ReCoil What am I in For

[WALKERs210]

In my youth the harder a rifle or shotgun kicked the better I liked it. Age and health have caught up with me it don't take much to make me grimace. Last week I wound up taking a Winchester Mod 70 in 300 WM and still trying to get the nerve up to at least shoot it once. From what I have read about the B.O.S.S. on Winchesters website this is not only a muzzle brake but will reduce the felt recoil substantively. I still shoot my 50 and 54 cal black power rifles with loads up 100 g of 2f powder and it can give a good thump if your not expecting it. Anyone have experience with the BOSS system or should I get a could pillows off the bed and tape them to the shoulder.

 

[mikeasb]

I have a Winchester Mod 70 with the B.O.S.S. and have had it for about 15 years. The felt recoil IMO is about the same as a .270 or mild 30-06. but it is loud! Very loud. I don't hunt with it but if I did I would wear hearing protection. I also am shooting it mostly off of a bench with a bipod and the recoil still seems to be very reasonable. Unlike my .444 Marlin.

 

[jerkface11]

300 win mag isn't that bad. Shoot it and enjoy.

 

[rust collector]

Is the extra velocity/energy worth the pain?

I found out long ago that improving my hunting skills got me close enough that I didn't need an ICBM to drop a deer. And my shooting skills worked a lot better when I was not worrying about a mighty poke.

If you tried 6.5 x 55 or 7mm/08, I think you might enjoy the experience. Your retinas and ligaments will thank you later in life.

 

[blarby]

^^^^^^ good advice.

If you cant change out your gear, since it sounds like you already have the rifle....try downloading some custom handloads.

If you cant, get one of those gelpacks that fits on the end of the stock... Limbsaver is the brand I use.

It took all of my earthshattering 30 cals and chopped them into nothing- best 20 bucks I ever spent.


Good luck ! Bolder man than I.... a 3 with a MAGNUM anything is outside of my likey likey department.

 

[WALKERs210]

Thanks for the input and thoughts, age has already took its toll on most of my body and one more major whoop should be enough to satisfy the curiosity. I did read from Winchester that with the BOSS the noise was going to be super loud and have already got earplugs and mouse ears ready. If it will quit raining for few days I am going to at least shoot one round out of it. Took the 300 WM in trade with expecting to sell or trade it before I ever got up the nerve to shoot it. Also I don't hunt game any more, just shooting paper, trees and an occasional beer can, just like to keep the shooting skills up somewhat just in case.

 

[rcmodel]

At 68+?

If my 30-06 won't kill it, I refuse to shoot it.
And I would much rather kill it with my 30-30, which will kill it just as dead.

I didn't like 30 cal Mangle'ms when I was 25 or 30 years old though.

Recoil never helped anyones long range accurate shooting.

I always would rather hit them and kill them, then flinch and wound them.

rc

 

[gspn]

Yes it will reduce felt recoil. Yes it is louder than three cannons.

Loud is fine if you are just target shooting because you can wear ear pro. But if you like to stalk game you will be tempted to leave your ears off...and that gun will absolutely ring your bell.

 

[barnbwt]

I didn't need an ICBM to drop a deer

Heh heh heh. Nice one. I'll have to remember that next time someone asks about a rifle for hunting elk at 1000 yards

Although, with a 45-70 or old Sharps cartridges, the trajectories are similar to an ICBM

TCB

 

[Yotacrawler]

I had a gunsmith known for cutting amazing muzzle breaks into barrels do my 24" barreled 300wm savage. After one shot without hearing protection under a tin roofed barn my savage is now sporting a 20" barrel. I've never thought the 300 was really that harsh in the recoil department but I did notice a reduction in felt recoil using 150gr Winchester supremes. I used them for deer before I switched to pistols. Just make sure you have plenty of eye relief on your glass if you are using it

 

[BRHbar]

I've never shot a 300 WM, but I do have a 338 WM Weatherby, witch I updated with a Blackhawk Axiom stock, witch helped alot.
Is the punch about the same?

