I would hunt in crocs borrowed from Ryan Avery before I shot with a muzzle brake.I guess it depends what you consider ROI. If I can get a little kid to comfortably shoot a .243 with a suppressor because it stuffs a lot of the recoil and noise, that’s a win for me. If I can get my in kid in the woods hunting two or three years sooner by using a suppressor, that’s a hell of a ROI for me. That makes it worth it right there. Not to mention I can take it off of Jr’s model 7 and slap it on any of my rifles to use as well. Very modular and multi-use.
Yeah I was referencing the hearing safety aspect. I agree, safety is a behavior. I’m not talking about being less likely to ND. Just that you’re more likely to preserve your hearing. Every. Single. Shit that you take without ear pro is slowly chipping away at your hearing. Every one of them. I am no longer concerned about this in a hunting situation.
Shooting better however is almost without question. It’s well documented that recoil affects accuracy. Give (almost) anyone a .223 and a 300 WM of similar configuration and weight and it’s of little question which rifle the shooter will be more accurate with. You can train the crap out of your brain all you want and tell it not to be afraid. No matter what you are more flinchy with the heavier recoiling gun. The relationship between recoil and accuracy is pretty well documented.
A muzzle brake accomplishes this recoil mitigation as well, no doubt, but at the detriment of hearing safety. Muzzle brakes are hard to make hearing safe even with double ear pro. They are effing loud. Not to mention, the concussive sound effects shooter accuracy and comfortability with the weapon as well. I’d be willing to bet that on average, most shooters will make more/better hits at distance with a suppressor instead of a brake, but I’m no expert so YMMV.
Everyone can do what they want with the money they earn. I just know for a fact that I will never shoot unsuppressed again unless I absolutely have to. It’s exponentially more enjoyable for me.
Many of the people claiming cost and poverty could swing it. Someone with multiple rifles in their closet can easily sell one and pick up a basic suppressor.
For those who genuinely scrimp and save, I feel it. I was there. A suppressor is worth it before you buy a second rifle.
Return on investment? Hearing aids aren’t cheap.
Having a daughter born with hearing loss and now a cochlear implant, hearing is priceless.
Honestly, the old crotchety guys I meet with no hearing are the same ones who accuse me of being cool with the suppressor. I am OK with that.