I love my Marlin 336C. Aquiring a target is intuitive regardless of the distance for me and I can shoot it all day long and feel nothing but joy (as well as sympathy for my bank account). There is nothing wrong with it but that doesn't stop me from desiring a bit more power from a rifle. A 30-06 or 12 guage is the upper limit in recoil for me, only being able to fire a handful of rounds before my shoulder becomes sore. .308 in my Ruger Gunsite isn't bad. After a handful of 10 round mags it gets tiring. So I have been looking for something that fills that gap between .308 and 30-30 recoil and power wise in a handy rifle. A mini-thirty? A Marlin 1895 in 45-70 (I have no experience with the caliber)? Is there another caliber or platform that might fit what I am looking for? Should I just be happy with what works so well for me already? Open sights are a must and any shooting done would be within a hundred yards.
Less recoil than .308 but more power than 30-30
- Thread starter rglong81
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farmerboy78
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- Jan 19, 2010
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I'd say, get a good absorbing recoil pad for your .308... it will be hard to get in between those 2...
Bobson
Member
What are you using the rifle for?
Just a general purpose rifle for truck/farm use. Coyotes, deer, plinking, self defense if necessary.
That's another good question. I have never been deer hunting anywhere I could actually use a rifle. What are some places in Minnesota that allow it?
That's another good question. I have never been deer hunting anywhere I could actually use a rifle. What are some places in Minnesota that allow it?
I'd love to get my hands on a LWRC Six8 but I've spent a lot of money on $2,000+ guns and found a lot of disappointment. 6.8 seems like a very nice cartridge. It makes me sad that Ruger gave up on it in their mini line and didn't engineer the 6.8 spc II.
I will definitely check out the 35 Remington though. Thank you. I really like the idea of keeping the same platform too.
I will definitely check out the 35 Remington though. Thank you. I really like the idea of keeping the same platform too.
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A mini-30 is actually a slight, albeit it small, step down from the 30-30, and a 45-70 isn't a contender due to the recoil. I second simply adding a recoil pad to the .308. or possibly seeking out some "reduced recoil" loads for the .308. In terms of practicality, there's just not a whole lot between the 30-30 and .308 that would offer more power than the 30-30 with less recoil than the .308. Thats a small niche, and I personally can't see purchasing a firearm to fill it. One could buy a lot of reduced recoil loads, a limbsaver recoil pad, and a reloading set-up all for what a gun that would fill that gap would cost....what seems like a smarter investment to you? New guns are always fun, but aren't always the right answer to a given equation.
Corn-Picker
Member
Several 308 children would have more ft-lbs than a 30-30 and less recoil than a 308; 243, 260, 7mm-08. A 25-06 and 6.5 creedmoor would fill that role as well. If you need a 30 caliber the 300 savage or 30-40 krag would be in between 30-30 and 308.
If you don't hunt anything larger than deer size game a 243 is your answer. If larger game is a possibility then 260, (or any of the 6.5's) is just fine for game up to elk, moose or black bear. The 6.5 Creedmore is becoming very popular and is a killing machine. A 7-08 if you really feel the need for more power, but you're getting pretty close to 308 recoil if you go bigger than 260 or 6.5 Creedmore
On paper 30-30 has about the same recoil as 260, but modern bolt rifle stocks really help. The poorly designed lever action stocks just hurt worse than the numbers say they should. Same with the Handi rifles. My 5 lb Kimber 308 is more comfortable to shoot than my 7 lb Marlin 30-30's. Don't even think about 45-70.
Stock shape and a quality recoil pad go a long way. I actually think 308 isn't bad at all. A different 308 with a stock that fits you better or a better recoil pad may be all you need on your Ruger. Those are already heavy rifles that should tame recoil.
On paper 30-30 has about the same recoil as 260, but modern bolt rifle stocks really help. The poorly designed lever action stocks just hurt worse than the numbers say they should. Same with the Handi rifles. My 5 lb Kimber 308 is more comfortable to shoot than my 7 lb Marlin 30-30's. Don't even think about 45-70.
Stock shape and a quality recoil pad go a long way. I actually think 308 isn't bad at all. A different 308 with a stock that fits you better or a better recoil pad may be all you need on your Ruger. Those are already heavy rifles that should tame recoil.
chicharrones
needs more ammo
I'll assume your GSR is a laminate stocked model with the Ruger recoil pad? I think the pad is pretty good in itself.
