Recoil, what recoil?

BoomFlop said:

Do you sell or manufacturer said recoil pad?

You are referring to rifles producing 35 lbs of recoil in a 9 pound rifle and telling everyone on this forum you are shooting under 1 MOA with these rifles? If you are, I give you props (as I'm NOT calling you a liar), but I would say that you are about .1% of the population.

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Hey, I'm an old, retired married guy with a tough wife! I'll take that card!
No, Limbsaver is one mfg of such said pad and no, I'm referring to a 6.4lb Tikka T3 in 338WM that easily shoots 1 MOA with 210 gn Barnes TTSX and Swift Scirocco loads.
I don't think I'm 0.1% of the population, just one that has found new items to tame recoil. That was the point of the post as well as to gather info from ya'll.

Great comments about the use of suppressors/brakes as well as those with shoulder issues. There is no easy way around rotator cuff issues that linger for a long time. Please note that I was specific about "up to the elephant guns and beyond!"

I shoot 200 grain partitions out of a 5.25 lb 325WSM, it has a bit of a wallop not bad, but I don't plink with it. Verify zero, few 1-2-300 yard shots, ready for season.

I "tamed" the recoil of my Remington 700 300WinMag. I stuck a Surefire SOCOM762-RC Suppressor on the end of the barrel. Very little kick now. And its quieter too.

I am going to agree with BoomFlop you are definitely in the minority.

WeiserBucks said:

So are suppressors

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This guy has it 110% right... recoil if managed appropriately doesn't bother me that much. It's the blast/concussion that has always gotten me. I dont shoot unsuppressed rifles anymore... it's uncivilized.

I don't enjoy shooting a heavy recoiling rifle, but there are a lot of factors that go into how recoil is perceived. In the filed, like many have already said, it's almost not noticed. There are too many other things to worry about, it just doesn't factor. From the bench, I always notice it.

My pack rifle weighs 8 lbs fully rigged and loaded, .30-06, it is very manageable from the bench. My last magnum was a .300 WSM, it punched like a prize fighter. I will say this, there is a VERY distinct difference in recoil between the short, fat, sharp shouldered cartridges and the longer tapered shoulder cartridges. The former are more of a punch or sharp rap, the latter are more of a push.

Personally I prefer the push...

Take my man card if you like. That's just my $.02

I won't shoot muzzle breaks because of the blast. I'd rather a stiff kick than be deaf. I carry and use ear protection, buy I can't stand the blast.

With my little browning ti, 3-9 scope I could shoot 1" groups. 300 yards in the tundra from a prone position keep them all in a small paper plate.

I bought a Kimber Montana and the TI atvthe same time in 325, went out one day and broke in the ti and sighted in the Kimber. I could feel it the next day, but I never feel it in the field.

I have a new 20" model 7 I'm thinking about have JES rebore into a 325 haha.

Here's my spin on recoil. Why does anyone take a big caliber gun out to the range to hunt paper targets in the first place, unless they're a closet masochist?? Take a 223 and punch holes all day long. Big bore is for hunting?? Sure. A couple of rounds to sight the gun in at the begining of the season, and maybe one or two rounds when they're zero'd in on something for the whole season. A 20 round box of ammo should last you for years. If a big bore is all you have it's time to go hunting for a small bore range rifle and a carton of bulk ammo... and go have fun...

CO_Guy said:

IMO, there should be few comments about recoil.
A came to that realization after doing a search on the 325WSM and noticed someone's comment about it kicking like bay mule, then making another comment about how the 338WM is so much better. I am not denying that recoil exists and shows itself in very light rifles but an effective recoil pad will effectively tame recoil for everything up to the elephant guns and beyond, provided you have a scope with enough eye relief. I keep the crosshairs on and let the thing jump. If you haven't tried the new generation recoil pads, they are game changers. I love to shoot my WSMs and a very light 338WM without flinching at all due to my Limbsavers and all are custom fit, 2 min installation. If any gun has an issue with recoil, it can be tamed easily. cheers

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I shoot a 4bore rifle and 8ga shot gun they have the kick it it also help win use a hyd but stock to

bigtuna431 said:

Here's my spin on recoil. Why does anyone take a big caliber gun out to the range to hunt paper targets in the first place, unless they're a closet masochist?? Take a 223 and punch holes all day long. Big bore is for hunting?? Sure. A couple of rounds to sight the gun in at the begining of the season, and maybe one or two rounds when they're zero'd in on something for the whole season. A 20 round box of ammo should last you for years. If a big bore is all you have it's time to go hunting for a small bore range rifle and a carton of bulk ammo... and go have fun...

