To brake or not to brake...

[Pdvdh]

Brake on all of them. You need ear plugs anyhow. You'll shoot better with less recoil.

 

[ATH]

Unless you're shooting suppressed, plugs are necessary. Why not mitigate recoil and shoot more accurately? I'm a fan of brakes.

The truth is anyone shooting a highpower rifle should always use hearing protection. However if you were to take an honest account of what happens in the field, you would find that a majority of the shots taken on game do not use hearing protection. Fact is cheaper versions (plugs) are not practical for most hunting situations, and modern electronic versions are not affordable for most hunters. A long range hunting forum is biased towards those who can afford $200+ solutions to hearing protection.

A year ago I had to make a rushed shot on an elk with my 338 Edge, earlier than expected, my hearing protection was still in my pack and it was shoot now or pass. I shot, Edge had a Heathen brake on it, I'm not sorry I took the shot but I really didn't like absorbing that abuse on my hearing. Subsequently I bought SoundGear and so my bar for having a brake on a rifle has changed substantially. I just got back from a WY hunt and we were in the field 4 days and I didn't wear out the first set of batteries, wearing them all the time in the field.

But if you can't afford SoundGear and are limited to more rudimentary options, a brake may only exacerbate your problems.

 

[rhouser]

I was at the point of giving up my 300 RUM. I put on a muscle brake and now the recoil is gone. I love my RUM now. I use amplified electronic muffs when hunting anyway. They help overcome my hearing loss.

v/r rch

 

[Pdvdh]

It's easy to use plugs for LRH. Plenty of time to insert the foam plugs when the animal is 600+yds off. The only time plugs are a nuisance is hunting animals at close range in woods and brush.
Then the answer is electronic muffs. If you can't come up with $120 to purchase some Peltor electronic ear muff hearing protection, then you probably can't afford to hunt, unless you don't mind losing your hearing and listening to the nonstop high pitched whining of tinnitus.

 

[WildRose]

The truth is anyone shooting a highpower rifle should always use hearing protection. However if you were to take an honest account of what happens in the field, you would find that a majority of the shots taken on game do not use hearing protection. Fact is cheaper versions (plugs) are not practical for most hunting situations, and modern electronic versions are not affordable for most hunters. A long range hunting forum is biased towards those who can afford $200+ solutions to hearing protection.

A year ago I had to make a rushed shot on an elk with my 338 Edge, earlier than expected, my hearing protection was still in my pack and it was shoot now or pass. I shot, Edge had a Heathen brake on it, I'm not sorry I took the shot but I really didn't like absorbing that abuse on my hearing. Subsequently I bought SoundGear and so my bar for having a brake on a rifle has changed substantially. I just got back from a WY hunt and we were in the field 4 days and I didn't wear out the first set of batteries, wearing them all the time in the field.

But if you can't afford SoundGear and are limited to more rudimentary options, a brake may only exacerbate your problems.

Sorry but so much of this just isn't true especially the bolded.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Radians-Do...830774&hash=item41a3625222:g:9EkAAOSwFqJWnqXJ

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_oa...ItemCondition=4&rt=nc&_udlo=0.00&_udhi=150.00

A smart guy who'll take the time to shop wisely can get very good hearing protection for far less than 200.00. When you live on a tight budget you just have to learn a little creativity.

 

[Hand Skills]

With the electronic ear protection available there's no reason to not use it whether ur hunting braked or unbraked
I put brakes on most everything, even my 22lr has one lol

I'm pretty diligent with the PPE. I have a good understanding of audiology too. The reality is, even without a muzzle brake, unless I'm using really good hearing protection, I'm still doing damage.

Muffs are not ideal, it's easy to break the seal - a little contact on the rifle stock, the arms of my safety glasses, maybe a hat (Touque or beanie). Just because a muff is rated at -29dB doesn't guarantee -29dB of sound reduction.

Over the years I've tried just about everything. From foamies to custom moulded ear plugs, from in ear monitors to electronic muffs.

I don't like wearing plugs and muffs, and quite simply that's the only way I feel safe shooting a braked rifle.

I know a lot of old guys with hearing problems. While technology has come a long way in the last 10yrs, hearing aids are not something I look forward to relying on.

One thing you didn't mention @Canhunter35 are those nifty sound redirectors you use - going to try one on my next build and see if I can get the best of both worlds!

 

[Cuz]

Personally I quit using brakes several years ago. Can't stand the noise and blast. Nowadays nearly everything I shoot is suppressed. A good suppressor will tame recoil and save your hearing.

 

[Hand Skills]

Wish they were legal here in Canada...

 

[Pdvdh]

Nowadays nearly everything I shoot is suppressed. A good suppressor will tame recoil and save your hearing.

They'll tame your wallet also.
If my hunting wasn't 100% backpacking, I'd maybe go that route. It's easier to pack foam ear plugs than a suppressor. Much cheaper too.
I've considered one for my AR. But that's for blasting. Not backpacking. No problems there.

 

[Pdvdh]

I'm pretty diligent with the PPE.

I don't like wearing plugs and muffs, and quite simply that's the only way I feel safe shooting a braked rifle.

I double up on foam plugs and muffs. The muffs are either electronic or plain-Jane 3M's best, depending on whether or not I need to hear what's going on around me.

Haven't thought of a good reason not to double up yet during practice, load development, and checking zero.

When backpack hunting, I'll compromise down to the foam plugs only. But that's only one shot, if I do my part. Not lots of shots fired with only foam plugs.

 

[WildRose]

I double up on foam plugs and muffs. The muffs are either electronic or plain-Jane 3M's best, depending on whether or not I need to hear what's going on around me.

Haven't thought of a good reason not to double up yet during practice, load development, and checking zero.

When backpack hunting, I'll compromise down to the foam plugs only. But that's only one shot, if I do my part. Not lots of shots fired with only foam plugs.

You should give the custom molded jobs I linked to above a try. They beat the heck out of the foam.

 

[FEENIX]

Personally I quit using brakes several years ago. Can't stand the noise and blast. Nowadays nearly everything I shoot is suppressed. A good suppressor will tame recoil and save your hearing.

With the exception of the additional weight, I too am enjoying mine.

 

[Pdvdh]

You should give the custom molded jobs I linked to above a try. They beat the heck out of the foam.

I have a set like that too. They do work well.
After I learned that the yellow foam plugs were to be completely inserted into the ear canal, I've found that they work very good too.

 

[WildRose]

I have a set like that too. They do work well.
After I learned that the yellow foam plugs were to be completely inserted into the ear canal, I've found that they work very good too.

Personally I hate them, to me they are uncomfortable and of course they always manage to work their way out when I least want them to.

At least half my hearing loss today is due to using them while I was in the service.