Could it have been the "magnum" of booze Thursday night, that caused Friday morning's headache? He he!
I reminded myself of why I don't like magnums.
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I've seen deer "ripped apart" from some magnum shooters lousy shot placement and multiple shots. A good hunter/shooter can easily make 300 yard killing shots from a quick rest with a .30-06 or .270 Win. It just takes practice and an accurate rifle/scope outfit. Quick resting points help, whether a tree trunk, a prone shot with the left elbow on the ground, or some other convenient steady rest, even a folding stool/chair.
I think that, for whatever reason, recoil just affects some shooters more than others. Have a good friend, with whom I shot competition for many years, that swore he could tell the difference in recoil between a 150 gr. SMK. and 168 gr. SMK .308 Win. loaded to very similar MV in his 13# target rifle. I'm sure he can, but I never noticed the difference between 168's and 190 gr. long range loads in my 30-06 of similar weight for whatever reason??
Shooting position and fit of stock have a huge influence on perceived recoil, as has been stated. Also, someone mentioned feeling the concussion from a magnum fired nearby at the range & that can have a very real affect on perceived "recoil". I have a Savage scout in .308 Win. that I could actually feel the concussion from the muzzle blast in my fillings. Surprisingly, that little rifle weighs in at a shade under 10# and, other than muzzle hop, there really is hardly any recoil, but that muzzle blast sure was distracting!
Muzzle brake was missing after that first range outing.
Prone doesn't work in the field down here, as the grass is usually tall enough to block view and all the thorns make concentration difficult
, but I've literally spent (cumulatively) months calling coyotes from a folding chair with sticks. Almost as steady as a bench.
It's also pretty hard to get close enough to a tree for support in the brush country (remember those thorns?), but a tall set of sticks solves that problem and they are very portable. They also come in very handy when wading through knee high grass to urge any unseen rattlers out of your path.
Good advice!
Regards,
hps
Shooting position and fit of stock have a huge influence on perceived recoil, as has been stated. Also, someone mentioned feeling the concussion from a magnum fired nearby at the range & that can have a very real affect on perceived "recoil". I have a Savage scout in .308 Win. that I could actually feel the concussion from the muzzle blast in my fillings. Surprisingly, that little rifle weighs in at a shade under 10# and, other than muzzle hop, there really is hardly any recoil, but that muzzle blast sure was distracting!
Muzzle brake was missing after that first range outing.Picher said:
Prone doesn't work in the field down here, as the grass is usually tall enough to block view and all the thorns make concentration difficult
, but I've literally spent (cumulatively) months calling coyotes from a folding chair with sticks. Almost as steady as a bench.
It's also pretty hard to get close enough to a tree for support in the brush country (remember those thorns?), but a tall set of sticks solves that problem and they are very portable. They also come in very handy when wading through knee high grass to urge any unseen rattlers out of your path.
jmr40 said:
Picher said:
Good advice!
Regards,
hps
cdb1
Member
I’m not huge on recoil, 30-06 is about my limit and that’s with rifles on the heavier side.
I go to shooting ranges rarely because I have my own land, for which I’m grateful. The last time I was at a range the gentleman to my left was using a bolt action with a shorter barrel, I’d say 20 inches. Don’t know what cartridge and didn’t ask but they looked noticeably larger than the .270 I was using. The rifle had a muzzle brake and every time he shot the blast felt uncomfortable to me and the noise hurt my ears. I left, that was around six years ago. So yeah I get what you’re saying. In retrospect I’m sure some of the reason I don’t care for recoil has nothing to do with actual recoil but with muzzle blast.
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Garandimal
member
If I can't kill it w/ a 150 gr. .270 WCF...?
1. Have failed as a hunter.
2. Should have brought the 9.3x62.
GR
1. Have failed as a hunter.
2. Should have brought the 9.3x62.
GR
I agree that a Magnum isn't necessary. A 260 Rem,6.5 cm, or 6.5x55 is about perfect for deer.
Also agree with HPS1. Grass is too tall for prone. And trees are surrounded by briars.
I hate shooting anywhere near someone with a muzzle brake. I understand that they need to zero their rifle with the brake functioning, but it's hell on bystanders and especially annoying to neighboring shooters who are trying to shoot small groups.
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When we were hunting woodchucks we normally shot offhand on any inside of 100 yards. One day, I spied a chuck standing on his mound, 200 yards away, but due to terrain, he wasn't visible, except when standing, and then only a little less than half of him was visible. Since it was my turn, I decided that I'd try him from where I was, because he'd probably go down if we approached any closer. I was using a .22-250 then and shot offhand with it a fair amount. I hit him squarely in the head as he was turned to my Right. It was one of my better shots, but not my best.
That is your brain telling you that, your body says something else and does not agree with the brain. The first symptom of old age is your body not agreeing with your brain. It is the opposite of when you were a virile young teenager. You may have had a good sensible head on your shoulders but when the blood got diverted to another head of your body common sense went out the window.
marksman13
Member
This Bergara Ridgeback in 300 Win Mag is tame as a kitten with it’s weight and Thunderbeast Ultra 9 suppressor. It was incredibly loud with just the TBAC brake, but recoil was not bad. Muzzle brakes and suppressors will game pretty much any rifle, at a cost.
I refuse to brake a hunting rifle. My hearing is already damaged.
