reduce recoil of 270

[colbysdad]

First, I have had several shoulder surgeries and was told not to have too much recoil on my shoulder. I have a 270 Ruger in a bolt action. I have tried the lead sled but it doesn't work for me.
I spend most of the day talking to some gun dealers around town today and got some very different answers. The first one told me to forget the bolt action and go with the semi-auto 270..it would reduce recoil by thirty percent ??
The second dealer told me to go to the 7mm08 and start reloading it would work out the price difference..trouble is I don't relaod.
The third dealer told me to buy a 243 and he had a used one for sale.
Now, I like to shoot at my range and enjoy deer hunting in northern Michigan. I like my 270 but I need to do something about the recoil..is there any thing I can do ?? Getting old is starting to get me mad !:banghead:

 

[Jay the Plinker]

I shot a .270 with the low recoil rounds itll screw up your zero and still feels like your getting punched but much better then normal I think Remington makes them

 

[foghornl]

couple of things...try the 'reduced recoil' ammo. Remington makes it for several calibres.

Does the rifle "Fit" you properly? How good is the recoil pad, or does it have just the standard hard butt-plate?

Here are the specs copied from Remington's website:

270 Win. RL270W2 Core-Lokt Pointed Soft Point 115-Gr 2710 Muzzle Vel

 

[dubya450]

Hmm sounds like a Browning BAR (semi-auto) in 7mm-08 would suit you nicely!

 

[TonyAngel]

Well, if you want to stick with the .270, maybe getting into reloading might do the trick. There's a lot of flexibility there. Other than that, I think that the only way to significantly reduce recoil would be to either go to a lesser caliber or a heavier rifle or both.

Maybe a bit simple, but are you using a good recoil pad?

 

[Jay the Plinker]

The reduced recoil buy Remington Is a start

 

[Abel]

I would double up the ante and buy a browning bar 243. Three words: Very little recoil.

 

[Maverick223]

First of all, a SA action will reduce the perceived recoil, but I seriously doubt that it will make a 30% difference...maybe 10-15% (which is still noticeable).

There are several ways to reduce the recoil. You can use reduced loads (either the aforementioned Remington rounds or by taking up handloading), you can swap the rifle for a different chambering (the 6.5mmCreedmoor or 7mm-08Rem. would both be good choices that you do not have to handload for if you choose to go this route), or modify the rifle to lessen the perceived recoil...I'll focus on the latter option, as I believe that one will yield the most desirable result assuming that you like the rifle you already have (and you can always do this in conjunction with reduced loads).

Ruger, though they make a excellent rifle, have never made a particularly well designed stock IMO. Perhaps it's just me, but they tend to accentuate recoil (at least on the African chamberings). a replacement stock wouldn't be a bad idea, but you have other options as well. The first thing I would try is a better recoil pad, I prefer Pachmayr (the deluxe shotgun/rifle, one of the thick decelerators, or the triple magnum would be best), but LimbSaver makes a good pad as well. The next option is adding weight. You can simply drill out part of the center section of the stock beneath the recoil pad and epoxy some lead shot in there, or go with a mercury recoil reducer (which helps even more as it allows the mercury to slosh forwards under recoil to counteract the rearward momentum).

 

[Squeaky Wheel]

Generally speaking, the .243 should have about the least recoil and still be good for deer hunting. A .243 in SA might be a good fit for you.

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

If you really want to stick with the .270, you either need to reload your own or purchase (maybe try out) the Remington Managed Recoil loads. I think they're only 115gr... However, I've also seen 100gr. loads. Maybe a box of each to try? If that doesn't work, you may just have to give up the .270.

The 7mm-08 would be a good alternative, but the .243 would be even better. Both are more than capable for deer at reasonable distances.

 

[Sav .250]

Is it both shoulders? If not and you`ve got one good one, maybe you can re-tool yourself and try shooting off the good one. Do what you have to do.
J s/n.

 

[nastynatesfish]

They also sell a murcury filled recoil reducer that you'll need to fit in your but stock. I did one for my dad in his 3006. It's made by dead mule I think? I used an auger bit and then bedded it in the stock. They make different lengths also.
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=6809/Product/100-STRAIGHT-DEAD-MULE-RECOIL-REDUCER
That and or you can give your rifle to a smith and have him thread it for a muzzle break. They cut recoil great but make the rifle louder

 

[Sam1911]

Lots of options, most of them already suggested:

1) "Reduced recoil" factory ammo.
2) Teach yourself to reload and make up TRUE reduced loads which will make your rifle recoil like a .22.
3) Dead Mule recoil reducer (http://www.100straight.com/products/deadmule.htm) or a similar product -- easily fabricated yourself if you prefer.
4) Spend a week teaching yourself to shoot left-handed. Rifles aren't difficult to learn to shoot swap-shouldered.
5) Switch caliber.
6) Maybe semi-auto. Gas-op guns do suck up the recoil 10% or so.
7) Hunt with a handgun. Even a .270 T/C Encore if you just love the cartridge!

