Unlicensed Dremel
Moderator
I like all this kraig:
But feel like it's important to note, for those who may not know: Once you're done practicing with brake, and take brake off, before you go out to the hunting field, you have to take a few shots without brake to verify zero since the POI does usually change some. With that caveat, I agree wholeheartedly. We tend to forget how valuable and precious our hearing is - you've got to preserve it if you don't want a lot of grief throughout old age (do you want to be able to converse with your grandkids and great-grandkids?)
Oh, and if, instead of brake, you run with a lead sled type device to accomplish same (more pleasant, flinch-free practice), the exact same principle applies - the POI changes, so you always have to shoot a few off bags at the end of the range session, and adjust sights. Note that lead sleds put additional wear and tear on stocks, whereas brakes do not. The less weight you put on the sled, the better - put the least amount of weight on that is necessary to make it reasonably comfortable, so that the entire lead sled unit can move some, even if only 1/8th or 1/4th", to reduce stock wear and tear, and reduce POI change.
What I do know:
1: Brakes reduce Recoil
2: You don't notice recoil while hunting
3: To be proficient with any firearm you need to shoot it A LOT
4: I don't wear hearing protection while I hunt.
So taking those four points in consideration, I want a brake on my rifle (some of them) so I can practice a lot without dealing with recoil. At home or on the range I do wear ear protection so loud brakes don't bother me.
When I go hunting I do wear protection and I don't want the addition of the extra noise blasting my ears.
So I use the brake while shooting at home or at the range and I take it off when I'm hunting. You don't shoot that much when hunting and while shooting at game you don't even notice the recoil.
But feel like it's important to note, for those who may not know: Once you're done practicing with brake, and take brake off, before you go out to the hunting field, you have to take a few shots without brake to verify zero since the POI does usually change some. With that caveat, I agree wholeheartedly. We tend to forget how valuable and precious our hearing is - you've got to preserve it if you don't want a lot of grief throughout old age (do you want to be able to converse with your grandkids and great-grandkids?)
Oh, and if, instead of brake, you run with a lead sled type device to accomplish same (more pleasant, flinch-free practice), the exact same principle applies - the POI changes, so you always have to shoot a few off bags at the end of the range session, and adjust sights. Note that lead sleds put additional wear and tear on stocks, whereas brakes do not. The less weight you put on the sled, the better - put the least amount of weight on that is necessary to make it reasonably comfortable, so that the entire lead sled unit can move some, even if only 1/8th or 1/4th", to reduce stock wear and tear, and reduce POI change.