Do you think a few shots while hunting from an oght six /would cause any hearing damage? I recently installed a muzzle break on my gun do to missing a freakin huge bull elk because I flinched. Now the gun has about as much recoil as a 22 long rifle. I love it, but I'm not going to hunt with ear muffs on! I guess I could invest in a game ear or something.

Yes...it will damage your hearing...

Just a single shot from a high powered rifle will damage your hearing. Even with out a muzzle brake installed.

Invest in some hearing protection that uses electronics to cancel out shot noise but will still allow you to hear normal sounds.

I hate shooting next to someone with a muzzle brake on their rifle and none of my rifles will ever wear one. If I can't handle the recoil then I may as well have never bought that gun.

A muzzle brake will dramatically increase the noise level to the shooter.A single shot with a braked riflewill usually cause your ears to ring if you aren't wearing hearing protection.I have been shooting for nearly 40 yearsand according to my annual hearing tests,my hearing is still normal.A friend of mineused to be able tosay the same right up to the point where he fired a single shot from a braked 300win mag.His ears rang for several hours and subsequent hearing tests have shown permanent damage to his hearing from that single shot.By the way,the noise from a braked rifle can also cause a flinch.

Right On!

One shot from a gun with a muzzle brake could ring your bell as bad as 50 shots without. My ears are ringing right now . . .

Consider one of the Caldwell Lead Sleds, or a similar product - you can sight in without pain, and won't feel the kick when hunting.

You got that right. And so can the massive muzzle blast from a brake. I have come to the conclusion that a brake can actually create a flinch much quicker and worse than a hard kick.


BTW, I suspect that your "flinch" when shooting at the elk had more to do with you having "freakin huge bull" feaver than the gun kicking.

Eh?What'd you say?...couldn't hear ya.J/K.I would get some kind of hearing protection,no matter what.Your hearing is worth the money.You shouldn't need to hear him if he's close.I mean it's an Elk they are huge you can see him 100yds away right?I wouldn't take a chance on losing my hearing.I think also your trigger may be a little stiff causing the flinch.A pachmayer pad will get rid of the kick also.My '06 doesn't kick near as much as it did before the pachmayer.My wife shoots it,and she doesn't flinch with a 150gr bullet.I could imagine what 180gr loads would kick like though.Assuming that's the size bullet you are using.Hope I helped.

My original response was predicated on the fact that I have gotten tired of repeatedly posting exactly the same thoughts Bigbulls has...

Thx for spelling it out for him Bigbulls..JC

It has been my experience that a brake is not any louder to the shooter than the same rifle without one . It is louder to a person who is on either side of the muzzle which would be the guy on either side of you at a shooting range. This is where they get their bad rep. I have one on my 300 mag and love it. I would venture to say all those who scorn them don't own one, and justpass on the standard BS about them being louder.