Do you need a muzzle break on a 700ml smokeless build?

[jlink83]

I am in the process of putting together a 700ml smokeless build, I see alot of the older builds dont have any muzzle devices. But others that I have talked to say they wouldn't be able to handle the recoil of the rifle without it. So I guess my question is if I am building at 45 cal rifle with plans to shoot 250-275gr bullets in the neighborhood of 2500-2600fps could you comfortably shoot this gun without a break? Or would I kill on both ends. I have a couple 45/70s that I load on the hotter side. Leaning toward possibly getting barrel threaded so I could easily add the break later. TIA

[BuckDoeHunter]

I shoot a 285 grain all copper bullet around 2650 fps. It’s a stout load but doable. My 700ML weighs around 11.5lbs. It wears a Boyd’s Pro Varmint stock which soaks up recoil very well. The stock is fitted with a Pachmayr recoil pad. I’m a smaller framed guy, and the older I get, I like the idea of a brake.

[jlink83]

thanks for the input, I'm a also of the smaller frame. My first deer rifle was a synthetic stocked savage in 270 that gun kicked me to the point I swore off all long action guns for 4/5 years. The more I think on it I'm starting to lean into the buy once cry once mentality.

[Deleted]

I thought about a muzzle brake for my 45 cal knight smokeless,but instead I bought a slip on recoil pad and noticed the difference right away.

[sw]

Are you opposed to saboted shooting? What is the maximum range you plan to shoot?

A 250 Fury, AcuMax, SST with 55-60 H/IMR shouldn’t/wasn’t bad. However, I prefer a 225g , higher BC bullet (40 cal) going 150-200’/sec faster. But, that’s just my preference.

[jlink83]

I am not opposed to shooting sabots. As for my max range I am losing most of the places were a shot over 300 is possible. Although with that said I would say my max range I would like to be capable of shooting is in the 300-400 yard range. Not looking to push this setup to the extreme. I was looking at an HS precision or Bell and Carlson stock but now am leaning back to the boyds with the upgraded recoil pad.

[dannoboone]

Good idea getting the barrel threaded. You can then fairly
easily install a brake later, if needed.

My 700ml conversion is a brute weighing in at 13.4# so that
takes up a bit of recoil. It also sports a Pro Varmint stock
with a Simms recoil pad. The stock pads that Boyds supplies
may as well be made of metal...ya really need to upgrade to
one of their options.

Recoil is doable with any bullet up to and including 275gr @
2800fps. I've tried 300gr bullets up to 2600fps but recoil is
too much for my 71 year old shoulders. Most 250gr bullets now
made for SML's are certainly good to 300+ yards without having
a recoil that will beat ya to death.

[lakeplainshunter]

I am not a fanboy of muzzlebrakes, but that is just me. I shoot 250 gr bullets at 2700 fps in a 10+ pound SML without any issues.