Spec ops Grunt
Member
Whats the comparison of recoil of a 30-30 and 30-06 using whitetail loads compared to a 20 gauge using 2.75 inch 7 and a half loads?
30-06 compared 30-30 compared to 20 Gauge recoil.
- Thread starter Spec ops Grunt
- Start date
- Status
loadedround
Member
20 gauge recoil
A 20 ga shotgun has a lot less recoil than either the 30-30 or 30-06. The 30-30 recoils a tad less then the 30-06. However because of the lighter weight and the stock design of the 30-30 it appears to kick more.
A 20 ga shotgun has a lot less recoil than either the 30-30 or 30-06. The 30-30 recoils a tad less then the 30-06. However because of the lighter weight and the stock design of the 30-30 it appears to kick more.
Deer Hunter
Member
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2005
- Messages
- 4,097
My 30-30 kicks much less than any 30-06 I've ever shot. The 30-30 will kick slightly more than the 20 gauge, but I can't tell much of a difference. Neither bother me.
mustanger98
Member
Which kind of recoil? Real or perceived? And in which weapons?
For perceived recoil, here's my perceptions. Keep in mind that I'm 6' tall and 200lbs. It'll vary for someone smaller vs. larger too, plus somebody my size and weight might also have more or less psychological tolerance for recoil as well. For real recoil, you'll have to pull the charts to see how bullet weight, powder charge weight, and the weight of the weapon effect the ft-lbs.
Example: (20guage) 870 youth express = no problem. H&R Topper Jr. = excruciating pain. Varies with and without a jacket on too. With the #7.5 shot, a 2.75" shell is obviously going to kick a lot less than a 3" magnum with the same shot size.
Example: (.30-06) M1 Garand = very nice to shoot. Lightweight sporter = a week at the chiropractor's. Wearing a jacket don't make much difference.
Example: (.30-30) '94 Winchester = very nice, light recoil. Marlin = light recoil. Savage 340 = no recoil. I've never noticed a difference between 150gr, 165gr, and 170gr jacketed hunting bullets. A 165gr LFP feels about like a .22LR in these rifles. Wearing a jacket don't make a difference here either.
For perceived recoil, here's my perceptions. Keep in mind that I'm 6' tall and 200lbs. It'll vary for someone smaller vs. larger too, plus somebody my size and weight might also have more or less psychological tolerance for recoil as well. For real recoil, you'll have to pull the charts to see how bullet weight, powder charge weight, and the weight of the weapon effect the ft-lbs.
Example: (20guage) 870 youth express = no problem. H&R Topper Jr. = excruciating pain. Varies with and without a jacket on too. With the #7.5 shot, a 2.75" shell is obviously going to kick a lot less than a 3" magnum with the same shot size.
Example: (.30-06) M1 Garand = very nice to shoot. Lightweight sporter = a week at the chiropractor's. Wearing a jacket don't make much difference.
Example: (.30-30) '94 Winchester = very nice, light recoil. Marlin = light recoil. Savage 340 = no recoil. I've never noticed a difference between 150gr, 165gr, and 170gr jacketed hunting bullets. A 165gr LFP feels about like a .22LR in these rifles. Wearing a jacket don't make a difference here either.
redneck2
Member
Ahh....don't know that I buy that. As above, depends a lot on gun weight, stock design, and particularly the type of recoil pad. I use an 870 with 3" Remington copper solids for deer, so I understand what recoil is all about.
I've shot some '06's that rock your world. Others, not so much.
The 20-gauge will also vary depending if the loads are trap or high brass field
I've got a Decelerator on my .45-70 and it's an easy shooter. Other guys tell me they're brutal
I've shot some '06's that rock your world. Others, not so much.
The 20-gauge will also vary depending if the loads are trap or high brass field
I've got a Decelerator on my .45-70 and it's an easy shooter. Other guys tell me they're brutal
Northslope Nimrod
Member
My Win '94 does not have a kick pad. My '06 does. I am always suprised at how much punch my 30-30 packs. It is less than the '06 but not a whole lot. Perhaps it is the metal butt plate.
What wgt shot load and what dram equivilent/velocity? A 20 ga 7/8 oz, 2 1/2dr load will recoil less then a 1 1/8oz, 2 3/4dr load. A rifle also has a faster recoil impulse, the gun raps one much sharper then a shotgun of equal wgt. I don`t know off hand the recoil figures but I`d venture the 20 ga with heavy loads has about half again the 30-30s recoil energy with 150 gr bullets, the `06 with same wgt bullets & rifle again about 1/2 more then the 20 ga.
Guy B. Meredith
Member
I strongly second the notion that the firearm makes all the difference. Shooting an Argentine Mauser converted to 30-06 gave me a flinch that I am still fighting. Muzzle blast from the short barrel cleaned out the adjacent lanes, the stock went for your cheekbone with a vengeance.
