Was a long time serious user of all the heaviest hitters/wildcats on Contender's, and up to a 10" 416 Rigby on the Encore (was already long out of the Encore game before the big S&W cartridges came along), and never used brakes (I actually hate them on any handgun, but all rifles as well except the 50BMG's).
IMO perceived recoil is a product of technique or lack of it... but good technique can reduce what is perceived by the shooter and turn beasts into pussy cats. The more real recoil one generates the more the scope and scope mounting requirements are. Bases that fit barrel contour extact, screws snug (but not necessarily torque wrenched or with thread lock), rings that get 100% contact on scope tubes (lapped or inserts) are minimums. Some need 6 screw steel bases, some 3 or 4 rings to save most scopes. But scopes that will take it as well better, with only a few noteables that will take the heaviest loads forever. Aluminum rings are easier on scopes than steel rings is a fact that JD proved out decades ago. And all getting periodic inspection, preferably right after each time they are shot a lot to be good to go for the next time. Nothing worse than going the time and expense to go shoot/hunt and have a failure crop up and ruin the trip.
Only scope I ever blew up was mounted exactly right. It was a Leupold on a 14" 375JDJ, and they are more a pussy cat than a beast. Didn't last very long from new, so probably an individual scope that was destined to fail sooner or later anyway. My all time favorite scopes for the biggest/baddest was the TPC's after someone finally talked me into buying a brand I would never have bought on my own. Long discontinued, but I had a bunch of them and nothing I had hurt any of them through countless thousands of hot loads shot on my biggest/baddest.
