Recoil: 6.5 Swede vs. 7mm-08 vs. .260

[tbige]

Bear with me: I tore a retina about a year ago and there's still some negative sensitivity in the eye to more than gentle contact, despite very high-priced medical opinion it's good to shoot with.

I don't want to push the eye so I'm considering the above calibers and would like very much your opinions on felt recoil among them -- especially compared to a .243 bolt gun which I already have -- despite the many variables that go into the recoil experience.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[liliysdad]

The 6.5 and the .260 should be near identical..they are twins for all intents and purposes...that being said, my bubba-ized 96 Swede with a 17"bbl and a Bell&Carlson synthetic stock kicks very, very mildly, no matter what the load.

 

[MLC]

I have a 6.5x55 CZ 550 American that came with a factory rubber buttpad.
I've lit off very hot loads under 140 grain bullets with no unpleasant recoil whatsoever. Not even comparible in recoil to my 308 Rem. 700LTR with 168 grain bullets. I wouldn't heasitate to let a first time shooter shoot the 6.5x55.

 

[Beetle Bailey]

Of the calibers you mentioned, I have only shoot the 6.5x55 Swede (BTW, recoil is mild IMHO) so can't give you any kind of comparison. However, if you have a torn retina, I would suggest that whatever caliber you choose, try a shooting jacket as well as recoil pad. I don't know how much shock can get from your shoulder all the way up your neck and to your eye, but I'm sure you know how important your vision is. Good luck.

 

[The_Antibubba]

My first centerfire rifle was a Swede, and recoil is quite light.

Are you hunting, and must have something in this caliber range? Because if this is for the range, stick with a .22. If you do go hunting, make sure you wear good shooting goggles at all times, not just when shooting, to keep foreign objects out. I know how painful an eye injury can be.

 

[Jaywalker]

Rifle weight, stock shape, and butt width all play a role, but with all other things being equal, physics says the .260 and 6.5X55 will recoil less. They launch the same weight bullet to lower velocities with less powder, creating less impulse. Maximize the rifle weight and barrel length with a CZ or a Sako in 6.5X55, shoot American standard factory loads (or downloaded handloads) and you'll have the lightest-kicking rifle north of the .243 and .257.

Jaywalker

 

[harrydog]

This chart may be helpful, although keep in mind the rifles vary in weight so it's not an apples to apples comparison.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm