For a few months while waiting for my current job, I worked for a major muzzle brake company installing them and testing them.

I recall my very first day at work. The Guy who did all the final testing went on vacation and I had to do his job. I walked up to the gun rack and there were probably 20 375 Weatherly’s sitting there all muzzlebraked up and ready to shot. I cringed.

I had to fire 5 rounds through each gun. I was wondering if I would be able to lift my arm and speak coherently enough to dial 911 to summon the paramedics after those 100 rounds. That was my introduction to muzzle brakes. During my 3 or 4 months there I got to shoot all kinds of brakes, on all kinds of large and small caliber rifles... I learned a lot about muzzle brakes and porting rifles. Here are some of my observations.

First and foremost protect your ears

Muzzle brakes work.

Normally muzzle brakes do not affect accuracy. Normally! But verify.

Muzzle brakes don't always affect POI. Sometime it does sometime it doesn't. Bunch of theories and they weren't explored while I was there.

Recoil Reducers and muzzle brakes all work to reduce recoil. Muzzle brakes work the best. Magna port only marginally reduces recoil, it drastically reduces Muzzle flip.

Muzzle brakes with holes pointed forward are less effective than muzzle brakes with holes pointed backward.

Muzzle brakes with holes pointed backwards, towards the shooter seem to blow hot gas and debris back at the shooter. If you insist on shooting these ALWAYS wear secure eye protection. Nomex face mask might no hurt either

Recoil reducers work but not as well as muzzle brakes, but they add weight to rifle. No big deal on the range but 8 miles up the mountain side you are going to know you have a recoil reducer

Big holes, little holes, lots of holes, few holes didn't seem to make a difference.

So that all said you now think that I think that Muzzle brakes are the answer and you all should run out and get muzzle brakes installed...nope.

I only have two Muzzlebraked firearms; a rifle the company gave me when I left them and a 12 gauge shotgun that we used to experiment with shotgun muzzle brakes. I feel no need to equip my other guns with a muzzle brake. Well that's not entirely true.

What do I suggest?

The best thing to do is to condition yourself. Shoot your gun and shoot it a lot. If you can't master it don't shoot it.

If you still insist on shooting your big beater or the game you are hunting requires the big beaters, then consider braking.

I would start with Magnaporting. What, didn't I say Magna porting doesn't work!! Nope I didn't say that, I said Magna port is marginal in reducing recoil and drastically reduces muzzle flip. Reducing muzzle flip may be all you need to do. Reducing flip will cut down on the effect of felt recoil. That may be enough.

If it isn't enough and carrying the rifle for a distance isn't going to be a factor add the recoil reducers. If carrying is a factor install a muzzle brake.

I do have a perfect use for the muzzle brake. YES!!!

You should own at least one heavy varmint rifle with a muzzle brake. Why? Well there is no better way to see the red mist effect of a hit on a prairie dog!