shoot naked in the field. I shot my .357 Mag revolver one day next to a rock slope a couple feet to my left, forgetting I had removed my hearing protection (we were picking up remnants of water jugs and I was shooting a survivor). My right ear was OK but the blast echoed off the rocks creating pain in my left ear and reduced hearing capacity for several hours. Permanent damage almost certainly resulted from that one shot. There are plenty of opportunities for a similar event when hunting and whats left of my hearing is too valuable.

Second, at my club you may not fire a braked rifle without first notifying everyone on the firing line. If anyone any ONE objects, you may not shoot the firearm.

Third, and this is rather minor, the ports make for additional cleaning chores.

If recoil is an issue, try the Past pads, slip-on pads, and mercury recoil reducers. My Marlin .45-70 generates 48 foot-pounds recoil with my Rhino Blaster loads (460g hardcast @ 1812fps). A slip-on recoil pad made it much more pleasant to shoot and a Past pad helped even more. Havent cone with a mercury recoil reducer because they add weight something I do not want when hunting elk.

HuntingGuy · « **Reply #17 on:** July 06, 2005, 05:30:31 AM »

Thanks for the tips, guys. I will head over to Gander today and pick up one of those Past Mag. Recoil Shields. They are closing shop so it is 30% off. Will let you know if the recoil is managable now.

roper · « **Reply #18 on:** July 06, 2005, 04:15:23 PM »

Quote from: Coyote Hunter

No brakes for me for several reasons.

Second, at my club you may not fire a braked rifle without first notifying everyone on the firing line. If anyone any ONE objects, you may not shoot the firearm.

I know Ben Lomond has a range in Franktown is that the one you are talking about?

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #19 on:** July 06, 2005, 06:04:09 PM »

Quote from: roper

Quote from: Coyote Hunter
No brakes for me for several reasons.

Second, at my club you may not fire a braked rifle without first notifying everyone on the firing line. If anyone any ONE objects, you may not shoot the firearm.

I know Ben Lomond has a range in Franktown is that the one you are talking about?

Franktown is one of the club's chapters - the range is actually 17 miles east of Kiowa.

roper · « **Reply #20 on:** July 07, 2005, 01:06:06 AM »

Quote from: Coyote Hunter

Quote from: roper
Quote from: Coyote Hunter
No brakes for me for several reasons.

Second, at my club you may not fire a braked rifle without first notifying everyone on the firing line. If anyone any ONE objects, you may not shoot the firearm.

I know Ben Lomond has a range in Franktown is that the one you are talking about?

Franktown is one of the club's chapters - the range is actually 17 miles east of Kiowa.

Is that the range that bans muzzle brakes you are talking about? I know Franktown is one of the clubs chapter and were it is located. The reason I'm asking is I've shot at about 10 different ranges from Ault to Buene Vista down to Pueblo West and have never heard of having to ask or if someone object that you cann't use a firearm with a brake. For everyones general information on ranges in Colorado. Most of the ranges in Colorado are what is know as private clubs which requires a membership fee and of the ones I belong too you have to be a member of the NRA which provides the insurance for the club also most have an agreement with the state fish and game to open the ranges to the public for sight-in days which they receive a certain amount of money from the dept. and the clubs can charge a fee and if they don't have an agreement they will open them to the public anyway to gain extra funds for range upkeep here in Colorado Spring the newspaper will place a free ad for the ranges on sight-in days. The state of Colorado also has a certain amount of ranges open free to the public throughout the state normally these are around the big game hunting units where I hunt one is loacated to serve the middle park area. I just find it hard that a club would put those restriction on it's members and even write them in the by-laws again please let me know what club does this. Most clubs here in Colorado adopt the NRA range rules at Whittington even to carry concealed.

Lawdog · « **Reply #21 on:** July 07, 2005, 11:47:02 AM »

Actually there are a number of Privately Owned gun club that ban/restrict the use of muzzle brake equipped firearms. Our club came very close to banning them after a couple of incidents that caused a number of members to complain to the board. In the end the board sat down guidelines on how and when brake equipped firearms could be used. Although a number of our club members own/shoot brake equipped firearms only one member resigned from the club because of the restrictions. Lawdog

roper · « **Reply #22 on:** July 07, 2005, 03:34:43 PM »

Lawdog, Before we moved to Colorado I did a fair amount of shooting in Calif and of course that was some years ago back they had some private clubs but where alot more open to the public than what is here in Colorado. My first custom rifle in the 60's was build by a guy from Redding and he had a range at his place later on we use to shoot at some place around Burney and all the way down the central valley. Again I don't remember any problems using a bake but that could of changed. They port shotguns,pistols,rifles sell boss system on rifles how can a club restrict one and not the others. I'm no lawyer but think a club that offers shotgun,pistol and rifle may have a problem and if they did ban only brakes on rifles. It's strange that guys who support the NRA or are member would support such a ban. Just my .02

dbo · « **Reply #23 on:** July 07, 2005, 04:13:08 PM »

Quote from: HuntingGuy

Hi all,

I have had this Tikka T3 .338 WIN MAG for a year or so now. I don't like shooting it because it kicks my @$$ after a few shots. So, I put on a LS precision recoil pad, and still not alot of noticible recoil change! It's hard to sight this gun in when I'm all shooken up by the 3rd shot.

So I am faced with the question, should I put a muzzle brake on it or not?

What do you guys think? Besides the noise, is there any disadvantages, and what are the true advantages to it and how noticibly will it take care of the prob?

I have talked with one gentleman who has this same gun with a brake, and claims he can shoot all day with a shirt on.

Thanks

I bought a .338 Win Mag about a year ago and it had a pretty good kick. Enough to make me flinch and that ain't good. I changed the recoil pad and bought a PAST Magnum shoulder recoil pad and have no problem.

The first time I shot the stock gun, I put about 40 rounds down range w/ no aftermarket pad and I was hurting bad. So I literally feel your pain on this one. Spend the $40 and try the PAST pad before you add a $100 + muzzle brake.

Just my $0.02.

Put some ice on it in the mean time....

Lawdog · « **Reply #24 on:** July 08, 2005, 10:33:43 AM »

roper,

Quote

They port shotguns,pistols,rifles sell boss system on rifles how can a club restrict one and not the others.

The bad our club considered was modeled after bans other clubs adopted. "All ported/brake equipped" firearms were included. Our club decided to set rules on their use instead of our right banning them.

Quote

I'm no lawyer but think a club that offers shotgun,pistol and rifle may have a problem and if they did ban only brakes on rifles. It's strange that guys who support the NRA or are member would support such a ban.

Easy when the bonding/insurance company threatens to pull your policy due to possible lawsuits. No liability insurance/bond equals no club. All it took was a few inconsiderate shooters that caused this whole thing. And yes, all of our members MUST belong to the NRA. Lawdog

cal sibley · « **Reply #25 on:** July 08, 2005, 12:12:00 PM »

I'm not big on the muzzle brakes because of the horrendous noise. You definitely will not be popular at the range. Pachmyer makes several versions of their Decelerator Pad. They're quite good, won't cure the problem, but they'll help a goodly amount. For range use, I slip on a Past Recoil Shield when shooting anything above 6.5 caliber. Of course the Pachmyer "and" the Past Shield will leave you pretty much smiling. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal