.30-06 Kicks Like a Mule

[FNSafari]

worst recoil in what I would call a main line (or used to be) hunting rifle was a Remington 600 in .308 win with an 18.5" I believe it was barrel. I would imagine the 350 Rem Mag would have been near intolerable??

 

[White Eagle]

I say the same thing about shooting a 12 ga with rifled slug barrel off the bench
OUCH!

 

[PhilC]

That reminds me of the 1st time one of my old shooting buddies shot his Savage .30-06. His bit him a little lower, the nose took most of the punishment. To his credit, the next weekend he was out with it again. That had to be at least 25 years ago, he still has that Savage and it shoots 1" 200 yard groups.

Have a first year Savage 110 chambered in 30-06, weighs 6.5lbs with aluminum butt plate. 180 Nosler PTs @ 2800fps definitely get your attention.

 

[S3silver]

Glad I’m not the only one in this boat. Any lightweight 30-06 kicks like a mule. Had a Savage 110 30-06 with a sporter barrel that beat the heck out of me especially with anything 180 gr or more. Threw a 30-06 varmint barrel on it to add some more weight and the recoil was noticeably less, more tolerable to shoot.

 

[Bamban]

Brake 'em.. sporter barrel 300wm sat in the safe for 25 years with 5 rounds through it to zero the scope. Fast forward when I got my lathes, screwed on an APA MicroB. Now it recoils easy enough that I can shoot it. Easiest field position is standing, just rock back with the recoil. The 8 pound ball I carry between my shoulders resting on the adjusted comb helps mitigate the recoil.... putting it to use...

 

[cuznguido]

I could expound for hours about being surrounded by sissies but I am late for my cortisone shot in my shoulder.

 

[miningshawn]

I used to shoot just about anything with relative ease. As I have progressed during my shooting career I have noticed, after really stepping back and thinking it over, that I have changed my shooting habits dramatically because of the bench.
When I was younger I used a very hard hold and firm shoulder seating to "drive" the rifle - I still do with an AR at XTC courses or 3 gun. That of course is a gas assisted semi-auto with a light round. I used to use the same mechanics with every rifle.
In the pursuit of accuracy I try to not upset the rifle any more. I use a lighter hold, (if not a free recoil), when trying to produce groups. I also have the rifle higher on my shoulder and more forward lean on the bench, which produces a less pleasant result. The recoil energy is on the top of my shoulder instead of in the meaty "pocket" that it would rest in in the field.
Instead of changing my later acquired bench habits, (and please don't get me started on scope-wrecking sleds), I started using brakes and in-ear hearing protection.
Two products have changed my game and allowed me to keep shooting my favorite heavy caliber hunting rifles. This is not an endorsement for either, but what I recommend to just about everyone who asks. The first is the APA gen 2 self-timing micro or mini bastard brake, and the second is in-ear shooting protection, I prefer Walkers.
When I shoot competition I wear over the ear noise canceling headphones - it really cuts down on safety nazis breaking your stride during an event asking "why aren't you wearing hearing protection?" And the subsequent explanations. In the field I prefer in-ear protection, and that is what I use during a sight-in or range session with a big 30 or 338.
When I buy a light rifle, I factor in the price of a muzzle brake and threading before I lay down my money. I also carry extra batteries for my in-ear buds in every vehicle I own and both of my bench boxes

 

[rickt300]

Recoil can be made worse by how you hold the rifle and how you are sitting at the bench. Try to set your rest where you are sitting pretty straight not leaning forward. lightly stretch the rifle between the hands this helps the hand on the forened maintain it;s hold on the stock. Throw a thin gun case over your shoulder, makes a lot of difference if the buttpad is hard. Last all these light kickers have made it the norm to just lightly hold the rifle which doesn't work out so well with heavier kickers.

 

[FuzzT]

worst recoil in what I would call a main line (or used to be) hunting rifle was a Remington 600 in .308 win with an 18.5" I believe it was barrel. I would imagine the 350 Rem Mag would have been near intolerable??

For X-mas at age 12 my dad bought me one of those. 250 Hornaday with 49 grains of 3031. Several moose and a couple of caribou fell to it. Later on switched to a Whelen with the same load. Whelen is pure pleasure to shoot compared to that 350 mag. Funny how a 9 pound gun kicks less than a 5 pound one does.
Still have the 350. When guys get to telling me recoil does not bother them I drag it out and let them shoot it. A few guys have shot it twice............no one has gone for round three.