Fast forward, as they say, about 38 years to my buying a CMP Garand. I had heard it is a good shooter, but steeled my muscles in anticipation of the first shot. What a sweetie that Garand is in comparison! Ten rounds out of the Argentine was pure unadulterated torture. Eighty rounds out of the Garand is just a day at the range.
Really gotta specify when making comparisons.
Fast forward, as they say, about 38 years to my buying a CMP Garand. I had heard it is a good shooter, but steeled my muscles in anticipation of the first shot. What a sweetie that Garand is in comparison! Ten rounds out of the Argentine was pure unadulterated torture. Eighty rounds out of the Garand is just a day at the range.
Really gotta specify when making comparisons.
I used to get all caught up in weight of the gun, caliber, bullet weight, etc. when factoring if I wanted to own or fire a particular gun. I was very recoil shy. Then I learned that I was holding the gun wrong; after I figured out how to do it correctly, I've found that any of the mid-size calibers (.30 to .338) and below don't really recoil bad at all. Of course there are exceptions such as firing a 3.5" 12 gauge magnum out of a 5 lb gun. But for the most part, all firearms commonly used on this continent are easy to control.
Like the answers to alot of these questions---it depends!
In my experience, with a few different guns of all the choices (although only a couple 30-30s), in the TYPICAL gun they are used in:
30-06 will recoil the most, in the types of guns you usually see it in--sporter weight bolt actions. OTOH my buddies Garand, because of its weight and design, doesn't have much perceived recoil.
30-30, typically in a lever gun, much less perceived recoil than most 30-06s-- similar to "medium" load in the 20 gauge
20 gauge---I'm a big fan of the 20 for hunting purposes--With low brass birdshot loads, can be shot all day without discomfort--But put some slugs in there, and perceived recoil about doubles. And there's lots of loads in between...So my answer to your questions here would be that the 20 could feel somewhat less recoil than the 30-30, but could be as "stout" as the 30-06 depending in the loads used.
And as mentioned, gun fit, weight and type all play a factor here.
In my experience, with a few different guns of all the choices (although only a couple 30-30s), in the TYPICAL gun they are used in:
30-06 will recoil the most, in the types of guns you usually see it in--sporter weight bolt actions. OTOH my buddies Garand, because of its weight and design, doesn't have much perceived recoil.
30-30, typically in a lever gun, much less perceived recoil than most 30-06s-- similar to "medium" load in the 20 gauge
20 gauge---I'm a big fan of the 20 for hunting purposes--With low brass birdshot loads, can be shot all day without discomfort--But put some slugs in there, and perceived recoil about doubles. And there's lots of loads in between...So my answer to your questions here would be that the 20 could feel somewhat less recoil than the 30-30, but could be as "stout" as the 30-06 depending in the loads used.
And as mentioned, gun fit, weight and type all play a factor here.
macymarlin
Member
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2006
- Messages
- 12
This is an issue I've been very concerned about. I'm a novice shooter, but my hubby is being very pateint with me.
My first gun was a Marlin 30-30. The recoil on that one does not bother me at all.
I was shooting my 20 gauge Savage/Fox sxs yesterday (my favorite gun). That has a bit of a push, but not enough to do more than make me feel a bit sore (like over-use sore, not injured sore). My hubby loads light target loads for me, but the 20g has way more recoil than my 30-30.
I have shot my son's Tikka 30.06 once. Was more freaked out by the thought of the loud "bang" than the potential kick. I have game ear muffs, and they do a very good job.
I have learned that for me the concern about the bang is way more likely to make me flinch than the thought of the recoil. Once I got good ear protection (I don't trust ear plugs- worry they will "slip" at the wrong momment) I found I liked shooting way more.
I just got a Marlin MR-7 bolt action 30.06 but have not shot it yet. I really like the gun, and want to get good with it, but I am already a bit nervous about the recoil . . .
One of my problems is that people like to say "kicks like a mule". I've never been kicked by a mule, but I have been kicked by a horse (have three right now). I've never met a gun that kicks like a horse yet. That HURTS and can cut you up pretty bad. I know people who have hurt themselves with recoil - but it usually involves doing "stupid human tricks" and not holding the firearm correctly.
So far the gun I've shot with the most recoil was my hubby's 12 gauge 870 express.
I went about 40 years afraid to pull a trigger because I was afraid of recoil and the loud noise. Getting good hearing protection and learning that guns do NOT kick like horses made all the difference.
Cathy
My first gun was a Marlin 30-30. The recoil on that one does not bother me at all.
I was shooting my 20 gauge Savage/Fox sxs yesterday (my favorite gun). That has a bit of a push, but not enough to do more than make me feel a bit sore (like over-use sore, not injured sore). My hubby loads light target loads for me, but the 20g has way more recoil than my 30-30.
