To brake or not to brake?..

I'vebeenduped · January 3, 2014, 04:36 PM

That is my question!
I have FINALLY saved enough to purchase my rifle. I want to get a Savage weather warrior, hinged floor-plate .30-06. I chose .30-06 for a few reasons, the largest two being availability of and price of ammunition. This will be my hunting rifle from coyote and whitetail to (hopefully) bear. This will also be my target rifle. I want the ability to fire a few boxes without getting beaten up as well as being able to reacquire the target after firing a bit more quickly. I realize the drawback is that it will be incredibly loud. Do you find that the muzzle brake reduces felt recoil significantly? Does it help that much with muzzle rise? Do you feel it is worth the investment?

Lastly, I plan on getting this rifle cerakote'd (did I spell that correctly?), as I like the quality of stainless but I prefer a subdued finish. Is there a drawback to having this done over stainless? Will it be as durable? Can it even be done?

Thank you, to all, who chose to reply. Heck, even to those of you that don't. I hope you are all having a wonderful new year.

Roughedge · January 3, 2014, 04:44 PM

If you go with a break take it to a smith and have him make one or fit one to your rifle. Nothing looks worse than someone just threading a barel and sticking a clunky break on the end of a nicely tapered barrel.

AllenJ · January 3, 2014, 05:15 PM

Good muzzle brakes do reduce felt recoil and muzzle rise, and yes they are incredibly loud. But don't worry to much, as the shooter you won't have to put up with near the noise as those standing around you!

Cerakote works on stainless, and it'll dull your finish in whatever color you choose. They have some good information and pictures on their website:

http://www.cerakoteguncoatings.com/

mete · January 3, 2014, 06:48 PM

There has been a thread on another forum and they say brakes reduce felt recoil as much as 50 % !!. They were talking about HEAVY recoiling cartridges like the 600OK !

Making that cartridge shootable without injuring the shooter

. Actual [physics ] recoil may me reduced by up to 25%. Part of the felt recoil reduction is reducing the muzzle rise.
Yes shooters near you may not like brakes .

Ruger480 · January 3, 2014, 07:19 PM

My two cents. Skip the muzzle break. Learn to shoot your gun and manage the recoil .
I respect your choice of calibers, I bought the '06 for the same reasons (it really is the KING of call cartridges!). FYI, the 30-06 is considered to be on the upper end of recoil that the average shooter can handle.
Now, if you really are concerned about it, pass on the 30-06 and pick up a 243. It's good for coyote all the way up to elk and black bear. Once youve mastered that, then look look at the '06.
There's no point in getting a gun that will encourage you to developed poor shooting skills.

Willie Lowman · January 3, 2014, 07:26 PM

Muzzle breaks... Do they work? The good ones work very well. Are they obnoxious? They sure are.

I'd rather shoot 40 rounds of '06 without a break than with one. Personal preference.

Cowboy_mo · January 3, 2014, 07:30 PM

Quote:

My two cents. Skip the muzzle break. Learn to shoot your gun and manage the recoil .

I agree plus suggest you purchase a heavier rifle. I was fortunate enough to go to Africa in 2010. I chose to rent a rifle from my outfitter over paying the costs and going through the hassle of shipping my own. The rifle I used was an older Sako in .30-06 in a walnut stock and topped with a leupold scope. Now I was a tired puppy at the end of every day from carrying that rifle BUT I smiled every time I squeezed the trigger. The recoil felt like my .243 back home and not my .30-06.

Finally, if you choose to brake your rifle, do the rest of us a favor and build your own private range to fire it on. Our conservation dept. operates a beautiful public range near me. I refuse to go there from Sept-Dec because the braked rifles ring my ears (even with ear protection), rattle the range walls, and shake my fillings.

hoghunting · January 4, 2014, 12:59 AM

I would put a good recoil pad - Kick-Eez, Hiviz Xcoil or Limbsaver - to replace the factory pad as that will make a big difference in felt recoil.

January 3, 2014, 04:36 PM	#1
I'vebeenduped Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2013 Location: AZ Posts: 202	To brake or not to brake?.. That is my question! I have FINALLY saved enough to purchase my rifle. I want to get a Savage weather warrior, hinged floor-plate .30-06. I chose .30-06 for a few reasons, the largest two being availability of and price of ammunition. This will be my hunting rifle from coyote and whitetail to (hopefully) bear. This will also be my target rifle. I want the ability to fire a few boxes without getting beaten up as well as being able to reacquire the target after firing a bit more quickly. I realize the drawback is that it will be incredibly loud. Do you find that the muzzle brake reduces felt recoil significantly? Does it help that much with muzzle rise? Do you feel it is worth the investment? Lastly, I plan on getting this rifle cerakote'd (did I spell that correctly?), as I like the quality of stainless but I prefer a subdued finish. Is there a drawback to having this done over stainless? Will it be as durable? Can it even be done? Thank you, to all, who chose to reply. Heck, even to those of you that don't. I hope you are all having a wonderful new year. __________________ The natural state of man, the way G‑d created us, is to be happy. Look at children and you will see

January 3, 2014, 04:44 PM	#2
Roughedge Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2011 Location: Monroe,NC Posts: 669	If you go with a break take it to a smith and have him make one or fit one to your rifle. Nothing looks worse than someone just threading a barel and sticking a clunky break on the end of a nicely tapered barrel. __________________ The man that die's with the most stuff win's!

January 3, 2014, 06:48 PM	#4
mete Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: NY State Posts: 6,575	There has been a thread on another forum and they say brakes reduce felt recoil as much as 50 % !!. They were talking about HEAVY recoiling cartridges like the 600OK ! Making that cartridge shootable without injuring the shooter . Actual [physics ] recoil may me reduced by up to 25%. Part of the felt recoil reduction is reducing the muzzle rise. Yes shooters near you may not like brakes . __________________ And Watson , bring your revolver !

January 3, 2014, 07:19 PM	#5
Ruger480 Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2013 Location: Central Iowa Posts: 720	My two cents. Skip the muzzle break. Learn to shoot your gun and manage the recoil . I respect your choice of calibers, I bought the '06 for the same reasons (it really is the KING of call cartridges!). FYI, the 30-06 is considered to be on the upper end of recoil that the average shooter can handle. Now, if you really are concerned about it, pass on the 30-06 and pick up a 243. It's good for coyote all the way up to elk and black bear. Once youve mastered that, then look look at the '06. There's no point in getting a gun that will encourage you to developed poor shooting skills. Last edited by Ruger480; January 3, 2014 at 07:26 PM.

January 3, 2014, 07:26 PM	#6
Willie Lowman Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2009 Location: Uh-Hi-O Posts: 3,006	Muzzle breaks... Do they work? The good ones work very well. Are they obnoxious? They sure are. I'd rather shoot 40 rounds of '06 without a break than with one. Personal preference. __________________ "9mm has a very long history of being a pointy little bullet moving quickly" --Sevens

January 3, 2014, 05:15 PM	#3
AllenJ Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2009 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,766	Good muzzle brakes do reduce felt recoil and muzzle rise, and yes they are incredibly loud. But don't worry to much, as the shooter you won't have to put up with near the noise as those standing around you! Cerakote works on stainless, and it'll dull your finish in whatever color you choose. They have some good information and pictures on their website: http://www.cerakoteguncoatings.com/

January 4, 2014, 12:59 AM	#8
hoghunting Senior Member Join Date: March 27, 2006 Posts: 1,559	I would put a good recoil pad - Kick-Eez, Hiviz Xcoil or Limbsaver - to replace the factory pad as that will make a big difference in felt recoil.