Nasty double rifle recoil

[Armorer 101]

A proper fitting stock has everything to do with the felt recoil. Free recoil is simple physics. However, how it feels to you is all about the proper fit of the butt stock to you. A straight stock, requires you to bring you eye to the sights, if the stock has a low comb, and you put your cheek bone over that comb, it will feel like someone slapped you in the face or worse, with every shot. The heel should be slightly shorter measured from the receiver than the toe, making a 10 degree angle or slightly less, to create a slight muzzle rise.

Always in a recoiling gun, pretty is as pretty does. There is no average shooter, just average stock makers. Avoid an ill fitting heavy recoiling gun, it will be a misery from day one.

 

[792mauser]

Like has been said.
Fit, fit, fit, fit and fit are the main way of subduing recoil besides weight.

 

[d2wing]

I believe it. You wonder how the smaller soldiers of the 1870s handled that.

Government loads were in the same range as standard twelve guage loads. Modern loads are higher. My 10 year old grandson shoots a lightweight 20 guage without complaint.

 

[Jim Watson]

A friend has the journal of a "gentleman ranker" from the Napoleonic wars. That is, somebody from an upper class family who for whatever reason, joined the army as a private soldier instead of purchasing a commission.
One day's entry: "Fired 70 rounds of ball. My shoulder is black."

 

[Bill Raby]

I have a 4 bore with a brass butt plate. It has about double the recoil of a 600 Nitro Express. With a 500+ grain powder charge the recoil is massive. But it is not at all painful even with a brass butt plate instead of a recoil pad. It all comes down to the design of the rifle and knowing how to shoot the big guns. It will knock you back a few steps and not leave a bruise the next day.

 

[DocRock]

I have a 4 bore with a brass butt plate. It has about double the recoil of a 600 Nitro Express. With a 500+ grain powder charge the recoil is massive. But it is not at all painful even with a brass butt plate instead of a recoil pad. It all comes down to the design of the rifle and knowing how to shoot the big guns. It will knock you back a few steps and not leave a bruise the next day.

Whoa! Any chance of some video of that beasty? It seems like the sort of thing that might trigger the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System!

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Don't forget that a rifle with the "Perfect" fit for one person, may not fit the next person at all. No rifle/stock maker can make a rifle that will fit all people. A low comb for one person, might be perfect for the guy standing next to him. Or visa-versa.

The kick of the Trapdoor Springfield was mentioned as harsh, but I can shoot my carbine with rifle loads all day, I've never even shot a "carbine load", and I fire an 80 grain charge under a 400 grain bullet in my rifle. The rifle can fit the person, but the person has to fit the rifle. !!! Or something like that.