I have shot my son's Tikka 30.06 once. Was more freaked out by the thought of the loud "bang" than the potential kick. I have game ear muffs, and they do a very good job.
I have learned that for me the concern about the bang is way more likely to make me flinch than the thought of the recoil. Once I got good ear protection (I don't trust ear plugs- worry they will "slip" at the wrong momment) I found I liked shooting way more.
I just got a Marlin MR-7 bolt action 30.06 but have not shot it yet. I really like the gun, and want to get good with it, but I am already a bit nervous about the recoil . . .
One of my problems is that people like to say "kicks like a mule". I've never been kicked by a mule, but I have been kicked by a horse (have three right now). I've never met a gun that kicks like a horse yet. That HURTS and can cut you up pretty bad. I know people who have hurt themselves with recoil - but it usually involves doing "stupid human tricks" and not holding the firearm correctly.
So far the gun I've shot with the most recoil was my hubby's 12 gauge 870 express.
I went about 40 years afraid to pull a trigger because I was afraid of recoil and the loud noise. Getting good hearing protection and learning that guns do NOT kick like horses made all the difference.
Cathy
mustanger98
Member
Hey Cathy, Here's some of my thoughts and I hope they'll help.
The thing about hearing protection cutting down on perceived recoil is true. When I was a kid, I didn't have the ears on and a .30-30's muzzle blast really busted my nerves in a hurry... three rounds fired and I was done.
The "kicks like a mule" thing... I grew up in the South in a family with some pre-WW2 farming background and that's an expression I've always heard. (As a horse owner, I've been kicked by a horse once too and I was lucky in that it just rolled off and I wasn't hurt. If you want to get kicked, get between two horses. But a mule can out-kick and out-buck a horse of equal weight.) Those stupid tricks with a gun will get you- people don't realize the recoil can do as much long-term damage as getting shot, but in different ways. But, if somebody has an arthritic condition like I do, they have to be more picky about what they shoot on a regular basis. The way an individual with a disability may hold the gun may not be the "absolute proper" way according to others. Kinda reminds me of some guys who say "if you don't go prone and sling up, you can't shoot", but there's more than one way to do things.
I remember when I was 17 or 18, my Daddy picked up a 870 in 20guage. He and my sister shot it then and they both told me I shouldn't as I was in bad shape back then. A few years later, after rehab therapy and a couple of years lifting weights, I tried it out and didn't feel like it kicked. A couple of years ago, I tried a 12guage in an 870 and didn't feel like it kicked either. But there's the matters of my size/weight vs. your's and stock fit. I had the ears on with both 870's.
I was 15 before I shot a .30-30 the first time and like I said, the muzzle blast busted my nerves in a hurry. It was a few years after that before I shot high-power rifles again. About 4 years ago, I got into K98k and VZ-24 and 8mm... first few rounds I fired was that hot stuff the Turks loaded and it was stout recoil, but not un-shootable. Seems to me like your Marlin '06 oughta be pretty nice shooting. The great thing about a .30-06 is the handloads can be loaded lighter with 110gr SP's for varmints or heavy with 220gr SP's, or anything in between depending on what you're doing. You might start light with it and work your way up according to your comfort.
The thing about hearing protection cutting down on perceived recoil is true. When I was a kid, I didn't have the ears on and a .30-30's muzzle blast really busted my nerves in a hurry... three rounds fired and I was done.
The "kicks like a mule" thing... I grew up in the South in a family with some pre-WW2 farming background and that's an expression I've always heard. (As a horse owner, I've been kicked by a horse once too and I was lucky in that it just rolled off and I wasn't hurt. If you want to get kicked, get between two horses. But a mule can out-kick and out-buck a horse of equal weight.) Those stupid tricks with a gun will get you- people don't realize the recoil can do as much long-term damage as getting shot, but in different ways. But, if somebody has an arthritic condition like I do, they have to be more picky about what they shoot on a regular basis. The way an individual with a disability may hold the gun may not be the "absolute proper" way according to others. Kinda reminds me of some guys who say "if you don't go prone and sling up, you can't shoot", but there's more than one way to do things.
I remember when I was 17 or 18, my Daddy picked up a 870 in 20guage. He and my sister shot it then and they both told me I shouldn't as I was in bad shape back then. A few years later, after rehab therapy and a couple of years lifting weights, I tried it out and didn't feel like it kicked. A couple of years ago, I tried a 12guage in an 870 and didn't feel like it kicked either. But there's the matters of my size/weight vs. your's and stock fit. I had the ears on with both 870's.
