don't be afraid of a saw is my advise. My 870 has been cut down about 5/8" As little as that is, it cut recoil pain by about %95. Recoil feels the same actually, but I can shoot 200 rounds of 12 gauge and not hurt. Before the cut, it was about 20. Full length factory stock 20 gauges hurt far more. Its strange, but nearly everyone I know refuses to fit their shotgun stock, because of some ego thing. They think if they need to cut the stock, they must be "below average" in some way. They also pretend they don't need to, because it "shoots great and doesn't kick" Of course they're lying to me and themselves. So they rarely shoot, because it hurts, and miss when they do. A good fitting stock is a great recoil reducer.
Rifles that kick like a mule, what you got and what's your work arounds
- Thread starter Paul R Zartman
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Trey Veston
Member
My buffalo gun isn't the hardest recoiling rifle I own, probably because of the weight. That honor goes to my Model 70 custom rifle in .35 Whelen shooting 250gr bullets. Still, not too bad.
My two highest recoiling firearms are probably my 12ga shotguns. One is a Weatherby tactical pump with a synthetic pistol grip that will get your attention with turkey loads...
The other is my grandfathers Remington 12ga semi-auto. I've been told there is some adjustment that can be made to lessen recoil, but it worked for him for 50 years as is, so I don't want to mess with it.
But the hardest kicking rifle/shotgun I've fired is my brother's Marlin 1895 guide gun and some Hornady FTX loads, even with a slip-on recoil gel pad....
My two highest recoiling firearms are probably my 12ga shotguns. One is a Weatherby tactical pump with a synthetic pistol grip that will get your attention with turkey loads...
The other is my grandfathers Remington 12ga semi-auto. I've been told there is some adjustment that can be made to lessen recoil, but it worked for him for 50 years as is, so I don't want to mess with it.
But the hardest kicking rifle/shotgun I've fired is my brother's Marlin 1895 guide gun and some Hornady FTX loads, even with a slip-on recoil gel pad....
Hmmm, mine’s not bad but it’s the synthetic stock version.
Pat Riot
Contributing Member
For a rifle that doesn’t have a recoil pad I like to use the lace on recoil pads, especially if the gun is wooden stocked and I want a traditional look.
For my Winchester 30-30 carbine I used either a size small or extra small, I do not recall which, Acton recoil pad. I buy these from Buffalo Arms.
Size “Small”
https://www.buffaloarms.com/shootin...lip-on-butt-pad-small-lace-on-type-act2607l-s
Size “Extra Small”
https://www.buffaloarms.com/shootin...on-butt-pads-x-small-lace-on-type-act2607l-xs
I have used the larger sizes on “side by side” double barreled shotguns. They really help and they look nice.
This is my Win. 94E “Trapper” (in name only) carbine. I ended up Cerakoting it due to ex-friend’s negligence. This gun is a really nice shooter. Some folks don’t like it but the gun doesn’t belong to “some folks”, now does it?
For my Winchester 30-30 carbine I used either a size small or extra small, I do not recall which, Acton recoil pad. I buy these from Buffalo Arms.
Size “Small”
https://www.buffaloarms.com/shootin...lip-on-butt-pad-small-lace-on-type-act2607l-s
Size “Extra Small”
https://www.buffaloarms.com/shootin...on-butt-pads-x-small-lace-on-type-act2607l-xs
I have used the larger sizes on “side by side” double barreled shotguns. They really help and they look nice.
This is my Win. 94E “Trapper” (in name only) carbine. I ended up Cerakoting it due to ex-friend’s negligence. This gun is a really nice shooter. Some folks don’t like it but the gun doesn’t belong to “some folks”, now does it?
dh1633pm
Contributing Member
My Marlin Guide Gun fits the bill when loaded up. Smacks you in the face and shoulder pretty good. I practice with lighter loads but hunt with heavier. Learned to embrace the suck. Go with it. You know its there, it lets you know you successfully sent one down range when you don't flinch. To not flinch, you have to go with it and let it do its things. It smacks.
redneck2
Member
I had one also. Put a Pachmyer (sp?) Decelerator. Even with very heavy .lever gun only loads it wasn’t bad. The padding or lack thereof plus shape of butt cap makes a huge difference
I see no logical reason to put up with physical abuse if you don’t have to. Nothing macho or manly about it IMO.
