Caliber Recoil Data

[kumathebear]

Been researching recoil for potential new semi-auto's and found this:

http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm

Now, real world of what is manageable recoil? Lot's of factors obviously come into play starting with who the "shooter" is, physical limitations, so just continuing the discussion of a new rifle to someday add to the safe.

[lodgepole]

I'm about 7mm mag level. Anything more and it hurts. But I have a bad shoulder too.

[Daniel75]

.30-06 is my limit

[TxAg]

I ised that chart as part of my decision to buy my 7mm-08 recently

[Mako]

Chuck has some great articles, and this is another helpful one...but there are variables to consider. The weight of the rifle and neck of the cartridge makes the biggest recoil difference to me. I have a light stainless .300 wsm custom that shoots 150gr at 3300fps, it has pretty solid recoil, but manageable. I have a 6.5x284 that shoots 140gr at 3100 and has a longer case and neck, and weighs about #3 more than the other rifle, and I let my young cousins shoot that rifle, very little recoil.

The most uncomfortable rifle I have used is a .416 Rigby. The round itself coupled with a #8 bolt rifle makes for relatively heavy recoil. It's not uncomfortable to shoot, but you don't look forward to sitting at the bench and putting a few on paper. I also have a double 470NE shooting 500gr ammo. The chart shows that this rifle has very large recoil, but I find it's significantly more comfortable to shoot than the 416. The double 470 weighs almost #13.

I now lean more towards a heavy larger caliber rifle for kids and women to shoot, instead of the more common lighter youth models. I feel that a #10 308 kicks less than a youth model .243. Anyway, it's a neat article and definitely points the reader in the right direction.

[Brute Killer]

Chuck Hawks has lots of good stuff.

[kumathebear]

Mako, great points and I have read much of the same by several different authors, you are right on! Like Lodgepole both of my shoulders are old and bruised, reason I had to give up the bow. The major reason I have been researching is I am saving for ONE more "special" rifle in a caliber I have never owned. Looking very seriously at the 6.5, 6.8 in either a AR platform (what my military son wants me to get,) or bolt action in a Ruger, which I prefer brand wise in the Predator-Hawkeye models.

The "closest" I get to a 30-06 or even 270 anymore is looking at the one's my son's have these days, lol! I'm by NO means a "sissy," but age and injury has caught up with me, thus my search for this "last one."

[hoythitman]

Handy chart, I'm a big ol boy and I hate recoil. lol. I like to stay under 20# if possible. I'm a big fan on 308, 7-08, 260, things like that. If I get a mag it will be suppressed to keep the punch to a minimum.

[Drycreek3189]

Handy chart, I'm a big ol boy and I hate recoil. lol. I like to stay under 20# if possible. I'm a big fan on 308, 7-08, 260, things like that. If I get a mag it will be suppressed to keep the punch to a minimum.

Agree. And it's a nice plus when you don't lose the whole sight picture as soon as you finish the trigger squeeze.

[WTJim]

6.5 Grendel has very little recoil and is a flat out killer in the field

[TacticalCowboy]

Really depends on the rifle. In some, a .308 is harsh. Others, hot 45-70 isn't bad.

[kumathebear]

Yep

6.5 Grendel has very little recoil and is a flat out killer in the field

Again...the "boy's and I" are leaning this way. Should be a great discussion on Christmas Day when the ladies are discussing whatever the ladies discuss. We will be on one of the porches smoking cigars and talking hunting/sniping/guns! I'm already laughing anticipating the GO AR vs GO BOLT!

[Killer]

Mako said it; the weight of the rifle is everything in felt recoil on a the shoulder!

[LWD]

People think I'm nuts for shooting my .375H&H a lot. But with scope it weighs about 11 pounds. At that weight, recoil is not much more than my .30-06 and decidedly less than a friend's .300 Weatherby. Gun fit affects perceived recoil greatly.

LWD

[kumathebear]

Lol

Mako said it; the weight of the rifle is everything in felt recoil on a the shoulder!

My lady and I today went into a local Pawn shop in Granbury, just to look and relax on one of my rare days off. They had a Howa 22.250, laminate, bipod, hog light, 50mm scope "half way down the barrel which was a heavy bull," for $700. It was SO blasted heavy, of course would not matter on recoil with the 22-250, but a BEAUTIFUL rifle in pristine condition!

I was counting my "pennies" when Susan grabbed my arm and said it's lunch time, lol!!