 

[Alaska Bush Man]

I have an old Winchester 70 push feed sporter in 30-06, it was my first hunting rifle and I have not shot it in many years. This was my favorite model 70 as it is super accurate and has consistently shot groups around .7 at 100 yards.

Went to the range today and decided to take it along to warm the barrel up. Brought along 60 rounds of ammo. After 18 rounds my shoulder had enough, freaking thing kicks like a mule on steroids.

When I was younger I would put 30-40 rounds through it without issue but not anymore.
What IDIOT at Winchester decided that to make this rifle without a recoil pad.

After shooting the 30-06 my 6.5 ceedmoor and 223 felt like a rimfire.

Crazy thing is I have another Model 70 in 30-06 a Featherweight with a fixed 4x scope
to keep it light. I was going to bring that one along instead of the 223, good thing I didn't.

I have the same rife a Win 70 XTR from 1979 in 3006 I had a Decelerator recoil pad put on works great !
My favorite load IMR 4350 at 57.0 with 165 Sierra GK

 

[FNSafari]

I have a .308 NM Browning bolt rifle, made by FN (shooting a 220 gr Nosler Partition at just under 2600 fps). The round is a corker, and the recoil is tolerable as it weighs a bit under 10lbs with scope. I carried it two Autumn's ago moose hunting for a week and wouldn't want anything heavier. But that weight sure tames recoil.

 

[ebb]

Bamban is right put a brake on it. Or you could put less powder in the case, and a lighter bullet.

 

[Wildcats]

When you pull the trigger on a 16 lb 408 cheytac and a 510/408 wildcat, you'll know the true meaning of recoil,and that's with an inefficient brake. can't seem to get rid of the flinch anymore. the 510/408 loaded with Barnes Tac X 647 grain didn't seem to care what brake you had on it at the time. it's been about 15 years and 2 surgeries and my shoulder still bothers me. . their is nothing like recoil to wake you up in the morning..lol
Btw,i have a light weight Weatherby vanguard brush rifle with the cheezY synthetic stock 30-06 w/o a brake ,and it kicks like a mule.. time to re-barrel and install a good brake. but this time i'm going with a 280 Ak. or a 6.5/06 Ak

 

[South Pender]

I have put a muzzle brake on rifles like that. It brings the fun back.

Except for the poor sods standing or sitting near you!

When I'm shooting from the bench, maybe 20-30 rounds of load development with a heavy-recoiling rifle, I strap on a Caldwell recoil shield. I use the 1/2" pad; it eliminates all the pain.

When I'm in the field hunting, I don't wear it. I find that concentrating on holding steady and lining up a shot at game completely occupies my attention, and I just never think about or notice the recoil.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Its a hunting gun. Not meant for group shooting

 

[South Pender]

Its a hunting gun. Not meant for group shooting

Except when you're doing load development with your .300 magnum and are putting out 30-40 rounds trying to find the best load....

 

[AckleymanII]

Have a 6.5 Creed barrel installed on that 30/06 or a 6.5/06.

Air tec Limbsaver recoil pad would be the icing on the cake.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Except when you're doing load development with your .300 magnum and are putting out 30-40 rounds trying to find the best load....

How much improvement over a decent load manual will you get though? Lots of people do load workups for a 300win mag to go shoot a deer at 85yds. Sometimes it may not be worth it

 

[martyj]

I personally would rather have a butt plate on a hunting rifle over a recoil pad.
Recoil pads just seem to be a pain the butt with winter clothes on.

The first Savage that came out in 300 rum were worst rifle I have ever shot. My remington and custom 300 rum hardly have any recoil compared to the savage.

 

[Alaska Bush Man]

I have a .308 NM Browning bolt rifle, made by FN (shooting a 220 gr Nosler Partition at just under 2600 fps). The round is a corker, and the recoil is tolerable as it weighs a bit under 10lbs with scope. I carried it two Autumn's ago moose hunting for a week and wouldn't want anything heavier. But that weight sure tames recoil.

That is one good rifle had a Browning FN in 300 WM for several years great walnut stock. Yes it was heavier than most of hunting rifles. Very nice rifle.