Recoil comparison .500NE v .577NE

[H&Hhunter]

I read posts and articles and assorted stories about vicious recoil and the damaging effects of heavy rifles (and not so heavy rifles) all the time. Some of the examples include but are not limited to;

Being spun around 180 deg or more by recoil.

Rifles flying from your grip and sailing through the air.

Broken collar bones/shoulders/assorted other orthopedic ailments.

Concussions and vision problems.....

BUT if you know the basics of shooting a heavy rifle or any rifle that recoils the truth is far different from the fiction. A solid grip on the forend with your fingers wrapping around the barrel/barrels, do not "pinch the forend, the rifle should be snugged firmly into your shoulder and your cheek should be firmly planted on the comb. Do these things and even the most heavy of hitters become very manageable to shoot.

Take a look at the complete lack of drama here with an experienced shooter handling these heavies. Pretty mild in fact if you know what you are doing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=-jKhdmuxgeQ

 

[RPRNY]

You make a good point but it's very clear that the bloke was a very experienced shooter.

I think the problem is .30 cal shooters who go out and finally buy their dream "African rifle" in .416 Rigby or 500NE and who haven't got the experience of an African PH. I don't imagine that even knowing what I'm supposed to do would necessarily mean I could do it. Finally, some of those injuries arise from people shooting uber caliber rifles from the bench the way they would with their .308. THAT'S bad for the collar bone...

 

[Njal Thorgeirsson]

I've been around a number of people who are a bit too ambitious when it comes to heavy kickers. But I don't think there is really any injury that can't be avoided with proper attention to detail, besides an inevitable bruised/sore shoulder. The tighter you hold it, the lower the maximum recoil velocity, and the lower the chances that you'll get hurt.

 

[beatledog7]

The shooter in the video clearly knows how to manage recoil, but it's also clear the rifles he's shooting are doing a lot of the job themselves.

One thing that is rarely recommended for shooting heavy recoil rifles but is nevertheless quite useful is a sports-oriented mouthguard. The only place I feel it much when I shoot the big boomers is in my teeth, and wearing a mouthguard really helps. If one's technique is wrong, a mouthguard won't save his shoulder, but it could prevent a chipped tooth.

 

[SHR970]

I've been around a number of people who are a bit too ambitious when it comes to heavy kickers.

Therein lies the problem. I have let some folks fire my 375 RUM; the two least experienced folks listened to me and the rest....less than more. At 8.25 lbs. scoped it has a hard sharp kick as all found out. The "I know what I'm doing" 30 cal crowd didn't want to try a second magazine because it hurt them too much one even got a red crescent even with a scope picked for maximum eye relief (Leup. VX-II 2-7x33). Stupid is as stupid does.

 

[H&Hhunter]

I think the problem is .30 cal shooters who go out and finally buy their dream "African rifle" in .416 Rigby or 500NE and who haven't got the experience of an African PH.

The shooter is not a PH he's an Australian client. The point being that with proper training anyone can learn to shoot a heavy rifle very well. 99% of the issue that people have is psychological. Proper mind set and a modicum of training will set a shooter on the correct path.

 

[Gordon]

Well they bloody well put the recoil boogey man to bed with that scientific test. Now back to the hootch to ruminate over some pints!

 

[HankB]

Recoil (mis)management

There are a couple of version of this video clip floating around . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ged4lz_Fw2Y

 

[LeonCarr]

After doing lots of 12 Gauge Slug shooting in preparation for hunting season, I met up with my Uncle a couple of weeks ago and shot his Pre-64 Winchester Model 70 .375 H&H with some 300 Grain Hornady FMJs and it was actually more pleasant to shoot than a Remington 870 loaded with Brenneke KOs. When I mentioned the .375 H&H at work people are like, "I'll bet that thing knocked you over and kilt your shoulder".



As mentioned proper form goes a long way in mitigating recoil in the big boomers.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[chicharrones]

The shooter is not a PH he's an Australian client.

