To muzzle brake my 308 or not, that is the question.

PF Flyer · Mar 7, 2020

Thanks to the good advice that I received on an earlier post regarding budget level bolt action .308s, I picked up a Ruger American Predator, 18 inches, with a threaded barrel. I'm a newbie when it comes to bolt actions and to 308s. I took it to an indoor range last weekend to sight it in, and I've got to say that one kicks back hard. I only had time to put 20 rounds through it.

I'm thinking, very early on, what are the pros and cons of putting a muzzle brake on it? I intend to use it for long range target practice but nothing competitive, eventually hunting. I'm no spring chicken, turned 60 in January -- but my youngest son just got into college -- stand 5 feet 8 inches tall and weigh 180, if any of that matters. I need to put many more rounds through it before deciding, but you all have always had good advice in the past. Thanks.

ohen cepel · Mar 7, 2020

Midway has linear brakes from Stoner for $15 now. I would look at that to reduce the blast some. Unless you get a real suppressor not much else will help.

CodeWarrior1241 · Mar 7, 2020

I put a little bastard brake on my 308 RPR 20". It's recoiling soft now, and isn't that much louder for me as the operator. Can't speak for ppl on either side of the line.

That said, indoors is gonna be loud brake or not.

Melnic · Mar 7, 2020

I put a brake on my Ruger 308 which I have for hunting and the recoil was reduced but boy was it loud and no way I’d hunt with a brake. Everyone should at least try it to see what they like.

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Maher1510 · Mar 7, 2020

I have a brake on my 308 savage stealth. I only bench rest shoot with it but decided to take it deer hunting this winter. Hunting in an open field, I shot, not thinking about using ear muffs because I never wear them hunting but I never hunted with a brake. Well one shot, both ears instantly started ringing and clogged. Right ear stopped ringing about 20 mins later. Been to the ear specialist 3 times since then and I lost hearing in my left ear and not getting it back. They do help with recoil a lot but they will make it incredibly loud. So whatever you do. If you get one. Get a good pair of ear canceling muffs.

davsco · Mar 7, 2020

good shooting form will mitigate some recoil. make sure the rifle is tight against your shoulder. also wear a winter jacket or several layers.

the downside to a brake is mostly noise. also, if you get a radial brake (holes all around - but generally cheaper and easier to install since you don't have to time it so that the ports are aligned properly) and shoot prone, it will kick up dust.

personally i think the advantages of a break (reduced recoil at your shoulders, and easier to get back on target) outweigh the disadvantages. esp if your barrel is already threaded, it's pretty easy to pop one on.

Dantheman · Mar 7, 2020

Try a slip on recoil pad first. I hear they actually work pretty well.

INMY01TA · Mar 8, 2020

Brake it

CurlyDave · Mar 8, 2020

davsco said:
good shooting form will mitigate some recoil. make sure the rifle is tight against your shoulder. also wear a winter jacket or several layers...

+1

The tighter it is against your shoulder, the less the felt recoil.

I have two .308s and neither one is a recoil monster. I am about your weight and height but 15 years older.

I would never hunt with a muzzle brake -- I value my hearing too much.

Pale Ryder · Mar 8, 2020

I would change the stock first from the cheap factory plastic to something along the Boyd’s line. Add a better (spongier)? recoil pad, as last resort a brake.
If you’re going to install a brake and shoot when it’s crowded, inform and apologize to your neighbor beforehand.

pcfixer · Mar 8, 2020

I have a LR-308 with a Miculek one from midwayusa.com

HRDWRK · Mar 8, 2020

Happy 308 day!

Robertjeter · Mar 8, 2020

I have one on my 6.5 CR. As the operator, it’s great. Good lord when I spot for someone else shooting it though.... feel bad for anyone next to ya indoors!

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lazarus · Mar 8, 2020

Melnic said:
I put a brake on my Ruger 308 which I have for hunting and the recoil was reduced but boy was it loud and no way I’d hunt with a brake. Everyone should at least try it to see what they like.