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To really know and trust a rifle you must put it and you through the paces. The rifles I trust the most are the ones that I've shot the most. Trigger time is important but shooting a thousand rounds of 223 won't get you comfortable with a bigger magnum. The saying there is no replacement for displacement is so true in this case pun intended.

CO_Guy said:

Hey, I'm an old, retired married guy with a tough wife! I'll take that card!
No, Limbsaver is one mfg of such said pad and no, I'm referring to a 6.4lb Tikka T3 in 338WM that easily shoots 1 MOA with 210 gn Barnes TTSX and Swift Scirocco loads.
I don't think I'm 0.1% of the population, just one that has found new items to tame recoil. That was the point of the post as well as to gather info from ya'll.

Great comments about the use of suppressors/brakes as well as those with shoulder issues. There is no easy way around rotator cuff issues that linger for a long time. Please note that I was specific about "up to the elephant guns and beyond!"

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Glad to see this discussion. I don't feel as much like a wuss, even though I'll be 70 in less than 3 years. Most of what I used for years was the 5.56/223 in training. It certainly spoils you. I was much older when I tried the .308 in a Varmint Special, not quite a year after shoulder surgery on bad rotator cuff issues, unfortunately. A little over a year ago I bought a 6.5CM and it's much easier on my shoulder. I've even gone to a 20 ga for home defense.

Axl said:

I have a TC Encore in 416 Rigby with a break. with 50lb of lead on the sled it still is not tame!

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I'm not sure about your Encore but, my Winchester M70 Safari in 416 Rem Mag (ballistical twin of the 416 Rigby), with Barnes Vor-TX Safari 400gr TSXF recoil is not bad to me. The rifle is stock, with no muzzle brake, and has only a 1/4" solid rubber recoil pad. I have shot 60 rounds in a day off the bench, with another 40 rounds freehand, my wallet limit, on multiple occasions. I am 6'-0" and do weigh 230 lbs, maybe that helps more than I know. I've never been very recoil sensitive even shooting 350gr loads in a 378 Weatherby Mag or 500gr from a 458 Win Mag. I've only ever shot the full-house 400gr factory Barnes in the 416 Rem Mag M70 as they shoot incredibly well. As for how well, I'll address that in a minute...

I can remember prepping for my African hunts back in the early 80's. My rifles were an 8.5# 375H&H Whitworth Express and a H&H Double 500/450NE at 10.5#. No brakes and solid red rubber recoil pads. Having shot 30-06 and 270 Win sporters, I put a 100-200 handloads through each with the goal of mastering each rifle for a year before my first trip. I started with reduced loads and worked my way up to full power. Interestingly, I did adjust to both rifles nicely, being able to shoot them just as well as my sporters. I will say that the only big bore that I was never able to master the recoil was a Ruger Safari grade in 416 Rigby. It was exceptionally accurate but the recoil was BRUTAL!!!!!! I will say that the low pressure cigar sized express rounds shot from a well designed English double rifle seem to recoil no worse then a 12ga pheasant load with a push rather then a sharp kick.... but delivers 5000ft/pounds from its 480gr bullet.

CO_Guy said:

IMO, there should be few comments about recoil.
A came to that realization after doing a search on the 325WSM and noticed someone's comment about it kicking like bay mule, then making another comment about how the 338WM is so much better. I am not denying that recoil exists and shows itself in very light rifles but an effective recoil pad will effectively tame recoil for everything up to the elephant guns and beyond, provided you have a scope with enough eye relief. I keep the crosshairs on and let the thing jump. If you haven't tried the new generation recoil pads, they are game changers. I love to shoot my WSMs and a very light 338WM without flinching at all due to my Limbsavers and all are custom fit, 2 min installation. If any gun has an issue with recoil, it can be tamed easily. cheers

Click to expand...

i like to use the lead sled when sighting in my magnums because of the recoil , while hunting the recoil doesnt bother me !