Muscle Brake for a 338 RUM - Mini-Magnum or CSR ???

[Timber338]

Hey guys, I could use some help figuring out which brake to use on a custom 338 RUM I am having built as a long range elk rifle. It's being built on a custom action with a 27" #4 contour Hart barrel. McMillan A3 Game Scout with Edge fill, most likely topped with a Nightforce NSX. So, relatively light compared to how most guys here would build a 338 Ultra.

I don't have any experience with side-ported brakes, so I would really appreciate your input. The #4 contour barrel has a muzzle diameter of .650. That limits the muscle brake to the 3-port mini-magnum or the CSR Ø.885". Given the lighter build of this rifle, would the CSR brake be the way to go? I'm afraid the mini-magnum slabbed brake would be too bulky on the end of the thinner barrel? On the other hand, a lighter rifle could probably benefit from every bit of recoil/blast reduction that would give the edge to the slabbed brake ... Do any of you have experience with both the Muscle brake and the CSR brake? Any recommendations?

So before you all get worked up about how "light" and "long range" don't work together, I am building the gun like this on purpose. I backpack hunt and want a 338 RUM that I never leave at home because it's too heavy. Fully outfitted I figure the gun will weigh somewhere around 11 lb. I understand that the gun will be too light to fully utilize the long range potential of the round, I just love shooting 338 bullets at elk, and I'll be able to carry this gun all day and hammer them as far as I'm comfortable shooting the gun.

 

[barnesuser28]

Here is a mini mag on a #3 bartlein, .672 at the muzzle.

 

[Jim See]

Hey guys, I could use some help figuring out which brake to use on a custom 338 RUM I am having built as a long range elk rifle. It's being built on a custom action with a 27" #4 contour Hart barrel. McMillan A3 Game Scout with Edge fill, most likely topped with a Nightforce NSX. So, relatively light compared to how most guys here would build a 338 Ultra.

I don't have any experience with side-ported brakes, so I would really appreciate your input. The #4 contour barrel has a muzzle diameter of .650. That limits the muscle brake to the 3-port mini-magnum or the CSR Ø.885". Given the lighter build of this rifle, would the CSR brake be the way to go? I'm afraid the mini-magnum slabbed brake would be too bulky on the end of the thinner barrel? On the other hand, a lighter rifle could probably benefit from every bit of recoil/blast reduction that would give the edge to the slabbed brake ... Do any of you have experience with both the Muscle brake and the CSR brake? Any recommendations?

So before you all get worked up about how "light" and "long range" don't work together, I am building the gun like this on purpose. I backpack hunt and want a 338 RUM that I never leave at home because it's too heavy. Fully outfitted I figure the gun will weigh somewhere around 11 lb. I understand that the gun will be too light to fully utilize the long range potential of the round, I just love shooting 338 bullets at elk, and I'll be able to carry this gun all day and hammer them as far as I'm comfortable shooting the gun.

I would go with the .885 CSR, a little more port volume than the mini, I have used it on light weight edges for customers builds and reports have been positive.

 

[Timber338]

I would go with the .885 CSR, a little more port volume than the mini, I have used it on light weight edges for customers builds and reports have been positive.

Thanks for the info! Without seeing them in person I would not have guessed that the .885 CSR would have more port volume than the mini-mag, so this is very helpful.

Out of curiosity, does the CSR have the same port design as the muscle, with the first port at 90 degrees, and the 2nd and 3rd port angled back at 15 degrees? Or does the design of the CSR prevent any angling of the ports?

 

[Timber338]

Here is a mini mag on a #3 bartlein, .672 at the muzzle.

Thanks. That looks nice, the mini-mag was proportioned very well to go with these smaller diameter barrels.

 

[Idaho Trecker]

Defensive Edge brakes are very nice as well. I had them install their .750 brake on my 338 RUM and its like a different rifle. I think my rifle specs are close to what you are building weight wise.

 

[Timber338]

Defensive Edge brakes are very nice as well. I had them install their .750 brake on my 338 RUM and its like a different rifle. I think my rifle specs are close to what you are building weight wise.

Thanks for posting the pic with your DE brake. I have heard good things about how they perform.

I'm curious which NXS you mounted on your 338?

 

[Idaho Trecker]

I swapped this off of another rifle. I dont remember the model number offhand but it is an older one with the 10moa per revolution turret and mil reticle. 5.5-22x50. I have a newer nxs 3.5-15x50 on my 300 Dakota which is nice but i personally feel for the longer work the 5.5-22 is much better when conditions permit the use of full magnification.