While hunting, I once had someone fire a .375 with a 20" barrel (no brake) 5 feet to the side of me where the muzzle was directly to the side of my head. It felt like there was blood leaking out of my ear from the concussion. It hurt a LOT! I can't imagine how bad it would have been if the rifle was braked. It took 6 months for my hearing to come back and the dull ache to fully disappear.

I may use a brake at the range, but for hunting, it comes off or it get sawed off and the barrel recrowned no matter how light the rifle nor how fierce the recoil. You won't feel the recoil when shooting at game in any event.