 

[Alaska444]

I have a Winchester Mod 70 with the B.O.S.S. and have had it for about 15 years. The felt recoil IMO is about the same as a .270 or mild 30-06. but it is loud! Very loud. I don't hunt with it but if I did I would wear hearing protection. I also am shooting it mostly off of a bench with a bipod and the recoil still seems to be very reasonable. Unlike my .444 Marlin.

My Marlin .444 is a dream to shoot. I added a bit of lead to the stock and I have a Limbsaver on it as well.

On the other hand, shooting my .300 WSM is a chore, but manageable. It is a much faster kick instead of a strong push with the .444.

If you are concerned about recoil, weight is your friend as well as a Limbsaver. I did put a Kick Killer leather pad to cover the Limbsaver since it is so soft. My combination on my .444 has tamed the beast. It feels like a 20 ga shotgun.

 

[adelbridge]

I have a 7 mag abolt with a BOSS and it kicks like a .308.
My contender .44 mag is louder. Absolutely no complaints about noise level.

 

[critter]

I shoot a Win M70 in .300 mag all the time. Mine is NOT BOSS'ed and it doesn't hurt me (and I'm 68 also). Don't fear it. Shoot it first STANDING and with GOOD hearing protection. You'll be ok.

 

[jmr40]

Most recoil is really between the ears. Some people hear the word "magnum" and think they are in for lots of recoil. Truth is there are lots of non-magnum rounds in common use that recoil a lot worse than a 300 magnum. But because they don't have the word magnum on the headstamp folks don't seem to notice the recoil.

The rifles stock design, shape and overall weight, as well as recoil pads are important too. I've shot a few 30-30's that hurt worse than many magnum rounds.

 

[clutch]

How much does the rifle with scope weigh? A PAST recoil shield helps with my .338 WM. Make sure you have it seated firmly into your shoulder, don't give it any running room.

Wear plugs and muffs and be considerate of others at the range. Those brakes are loud.

 

[MCMXI]

I would suggest that you shoot the .300 WM a few times before you commit to adding a brake or boss. Only you can decide what you can handle.

Personally, I find .300 WSM (Kimber Montana), .300 Win Mag (Winchester M70 EW) and .375 H&H Mag (Kimber Talkeetna) all relatively comfortable to shoot, even off a bench and none of these cause me to develop a flinch. I've shot a friend's Ultralight chambered in .33 G&A and that's a beast and no fun at all and his .450 Dakota isn't a whole lot of fun either. Both of those rifles will help to develop a flinch off the bench.

 

[Davek1977]

I have a 7mm Model 70 w/ the BOSS, and have used it mule deer hunting the last 15 years or so. Its accurate, recoils like a .243 or thereabouts, but is loud. When sighting in, I double up on ear protection, using both plugs and muffs. Its honestly one of those rifles that gets shot a few times a year before season to make sure its zeroed, a shot or 3 during season, and back in the safe. I love the rifle, but honestly don't do any other shooting that I'd need that kind of reach and power for. I personally don't use protection when hunting, and don't find it bothersome.....however, if you are off to the side slightly, it will DEFINTELY ring your bell a bit. Also, this is probably common sense....but don't do something like lean across the hood of your truck for support while shooting a BOSS braked rifle. A neighbor of mine stripped the paint right off his hood doing so LOL

 

[Geno]

Note to self: cancel ICBM requisition. Don't you guys think you could have messaged me before I ordered a box of 20. Here I sit, trying to find an ammo vault big enough to hold 20 ICBMs them until deer season. You guys are slipping!

I seriously considered purchasing a .300 WSM, but was told they recoil as-much-as the .300 Win Mag. That one usually sits in the vault, and I opt for either my .308 or .270. They give me all the lovin' I need, or desire. I keep my .300 just in case someone reports seeing "Frankenbuck" on the loose. Rumor has it he's out there.

Let me know your impression on the cartridge. I have an offer to buy a used M70 Ultimate Shadow from a fella for $399. I'm not big on used rifles, but he needs the cash, and I wouldn't mind having an additional caliber. I see a good bit of the ammo around. But if the recoil is stiff, nope.

