Muzzle Brake??

[GooseHunter Jr]

I am thinking of putting a muzzle brake on my Ruger MK77 Stainless .338 Win Mag......anybody have a good suggestions an which might be the best fit for me. I obviously want it to be stainless and match the contour of the barrel.

Thanks GHJ

 

[rick smith]

First buy the best ear protection you can find, of course wear safety glasses for the blow back gases. I have shot several different types of brakes, KDF, Boss system and the Vais. If I had to have a brake it would be the Vais.Rick.

 

[Richracer1]

I have a Browning in 338WM with the BOSS. As soon as I can scrape up enough money, I'm buying a Tikka T3 Lite Stainless in 338WM to replace it. That damn BOSS is SOOOOO loud :shock: , not to mention the amount of ammo to dial the thing in.

So, do you really need a muzzle brake enough to put up with the excessive noise?

 

[JD338]

goose hunter,

If you are going to consider a break, just remember that while felt recoil will be reduced, muzzle blast will increase. Best results for shooting with a break will require both ear plugs and muffs. This is fine for target shooting but for hunting, will this work in your situation? Even 1 shot with a braked rifle will cause perminate hearing damage without proper hearing protection. Too many shots and you may start saying "what did you say"!

How much do you shoot your 338 Win Mag? Chances are not that much (< 200 rounds) that you can put up with the recoil. Get yourself a Past recoil shield or even use a sand bag between the stock and shoulder. You may even consider loading up 180 gr or 200 gr BT's with starting loads for target shooting and use the max loads for hunting.
Another thought may be Magna Porting but I do not know how much louder it will be.

Just my 2 cents.

Regards,

JD338

 

[Greg Nolan]

GooseHunterJR
Just had to add my 2 cents worth. I'v had a Savage 116 Alaskan for 14 years and I've shot a lot of game with it from deer to elk and I wear ear protection when I sight in but when I hunt I don't. I don't ever remember thinking about how loud the shot was when I shot at an animal or the kick either for that matter. The gun is 7.25 lbs. and recoils like a .270. In fact I have an identical gun in .270 I use for deer and it recoils like a .243. I have several rifles in several calibers( I've spoiled myself since the kids are grown up and gone) and These two rifles have been my go to guns 80% of the time. I've only had one experience that caused me caution and that was when a friend was videoing a hunt for me and HE creeped up too close to the muzzle and caught the blast. The blast comes back in a cone shaped angle that doesn't catch the shooter as bad as something or someone to the sides of the ports. The brake I had installed on a different rifle fit the contour real close and looks good. Cost about $200 and if you like you can get a threaded sleeve that replaces the brake for an additional cost. ALL THAT being said, if you think you want a muzzle brake you should get one. The one or two shots a year you shoot without hearing protection or minimal protection is lot easier than the recoil you have to put up with the rest of the time. A lot of people insist on shooting even elk sized animals with .270 or even .243 cal. rifles because of the recoil of the rifles they should be shooting and they will normally be the first to speak out against muzzle brakes because of the noise. You're the one thats doing the huntilng and you already have a good rifle in a great caliber, make it the way you want it. It probably wouldn't hurt to check out you local rifle range and see if anyone is using a brake on thier rifle and they will probably be happy to tell you how they feel and let you try thier rifle. I would and do.
Happy Hunting
Elkhunt

 

[Richracer1]

Like I mentioned in my other post, the recoil isn't the problem, I hate the loudness of the blast and the time & amount of ammo to dial the BOSS in. Also note, that I plan on replacing mine with another 338WM w/o a brake/BOSS system.

If recoil is a problem at the range, buy a good/better rest. I have a Cabela's magnum rest for sighting-in/load developement. Best money I've spent. 20-30 rounds through the 338WM and my shoulder doesn't even know I've shot a gun. Out hunting, you'll shoot once, maybe twice???? I have yet to feel the recoil out hunting due to the excitement/adrenaline/rush and so on.

 

[Jimmy]

From what I have read,hearing protection should be employed while shooting any caliber of firearm.While hunting,I use the foam protectors that hang from a holder on my neck.They aren't the best protection,but better than no protection.Yes,they are a little hassle,but I value what hearing that I have.My $.02 worth!
Jimmy

 

[tapehoser]

My BAR II Safari has a BOSS installed. I shot it ONCE without hearing protection. Nearly blew my eardrums to pieces.

I also have a Model 70 300 Weatherby with a brake.

The reduction in recoil ALONE is the reason I have the brakes installed. For the 1-2 shots per year that I will shoot without hearing protection, it is well worth the cost and noise.

I know that out in the field, hearing protection isn't always ideal. You get in situations where you want as little movement as possible and putting on ear muffs or foam plugs might just be enough movement to scare away the animal. Heck, I've seen situations where, if I had waited long enough to put in ear plugs, I would've missed the shot.

But henceforth, I WILL be carrying ear protection in the field, just in case there is enough time to install the plugs.[/b]