worst recoiling rifle
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Rushthezeppelin
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Worst recoiling rifle I've personally shot would be hands down the single shot 50 BMG uppers that go on an AR lower. I blacked out for half a second when shooting that thing from prone, and it even had a 3" recoil pad on it.
I'd imagine the single worst recoiling rifle in the world would have to be the lighter (50 lbs) rifle that shoots 950 JDJ. Unfortunately the chances of any of us getting to shoot one of the three rifles for this caliber in existence are probably slim to none. According to wikipedia the recoil energy generated with the heavier rifles (110 lbs) and a 3600gr bullet is approximately 200 ft lbs.
I'd imagine the single worst recoiling rifle in the world would have to be the lighter (50 lbs) rifle that shoots 950 JDJ. Unfortunately the chances of any of us getting to shoot one of the three rifles for this caliber in existence are probably slim to none. According to wikipedia the recoil energy generated with the heavier rifles (110 lbs) and a 3600gr bullet is approximately 200 ft lbs.
TimboKhan
Member
I didn't think H&H's rifle was all that bad, surprisingly enough. The most painful gun in have shot in a rifle is a Ruger 270 with the first gen polymer stock. That's not a round I am normally bothered by, but that stock was painful to shoot.
The most uncomfortable rifle I've shot is an Ultra Light Arms chambered for the .33 G&A which is basically a .338 Lapua Mag. The version I shot weighs around 5-1/4lb without the scope. A 300gr bullet at 2,900 fps from a rifle/scope combination weighing under 7lb is brutal to say the least.
TurboFC3S
Member
Feel sorry for this guy whose friends talked him into firing a "recoilless" rifle.
http://youtu.be/xk_tsinBcQs
Somebody else mentioned 45/70, yeah ... 405gr out of a short Guide Gun at 2200fps is PLENTY for me. 2-3 of those and I'm done.
http://youtu.be/xk_tsinBcQs
Somebody else mentioned 45/70, yeah ... 405gr out of a short Guide Gun at 2200fps is PLENTY for me. 2-3 of those and I'm done.
TexasPatriot.308
Member
at almost 60, don't wanna know, I got friends that hunt with mags and ultra mags that cant hit doodly cause they are flinching when they pull the trigger. I stick with .308 at the most, my preference is for a caliber I can shoot well, so I stick with 7mm-08, .22-250, 6.5 Swede, and .308.....no need in being macho...being a good shot is another thing.
TimboKhan
Member
I am 42 and feel the same way, with the exception of shooting that .470. That was just a life experience!
I haven't shot any of the big bores that some of y'all have, but I had a wooden stock Weatherby Vanguard in 300 Wby Mag that I sold because of the recoil. It was much worse than my 338 Win Mag. Maybe it was the stock design, but it was brutal to me.
This is why I hunt deer with a 9 lb Model 70 in .243.I am willing to carry it up and down the ridges because when I shoot the scope doesn't leave the target.I see the deer react to the impact.My worst experience was lying prone to shoot a 1939 9mm Mauser with a steel butt plate.
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theotherwaldo
Member
The worst kicker that I currently own is a Mannlicher M95/30. Steel buttplates leave marks!
Boxhead
Member
Full tilt 405's in a Ruger No. 3 45-70. My 416's are a pleasure comparatively.
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The hardest all around recoiling rifle I ever shot was actually two in the same day. I was on a friends ranch in South Africa shooting his daily carry rifles. The first was a light weight .450 Rigby the rifle weighs about 8.5 lbs and gets pretty close to duplicating a .460 Weatherby (Same basic case just not belted)and does not have a break or porting. It launches a 500 gr bullet at about 2500 FPS. The best way to describe it it is a simultaneous face slap/ heavy muzzle concussion and shoulder punch all in one. I fired 5 rounds and was able to maintain a pretty good level of accuracy but the rifle wasn't fun to shoot.
After proving my manhood and standing in good graces for my country the big rifle was brought out. A .500 Jeffery stoked up with full house loads of 535 gr Woodleighs at 2450 FPS. Now I have to say this rifle had a heavier but less obnoxious recoil than the .450 Rigby. I also fired a full magazine through the rifle of 3+1. On the first shot I center punched an old tin cup that we had set up on the bank of a dry dirt tank. The next 3 shots were not so great as that little bird that visits all heavy rifle shooters occasionally, AKA the flinch came to visit me. I also had a headache for the remainder of the afternoon. Just a nice little case of recoil induced concussion to end the day with.