Worst was my 870 12 gauge with 3” magnum slugs. 485 grains @ 1,900 FPS. That’s elephant rifle territory in a light gun. Now I shoot a 7 Mag and it’s much better.
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Space Ghost
Member
I had a Rossi 92 in .44 mag I didn't like, but it wasn't so much the caliber being too powerful, or the gun being too light. It was the shape of that stupid curved metal butt plate. You couldn't really put it in your shoulder. It's like you had to put your upper arm through the semi-circle... I had the gunsmith cut the stock enough to straighten it, and put a normal recoil pad on it. May not look as cool, (to some people) but it's the most fun gun to shoot I own now.
Worst recoiling gun I ever had was a Mosin Nagant M44.
My "workaround" was... it's my son's gun now, and I have another 7mm Mauser.
Worst recoiling gun I ever had was a Mosin Nagant M44.
My "workaround" was... it's my son's gun now, and I have another 7mm Mauser.
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Fine Figure of a Man
Member
I thought mine was short. I bet that thing is slick.
FL-NC
Member
My work-around was to eliminate the guns that beat the heck out of me. The calibers I use now are 223, 243, 6.5 CM, and a AR in 308.
sage5907
Member
I have several rifles and all of them are based on the 30-06 case. My approach to lessening the recoil is to adjust the length of pull so the rifle fits the shooter and to install a good recoil pad like a Pachmayr Decelarator. Because I am a hunter I learned to shoot from a sitting position using a shooting stick. This upright position lessens the recoil because the body gives with the recoil instead of absorbing the recoil. I think that is why so many long range target shooters like the lower recoil of the 6.5 MM cartridges because they shoot prone which puts the body in a position to absorb the recoil. Rifle stocks used primarily for shooting prone are likely to have a longer length of pull than those used to shoot upright. Recoil is less painful if you hold the rifle butt tightly against the shoulder.
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gotboostvr
Member
Don't feel too bad, I think my 44mag R92 zaps me pretty good. The short LOP (I'm 6'4" with long arms) and the steel buttplate don't help, that's for sure.
chicharrones
needs more ammo
Yeah, that's just to keep a rifle in place while leaned up against a wall with the butt sitting on a smooth floor.
chicharrones
needs more ammo
Several years ago I bought one of those leather slip-on recoil pads that attach with velcro. I move it from my 12 gauge SxS to Milsurp guns as needed.
Looks like the version I have isn't made by Pachmayr any more. https://bradfordstalker.co.uk/pachmayr-leather-deluxe-slip-on-recoil-pad/
Looks like the version I have isn't made by Pachmayr any more. https://bradfordstalker.co.uk/pachmayr-leather-deluxe-slip-on-recoil-pad/
Speedo66
Member
An original Trapdoor Springfield carbine. I wasn't reloading at the time and factory ammo with the steel butt plate just beat me up to the point I didn't want to finish a box at a time. The army originally had lighter loads for the carbine, I didn't.
Solution: Gone.
Solution: Gone.
Hardest kicking gun I have ever fired was a synthetic stock H&R Handi Rifle in 500 S&W. Bought it from a friend with a box of 18 rounds and sold it to another friend with 15 rounds. It was just a horrible fitting rifle and I had no use for it.
Other than that the worst I had was a lightweight older Savage 30-06. Solved that by replacing the stock with an aftermarket that fit better.