That looks like a sweet rifle though.
marksman13
Member
There are plenty of devices out there that enhance hearing, but block loud noises like gunshots.
It's the miles not the years that get you.
I tried shooting it with a lead sled today. It definitely didn't improve my shooting. But my shoulder isn't sore.
Next week, I'm going to build a standing bench again. The old one died.
I've tried several and don't like them. The squirrels get inside my head.
I've resorted to rubber plugs on a string. If I hear something coming. I put them in.
It's a flawed method because every once in a while I get caught without time.
troy fairweather
Member
I've done most of my shooting off a fence post when we had the farm to shoot/hunt. You can get very comfortable, plus I'm big so most benches don't fit me well. I have used a rope hanging from a tree limb be for and works. I still like prown the best, but I have very bad back pain getting up after a few minutes.
Riomouse911
Member
I had to shoot 25 1 oz slugs and the same number of full-power 00 buck at rangemaster school while prone. Then 25 each kneeling...then 25 each standing...which followed at least 150 rounds of birdshot fired prior to. 
That got old REAL quick. And yes, I was bruised for days afterwards. Luckily my 870 has a 20" barrel, extended mag tube and a squishy recoil pad. Some of the others with the wood-stocked, 18" bead-sighted 4-shooters were really taking a beating
. The guys with the Benelli's (shooting full power loads) got off easier (A couple of guys from one agency were shooting low recoil loads in their Benelli's, they almost failed because they weren't cycling reliably.)
As was stated, you're taking all of the recoil prone. There's no real way to "roll with it."
As for the A-bolt, I agree that the original stock design was not great for the shoulder with belted magnums. I had a Medallion in .338 Win Mag that I bought right out of high school in 1985. It was one beautiful rifle, but it was one savage kicking SOB. One of the very few firearms that I've sold that I never, ever missed.
Stay safe.
That got old REAL quick. And yes, I was bruised for days afterwards. Luckily my 870 has a 20" barrel, extended mag tube and a squishy recoil pad. Some of the others with the wood-stocked, 18" bead-sighted 4-shooters were really taking a beating
. The guys with the Benelli's (shooting full power loads) got off easier (A couple of guys from one agency were shooting low recoil loads in their Benelli's, they almost failed because they weren't cycling reliably.)As was stated, you're taking all of the recoil prone. There's no real way to "roll with it."
As for the A-bolt, I agree that the original stock design was not great for the shoulder with belted magnums. I had a Medallion in .338 Win Mag that I bought right out of high school in 1985. It was one beautiful rifle, but it was one savage kicking SOB. One of the very few firearms that I've sold that I never, ever missed.
Stay safe.
troy fairweather
Member
My 7wsm Browning A-bolt is very mild I'd say like a 308. And it's not very heavy.
Offhand McFlan
Member
Call me a masochist, but... I used to shoot a 12ga all afternoon with friends. We'd end up with 5" bruises on our shooting shoulders and armpits...but I swear it was never actually noticeably painful, per se. We stopped when we ran out of ammo or it just got too dark. I've never shot a 7mmMag, but they say a 12ga recoil is worse. However, a high powered rifle has a percussion that gets into your bones and teeth. As I understand it its the percussion and frequency of the acoustics that is so punishing. Recently I took about 5 shots with a 9mm without protection, and I experienced something I never experienced before. The acoustic shock not only rattled my eardrum, it travelled down my eustachian tube into my neck and I had discomfort there near my jugular for like 10min afterwards.
There's a big difference between getting thumped on the shoulder and having a shock wave actually travel INTO your body and disrupt your anatomy.
There's a big difference between getting thumped on the shoulder and having a shock wave actually travel INTO your body and disrupt your anatomy.
That sounds like the worst time imaginable.I had to shoot 25 1 oz slugs and the same number of full-power 00 buck at rangemaster school while prone. Then 25 each kneeling...then 25 each standing...which followed at least 150 rounds of birdshot fired prior to.
That got old REAL quick. And yes, I was bruised for days afterwards. Luckily my 870 has a 20" barrel, extended mag tube and a squishy recoil pad. Some of the others with the wood-stocked, 18" bead-sighted 4-shooters were really taking a beating
As was stated, you're taking all of the recoil prone. There's no real way to "roll with it."
As for the A-bolt, I agree that the original stock design was not great for the shoulder with belted magnums. I had a Medallion in .338 Win Mag that I bought right out of high school in 1985. It was one beautiful rifle, but it was one savage kicking SOB. One of the very few firearms that I've sold that I never, ever missed.
Stay safe.
The good thing about this rifle is: Even though I was sore, there was no bruising.
Riomouse911
Member
I think it was more of a macho “who can take it” rather than serious training at that point. I’ll readily admit I was becoming Fred Flinchstone by the time we were done
. Stay safe.
WisBorn
Contributing Member
Nice post.
The most recoiling firearm that I have owned was a Mossberg 835 (unported) 3 1/2" turkey shotgun. It was brutal to shoot with 2 1/2 oz. loads.
My favorite rifle is my 7mm Rem Mag. More gun than I need, but finding reduced recoil loads being a good option. Best of both worlds- full power loads for wide open places and 7mm-08 power level for most of my hunting.
I have never gotten the point of putting a heavy magnum caliber in a lightweight stock. Easy to carry sure but at some point you've got to shoot it.
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