I know nothing of shooting rifles like this, yet the Australian client looks quite sizeable compared to the length of the rifle. 6'4" at 240 lbs. perhaps?

 

[Dr.Rob]

12 ga. pump slug guns kick like a mule off a bench. Way worse than a 375 H&H.

A good solid grip (H&H will show you how) is important for a rifle like that. The .470 was a handful but when he showed me how to grip it properly it wasn't too bad.

 

[Pete D.]

Nice to read this thread. The observations are, of course, spot on. One rarely reads that bit about wrapping the fingers around the barrel. It surely does make a difference.
And so does the size of the shooter...though proper grip will go a long way toward easing that issue.
Pete

 

[H&Hhunter]

Physical size has very little to do with it. Any adult man or women can handle these type of rifles IF they fit properly and they are managed properly.

 

[H&Hhunter]

Recoil (mis)management

There are a couple of version of this video clip floating around . . .

Perfect examples of how NOT to hold a heavy recoiling rifle...

Also that rifle is chambered in .577 T Rex and is loaded HOT. Which IMHO is beyond a usable cartridge form a power standpoint, it's simply a stupid human trick. And that is what Saeed (the owner) uses it for, entertainment purposes only.. However you notice the one guy who knows how to shoot? He doesn't have any problems hanging on to it.

 

[silicosys4]

I work for an tribal agency that actually does use the .577 TREX to dispatch grey whales that they are legally allowed to hunt. There is a breech loaded .50 cal rifle available, but they prefer the .577 because the .50 cal is a single shot and hard to reload while in a boat.

 

[H&Hhunter]

Interesting,
What bullet are you guys using in your T Rex?

 

[Muzzlelover]

holy moly I couldn't shoot either one of those rifles!

 

[barnbwt]

Silicosys4,
I recall hearing that one of the tribes in Washington State was finishing off whales with a lowly 30-06. I remember being suprised that the rounds could penetrate deep enough, but apparently the right bullet/load could do it. Who knows how reliably (and quickly) though. The T-Rex Seems a bit opulent in the flash & bang to me, but maybe the additional shock of the high velocity round allows for more reliable brain damage if they miss a tad with their shot. I'd bet a hard cast, hot and heavy 50 Alaskan lever action could reach down to the chewy center just fine, though

I know nothing of shooting rifles like this, yet the Australian client looks quite sizeable compared to the length of the rifle. 6'4" at 240 lbs. perhaps?

Yeah, I noticed that guy had a head-and-a-half on everyone else in that video. Like the dude from Top Gear who's always folded up in some toy Lotus

We really otta merge this thread with the Anzio 20-50 thread in General, if only for the videos of people shooting that horrible thing (20mm necked down to .50 for legality ) Moves the poor prone dude about 10" with each shot

TCB

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

I aint or never been a glutton for punishment or have an urge to prove I have one. have at it my friend. hope you enjoy itl

 

[silicosys4]

I don't know what load they are using for the T-rex, I think its whatever factory loading is available for it. I briefly considered offering to handload for them, as I know ammo price is an issue, but I don't want to assume liability of possibly blowing up a multi thousand dollar gun during load development, or myself, or a tribal hunter....and I don't think they would loan the gun out for that anyways, lol
The 30-06 doesn't penetrate far enough for a reliable kill shot on a whale. I think in one instance, but don't quote me, a .458 winmag was used to dispatch one, but that's only a rumor. I know its big enough to be used, according to the marine mammal biologist employed by the tribe, but they need quick and humane kills so the animal can be secured with floats before sinking, so they went overkill on the guns with the T-rex and .50
Its a very spiritual affair that they tend not to brag about or share too much information about with non-tribal members, unfortunate but understandable given the controversy that surrounds them when they act to exercise their cultural heritage and treaty rights with a whale hunt.

 

[H&Hhunter]

I aint or never been a glutton for punishment or have an urge to prove I have one.

TexasPatriot.308,

That's kind of my point. They aren't punishing to shoot if you know how to handle one. Did you notice how undramatic and mild they were when the guy was shooting them?