Alan, I got this rifle so I could push 900 grain bullets to 2400 ft/sec. Why?, you ask, because it can be done. I will use solids next time. Some woodleighs, and a copper solid also. Some may call this punishment, I call it something to do.I have always liked shooting big bores. Power wise this gun was the next step. My 14.25 lb. 585 Wells Magnum shoots a 750 grain bullet at 2500 ft/sec. from a 24" barrel. It has no brake. So this is the next logical progression up for me. KennethI, the load I used was 165 grains of H4350. I guess there was a little twist without the brake. I did not really notice it much. I did notice the recoil was considerably more without the brake. My 600 does have a 26 1/2" barrel plus the x-brake on top of that.