I shoot a lot of load development and targets with my .308. After a day at the range and 100 rounds even a .308 can be uncomfortable.
I installed a Witt Machine clamp on muzzle brake on my 24" barreled .308 three things happened. First was a huge reduction of felt recoil. Second, due to the design of the Witt Machine Brake, muzzle jump and "bipod bounce" is not gone. Even with my heaviest bullets and stoutest loads I can keep the target in my scope view throughout the recoil.
The Witt Machine clamp on is a good looking unit when installed (a shark gill design with flat top and bottom) which not only manages the recoil and muzzle jump, on my rifle it's acted like a Barrel Tuner. Even my best groups shrunk by a very noticeable amount and when doing load development I find that the "accuracy nodes" are a lot wider. When I hit the mark on a charge weight it performs the same day after day in a wide variation of ambient conditions.
As for weight? It's a matter of "ounces". While it IS a Clamp On, you'd be surprised at how well designed it is and also how well it fits. Unlike some (the Kahntrol units), it is machined to the barrel dimensions YOU provide from YOUR rifle. Mine fit like a glove and when checked with a rod, it lines up perfectly with the bore. The clamping screws are on the bottom and are barely noticeable.
Yes, it is louder to the sides. But that's what ear protection is for.
Even if you order it with Cerrokote finish the cost is right at the $100 mark.