Recoil of .300 WM

[sernv99]

I'm looking to get a Sako TRG in .300WM but I have never shot the round before and I can't find anyone near me (northern VA) where I can borrow a rifle and try it out. The most brutal shooting experience for me has been shooting 3" slugs through my Benelli M2 tactical. That was shouldering shattering, even with wearing a PAST recoil pad. After 10 rounds with that I was hurting, due to the lightnes of the Benelli gun.

how does the .300 WM recoil compare to my shotgun recoil experience? If it will be the same, I will revert back to a thread from this past summer talking about muzzle breaks and recoil pads to install on it to tame the recoil and decide if I want to go with that route .Since I have a .308 in a semi-auto I was venturing to try a bigger caliber for target sniping and such. I like the TRG design, so I wanted to stick with that particular model.

other options I am considering is to get a Sako in 7mm in a standard grade hunting rifle model and just put a nice optic on it and bi-pod....or a 30-06 .

 

[MCMXI]

Have you ever shot a 45-70 such as a Marlin lever-action rifle? If so, the recoil from a .300 Win Mag is NOTHING in comparison. I have a .308 Win, .300 Win Mag, .300 WSM and .45-70. Much of the felt recoil has a lot to do with the weight of the rifle and the type of powder in the cartridge. .300 Win Mag typically uses a slower powder than .308, and .45-70 (personally I find those calibers quite "snappy"). Felt recoil from the .300WSM is worse (but no big deal) than the .300 Win Mag since the rifle I have weighs 8lb with everything including the scope, bases, rings and sling. I've always enjoyed shooting the .300 Win Mag because the recoil is more of a push than a punch. After shooting a Marlin Guide Gun over the past few weeks, everything else pales in comparison!!

 

[JimmAr]

Prone or sitting 300wm isnt to bad.. off hand.. not much fun..

 

[homers]

you can always go here and take a look/comparison. Maybe not exact, but gives you an idea.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm

 

[dakotasin]

the recoil of the 300 win mag is stiff, but tolerable and manageable; it is most certainly not near as hard as a shotgun, and certainly nowhere near a slug level.

20 rounds per day from the bench will about max out the fun meter for many people, but shooting from field positions is far more forgiving.

 

[Txhillbilly]

It all depends on the weight of the gun and the loads you plan on shooting.
My Ruger #1 300WM will stomp you if the muzzle brake isn't on it,but my Savage 110FLP with a Choate super varmiter stock,filled with lead shot doesn't have much felt recoil at all. And the Ruger with the brake has the recoil of a 243. I can shoot both guns all day long without hurting at all now.
When I do go to a public range and shoot,I will wait to shoot the Ruger until I can be a few seats from anyone though,it is earth shattering loud with the brake on it.

 

[sernv99]

" the recoil of the 300 win mag is stiff, but tolerable and manageable; it is most certainly not near as hard as a shotgun, and certainly nowhere near a slug level. "

I can handle slugs from a gas operarated semi-auto but not from a recoil operated gun like the Benelli. I should be good to go with the 300 WM then....

 

[Seafarer12]

300 Mags always felt wose to me than normal 45/70's and 3 inch slug guns. The only exceptions are shooting 500 grain full power loads out of my Encore or 3.5 mag 000 buckshot. If your border line I would stick with the non belted rounds. It is pretty much overkill for anyhting around you unless you plan on going on a moose hunt

 

[Strongbad]

Recoil is so relative I'm not even going to try to comment on that. Some guns recoil harder, some recoil faster, etc. Plus, everyone has a different tolerance.

I will say that you shouldn't buy a $2000+ target rifle until you've atleast tried something similar.

There isn't anyone in your area at a local range etc. that has a 300WM that you can try? Surely someone out there has a 300 in a sporter. Obviously the TRG is going to be heavier and less punishing but atleast you'd then have an idea of the WORST you possibly are facing.

 

[sernv99]

just got the word from a Sako dealer....they will not be making the TRG in 300WM for '09....I'm going to pick one up, I don't think recoil will be a problem....300WM will be cheaper to shoot then 338 Lapua

 

[UnTainted]

300 win mag is highly available around the world. I mean it's probably up there with the 30-06 and 357hh for availability.

My dad loves his CZ in 300WM (though he did brake it).

That Sako should be sweet!!!

 

[pbrktrt]

i weigh 150 lbs & have shot my buddy's savage 111 in 300 wm a number of times. i don't find the recoil bad at all. my rifle is a 270 win & the 300 was not much more felt recoil.

 

[U.S.SFC_RET]

Recoil differs from gun to gun within the same caliber. lenght of pull. Shoulder fit with the stock. The comb and how it fits. It all combines. If the stock fits you makes felt recoil less. The weight if the rifle. The design of the rifle in relation of the barrel and angle to the shoulder stock. Quality of butt pad. this all makes a difference. Whether you want to have a boss on the barrel or not. I don't consider a 300 Winchester mag a big enough caliber to have a boss. I also don't own a 300 win mag. I have shot them and they are no big deal. Picking the wrong gun can turn out to be a big deal and it may noot turn out to be in your favor.
Study up on it and take your time in selecting. IMHO I would be hard pressed to have one.
Shooting from the bench has more felt recoil than from standing. You are not going to be shooting from the bench for too long. get a lead sled if you are going to to any prolonged shooting, your shoulder will thank you.

 

[kmrcstintn]

had: Tikka T3 Hunter in .300 WM left stock condition (includes hard rubber recoil pad)...threw me like a ragdoll & hurt like a dickens

have: Remington 700 SPS in .300 WSM w/ muzzle brake and Remington R3 recoil pad (Limbsaver)...shoves me like drunk pal and feels like a mid .30-06

have: Mossberg 500 12 ga field/deer combo from Dick's left stock w/ semihard rubber recoil pad & ported barrel...shoves me like a sober friend & feels like a .270 Win (even with full stout loads)

summary: if I kept the Tikka, it would have gotten a muzzle brake & a Limbsaver recoil pad; I feel that the Remington 700 was a bit harsh for the previous owner, hence the muzzle brake (the Limbsaver recoil pad was a factory option); the porting and somewhat soft recoil pad on the Mossberg makes shooting slugs managable (stiff recoil, but not as fast a shove as the .300 WSM)

 

[moooose102]

300 win mag recoil is not bad. if you install a good recoil pad, the felt recoil is less than a 30-06. go buy it, and even before you bring it home, have a limbsaver installed. you will be a happy camper.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

I have a Remington 700 stainless-synthetic chambered in .300 Winchester Magnum. It is a piece of cake and to me doesn't kick that bad what so ever.

I once had a Remington 760 pump chambered in .30-06. It had a hard butt plate and that rifle was a Hard Kicker!

My 870 pump shooting 3" magnum shells kicks MUCH harder than my .300 mag. or my .45-70.

Get the .300, you'll like it.

 

[groundhog34]

I have a 300 wim and a 300 weatherby. both have muzzle breaks on then BEFORE the breaks were install I would say the recoil was about that of a single shot 12 GA with 2 3/4 non magnum shells. After the break like a 30-06

 

[tango2echo]

Loud...But managable. I would shoot a .300 Win. Mag all day before I shoot 10 rds of 12ga 3.5" turkey loads. If you work up to it and practice often, any round will be managable.

T2E