X bolt hunter 30-06, hows it kick?

[Rustle in the bushes]

Im looking at this mainly because Im cross eye dominant and a left hand shooter. I want a model 70 but they arent coming out left handed for a good while they say. Thisll be my only bolt gun so its likely to get a ton of range time as I practice up for game- Im mainly worried that this thing is a bit too light and will knock me around at the range

 

[greyling22]

Personally I think the 30-06 kicks like a mule in any gun, but then I'm skinny and recoil sensitive.

 

[Craigman]

I have one in .338 and had a .308 The recoil pads are very soft and forgiving on the X-bolt. Should be no problem.

 

[303tom]

Like a Damn Mule, Personally, I love it !!!!!!..........

 

[GuysModel94]

I bought a Marlin XL7 with a laminate stock, the weight helps a little, but the 06 is not for the faint of recoil.

 

[aka108]

The 30-06 gives a hard kick in a bolt action rifle. In a M1 Garand it is a softie. When I shoot most centerfire heavies I wear a Past Recoil Pad on my sholder. You can shoot whatever you want as much as you want and not get sore and bruised up.

 

[tiwil]

The x-bolt have a pretty good recoil pad,my 300 wsm is much softer to shoot than my 300 win mag Model 70 and its quite a bit lighter.

 

[jmr40]

Most recoil is felt between the ears. If you believe something is going to kick hard, it will. A 30-06 of reasonable weight, 7.5lbs -8 lbs including glass and mounts shouldn't be bad at all. Go much lighter and it could be an issue.

The new high-tech recoil pads are great. Stock shape is important, most modern guns have very good stocks and are much better than older designs. I've owned and shot 6 lb 300 win mags with good pads and modern stock designs that were very tolerable. My 5 lb Kimber 308 is not bad at all and will recoil more than a standard weight 30-06.

The X-bolt weighs 6 3/4 lbs without optics. Add about 1-1 1/4 lbs for glass and mounts and you are at 7 3/4-8 lbs. Recoil should be a very reasonable 19-20 ft lbs. Just for comparison that is considerably less than the 30 ft lbs or so generated by 12 or 20 guage buckshot. About the same as most bird shotshells. A 308, which most people find mild recoiling is only 1-2 ft lbs less.

 

[helotaxi]

Except I don't think the X-bolt even with optic weighs 8 lbs. I've got one in 7mm WSM (left handed as well) and the recoil pad is nice but the rifle has a bit of kick. Compared to a friends 270 WSM Rem 700 the difference in recoil (and weight) is very noticeable. If you're looking for a rifle to carry a lot and shoot a little the X-bolt is about perfect. If you're looking for a rifle to shoot a lot and you are only walking a couple hundred yards max to the stand or shooting house, and are concerned about recoil, heavy barreled .308 and don't worry about it anymore.

The Browning A-bolt Stalker is available left handed and comes with a muzzle brake installed. Problem solved.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

From anything except a semi auto I find the recoil of a .30-06 painful and unnecessary.

 

[jogar80]

I have a 30-06 in an old remy 700 and the recoil is not bad at all. I also have an x-bolt hunter in .308. Great rifle, super accurate, but very light. It was kicking me so bad I had to add a muzzle brake. Believe me, it WILL kick!