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Linear brake is the way to go if you’ll use it for hunting. Unless you have a health concern, you shouldn’t have issues with a .308 hunting. Everyone has different levels of tolerance for recoil. My .308 bolt gun I can shoot all day and it isn’t super light (8lbs 3oz with scope), but not heavy either. It’s about the limit of my recoil tolerance for prolonged shooting. Get up in to 300WM out of a similar weight rifle and I can shoot about 5 rounds and then I am
Happy to hand the rifle back to whomever owns it (a bit more shooting that than with a .30-06, but I’ll be honest if I am going to shoot more than about 10 rounds out of a 1903 and it’s steel butt plate I put a recoil pad on the rifle or my shoulder.

It has a 23” barrel and I’ve gotta say, I don’t think I’d go much shorter without hearing protection or something to direct the blast away like a linear compensator/linear brake. They really do make guns a lot more pleasant to be around. Not night and day difference, but noticeable.

I absolutely would not put a brake on a .308 or any barrel length unless ear pro was going to be used at all times. If recoil is a concern, then I think your best bet is a silencer, which is a win all around. Or get a second rifle in .308 and use one for hunting and one for distance shooting and put the brake on the range gun.

INMY01TA · Mar 8, 2020

lazarus said:
get a second rifle in .308 and use one for hunting and one for distance shooting and put the brake on the range gun.

Best advice in the whole thread. Any rifle that will do both will not be great at either task for many reasons.

GunBum · Mar 8, 2020

There are other options.

1 - different recoil pad. Better designs help on the shoulder, but not recoil coming up and punching you in the face.
2 - different stock. Both stock weight and stock design will change the felt recoil.
3 - mercury recoil reducer in current or new stock. Only adds a few ounces, but adds tons of felt recoil improvement.
4 - muzzle brake. Easiest option.

There are probably options no one mentioned. FWIW, I’d put on a decent brake. If I was worried about ears, i’d use a quiet muzzle brake (aka suppressor)

PF Flyer · Mar 8, 2020

The OP here

Once again, Maryland Shooters, thanks for the great advice!

I'm concerned about the noise issue with putting a brake on a .308 -- I very much value the importance of my hearing and the hearing of those around me.

I'm liking the ideas of recoil pads and ditching the cheap plastic OEM of the Ruger in favor of a Boyds setup.

I went with the Ruger Predator in part because I'm on a budget and in part because of the made in the USA Ruger's cold forged barrel and smooth trigger group. But now that I've put only 20 rounds through it, I hate the hollow plastic feel and sound of the stock. And with a scope on it, even though I hold it right and tight into my shoulder, I feel off balance because because so much of the weight is forward.

Mt Airy · Mar 8, 2020

First you need a heaver rifle !! Mine is 16 lbs and I have a brake .I can shoot it all day long with out or with the brake. I actually just re barreled and at that time I put a brake on it.

135sohc · Mar 8, 2020

A heavier/more solid stock and even a basic recoil pad can make a huge difference.

Stock/full weight Vz.24 I can shoot until the ammo runs out.

Heavily sporterized M1917 I can get about 15 shots and I'm done. Bruised and feeling it the next day.

alucard0822 · Mar 9, 2020

Not all brakes are the same, they basically balance recoil reduction vs side blast vs compensation. Where some have a aggressive ports, and work well to reduce recoil, you still get muzzle climb without comp ports on top and a ton of noise. Linear comps are probably the least effective at recoil reduction and compensation, but have the least noise to the shooter . I really like the Griffin hammer comp, I have a Griffin can, but even if I didn't need it as a mount, they have decent recoil reduction and compensation with just a hair more blast than an A2 flash hider. The 2A armament T3 is a similar design, a bit more downward compensation and a bit less recoil reduction compared the the Hammer comp.

To muzzle brake my 308 or not, that is the question.

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