Odd thing about shotgun recoil

[Jason_W]

In terms of energy, a 12 ga shotgun produces more recoil than a .30-06. If I fire 20 rounds of '06 from a bench, I'll be sore, but I can fire most 12 ga loads (excluding 3.5" offerings) all day and be fine.

Is this because of the lower recoil velocity of a shotgun? There is more energy, but it's distributed to the shoulder over a longer period of time?

 

[monduconstruct]

Interesting topic. I haven't fired a .30-06 before, but is the stock perhaps narrower? I've recently gotten into 12 ga, and was very pleasantly surprised that I could fire it all day long, whereas the 20 ga single shot I'm used to would bruise me badly after only 1/2 hour of shooting.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Well, it depends on the gun, the load, and the shooting position. Except for heavy magnum loads and slugs in lightweight shotguns, the .30-06 is generally gonna be more punishing.

In your case, it's most likely the position. Firing from the bench means you absorb alot more of the recoil than you would shooting off-hand, where your upper body can move backward with the rifle. You're just locked down tighter on the bench.

 

[Jason_W]

Gun design and weight will have a lot to do with it. If your 20 ga is light with one of the old pain bringing hard plastic buttplates, it will hurt more than a 12 with a nice cushy pad on it.

That being said. An 8 lb savage bolt action in the '06 class I find uncomfortable, while a 7.5 lb pump 12 ga is fine.

 

[Rembrandt]

Velocity & load may very well be the reason. I have shot 250 rounds of trap and never felt soreness...but 25 rounds of slugs and we're talking shoulder pain.

 

[huntsman]

In terms of energy, a 12 ga shotgun produces more recoil than a .30-06. If I fire 20 rounds of '06 from a bench, I'll be sore, but I can fire most 12 ga loads (excluding 3.5" offerings) all day and be fine.

Is this because of the lower recoil velocity of a shotgun? There is more energy, but it's distributed to the shoulder over a longer period of time?

I remember reading an article in an old GD about recoil; on the chart they had the 12 gauge 2-3/4" 1-1/4 oz load as having more recoil than a .375HH mag 270gr.

I believe it's all about payload weight and type of shotgun, do you use a 12 gauge single shot or pump?

 

[NMGonzo]

The 12 pushes but the mosin m44 punches

 

[ArmedBear]

First off, energy is never the whole story. You're right: the components of the energy change what happens. In this case, lower velocity means longer recoil pulse, which allows your shoulder to roll with the recoil.

Second, shotguns are typically made to fit right. Stock Mosins aren't. I have a nice, modern .30-06 hunting rifle that weighs a lot less than a Mosin, and I can shoot it all day, in a t-shirt, if I want, with no discomfort. It cost just a bit more than a Mosin, and part of the price was a better stock. The Mosin is a crude 19th Century stock design, intended for use as a blunt weapon as much as a rifle. Try sticking a Mosin barreled carbine action in a good modern stock that fits you, and it becomes an easy gun to shoot.

 

[surbat6]

Just curious - are you also firing the 12 gauge off the bench? Most any gun is more punishing when it's bench-rested. The main reason is that your body can't give as freely with the recoil when you're sitting at the bench compared to an unsupported position such as offhand (from which most shotguns are fired).

 

[Jason_W]

I fire slugs off the bench. The only one's that send me reeling have been the 3.5" offerings from lightfield.

Not that 3" slugs off the bench are a bucket of fun, but I'd still rather fire them from a pump shotgun than my dad's old savage 110.

 

[tactikel]

Shotguns operate at a lower pressure and velocity. IMHO the energy applied against you shoulder is over a longer time pulse than a centerfire rifle. More of a push than a sharp pop. I can shoot 125-150 12 ga in an afternoon, 60 rounds of .30-06 is my limit.
That being said the hardest kicking firearm I have ever shot was a 12 ga. 3.5" round of buckshot from a Moss. 835!