Muzzle Brake

[JohnyRingo]

I am kicking around the idea of putting a muzzle brake on my new Browning X-Bolt Stainless Stalker 300 H&H Magnum. I haven't shot it yet because it has been too cold to mess with it, but I had a muzzle break on my last H&H. I am hoping that with the synthetic stock and good recoil pad, I might not need one. Just in case I do, I want to start researching all the options that are out there.

First, I found this test that was done with 30 caliber rifles. .30 Caliber Muzzle Brake Shootout - The Truth About Guns The winner of this "shoot-out" was Precision Armament M4-72 and a buddy of mine has it and really likes it. It is a little longer than I want and just a hair heavier than I want. I want to try to keep the length under 2" and the weight under 2 oz. The Thunder Beast Arms CB fits into that categorie with it being 1.7" and 2.1 oz, but it looks like with it's design, it is going to get caught on stuff all the time.

On the Midway USA website, the VIAS gets great reviews, but from what I am reading, it doesn't reduce recoil that much. However, it does look like the muzzle break I had on my last H&H and it did an adequate job. The gunsmith I will be using builds his own muzzle break that is a very similar design, but the holes are more in a spiral pattern. I don't shoot prone that much on dirt to worry about dirt kicking up, so that is not a big deal.

I have also read good things about the Gen I Micro Bastard and it is short and lightweight, so I am definitely interested in it. And I have heard good things about Holland brakes. Let me know what you guys think. I don't mind the noise as I have been hunting with a muzzle brake for years and use ear plugs when making the shot while hunting.

 

[micus]

Check out Terminator brakes T series. Bunch of vids of youtube, the manufacturer compares them to like 20 of the other most popular brakes on the same rifle on a recoil sled, probably as scientific a comparison as you will find. I ordered a tiny T1 and its going on my RUM as we speak. Worth looking into.

 

[wind gypsy]

The recoil pads on the X Bolts are the nicest ive used.

I have a Fat Bastard on a 300 Norma Mag and a micro bastard on a light 6.5 SAUM. They are very effective brakes and there is a reason for their popularity. it seems the terminator line might be incrementally more effective but it likely has incrementally worse muzzle blast as well. There is no free lunch. I'm leaning more towards brakes with less aggressively rearward angled ports as I find I'm more likely to develop a flinch from sand blasting in my face and the concussion than a little more recoil.

 

[Zoo Keeper]

The recoil pads on the X Bolts are the nicest ive used.

I have a Fat Bastard on a 300 Norma Mag and a micro bastard on a light 6.5 SAUM. They are very effective brakes and there is a reason for their popularity. it seems the terminator line might be incrementally more effective but it likely has incrementally worse muzzle blast as well. There is no free lunch. I'm leaning more towards brakes with less aggressively rearward angled ports as I find I'm more likely to develop a flinch from sand blasting in my face and the concussion than a little more recoil.

Do you get much concussion/blast from the micro bastard?

I just received one for my T3x 300WM.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Cahunter805]

Checkout muzzlebrakesandmore.com
Nathan makes awesome brakes and is a great guy to deal with. His newest design the beast works very amazing!

 

[elkguide]

The recoil from an X- Bolt .300 H&H should be very manageable without a brake.

I shoot a Kimber Montana in .300 WSM and that rifle is at least a full pound lighter and I find it fine to shoot.

 

[Thinkingman]

The recoil from an X- Bolt .300 H&H should be very manageable without a brake.

I shoot a Kimber Montana in .300 WSM and that rifle is at least a full pound lighter and I find it fine to shoot.

I would much rather have a sore shoulder than hearing loss.

 

[GKPrice]

The recoil from an X- Bolt .300 H&H should be very manageable without a brake.

I shoot a Kimber Montana in .300 WSM and that rifle is at least a full pound lighter and I find it fine to shoot.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[GKPrice]

I would much rather have a sore shoulder than hearing loss.

Yessir ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ME TOO

 

[GKPrice]

Richard Buss's "muzzle master" brake - all the "braking" with none of the "brake blast"

541-349-1290 (If you must)

 

[Gatorgrizz27]

My only braked rifle has a factory Weatherby Accubrake. I don't see why people make such a big deal about brakes on hunting rifles though. Sight in and practice with the brake installed to tame the recoil and keep you from developing a flinch (wear ear pro). Spin it off when you hunt to save your hearing, weight, and barrel length. Can't say I've ever noticed the recoil when I was shooting an animal.

In fact, the 60+ ft-lbs of recoil (more than a .450 Nitro Express) from a 3.5" 12 gauge turkey load have never bothered me while hunting, but it sure got my attention when I was in a bad mood one day and decided I'd shoot a few rounds to relax. My attitude improved after that first shot...

 

[JohnyRingo]

The recoil on my last H&H didn't really bother me until I pulled an uphill shot from a prone position and the scope caught my eyebrow. Once I made the switch to a muzzle brake, the quality of my shooting improved immensely. 15 years later and there are a million options for muzzle breaks to choose from.

I've read that the side-blast brakes have to be timed and there can be accuracy issues with them if they are not installed correctly. I want to keep it simple and I think I am leaning towards a Vais break or a spiral break. I know it's not a sexy choice but it is simple. My last brake was a spiral break and made my H&H feel like a .243.

I will continue to listen to advice and look at some of the ones mentioned above. Keep it coming.