Now in subsequent trips I've shot the .500 Jeffery loaded down from max using a 535 at about 2150 FPS it makes it into an entirely different and more manageable, maybe an I'll even venture to say enjoyable rifle to shoot.
I just want to add for safety sake. It is impossible to produce a 2200 FPS 405 gr load out of a Marlin Guide Gun in .45-70, 1900 FPS + or - is the absolute hairy, on the edge maximum that can be safely produced in that rifle with a 405 gr bullet. And that is more than enough in that rifle. PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT to achieve 2200 FPS out of a Marlin Gide Gun with 405 Gr bullets.
I also find maxed out loads in a Marlin lever gun to be highly unpleasant to shoot. For me it's less about shoulder punch and more about the face slap and the finger biting that those little SOB's produce with heavy loads.
After proving my manhood and standing in good graces for my country the big rifle was brought out. A .500 Jeffery stoked up with full house loads of 535 gr Woodleighs at 2450 FPS. Now I have to say this rifle had a heavier but less obnoxious recoil than the .450 Rigby. I also fired a full magazine through the rifle of 3+1. On the first shot I center punched an old tin cup that we had set up on the bank of a dry dirt tank. The next 3 shots were not so great as that little bird that visits all heavy rifle shooters occasionally, AKA the flinch came to visit me. I also had a headache for the remainder of the afternoon. Just a nice little case of recoil induced concussion to end the day with.
Now in subsequent trips I've shot the .500 Jeffery loaded down from max using a 535 at about 2150 FPS it makes it into an entirely different and more manageable, maybe an I'll even venture to say enjoyable rifle to shoot.
I just want to add for safety sake. It is impossible to produce a 2200 FPS 405 gr load out of a Marlin Guide Gun in .45-70, 1900 FPS + or - is the absolute hairy, on the edge maximum that can be safely produced in that rifle with a 405 gr bullet. And that is more than enough in that rifle. PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT to achieve 2200 FPS out of a Marlin Gide Gun with 405 Gr bullets.
I also find maxed out loads in a Marlin lever gun to be highly unpleasant to shoot. For me it's less about shoulder punch and more about the face slap and the finger biting that those little SOB's produce with heavy loads.
87hurricane
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The worst recoil I've ever felt is from my first deer rifle, a 30-06 Rem 700. Nothing real special about it, standard 700 with a synth stock, but it was absolutely awful to shoot. I grew up shooting my dad's 300 Weatherby, so I wasn't really that concerned about recoil from a 06. First time I lit it off I scoped myself, took me years to stop flinching...I don't know if there was something wrong with that gun, or if that just how it was. I kept it for about 3 years, shot it once a year right before hunting season. I'd put about 3 shots through it to make sure it was on paper, and then have a bruised shoulder for about 2 weeks. I did take my first deer with it, but simply hated that rifle. I traded it for a .257 Weatherby and couldn't have been happier. I've shot many other 06s since then, and plenty of bigger stuff, but nothing has ever compared to that old Remington.
bikemutt
Member
A "friend" suggested I try out his chopped down (to 16+") Marlin 1895 chambered for 450 marlin, he furnished the handloads.
I thought my shoulder had become dislocated after the first shot but figured I better man-up and do it one more time. It took a week for the bruise to finally disappear.
I thought my shoulder had become dislocated after the first shot but figured I better man-up and do it one more time. It took a week for the bruise to finally disappear.
Esoxchaser
Member
My buddy customized a 7mm Mag, it weighed a scoonch under 4# and the stock was at most 7/8" wide at the widest. Shooting that thing was like having a hatchet driven into your brachial plexus. I couldn't even hit the paper after the third round, and I am not recoil sensitive, or am I a small guy, that rifle was just abusive. He restocked it a year later and added a couple of pounds and some thickness.
AKElroy
Member
Not a rifle, but I have a Rossi coach sxs with 18.5" tubes, can't weigh 6lbs. I could not shoot field loads without severe pain until I had a decelerator pad installed. It has a wispy little but stock, very slim & trim. After painfully enduring 40 rounds of "light" dove loads, I was working up the courage to load the HD rounds that little SxS was meant for.