Perhaps it would be worth the effort of just spinning a muzzle brake on your Ruger? From everything I've read about the polymer stock GSR, it is said the muzzle brake on that lighter gun reduces felt recoil below a laminate stocked GSR with the flash hider.
Perhaps it would be worth the effort of just spinning a muzzle brake on your Ruger? From everything I've read about the polymer stock GSR, it is said the muzzle brake on that lighter gun reduces felt recoil below a laminate stocked GSR with the flash hider.
.257 Roberts is a good one. Hard to find but a .300 Savage is also a small step down from .308. For the AR, 6.5 Grendel and 6.8. .308 derivatives like .260, 6.5 Creedmor, 7mm-08 would have a bit less recoil.
The weight of the rifle, stock geometry, and buttpad probably matter as much as caliber though. Also another consideration is that a semiautomatic .308 will also be gentler on the shoulder because of the weight and action. A good AR10 style rifle might fit the bill.
The weight of the rifle, stock geometry, and buttpad probably matter as much as caliber though. Also another consideration is that a semiautomatic .308 will also be gentler on the shoulder because of the weight and action. A good AR10 style rifle might fit the bill.
Mike C2
Member
Lots of good advice from guys here. The 7mm-08 is the first that comes to mind in a bolt gun. The .300 Savage is the first thing that occurred to me when I read your post. You didn't say if you had preference on style of firearm. There are some .300 Savage Remington 700's out there, but not common.
Honestly, have you just considered reloading or looking into Remington's managed recoil cartridges? That's a $35 solution to more power than the .30-30 and less recoil than the .308.
If you just want to get another gun though, by all means do!
Honestly, have you just considered reloading or looking into Remington's managed recoil cartridges? That's a $35 solution to more power than the .30-30 and less recoil than the .308.
If you just want to get another gun though, by all means do!
T.R.
Member
I tamed the recoil of my .308 by sending it off to MagnaPort in Michigan where they cut four slots near the muzzle. This eliminated muzzle jump. Then I added a Limb Saver pad. Recoil is quite tolerable after these two improvements.
Some ammo makers offer reduced recoil loads for the .308 cartridge.
TR
Some ammo makers offer reduced recoil loads for the .308 cartridge.
TR
Arkansas Paul
Member
Sounds to me like you're looking for a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.
If you have a .30-30 and a .308 and you're wanting a better rifle for hunting inside of 100 yds, you just flat out aren't going to find it. There's not a rifle out there that will do a better job than what you already have at that distance.
Now, if you just have the itch for another rifle, there is certainly nothing wrong with that. By all means buy another rifle. The more the better.
But don't try to fool yourself into thinking you "need" one.
usfan
Member
If you like levers, 44mag or 454 packs a wallop. But they won't have the range of a 308. I have a semi 308 with a muzzle brake. That cuts down the recoil a LOT. I can shoot it longer at range settings than the 308 bolt. It still gives you the ballistics of 308, but dampens the recoil.
Those are about the only solutions. Big ballistics are going to bring big recoil. A softer pad or a muzzle brake are about the only way to minimize it. Lighter loads in the 308, or hotter ones in the 30-30 can also bridge that gap. But of course, if you just want a new caliber, & some range time with it, that is a good enough reason by itself!
Those are about the only solutions. Big ballistics are going to bring big recoil. A softer pad or a muzzle brake are about the only way to minimize it. Lighter loads in the 308, or hotter ones in the 30-30 can also bridge that gap. But of course, if you just want a new caliber, & some range time with it, that is a good enough reason by itself!
fireman 9731
Member
CZ 527 carbine in 7.62x39. A little more umph than 30-30, less recoil than 308. Good open sights. Cheap ammo and a wide bullet choice. I love mine.
usfan
Member
does the 7.62x39 have better ballistics than the 30-30? I've shot pretty hot loads in my marlin lever that have a lot more kick than the lighter AK.
You are very right about the 'cheap ammo' part.. and perhaps the OP would be very happy with plinking away with some cheap milsurp ak rounds.
I think he needs an ar or an ak, & buy a bunch of cheaper bullets for it. Methink that is the itch..
Panzerschwein
member
Here's a good thought, OP.
There are a number of excellent muzzle brakes on the market that could help tame your .308 nicely.
sirgilligan
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This is the one to fit the bill. Carbine with open sights. Detachable magazine.
Watch this:
https://youtu.be/WSu7EuQr6o4
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