Is it me or is it recoil?

[SecondsCount]

Hey guys, new forum member here.

My experience-
I have been shooting centerfire rifles for over 25 years. For the last five years I have been shooting an AR15, a Remington 700 VS in .223, an M1A, and a DPMS LR308. I do a ton of pistol shooting, mainly defensive stuff.

My problem-
Although I liked the accuracy, I sold the LR308 last year because I was bored with it and it was heavy. This year I decided to build a bolt gun so I picked up a Remington XCR 20" 308 barreled action and put it in a 5R stock. I like this stock because it is similar the the stock on the 700 VS. Eventually I wanted to rebarrel the XCR action in 260.

A few weeks ago I took the 5R/XCR setup to the range just to see how it would shoot. Ammo was 20 rounds of 147 FMJ and 20 rounds of 168 AMAX with a mid range charge of Varget shot from a concrete bench. I used the 147 FMJ to get on target and then finished things with the 168 AMAX. Total shooting session was about 90 minutes and at the end my shoulder was in serious pain and a couple days later my wife was wondering why it was black and blue.

Was I holding the gun completely wrong? I have never had this issue with the M1A or the LR308. Was it it because of barrel length or overall weight?

Approximately how much less recoil would a 260 be?

 

[mr45man]

Sounds like your stool is to tall and you are leaning into it,
Rather than rolling back with it?
Mabe?
John H.

 

[stebbins243]

It could be because you havnt shot any heavy recoil guns for a bit. Also some stock configurations absorb or transmit shock more than others. Ive had a few .308s in various styles, but never experianced any recoil like my buddies stevens. No matter what we put in it, it would kick like a mule. Light loads, heavy loads, didnt matter. I like some of the bigger bore stuff and shoot trap alot, but that day i was hurting.

 

[stebbins243]

Also i dont know how accurate this is but its a starting point.

http://www.realguns.com/calculators/recoil.html

 

[BoydAllen]

Does the rifle have a recoil pad? If it does, what is it? Recoil is related to rifle weight. How much does your rig way? How were you shooting it? Was it shouldered solidly? Was the butt in the right place on your shoulder? Sometimes a stool that is too low can put the butt too high, so that only the bottom part is on your shoulder, and in this position the toe can dig in and make a sore spot.

 

[Buck 89]

If you hold it lose it will knock you lose.

 

[fdshuster]

The main reason I put a brake on my 10.5# 308: it was killing me off the bench. Not fun to shoot.

With the brake, it now recoils like a 243 and without the torqueing/twisting during recoil. Group sizes even shrunk a little.

 

[Doris123]

Sounds interesting!

 

[nonliberal]

I would say something is wrong unless your shooting it free recoil and let it smack you. Last weekend my wife shot 100 rounds of 168grain .308 out of a 22" barrel, and she will be doing it another 100 times this weekend in a HBR match. She isn't a big woman and trust me, if it hurt her I WOULD hear about it. :

 

[torky455]

So, I hope I've got the right stock in mind here, otherwise I'm gonna feel a little silly.
Two of my friends have Rem 5R's in .308. One still has the original stock, the other guy switched to a McMillan A5. The original stock is surprisingly painful to shoot, and is difficult to be consistant with because it really jumps when it recoils. That rifle now has a brake on it.
The McMillan stocked rifle is much more comfortable to shoot, and easier to group with. Very noticeable difference. I know it's heavier, but I think the design has something to do with it too.

 

[nonliberal]

So, I hope I've got the right stock in mind here, otherwise I'm gonna feel a little silly.
Two of my friends have Rem 5R's in .308. One still has the original stock, the other guy switched to a McMillan A5. The original stock is surprisingly painful to shoot, and is difficult to be consistant with because it really jumps when it recoils. That rifle now has a brake on it.
The McMillan stocked rifle is much more comfortable to shoot, and easier to group with. Very noticeable difference. I know it's heavier, but I think the design has something to do with it too.

Stock design absolutely effects felt recoil, how it rides the bags, and shot to shot consistency.

 

[model 12 toby]

I've shot 75 rounds out of a 7mm mag before in a day but it was prone. didn't really bother me much and shot better as the day went on. i'd say it was your hold.