.30-06 Kicks Like a Mule

[Ray123]

Being old and many shoulder surgeries, I understand...so I put a muzzle brake on many of them...like its pleasant to shoot PRONE a 300 RUM with 250 gr Atip at 3000 fps and 101 grains of powder.. with a really good muzzle brake. I've shot 70 rds out of the 50 BMG from the prine on my 70th birthday...but I was beginning to feel that 60 rds of 50BMG is about right with my rifle...a muzzle brake is the key.

 

[Kittitas George]

The guns recoil that bothered me the most when I was young was a 308 Win. Model 88, it was a real kicker. I'd shot a number of 30-06 rifles and recoil didn't bother me. The Armey gave me a M-14 it didn't kick like my friends 308. The older M-1 rifles and the 03-A3 rifles got me also. I wonder if they were built for men of a smaller stature. I know heavier bullets kick more. I loaded some 210 grain bullets for a 41 magnum revolver. Usually I shot 200 gr. bullets. I couldn't believe the difference in recoil increasing the bullet weight 5% made. Give me the little guns, much more enjoyable. (Full Discloser) I'm 30 pounds lighter than my army days, and 50+ lbs lighter than 10 years ago.

 

[whatsupdoc]

The featherweight actually might be a bit less punishing due to a better stock shape.

You may have something there, need to take it out and try it.

 

[Bill Norris]

One of my shooting buddies was with me the first time I carried my then new 300 Ultra in the woods to zero the scope and shoot a few rounds of some 180 gr. Nosler B T s that I had loaded on the warm side. I offered to let him shoot it several times and his answer was the same every time. " I'll let you shoot that" With him being with me many trips afterwards his reply never changed. He was smarter than me.

 

[Ares]

On a factory gun thats got uncomfortable recoil, a better designed stock preferrably with some extra weight too, and a good recoil pad will make all the difference.

 

[Downhill]

A while back went shooting with my son in law. Put a couple dozen rounds through his 300 Win Mag pushing 190's. When done I brought out my 03A4 Sniper Rifle, a known bruiser. After the Win Mag the 06 was surprisingly pleasant.

 

[JB10]

H4895 is a powder good for this issue. There are redue load data out for youth shooters for 30-06. I loaded some and tried them in brother in laws. Made it about like a 308

 

[AckleymanII]

On a factory gun thats got uncomfortable recoil, a better designed stock preferrably with some extra weight too, and a good recoil pad will make all the difference.

Foot pounds of recoil is still stiff recoil, snapping your head, neck, and shoulders back is hard to mitigate.

 

[mikeinct]

I'm getting older. I have more time to shoot & load ammo. Bullets n other components are difficult to source. I really like to just shoot my old hunting rifles. It can be tough on this old body & his wallet. My solution is to use cast bullets & other reduced loads whenever I can. An afternoon of shooting My 375 ouch n ouch could bankrupt the avg. guy. My wife's 30-06 only weights about 6.5 lbs w a scope. 3 full power shots & she is done w that noise. The 35 caliber is in my opinion the most versatile and forgiving in going from Wild To Mild. Unique Powder & 4895 are my friends in my old age. Learn a few tricks & you can shoot more for less money & have more fun at the range.. mikeinct

 

[nakneker]

I still remember the first rifle that really stung me, it was a Ruger 77 in 338 win mag. I was excited to buy it and saved for months to get it, I sold it and didn’t even shoot a full box through it. I’ve shot and owned other 338 win mags since and manage them ok, I really believe the M77 stock added to the felt recoil. I’ve been playing with a Ruger #1A in 30-06, currently shooting 52 grains of IMR 4064 with a Hornady 150 grain SST, I wouldn’t call it mild but it’s certainly doesnt have the pop a 180 grain at max does.

 

[troupe]

There has been many rifles bought and sold with less than a box of rounds fired in them. The owners lost money on their purchases but they did not care.

 

[mikeinct]

I've found a couple of those deals w 18 or 19 cartridges, grin. I've yet to find a 338WM sporter I've enjoyed shooting with full power ammo.

 

[cptjack]

guess nobody has heard of limbsaver ..strap on your shoulder and go shooting

 

[biggun2869]

I have one of those limbsavers in Mag and field. I have a lot of love for the 30-06 and have 4 but my favorite is a Browning Medalion with the boss system. I don't know why they quit making them. Mine shoots great

 

[pintopete]

guess nobody has heard of limbsaver ..strap on your shoulder and go shooting

Are the Limbsaver pads better than Pachmayr Field Pads? I’ve never used either.

 

[Bc'z]

There has been many rifles bought and sold with less than a box of rounds fired in them. The owners lost money on their purchases but they did not care.

My ol man has 2 just like you describe 1 Browning, 1 M70 supergrade, both in 30-06.

 

[moorepower]

I have a Savage 7 mag, and with the factory rubber pad it was brutal on my 34 years at UPS tenderized shoulder. I put on a limbsaver and it is honestly no different than shooting a .243 now. Zero flinch, zero pain.

 

[3Sigma]

First high power centerfire I shot was Dad's sporterized 1903 in 30-06. 150gr federal (he still has the box). Open sight, lightweight stock, cut down barrel (22 to 24"). Weighs maybe 8 lbs, old hard red recoil pad.

It hurt my skinny 13 year old shoulder (I was tall tall my age, but weighed maybe 100 lbs). Damn near dropped it.

Made Pa-pa's 94 in 30-30 seem tame.

Now I have a M70 30-06 that runs 190s at 2850. I can shoot 50 rounds a day without issue.

Secret: 26" heavy sporter barrel, B&C stock, and a good recoil pad. This one weighs 10 lbs with the scope.

Recoil can be managed to a point. Stock design, gun weight, recoil pads all contribute.

I also think projectile weight and powder burn rate matter a lot more than what is mentioned. Recoil is an impulse, and a faster powder pushing a heavy for caliber bullet makes the impulse feel like a hit rather than a push. That hard hit and muzzle blast can give you the flinchies pretty quickly.

 

[joshb]

I still remember the first rifle that really stung me, it was a Ruger 77 in 338 win mag. I was excited to buy it and saved for months to get it, I sold it and didn’t even shoot a full box through it. I’ve shot and owned other 338 win mags since and manage them ok, I really believe the M77 stock added to the felt recoil. I’ve been playing with a Ruger #1A in 30-06, currently shooting 52 grains of IMR 4064 with a Hornady 150 grain SST, I wouldn’t call it mild but it’s certainly doesnt have the pop a 180 grain at max does.

Call me stupid. I just put a thick Pachmeyer recoil pad on my Siamese Mauser in 45/70 and I’m going to shoot it next time I hit the range. 350s with a warm load. I’ll let you know how it goes.

 

[nakneker]

Call me stupid. I just put a thick Pachmeyer recoil pad on my Siamese Mauser in 45/70 and I’m going to shoot it next time I hit the range. 350s with a warm load. I’ll let you know how it goes.

I’m using 5744 with a 325 grain FTX in the #1 you graciously sold me, it’s not too bad. Max load is 48 grains and it starts at 32 grains, the rifle shoots 42.5 grains very well. The limbsaver butt pad is awesome! Good luck with the Siamese Mauser and 350s, fun!