I was worried about the same thing. I have a little more to worry then most though, that shoot magnums I suspect. I am 6'2 and 135 lbs. I have a 300 RUM in a Rem 700 LSS. It is a sweet rifle. With my scope and bi-pod, etc it comes in at around 9 1/4 lbs. I have ran the numbers into a scale and I come up with around 45lbs of kick. I went into this knowing if I couldn't accurately shoot my 300 RUM without a brake, then I would seriously have to consider getting one. I shoot my rifle just great. Some of the groups will show it. I have never been scared to touch the trigger except the very first time I ever shot it. I have been scoped 4 times in about 600 rounds. Every time it was laying prone, slightly downhill angle. VERY BAD. I had it happen to me twice in a 4 shot series. But you cannot let that get into your head. You have to know its going to kick, but you cant be scared. I also highly recomend the lead sled for testing/target shooting. It just plain takes out all the recoil. A lot of peoples tolerance varies, but I know that most adults are at least a good 40 lbs heavier than me on average, so I say to see how you shoot w/out one first. If you shoot it fine, no point in spending $150 or so to have one made.