Perceived recoil vs reality.

[SharpDog]

have four (and I love them) of the original Keltec P-40's in .40 S&W (since discontinued because of recoil). I used to get out my .44 Mag 4" full power rounds to warm up for the Keltec recoil The real problem is not the recoil but the backstrap is a little squared off so you get the recoil impulse straight into your knuckle bones. I have tried several recoil mitigation strategies including bicycle inner tubes around the grip. But, alas, they have been relegated to the collection.

 

[mcb]

Perceived recoil IS reality!

Perceived recoil is what you think happened, reality is what actually happened. There can be a big difference. Which is why wearing ear protection alters the perception of recoil.

There are several good engineering/physics bases measurements we can put on recoil but they matter little to the individual because on an individual basis perceived recoil is reality and is all they care about. Yes a shooter may perceive that a particular firearm's recoil is better or worst depend on a huge array of factors beyond the simple force vs time curve and change in momentum, things like hearing protect, clothing, ergonomics, so on and so forth. But in the end the shooter's perception is all that matters. A gun that one shooter perceives as a bad recoiling gun is a bad recoiling gun to that person and someone elses experience with that exact same gun having been favorable does not change the first shooters perceptions.

 

[T.R.]

Excessive muzzle jump can be perceived as strong recoil. I sent my rifle to Magna Port in Michigan and they formed four slots near the muzzle for me. No more muzzle jump! Recoil from this feather weight .308 is now moderate and quite comfortable to shoot.

TR

 

[WVRJ]

I recently finished building a 308 on a Model 7 action with a fiberglass stock that I modified to make it as light as possible.It weighs 7 pounds ready to walk in the woods.5 rounds of ammo,scope,sling attached.That rifle gave me the first idiot mark between the eyes that I have got in years.I use Leupold scopes almost exclusively because they have more eye relief,and have a 2X7 on this gun,but it still whacked me hard.Light rifle,168 grain bullets,too soft of a grip,and just plain underestimating the recoil of the rifle led me to getting hit.I also have a 35 Whelen 700 in a light synthetic stock,and it doesn't seem to be any worse than that light 308.My 300 Win mag weighs just a tick over 8 pounds and it's probably at the end of my recoil tolerance level.The worst I can recall being kicked was by a Winchester Featherweight in 30-06 with 220 grain bullets.That rifle belonged to a cousin of mine who couldn't get it sighted in.The Tasco scope on it had about 1 inch of eye relief,and it was a hard rifle to shoot accurately.I agree with some other guys on here who have said that the 700 BDL stock is one of the worst stock designs for felt recoil.I sold a BDL 270 and bought a 700 Classic because that BDL was just nasty to shoot.Many things can influence how a rifle feels under recoil,but it does seem that high velocity rounds have a sharper kick when compared to shotguns and low velocity,heavy bullet rifle rounds.If a stock fits,recoil is better tolerated.I shudder at the thought of shooting a 458,416,etc.,unless it was a have to case.I also believe that if I am thinking too much about recoil,my shooting will suffer.I often go to a rimfire or my heavy barrel 223 during a session with a hard kicker,and can feel myself tightening up in anticipation of the kick that's to come.When I feel like that,it's time to let the big gun sit and shoot a light kicker for a while.The tiny amount of time between the trigger break and the bullet leaving the barrel can dramatically affect where the shot's going to hit,and if a flinch is going on,the shot is wasted.That means I got kicked for nothing.

 

[Bfh_auto]

If old surplus ammunition is giving higher than expected recoil, sticky extraction, any over pressure signs, stop shooting the stuff. Pull the bullets, dump the powder, examine the cases for evidence of corrosion

View attachment 792674

View attachment 792675

If there is evidence of corrosion, don't re use the cases. Gunpowder deteriorates, and nothing about old gunpowder is good. Old gunpowder will, and has, blown up rifles:

View attachment 792676

View attachment 792677

If the cases don't show evidence of internal corrosion, due to outgassing from the gunpowder, you can try to reload with new gunpowder and see how the cases hold up.

That is a good PSA.

Excessive muzzle jump can be perceived as strong recoil. I sent my rifle to Magna Port in Michigan and they formed four slots near the muzzle for me. No more muzzle jump! Recoil from this feather weight .308 is now moderate and quite comfortable to shoot.

TR

Bet that made it louder. My wife's vtr has a vertical brake and it helps a lot but made it a no-go under an awning.

 

[416ruger]

It's just practice, practice, practice . I have a passion for lightweight hard hitting revolvers and rifles. I hate lugging around heavyweight firearms. I hunt primarily alone and I need one stop shot.

I developed a comprehensive long term strategic plan to accomplish the mastering of big bore handguns and rifles . It took me six (6) years but it richly paid off.

My tool box:
Ruger super Blackhawk Single action 44 mag 4.62 inch barrel
Ruger Alaskan 44 mag 2.58 inch barrel
Ruger Alaskan 480 Ruger 2.58 inch barrel
Ruger Super Blackhawk 480 Ruger Single action bisley 4.62 inch barrel
Ruger Super Blackhawk single action bisley 480 Ruger 6.5 inch barrel
Freedom arms model 83 454 casull 5 inch barrel
Freedom arms model 555 50 AE/500 wyoming express 5 inch barrel
Magnum research bfr 45/70 7.5 inch barrel
500 smith and wesson magnum XVR performance center 3.5 inch barrel

Browning BLR TAKEDOWN 300 win mag 6.5 pounds 21 inch barrel
Tikka boar hunter 338 Win mag Bolt 6.5 pounds 21.25 inch barrel
375 Ruger Alaskan Hawkeye Bolt 7.75 pounds 20 inch barrel
Browning X-BOLT 375 H&H 6.5 pounds 21 inch barrel
Browning model 1886 45-70 8 pounds 22 inch barrel
457 wild west magnum 6.5 pounds 18 inch barrel
416 Ruger Alaskan Hawkeye Bolt 7.75 pounds 20 inch barrel
Nosler M-48 Outfitter 458 win mag 7.0 pounds 22 inch barrel

Yes, over 6 years, practicing at least twice per week I was able to master these lightweight hard hitting firearms. It was a dream of mine since I was old enough to remember.

I am sad to say that I was knocked out of my saddle a few months ago with an advanced diagnosis of esophageal cancer. Now I find myself in the battle of my life at the young age of 56 and it is beginning to extract a heavy toll on me. Within the past year I had gotten both daughter's out of school, purchased a Jeep and my country residence only to have this slap me down. At least I took the time to enjoy every step of the journey.

Take care my fellow hunters.