Up came the 3", 2oz 15 pellet monsters. Good lord. Even with the pad, the shooting vest, and a folded empty shell-box under the butt of that gun, I still thought I broke my collar bone. Two rounds was all I could take.
Not sure I would do it again, even to stop a home invasion. I think I would just club them with it instead.
Up came the 3", 2oz 15 pellet monsters. Good lord. Even with the pad, the shooting vest, and a folded empty shell-box under the butt of that gun, I still thought I broke my collar bone. Two rounds was all I could take.
Not sure I would do it again, even to stop a home invasion. I think I would just club them with it instead.
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cdb1
Member
My grandmother's single shot 10 gauge goose gun when I was eleven. No recoil pad and I never shot it again.
Voodoochile
Member
Tark;
You & I have something in common, I too fired a 4 bore elephant rifle once in 1987 but the one I fired was a muzzle loader.
I do not know the actual charge weight but I believe the ball weighed in at 1750gr..
Let's just put it this way, I think I lost half of my body & my mind that day because it sure kicked harder than the cow that kicked me years later "don't ask."
You & I have something in common, I too fired a 4 bore elephant rifle once in 1987 but the one I fired was a muzzle loader.
I do not know the actual charge weight but I believe the ball weighed in at 1750gr..
Let's just put it this way, I think I lost half of my body & my mind that day because it sure kicked harder than the cow that kicked me years later "don't ask."
cammogunner
Member
dang well i havent had the chance to shoot any of them big bore guns but i have a 7.5 pound 06 that just near kills me.. but thats not half as bad as 3 inch 4 shot mags out of a 12 guage
Ranger Roberts
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.460 Weatherby is the worst I can think of off the top of my head.
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tark
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Wow. I think I have seen two or three guns here, plus one video, that just might be more unpleasant than that 4-bore, I have never fires a 460 Weatherby and from the videos I have seen I"m not sure I ever want to.
Nom de Forum, it WAS a rare opportunity and an honor the know a wonderful old gentleman named Ray Meyer, back in the 80s when I lived in Fremont, California. I met Ray at the Chabot Regional park in Hayward, where there was a shooting range. He was shooting the 4 bore, and with him was a large audience. He also had with him an Army-Navy .577 3" and a Holland and Holland 8 bore double, in Royal Grade. When he noticed how badly I was salivating he offered to let me shoot them. I chose the 4 bore. That was the only time in my life I drove thirty five miles to a range, fired only one round and went to the hospital afterwards. I think Ray felt guilty. He took me to the hospital himself, and invited me over to his house the following day.
It was wonderland. I discovered that Ray was approved and certified by James Purdey & Sons AND Holland and Holland to repair and work on their guns. He had a machine shop in his garage and he made the cases for the 8 and 4 bores by hand, on the lathe, out of 1 1/4 " brass rod. He also collected English Doubles. He had a twenty four pound James Purdey & sons 4 bore double , one of three made. Holland and Hollands too numerous to mention. That Army Navy 577 was a H&H. Ray showed me how you could tell, by the polishing marks inside the receiver, who had made the gun.
Ray was a hunter. His house had mounted heads everywhere, tables made out of Elephant's feet, and lion skin rugs. He had been on safari with John Hunter, perhaps the greatest of them all. He had a Mounted Rhino head over the fireplace, that he had shot with an 8 bore as it had charged. The range had been five yards, They dug the bullet out of the Rhino's rear end. Ray remembered violently shaking after it was over as he turned to Hunter who was backing him up with a 500 3' . Hunter, calm as could be , lowered his rifle, pulled out his pipe and said in a low voice; "Nice shot Ray but if you had let him get any closer I was going to have to take him out for you." I begged Ray to write a book but I don't think he ever kept a diary.
Elmer Kieth was a good friend of Ray's and he told me a humorous story about Elmer. They were at a dinner, and Elmer was four or five seats away. Ray let it be known that he had an Army Navy 577. Moments later a napkin was handed to Ray with a rather substantial monetary offer written on it. Ray smiled at Elmer and shook his hear. During the course of the dinner he kept getting bigger offers until he finally emphatically told Elmer that he wasn't going to sell it. He never did.