 

[blindhog1964]

Or you could triple down on it and get a muzzle break fitted for it , a recoil pad and add weight. If that doesn't do it reload or change calibers.

 

[68wj]

I know you don't reload, but the initial equipment required to start is less than a new rifle, you get to keep your current rifle and continue to use it, working up loads is a great excuse to head to the range, and there is a good variety of hunting bullets from 85-120 grain that can be loaded light and still do a number on medium game.

85 gr Barnes TSX or Nosler E-Tips are being used out of 16" barrels at 3000 fps and work well on deer and hogs.

 

[sage5907]

I'm a big 270 Winchester fan and shoot them every year. The first thing I would do is to have a Pachmayr 1 inch Decelerator pad installed on the rifle. That will reduce felt recoil at least 20 percent. There won't be any sharp jab. If you don't reload get someone who does to load ammo for you. A good handload for light recoil and hunting is 53 grains of IMR 4831 with a 130 grain bullet. Both Speer and Sierra make good hunting bullets. If the recoil is still too strong you could further reduce the load down to 51 grains. These loads will take at least another 10 percent of the recoil away. When you practice or hunt wear a padded jacket, don't shoot with only a shirt. Hope this helps. Shooter

 

[Kachok]

Get a 6.5x55, recoil is next to zilch and it drops deer like a bad habit. Factory loads are nearly all "reduced recoil" because they are loaded to 100 year old Mauser pressures. They push a 140gr bullet to about 2550fps which is more then enough for any whitetail that ever walked.
243 is a good low recoil round too, my only gripe is they don't penetrate nearly as well as a 6.5mm.

 

[Arkansas deer hunter]

you could try a sims slip on recoil pad,hornady custom light ammo or remington reduced recoil ammo

 

[MtnCreek]

Check out the 'Little Bastard' brake. I don't have any exp w/ it, but the video on the manufacturer's site showing a similar brake on a 338L before and after is impressive!

 

[walt501]

Past Recoil Shield

I've used a Past Recoil Shield for years. It really cuts down on shoulder abuse when firing off the bench.

They're available in a Super Mag Plus version, which is what I would recommend for your situation.

 

[adelbridge]

with a .270 you are dealing with about 15-17lbs of free recoil energy. Sucks to hear about your injury. Is 17 lbs going to cause health issues or just cause pain?

I have a BAR and a Remington 7400 in .270 and they dont reduce recoil that much. The BAR kicks like a bolt gun and the 7400 is tamer to some degree.

The cheapest fix is to shoot 110 grain bullets.

I have a muzzle break on a 7 mag and it cuts perceived recoil down to about .308 level

If you go the muzzle break route you are talking about adding spending some money to get it done right.

 

[threefortyduster]

Fusion also makes a light recoil round for the .270, as long as you're hunting within 200 yards, they claim effectiveness. Otherwise, lighten up the weight of the bullet, it will help a bit.

My option would be the .243 or a .30-30 if you aren't opposed to that round.

 

[bushmaster1313]

Past Recoil Shield for shoulder
Soft recoil Pad
Reduced recoil ammo
Do not shoot from a sitting position at the bench.
(Magna port the barrel as a last resort)

 

[riflefan]

I shoot both the 243 and 270 in bolt guns and really like each. If you cant get the 270 comfortable for you the 243 would be much gentler, I believe they are rated about 11 lbs of recoil force verses 19 lbs. Both will do the job on deer size game. Best of luck in your search. BTW trajectories at distance are very similar so learning a new caliber(243) shouldn't be an issue.

 

[razorback2003]

I have a similar issue to shooting decent recoiling rifles and shotguns. I am going to pick up a PAST recoil pad on the advice of folks on this website. I do use the Remington Managed Recoil loads in my 7 mag and that does help quite a bit without changing out the recoil pad or wearing a PAST pad under a shirt. 7 mag managed recoil loads to me are more comfortable than shooting my 30-30 lever rifle.

I almost went to a 243 several years ago to have a bolt action centerfire, but was given the 7 mag. Kind of hard to pass up a gift of a gun.