Other than that the worst I had was a lightweight older Savage 30-06. Solved that by replacing the stock with an aftermarket that fit better.
mcb
Member
A friend of mine fixed his 500 S&W handi rifle by adding weight, 5 lbs of AAC Cyclops suppressor took all the recoil and muzzle blast right out of that mean little rifle.
I built a 450 Bushmaster and initially the recoil in a T-shirt was moderately unpleasant.
The standard A2 stock does not have much of a recoil pad.
After that first long shooting session I had a waffle-tread bruise on my should. After that I was running a LimbSaver slip recoil pad on it for shooting session in light clothing. With my heavy hunting coat recoil was a non-issue.
I later upgraded the stock and the muzzle device to a break. The break is not terrible effective but helps just enough to be noticed (assuming I am wearing hearing protection cause it does make it louder). The new stock has a Remington Super-Cell recoil pad integrated and a nice wide cheek piece (Sorry Remington does not make it anymore when they killed the R-25 GII and Bushmaster). Work well with the scope. With those changes it has really taken the bit out of the recoil. I can shoot it in a T-shirt without discomfort.
Chuck R.
Member
I've shot .375 H&H, .458 Win. Mag. 500 grain, etc. But the one that really beats me up is the little Remington 660 .350 Mag. carbine. And yes, I do have one of those PAST recoil shields
View attachment 907839
I share your pain to some extent:
REM M7 in .350.
I ONCE worked up a 250 grain load at 2500 FPS and zero'd it with just the iron sights, just ONCE.
I've got a .45-100 and .45-90 that I used in BPCR matches for extended round counts of 60-80 rds in the prone and nothing compares to the M7 with 250s.
Gordon
Member
The .378 Weatherby on a Shultz and Larsen action was about 9 pounds with a scope and so vicious I became scared to shoot it for fear of scope hitting my face or doing tooth damage, 20 years ago I sold it. I got a cute little "loaner" for wise asses; a Steyr M95 in 8x56R and a stash of clips full of 1939 208 grain Nazi ammo. The carbine was bubbaized into a tiny stutzen some where in Eastern Europe and has a recoil pad made out of a piece of tire (nicely done but tread is obvious) . It is sighted in well at 100 yards !That thing really kicks! Unless you are holding on tight Im sure it will take your teeth out ! What were those Nazis thinking issuing these to "home guard " ?
Terry G
Member
I bought an M44 mainly because I had a C&R license and had already bought everything else. I loaded that puppy up with surplus Russian ammunition and after the first shot I went in the house and got my padded shooting jacket. Still packed a wallop. All guns recoil but this thing flat out KICKED! I cleaned it up and took it to a Flea Market where my Wife and her Sister were selling things for some charity or another and as soon as I plunked it down on the table men started gathering. I sold it in five minutes for $325.00 I know I could have got more. I think it cost me $140,00 but it was long ago. The buyer was Polish and he just had to have that rifle. His Wife was berating him in Polish the whole time. He turned and spoke one sentence and she shut up and went and sat in the car. My Wife was berating me because her and her Sister had been there for four hours and sold maybe $40.00 worth of stuff.
ApacheCoTodd
member
entropy
Member
Several Mosin Nagants, and proper form. Rifle in pocket of shoulder, slight lean forward.
Gordon
Member
I still have it, it is in a less secure lock up , I'll take a picture when I do so for a holster I promised a guy on forums here, Ill post it on this thread. It isn't much to look at, but I can just imagine some Eastern European it being their home defense weapon. It came in with other comblock weapons I bought 25 years ago, after the wall fell from a rather senior intell officer I was in the service with but stayed on full time as he rose in staff grade positions. He retired 10 years after I retired out of reserves in 1986 as a WO2
. He got out of Regular Army a full bird. I bought about 10 of his guns in early 90s . They included CZ52, Tokegypt, this Stutzen , Mak, 8mm carbine, .45 H&A under hammer he competed with , Lugers ect.
Coyote3855
Member
Mosin. Limbsaver.
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