Ray was in his seventies when I met him and that was thirty years ago. He was one of the most remarkable people I have ever met.
Nom de Forum, it WAS a rare opportunity and an honor the know a wonderful old gentleman named Ray Meyer, back in the 80s when I lived in Fremont, California. I met Ray at the Chabot Regional park in Hayward, where there was a shooting range. He was shooting the 4 bore, and with him was a large audience. He also had with him an Army-Navy .577 3" and a Holland and Holland 8 bore double, in Royal Grade. When he noticed how badly I was salivating he offered to let me shoot them. I chose the 4 bore. That was the only time in my life I drove thirty five miles to a range, fired only one round and went to the hospital afterwards. I think Ray felt guilty. He took me to the hospital himself, and invited me over to his house the following day.
It was wonderland. I discovered that Ray was approved and certified by James Purdey & Sons AND Holland and Holland to repair and work on their guns. He had a machine shop in his garage and he made the cases for the 8 and 4 bores by hand, on the lathe, out of 1 1/4 " brass rod. He also collected English Doubles. He had a twenty four pound James Purdey & sons 4 bore double , one of three made. Holland and Hollands too numerous to mention. That Army Navy 577 was a H&H. Ray showed me how you could tell, by the polishing marks inside the receiver, who had made the gun.
Ray was a hunter. His house had mounted heads everywhere, tables made out of Elephant's feet, and lion skin rugs. He had been on safari with John Hunter, perhaps the greatest of them all. He had a Mounted Rhino head over the fireplace, that he had shot with an 8 bore as it had charged. The range had been five yards, They dug the bullet out of the Rhino's rear end. Ray remembered violently shaking after it was over as he turned to Hunter who was backing him up with a 500 3' . Hunter, calm as could be , lowered his rifle, pulled out his pipe and said in a low voice; "Nice shot Ray but if you had let him get any closer I was going to have to take him out for you." I begged Ray to write a book but I don't think he ever kept a diary.
Elmer Kieth was a good friend of Ray's and he told me a humorous story about Elmer. They were at a dinner, and Elmer was four or five seats away. Ray let it be known that he had an Army Navy 577. Moments later a napkin was handed to Ray with a rather substantial monetary offer written on it. Ray smiled at Elmer and shook his hear. During the course of the dinner he kept getting bigger offers until he finally emphatically told Elmer that he wasn't going to sell it. He never did.
Ray was in his seventies when I met him and that was thirty years ago. He was one of the most remarkable people I have ever met.
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tark
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Wow. I think I have seen two or three guns here, plus one video, that just might be more unpleasant than that 4-bore, I have never fires a 460 Weatherby and from the videos I have seen I"m not sure I ever want to.
Nom de Forum, it WAS a rare opportunity and an honor the know a wonderful old gentleman named Ray Meyer, back in the 80s when I lived in Fremont, California. I met Ray at the Chabot Regional park in Hayward, where there was a shooting range. He was shooting the 4 bore, and with him was a large audience. He also had with him an Army-Navy .577 3" and a Holland and Holland 8 bore double, in Royal Grade. When he noticed how badly I was salivating he offered to let me shoot them. I chose the 4 bore. That was the only time in my life I drove thirty five miles to a range, fired only one round and went to the hospital afterwards. I think Ray felt guilty. He took me to the hospital himself, and invited me over to his house the following day.
It was wonderland. I discovered that Ray was approved and certified by James Purdey & Sons AND Holland and Holland to repair and work on their guns. He had a machine shop in his garage and he made the cases for the 8 and 4 bores by hand, on the lathe, out of 1 1/4 " brass rod. He also collected English Doubles. He had a twenty four pound James Purdey & sons 4 bore double , one of three made. Holland and Hollands too numerous to mention. That Army Navy 577 was a H&H. Ray showed me how you could tell, by the polishing marks inside the receiver, who had made the gun.
