just got a Ruger 7mm Rem. Mag. (I think it is a '78 model) I was told by a friend that I should think about sending it off to get a muzzle break put on it in order to save my shoulder. is it worth it?

It will save your shoulder quite a bit, but make sure you get ear plugs.

Brakes are hazardous to your health. Hearing damage is cummulative and irreversable. When fired from a prone position, a braked rife will put a panhandle dust storm to shame. Also, I doubt that most experienced shooters will need a brake on a 7 mag. If you MUST have a brake to reduce recoil, go to a less powerful cartidge. I've removed the brakes from my .300 WM, .338 WM, and .375 H&H. I had the barrels cut back and re-crowned. The rifles even look better without the brake hanging off the end of the gun. Just my opinion.... others may disagree.

If ya just hunt with it a brake couldnt hurt, I just wouldnt want to shot it all day. To me less kick in most cases equals better accuracy. If I had a big gun .300 mag and up I would probably put a brake on it. I used to have a 7mag cheapo with a synthetic stock a it kicked like a mule. A good heavy gun should be just fine.

imo, rugers kick more than other rifles of the same caliber. my .270 kicks quite a bit compared to a model 70 or a 700.

brakes aren't that bad, you can get them know that deflect sound away from you. i guided a fellow that had a brake on a .257 weatherby and the noise wasn't any worse than a regular rifle

To me, the recoil is no big deal. I just use a bit of padding when I shoot at the range. When shooting at game, you won't even notice the recoil.

Most of yall agree with what I was thinking. I have shot a 7 Mag. before and it didn't seem that bad. so I didn't think that I needed a brake. but when I was told to get one I was thinking about shooting multiple rounds @ the range and it seemed necessary. I have never heard the "loud sound" that a muzzle break causes argument. but it makes sense. after the initial sighting in, I will be using it mainly about avg. 2-5 times a month on hogs/coyotes/deer. so after thinking about that, it seems wise to save my money on the brake and use it for another gun.

good call get something like a .257 or so thats my next gun

I had a Browning Stainless Stalker with the BOSS system once. It was a 7 mag and I had to wear ear plugs inside of my muffs when shooting it at the range. It was also a very long gun whith the Boss on the end of a 26 inch barrel and made it very cumbersome to manuver inside of a box blind. I sold it because of those reasons. The Boss did reduce the recoil and it was a very accurate rifle but I just couldn't warm up to it. I have other magnum calibers that are bedded in McMillan stocks with good recoil pads and they aren't bad to shoot, even at the range.
JMHO but I've had my one and only brake.

MC

i shot a browning synthetic in .300wsm, and the thing kicked like a mule. not painful persay but definatly not pleasant. scope kissed my eye twice, had to put it in a death hold to keep it from recoiling up so bad, which of course makes for bad accuracy.

on a light gun in a larger calibler, i am for muzzle brakes

thanks for the help guys. I think I have decided to hold off on the muzzle break for now.

I've got a 7mm Mag without a muzzle break and haven't really noticed the kick. Yeah my shoulder has been a little sore if I run through a box at that range, but that's about it. When hunting, I NEVER notice it.

I must say, I love that round and it's hard for me to pick up another rifle. I've never had to track anything shot with it yet.