I was 15 before I shot a .30-30 the first time and like I said, the muzzle blast busted my nerves in a hurry. It was a few years after that before I shot high-power rifles again. About 4 years ago, I got into K98k and VZ-24 and 8mm... first few rounds I fired was that hot stuff the Turks loaded and it was stout recoil, but not un-shootable. Seems to me like your Marlin '06 oughta be pretty nice shooting. The great thing about a .30-06 is the handloads can be loaded lighter with 110gr SP's for varmints or heavy with 220gr SP's, or anything in between depending on what you're doing. You might start light with it and work your way up according to your comfort.
Here is a thread I previously posted:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=15525
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=15525
mordechaianiliewicz
Member
You got a semi auto and it'll cut recoil. Because the .30-30 is a lever action thing, that'd probably have the most recoil
mustanger98
Member
My experience says that ain't true. Goes back to ft-lbs and stock fit. I don't notice a difference in felt recoil between my old '94 and my M1 Garand and the '94's the lighter rifle by at least 4lbs. even cosidering the Garand's gas operation.
Guy B. Meredith
Member
A big second on that hearing protection. The noise is a BIG factor.
I also agree with the comments on proper hold. When I got my 12 GA Mossberg Persuader I received hints that do help get through some practice with 00 buckshot and which I have transferred to shooting the Garand. Makes a difference, but I am not willing to test it on that stick of a stock on the Argentine Mauser.
I also agree with the comments on proper hold. When I got my 12 GA Mossberg Persuader I received hints that do help get through some practice with 00 buckshot and which I have transferred to shooting the Garand. Makes a difference, but I am not willing to test it on that stick of a stock on the Argentine Mauser.
U.S.SFC_RET
Member
Remington 742 handled OK with Manageable recoil because of the semiauto blowback function.
Springfield 03-A3 Kicks more but I can handle 10 or more rounds with little problem.
Ruger M77 Kicks like a real mule and shooting that mug gives a bruise after 8 rounds.
Model 94 30-30 is a sweetheart to shoot pretty darn near a plinker.
20 guage easy to shoot bird shot, never shot 00 buckshot.
Springfield 03-A3 Kicks more but I can handle 10 or more rounds with little problem.
Ruger M77 Kicks like a real mule and shooting that mug gives a bruise after 8 rounds.
Model 94 30-30 is a sweetheart to shoot pretty darn near a plinker.
20 guage easy to shoot bird shot, never shot 00 buckshot.
Guy B. Meredith....I have a 1912 Steyr built Mauser...originally chilean, then Israeli..converted by them to .308. It shoots great...And i'm not a recoil fan at all!! Can get quarter sized groups at 50 yds with ease with surplus nato ammo.......recoil isn't a big deal. Just curious.....was yours "sporterized"?? That could be your problem.Mine is still full military configured. Left it that way so the "weight" eats the recoil. It works...
Guy B. Meredith
Member
HanksterV,
Not sporterized per se, just rechambered. The military stock was one of the big issues--designed by a first order sadist. The muzzle blast from the short barrel was the other issue. I had thought it was a '98 Mauser action, but I've since seen mention of a carbine and that may be its actual origin.
I admired the action, but just could not live with the total package. Then I went out and took up shooting 12 GA slugs from a bolt action shotgun for target practice. Stage two flinch development.
Not sporterized per se, just rechambered. The military stock was one of the big issues--designed by a first order sadist. The muzzle blast from the short barrel was the other issue. I had thought it was a '98 Mauser action, but I've since seen mention of a carbine and that may be its actual origin.
I admired the action, but just could not live with the total package. Then I went out and took up shooting 12 GA slugs from a bolt action shotgun for target practice. Stage two flinch development.
neoimpaler
Member
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2006
- Messages
- 5
Ive shot all 3. Own all 3.
Ild say the 30-06 kicks the most, but I cant notice a difference in the recoil at all between a 30-30 and 20gauge.
The 30-06 might kick a bit more, but if youre looking to buy a good overall rifle for deer, bear, game bigger than deer...pretty much anything in north america, the little extra recoil that you might feel (assuming your adrenaline isnt pumping while youre taking the shot) while hunting is nothing. I never found it really all that noticable after the first shot while target shooting, and wearing ear plugs, which I think shuts out recoil alot as a "mind factor."
Ild say the 30-06 kicks the most, but I cant notice a difference in the recoil at all between a 30-30 and 20gauge.
The 30-06 might kick a bit more, but if youre looking to buy a good overall rifle for deer, bear, game bigger than deer...pretty much anything in north america, the little extra recoil that you might feel (assuming your adrenaline isnt pumping while youre taking the shot) while hunting is nothing. I never found it really all that noticable after the first shot while target shooting, and wearing ear plugs, which I think shuts out recoil alot as a "mind factor."
OP
OP
Spec ops Grunt
Member
Just wondering
How does .308 fit into all of this when it comes to recoil?
Also how expensive is .308 compared to .30-06?
How does .308 fit into all of this when it comes to recoil?
Also how expensive is .308 compared to .30-06?
Last edited:
- Status