Should I brake it?

[novaman64]

Working on swapping barrels on my 700 from a 243 to a 260. The gun will be used for both bench (fun at the range) and deer/pig hunting (so I will be huffing it around). Ordering up a 24" #5 contour (.700 @ the muzzle) SS fluted barrel. My smith recomended that I throw a brake on it, not for kick issues, but he said with that cartridge I will be able to watch the vapor trail and the bullet impact. The downside is they are louder. I was wondering what your guys opinions were on this? I have heard that the VAIS brakes arent as hard on the shooters ears as some others...

So should I go with a brake or not?

If I do go with a brake should I get a VAIS, Centershot Rifles Muscle Brake or a Kirby Allen Pain Killer?

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

I have one on my 260rem just beacuse I want zero recoil. If your not sure then get the brake with a threed protector so you can take it off if you dont like it.

 

[prtaylor]

I have a brake on all of my rifles. I wouldn't be without one. I would recommend a brake from hollands, they are quite niice.

 

[MN Hunter]

I have one of Center Shot Rifles 3port brake on my 300 win mag. I would highly recommend it.

 

[gbp]

I have one on my 260rem just beacuse I want zero recoil. If your not sure then get the brake with a threed protector so you can take it off if you dont like it.

+1
it will depend on your style of shooting mostly, just make sure you can take it off. i have breaks on a lot of rifles not because of sevear recoil but because i want to see the hits through the scope and if it takes several seconds of target acquisition it's all lost

 

[ATH]

Brakes are a personal taste thing. You either like them, or you don't. The positives speak for themselves -- less recoil and spotting your own shots. However, personally I never really enjoyed shooting braked rifles and can't imagine hunting with one. Best thing is to shoot someone else's if you have never used one, then decide.

 

[yobuck]

i think your smith is correct. its far more important to watch your own hits, than the reduced recoil aspect . the upside more than offsets the downside.

 

[Ernie]

I have several brakes from folks here, but the majority are Holland's new Radial Brake

 

[novaman64]

Is the VAIS the only brake thats removable? I think the Hollands, Kirbys PK and the Muscle Brake are all timed so they cant be removed then throw a thread protector on?

 

[Ernie]

Is the VAIS the only brake thats removable? I think the Hollands, Kirbys PK and the Muscle Brake are all timed so they cant be removed then throw a thread protector on?

You can remove solid bottomed brakes, but after a time they will begin to index a little past their original center.

 

[unvisable]

It is generally mentioned that brakes are louder when attempting to list the negative aspects of brakes. I use some type of protection even when I shoot 22 lr. Maybe its because I am deaf from not using any for so many years, or because I have found that it cuts down on distraction.

My 2 cents ==> Brake anything above 22 lr and its a no lose proposition. If you want to reduce noise use a supressor. My wife is the only pretty thing I've ever had, and she makes lots of noise. The beauty in a rifle is in how well it shoots. IMHO noise should not really be in the mix when deciding to brake or not brake.

unvisable

 

[bigngreen]

I've been talking to a smith that uses the Edwards recoil reducers on lighter cals to help spot hits instead of a brake. I was going to brake my 270WSM just for spotting hits but he talked me out of it, he doesn't brake any thing till it gets to the 300 mag+ stuff. Just a thoughtlightbulb

 

[rtv900]

I just picked up a rifle from Jim See at Center Shot. I love that Muscle Brake. It is a joy to shoot. I cant wait to shoot longer ranges and spot my shot.

 

[azsugarbear]

If you go with a brake, you need to consider what style of shooting you may be engaged in. The Vais brake can be very effective at recoil reduction, but a disaster if you are shoting prone in the dirt. Those radial style brakes can kick up a lot of dirt & debris into the scope lens. I eventually switched to the indexed brakes like the painkiller just because I could not predict the shooting situation in advance.