Ray was a hunter. His house had mounted heads everywhere, tables made out of Elephant's feet, and lion skin rugs. He had been on safari with John Hunter, perhaps the greatest of them all. He had a Mounted Rhino head over the fireplace, that he had shot with an 8 bore as it had charged. The range had been five yards, They dug the bulled out of the Rhino's rear end. Ray remembered violently shaking after it was over as he turned to Hunter who was backing him up with a 500 3' . Hunter, calm as could be , lowered his rifle, pulled out his pipe and said in a low voice; "Nice shot Ray but if you had let him get any closer I was going to have to take him out for you." I begged Ray to write a book but I don't think he ever kept a diary.
Elmer Kieth was a good friend of Ray's and he told me a humorous story about Elmer. They were at a dinner, and Elmer was four or five seats away. Ray let it be known that he had an Army Navy 577. Now, the 577 3" was Elmer Keith's favorite dangerous game cartridge. Moments later a napkin was handed to Ray with a rather substantial monetary offer written on it. Ray smiled at Elmer and shook his hear. During the course of the dinner he kept getting bigger offers until he finally emphatically told Elmer that he wasn't going to sell it. He never did.
Ray was in his seventies when I met him and that was thirty years ago. He was one of the most remarkable people I have ever met and I will always be grateful for what he taught me.
Nom de Forum, it WAS a rare opportunity and an honor the know a wonderful old gentleman named Ray Meyer, back in the 80s when I lived in Fremont, California. I met Ray at the Chabot Regional park in Hayward, where there was a shooting range. He was shooting the 4 bore, and with him was a large audience. He also had with him an Army-Navy .577 3" and a Holland and Holland 8 bore double, in Royal Grade. When he noticed how badly I was salivating he offered to let me shoot them. I chose the 4 bore. That was the only time in my life I drove thirty five miles to a range, fired only one round and went to the hospital afterwards. I think Ray felt guilty. He took me to the hospital himself, and invited me over to his house the following day.
It was wonderland. I discovered that Ray was approved and certified by James Purdey & Sons AND Holland and Holland to repair and work on their guns. He had a machine shop in his garage and he made the cases for the 8 and 4 bores by hand, on the lathe, out of 1 1/4 " brass rod. He also collected English Doubles. He had a twenty four pound James Purdey & sons 4 bore double , one of three made. Holland and Hollands too numerous to mention. That Army Navy 577 was a H&H. Ray showed me how you could tell, by the polishing marks inside the receiver, who had made the gun.
Ray was a hunter. His house had mounted heads everywhere, tables made out of Elephant's feet, and lion skin rugs. He had been on safari with John Hunter, perhaps the greatest of them all. He had a Mounted Rhino head over the fireplace, that he had shot with an 8 bore as it had charged. The range had been five yards, They dug the bulled out of the Rhino's rear end. Ray remembered violently shaking after it was over as he turned to Hunter who was backing him up with a 500 3' . Hunter, calm as could be , lowered his rifle, pulled out his pipe and said in a low voice; "Nice shot Ray but if you had let him get any closer I was going to have to take him out for you." I begged Ray to write a book but I don't think he ever kept a diary.
Elmer Kieth was a good friend of Ray's and he told me a humorous story about Elmer. They were at a dinner, and Elmer was four or five seats away. Ray let it be known that he had an Army Navy 577. Now, the 577 3" was Elmer Keith's favorite dangerous game cartridge. Moments later a napkin was handed to Ray with a rather substantial monetary offer written on it. Ray smiled at Elmer and shook his hear. During the course of the dinner he kept getting bigger offers until he finally emphatically told Elmer that he wasn't going to sell it. He never did.
Ray was in his seventies when I met him and that was thirty years ago. He was one of the most remarkable people I have ever met and I will always be grateful for what he taught me.
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tark
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Well, I guess you all know, now, what an idiot I am with computers!! LOL I thought I was editing but instead I reposted. Oh well, I'm 65 now and semi-retired. This is my first computer, and I would post pictures of Ray and some of his guns if I knew how.
I think the 20mm Lahti should get the title so far. I had a friend who shot one, and they require a certain amount of training before they can be fired without breaking collarbones and dislocating shoulders. I suppose it is because you can only fire them from the prone position and that is the WORST position to be in when firing cannons!
I think the 20mm Lahti should get the title so far. I had a friend who shot one, and they require a certain amount of training before they can be fired without breaking collarbones and dislocating shoulders. I suppose it is because you can only fire them from the prone position and that is the WORST position to be in when firing cannons!
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