Everybody hates recoil

Everybody hates recoil but most guys won’t admit it. I’m going to be perfectly honest - I hate recoil. There, I admit it - I’m weak. I’m not particularly hung up on magnum calibers but I do like to dispatch animals with authority. I don’t care what rifle you have, you will shoot it better if it recoils less. So the comment I’ve heard often - “if you need a muzzle brake, get a smaller cartridge” doesn’t really wash with me. Bottom line, the most important factor in killing power is SHOT PLACEMENT. I believe that a muzzle brake helps in that endeavor.

I know guides often do not like clients to use muzzle brakes - my thought - I’m paying you to guide me, the muzzle brake is for me…plug your ears for the one shot I’m going to take on this outrageously expensive guided hunt. You’ll thank me later when we’re not tracking this elk for the next 12 hours.

I admit, I’ve rang my own bell with the muzzle brakes I use but really, it was my fault - I should’ve been wearing hearing protection anyway. Think about it, you’re going to take one shot at a time at an animal. Maybe two if you mess it up. When you’re shooting at the range you’re wearing hearing protection (if you’re not, disregard all above).

Another complaint is muzzle blast. I will trade muzzle blast for less felt recoil and less muzzle jump, every day. It’s a personal choice; some people won’t ever use them and some people won’t shoot without them. It’s up to you, but try it before you knock it just because you think it will make you feel like less of a man to admit that you hate recoil too.