Recoil sensitivity as we age.

[SRMohawk69]

This is a question for those of us who are middle-aged or better, but who've been shooting since we were lads. How many of you who were into shooting really powerful rifles (e.g. .300 WinMag; .338 Lapua) when you were young men found yourself abandoning them for much tamer, smaller-calibre fare by the time you were in your 40s or 50s? And for those of you that did, was it because the little pills in little cases are so inherently accurate? Or, because the big pills in big cases are so obnoxious to shoot, however inherently accurate still? I ask this question because I'm torn between the two worlds. I'm almost 57, but I still love shooting the big stuff. The thing is, I don't love shooting it as much as I love shooting 6.5mm, 6mm, and 5.56mm rifles. And I'm certainly less inclined to taking something in the way of a .30-calibre or larger rifle to the range for the day with my son.

 

[DShortt]

I shoot mostly small caliber stuff these days for a couple of reasons.

First, the bullets I shoot are cheaper in the smaller bore sizes and the case capacity is less, so it costs less. I just target shoot for my own benefit. So I appreciate the cost savings.

Second, I do notice the recoil more and as I'm not attempting to harvest game, I don't worry about things like wound channels and down range energy anymore.

So I choose the less expensive, more enjoyable chamberings now.

My $.02.

Edit to add - I shoot a couple of hundred rounds on average at the range per trip now. I don't enjoy bruises. So the bigger stuff stays in the safe most of the time. When I do get one out, it's at the end of the range session and not many rounds at all in comparison.

 

[Hipshoot]

I still shoot the Big Stuff, but do it in the winter with more padding.

Am always fearful of ScopeEye!

I'm 81 YO

Hip

 

[Sniper338]

I just turned 40. I find small stuff way more enjoyable now days. I'd still like to get behind my 338blapua here again when I can... but ither than that im in the 6br, 6.5 Grendel, 20 vartarg realm. If its more than a 6BR its not much fun to sit and shoot for a while. No to not much recoil is just much more pleasant.

Its like fishing though too. I aint paddling no where, give me a motor.

 

[jpx2rk]

Never been a fan of recoil after the first time shooting a 20g shotgun when I was a teenager. Prefer the lower recoil, more accuracy, cheaper, and I can see the impact for the most part. Just more enjoyable for me, others can have the big boomers with no problems.

 

[Murray Brook]

Certainly know what you are referring to. There was a time when I didn't mind shooting my magnum chamberings. Not so much today at 72.. Most of my shooting is done with my PPC's and BR's. When I go moose hunting, I use my 30/378 Weatherby unbraked due to the noise factor. No fun squeezing the trigger.

 

[Just Say Moe]

I hear ya! Getting pounded is not as much fun as it used to be.

I shoot my 300 H&H and 338-06 to verify zero and a few groups a year just for deer hunting (overkill much?) these days. I'm 62 and the days of looking for other loads for these rifles are over!

My "light" deer rifle is a Mauser 6mm Remington that I shoot a lot more. I built a 6 BR (thanks guys) for fun shooting.

223's and 20VT for P dogs gets a lot of use also.

 

[Preacher]

Shot a lot of big stuff back in my 40's, especially my 375 H&H #1 Ruger..
That stuff started to hurt when I hit my 60's, so off to more shoulder friendly 25 caliber stuff I went..
Still do that, but now in my 80's I just now entered the 25 caliber PCP air gun thing...
I can just keep on shooting my favorite caliber till even that starts to be a problem ...

 

[Texas Solo]

I gave up my 308 in F Class. 60 rds
Was just too much after 5 years of shooting it. I'm into 6mm now. Love it.

 

[ronsatspokane]

I sold all my boomers. Don't need chipped teeth, retinal detachments, brain hemorrhages or even bruised shoulders anymore. Let the kids have fun with that. The most abusive gun I own these days a good old (pre 64) model 94 in 30-30. No self respecting gun owner would give up one of those. That said, I did just build an F Class gun in 7 SAUM but that weighs a hair over 20 pounds which mitigates recoil a bit.

 

[wright brothers]

Recoil sensitivity as America ages is what I've noticed.​

 

[wright brothers]

Pos get bolder too lol.

 

[30378]

I guess at 72 I am refusing to give into the oldisms. Still love shooting them all. From 22LRs to my biggest is a 416. If it shoots, I shoot it!

 

[Tommie]

My recoil sensitivity remains unchanged. Always was a pussy but now I’m man enough to admit it.

 

[Dead Eye]

Recoil is like a hug from your gun

 

[DShortt]

Recoil is like a hug from your gun

No. It's not. It's like a bite from an abused dog.

 

[Dead Eye]

I have a couple buddies that feel that way too.

 

[charlie b]

I loved heavy handguns for quite a while. When I got into my 40's I found that my wrist would hurt for several days after a range session. About that time John Taffin posted his story on permanent recoil damage from long sessions with heavy loads. I sold my two bigger pistols after that and started loading lighter rather than seeking max loads with the heaviest bullets.

Rifles I went down the BP path. 100gn behind 500gn slugs. After a few years I realized that I didn't enjoy it as much. I'd only shoot 10 rounds instead of 20 or 30. Then I started shooting the .308 more. Then I found I could shoot the .223 even better. Sold the BP gun. Replaced barrels on the others. Now days the 6BR and .223 are my choices and I may even give up the 6 for another .22. Even went back to a .22LR for days that I want a lot of trigger time.

Does age have something to do with it? Maybe. Maybe it is just a change in what interests you. Age does limit what some of our bodies can take. Some like to feel the pounding, others don't.

And, yes, I used to scoff at people who 'only' shot rimfire or .223. Wimps. Now I are one

 

[DShortt]

I have a couple buddies that feel that way too.

I didn't like recoil in my late 20s.

3 decades later, I despise recoil.

 

[Dead Eye]

I think if you are going to shoot big stuff you need to look at number of rounds. You can shoot less of the big rounds then switch to a smaller cartridge The number of big cart cartridges will depend on individual recoil sensitivity. Or only shoot smaller stuff. That’s why they make all the choices.