Geno

 

[jogar80]

I'm sure you'll be fine going hunting with it, one shot here and there won't hurt. Just don't expect to have any fun at the range with it. If you planned to have some fun shooting days, trade it for something else.

 

[4season]

The BOSS system is an interchangeable muzzlebrake system. Any Muzzlebrake is loud but if you are shooting off a bench double up your ears and you will be fine. Then you can switch out to the non brake tip for same POI when hunting for less noise. I never notice recoil when fur is in the scope and I also wouldn't want a muzzlebrake in the woods. It is a good system.

Now as for recoil of a 300, some will beat you up and some are not bad at all. It really depends on the stock. My Father-in-law had a Walmart special 300 that had a really long stock and a short scope so that you had to really lean into the rifle to see down the scope. That combined with the hard buttpad made for a blue shoulder when I tested it for accuracy after doing some work on it for him. Later he bought a A-Bolt in 300 that kicked more like a 30-06. It really depends on the stock design and weight of the rifle as to how much recoil you feel.

 

[Trent]

I had a featherweight Savage 300 Win Mag, scout model or other such nonsense. That gun weighed all of 4 pounds or less. Thin profile barrel, thin stock, just very lightweight. Very handy.

But pull the trigger on it and it'd blow your shoulder in to the next county.

I gave it (GAVE!) it away to my Uncle who was built much stronger and sturdier than I.

I love 300 Win Mag; but only out of an appropriately heavy firing platform, with a big old rubber cushion between the gun butt and my shoulder.

We can't hunt with rifles where I live, but if we could, I'd take out my K31. If 7.5 swiss can't knock it down, I have no business shooting at it.

 

[Skylerbone]

My father purchased a left-hand A-Bolt BOSS in .308 many moons ago which had a recoil (IIRC) similar to a 20ga single-shot. Loud yes, recoil no.

He doubled down 2 years ago at (then)age 63 on a pair of 300s, a T/C Encore Pro with custom break/energy burner stock and a Savage 116 with factory installed break. Loud? I said loud? Oh yes! Recoil, no. Akin to .308 I spent several range sessions with my -06 on the next bench and without a doubt, both 300s were milder.

 

[WALKERs210]

I have got to where I view THR more or less like a great group of guys sitting around a big table with coffee and cigarette smoke hanging in the air. When its time for everyone to give up and go home it leaves an empty hole. Love the advise, comments and especially the humor. As I said at the start the only thing I shoot now is paper and once in a while a pop can, between myself, son and grandson we did cut two trees down which had a base around 12 inch. The 300 Mag was something that I would have never seriously concerned it was just there and I was there so it came home. Not looking for a shoulder to cry on but health has taken its tole on me, after having cancer surgery, back surgery and a heart attack while in hospital right now I might tip the scales around 108 lbs far cry from the starting point of 175 in perfect condition. I have never been one to refuse to shoot anything and in youth the harder it kicked the better I like it. As for other weapons to shoot that will be easier on the body I have just about one of each from .17HMR on up, about one week after coming home from cancer surgery I was out back shooting one of my flintlock rifles. My neighbor walked over and after the last shot which I had loaded very hot he asked " Don't that hurt". The answer was yes but I still enjoyed it a lot. The purpose of post to start with was to gain information about the BOSS since is my first experience with one, you can read a ton of print from manufacturers but getting the word from a user can give you more information in half a page than they can give in 5 pages. I took what I read that the BOSS was a miracle devise to help super tune the rifle and at same time control recoil and muzzle rise. It looks like maybe today the rain and cold might have given me an opening so maybe this afternoon after one more Dr. appointment I will be able to post a report on how much it stomped my skinny but or if I have found a keeper.
To each and all that have posted thanks a lot, and pass the coffee pot around to everyone.

 

[murf]

a folded up old army blanket over the shoulder helps when i have an extended shooting session.

good luck with your shoot.

murf