[G26Raven]

I am making plans to buy a rifle specifically for elk hunting and other game larger than deer. I shoot 7mm-08 for deer hunting, but even though I know 7mm-08 can take an elk with a perfectly placed shot at a reasonable range, from what I have read, something more powerful is a more reliable, more humane way to go. I am looking at probably a 30-06 caliber rifle or similar with a muzzle brake to take the recoil down to a more tolerable level (I have rotator cuff issues).

My concern is, I have read that a muzzle brake can destroy a scope. Does anyone here have personal experience with this. I am not going to buy a cheap scope, think high end Vortex or Nightforce.

Any comments would be appreciated.

 

[DrahtDog]

There is no way you are destroying a nightforce by shooting a muzzle break on an 06. If you get one of the better nightforce they have been proven very durable on 50's and 338's by the military.

 

[dangerranger]

Even with a muzzle break a good scope wont be damaged . If I had a good shooting 7-08 I would not shy away from hunting elk with it. They are as light recoiling as a 7x57 mauser and will shoot up to a 195 grain bullet effectively.
I am admittedly a little old school but I am most familiar with Leopold and Weaver scopes. I have not seen one fail. The one rifle I have that will kill cheap scopes is a .22 cal pellet gun. It's spring action puts out a double recoil that does break scopes. DR

 

[mjadams61]

well think of it this way. Barretts .50cal has a muzzlebrake and I got to shoot one several years ago with a scope and no problems.

 

[HotGuns]

I've put a few hundred muzzle brakes on rifles and never had one bust a scope.

Also, if you are recoil sensitive, one of the best recoil reducing brakes on the market is the VAIS muzzle brake. It can reduce recoil up to 50% depending on the caliber. I've mounted a bunch of them and everyone loves it.

A friend of mine had two identical Ruger M-77's one was a .308 and the other a .300 Win Mag.
The .308 was his wife's, they both deer hunt.

We put a Vais brake on the .300 Mag and she shot it.

And claimed it. She said that it kicked less than her .308.That right there says a lot.

You can buy them online at Midway USA. Just make sure that you get the right diameter for your rifle barrel and have a competent machinist install it.

 

[103830]

I humanely took an elk with a 130 grain bullet out of a .270. I use my big bore rifles for punching paper.

 

[G26Raven]

Thanks to all for the feedback!

 

[dangerranger]

I've put a few hundred muzzle brakes on rifles and never had one bust a scope.

Also, if you are recoil sensitive, one of the best recoil reducing brakes on the market is the VAIS muzzle brake. It can reduce recoil up to 50% depending on the caliber. I've mounted a bunch of them and everyone loves it.

A friend of mine had two identical Ruger M-77's one was a .308 and the other a .300 Win Mag.
The .308 was his wife's, they both deer hunt.

We put a Vais brake on the .300 Mag and she shot it.

And claimed it. She said that it kicked less than her .308.That right there says a lot.

You can buy them online at Midway USA. Just make sure that you get the right diameter for your rifle barrel and have a competent machinist install it.

That's good to know. I gave up the 7mm Mag Because of shoulder problems. I now hunt with 6.5 , 7mm mauser and 30 30 . Where I live that hasn't been a handicap, I just need to get closer to make a good shot. But we will be moving to AZ soon and may have to rethink that if I'm hunting on more open ground. DR