Recoil, what recoil?

[Alex cooray]

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

 

[Alex cooray]

Recoil is ok if you learn how to ride the recoil with your shoulders and upper body.
It's a matter of technique. Don't try to fight the recoil simply ride it through ..

 

[MagnumManiac]

I have had only ONE rifle I did not enjoy shooting without a shooting pad, it was my CZ 550 Safari Classic in 505 Gibbs. As loaded with 3 rounds of 600gr Woodleigh it weighed 8.75lbs. Recoil was over 160lbs with the 600gr Woodleigh @ 2350fps. Even toning it down to 2100fps was painful without the shooting pad.
I never considered myself recoil sensitive, own 416's, 458's, 500's and really big cases like the 338-416 Rigby, RUM's & Cheytac etc.............this 505 put me on my butt, not literally, but I didn't like it one bit.
It's gone now.

I DO NOT own a rifle other than my 338-416 that wears a brake. Just don't see the need.

Cheers.

 

[mjkten]

I have an irrational desire to own a 300 magnum with no real purpose for it. My recoil limits were found shooting turkey loads from a Mossberg 500. Brutal for me, but I could be willing to shoot 3 rounds to pattern before a nice long mental health break. I look at Chuck Hawks page of recoil comparisons and want to try a 338 Win Mag, just for "fun." Childish maybe, but hey, there it is.

 

[HARPERC]

......It's called "perceived recoil"
....Now have 20 people shoot both rifles and give their honest opinion and we will see a trend of how people perceive the recoil of those 2 rifles--- that means more to me than 1 opinion on one personal rifle.....

Mostly words like "perceived" and "honest" are barriers to understanding the forces involved, measuring them when possible, viewing them in slow motion videos to visualize the process, and how best to mitigate them.

"big, heavy, loud, kicks too hard" are communicating an unpleasant experience, all which can be measured and quantified.

"Honest" when concerning wives and daughters is a thread all it's own.

 

[betolatinlu]

I have a .300 Wby . Mag. and I don't shoot it more than I have to in order to sight it in. This rifle has given three of my friends a magnum eyebrow so I respect it . Seems like factory rounds are loaded pretty hot 'cause they appear to kick more . Maybe I'll put a brake on it .

 

[Zymurgist]

I hope none of you guys end up with a detached retina.

 

[memtb]

I noticed that some folks think that bigger bore or heavy recoil rifles can't be shooters. I'm by no means a great shooter, but if I can't shoot sub moa at 300 yards...I'm having a bad day. Occasionally, I can get a 3 shot group under 2". This past fall I was checking the 300 yard zeros on my wife's .338 WM(box stock) and my .375 AI. I was only shooting 2 shots to verify and then adjust if necessary. My wife's rifle has never been a tack-driver, generally around 1.25 moa (3 shots) at 100 yards, my rifle generally a bit under an inch at 100 yards. Though, both seem to do a little better at 300. In the photo, the 2 shots to the left are from her rifle, the 2 to the right are from mine, after an adjustment. Not shown are my first 2 shots, just over 1" center to center. The shots shown were well under 1" center to center. Neither rifle are braked, and won't be!

So, bigger calibers in "sporter weight" rifles are fully capable of good accuracy....when the shooter does his/her part! memtb

 

[memtb]

Mostly words like "perceived" and "honest" are barriers to understanding the forces involved, measuring them when possible, viewing them in slow motion videos to visualize the process, and how best to mitigate them.

"big, heavy, loud, kicks too hard" are communicating an unpleasant experience, all which can be measured and quantified.

"Honest" when concerning wives and daughters is a thread all it's own.

I'll never tell my wife her rifle kicks, as she may believe me! Don't want to ruin a good thing! memtb

 

[memtb]

Recoil is ok if you learn how to ride the recoil with your shoulders and upper body.
It's a matter of technique. Don't try to fight the recoil simply ride it through ..

I've always concluded that a smaller or lighter shooter should handle recoil better, as they absorb less energy (ft/lbs recoil) before their body starts to "roll with the punch"! A larger, heavier person, must absorb much more energy before their body starts to move with recoil. "That's my story andI'm stick'n to it"! memtb

 

[Glen8338]

You can call me a sissy, but at 72 years young and a WBY Mark V Ultra Light in 300 WBY Mag. I need a brake and a recoil pad. With both this light weight rifle is a pleasure to shoot. No bruises on my eye or shoulder and no flinches! Every one to there own but I enjoy shooting not bragging about how much recoil I can handle.

 

[Gcan]

You don't have to shoot the "kickers" from the bench, excerpt for load work and proving your zero. They should be used in the field, replicating hunting situations. That's what coyotes, Jack rabbits, and prarrie "poodles" are for! It doesn't require hundreds of rounds fired, just some good honest field use! memtb

At some point you pretty much have two choices with anything from a .22 to a .577. You must either sight in the iron sights or scope, OR YOU CAN JUST USE THE FORCE. If you choose the former, sighting in pretty much requires that however reluctant, however much good and common sense you might have, tradition dictates you sight in from a bench. Or you could have your brother-in-law do it for you.

 

[Deleted member 107796]

You can call me a sissy, but at 72 years young and a WBY Mark V Ultra Light in 300 WBY Mag. I need a brake and a recoil pad. With both this light weight rifle is a pleasure to shoot. No bruises on my eye or shoulder and no flinches! Every one to there own but I enjoy shooting not bragging about how much recoil I can handle.

I haven't seen anyone bragging about that but instead, like you, effectively reducing felt recoil and having a high energy rifle that is a pleasure to shoot. Except for the elephant guys...

 

[Gerard Schultz]

The most discomfort that I ever suffered was with an original Holland & Holland 416 Rigby I worked on. It was more uncomfortable than a 460 Weatherby I built for a PH. I doubt that it kicked more than the 460 but it was ill fitting in the extreme and therein lies the rub. If a rifle is a bad fit and light for the caliber it is shooting, then the perceived recoil is uncomfortable.

A CheyTac M200 is a pussycat in comparison but it weighs 32lbs scoped.