Recoil: Encore vs. bolt action for popular deer calibers?

[Questor]

How does the Encore rifle's recoil compare to that of a bolt action in popular deer calibers? I want my son to have something that he will enjoy shooting.

[james]

Quest,
Good to look before you leap.  I'm no Encore expert but I've shot encores in .270, 7mm08, and 209 x50.  It is my opinion they have more felt recoil  than a straight stocked rifle of the same weight and caliber.  A semi auto lessens recoil a little more.  I'll probably let my 12 yr old daughter use a Browning auto 270 this year which is comparable to the Rem 1100 -20ga she has been using for doves and turkeys.  I stocked my heavy barrel encore in 7mm-08 with a dense wood thumbhole stock with the intentions of it being my daughters deer rifle.   Buttt.... it still kicks more than the BAR.  I like the idea of a single shot for young hunters, which the encore fits perfectlly.  If I was buying a new Encore strictly for a young hunter I would go with the .257 roberts or 260 remington.  Then in a few years you can always get a larger caliber barrel for it.  Congrats on having a new hunting partner, I sure enjoy the time spent with mine.
James

[longwinters]

I agree with James.  Infact, my experience has been that the Encore I have in 7m-08 kicks as hard, if not a little harder, than my son's 30-06.

long

[DaddyPaul]

That is kinda weird.  I feel like my Encore (Camo stock/forend, 24" factory .270 barrel) is fairly light in the recoil department?  The gun does buck a little but with my Limb Saver pad I hardly notice the recoil.  I though the design of the stock, especially the pistol grip helped your lower arm to absorb some of the recoil rather that it all being directed into your shoulder.

[New Hampshire]

Im goin with DaddyPaul.  Dont know why, maybe it is the pistol grip styling of the stock, but the Encore just does not seem to be too punishing.  My shoulder sure was sore the first time I took it out.....but that was after 60 rounds.  Maybe you can chalk it up to my younger age or the fact Im crazy.  But then again Im into anything that kicks like a mule  :-D .  Of course nothin was sweeter on the shoulder than the ole Garand a fellow member at my club let me shoot   .
Brian M.

[RipOne]

You can't put a lot of recoil onto youngsters and expect them to shoot well - to enjoy it ........................... we all agree there I believe. The Encore is light weight unless you go larger on the barrel ( Heavy - or Bull )
- can go short barrel in Bull ... that's what I like except for the time it takes to order and get one dilivered. .243 ............... or a 7mm-08 and load it down to youngster size ( Reloads ) ... gets older, rev it up.

Light weight has recoil ..... heavy load and or large wt bullet adds recoil.

Enough gun to do the job and bullet placement wins over blast and flame - LOL.

I just purchased a Cooper Model 21 Varninter in .223 ...... new Mouse Gun - LOL.

[Gitzit]

As a general rule the straighter the stock the more recoil that is transmitted to the shooter.  The Encore's distinct pistol grip actually allows for better control of recoil and hence less transferred energy to the shooter.  One thing to remember is that most Encores will weigh about 1 to 1.5 pounds less than a bolt action of the same caliber.  This reduction in mass does allow the Encore to generate more recoil from the same round.  The installation of a Limbsaver recoil pad has actually made the Encore more comfortable to shoot than bolt actions of the same caliber.

[longwinters]

I definitely agree about the sims recoil pad.  I put one on my synthetic stock and it cut the felt recoil in half.  But now I have put a Boyds wood stock on, and I have not gotten a sims yet.  Be sure that one will be going on in the near future.
'
Long

[Dragon31]

I had to face the same problem with my kids and grand kids.  I believe the encore has more felt recoil that a bolt actions of the same caliber ... depending.  With a 24 inch factory 7-08 and 140 gr. full house loads I notice the recoil much more that my 300 mag factory heavy barrel with 180 gr full house loads.  Put the slug barrel on the frame and it will  really get your attention.  The heavy barrel seems to really keep the recoil down for me.
For my kids I went with youth model Remington 7-08's and I backed off on the powder.  In cold weather 10 to 14 years olds just don't handle the hammer well enough on the encore to meet my safety standards.  They can't take their gloves off (dropped on the ground and spooked several deer).  They have trouble getting under the scope with their hands and more the gun around in an unsafe manner to get the leverage to pull the hammer back.  An try helping them when they want to be independent.
 Since I have several kids and grand kids all of which are females and being a retired school administrator I decided to standardize the process.  I bought several Remington Youth model 7-08's, put Weaver 4X scopes on them.  Bought several Youth Model Remington Muzzle loaders, put Weaver 4X scopes on them, bought several Remington Youth Model 1100 and extra Hasting cantilever scope barrels with Weaver 4X scopes on them.  Best move I ever made.  The carry over learning from rifle to muzzle loader was easy since both guns are built the same.  Bring the rifle over the edge of the shooting rail in the tree stand and then pushing off the safety makes me much happier.  The carry over learning from turkey gun to deer slug gun was easy. since you are using the same receiver for both.
I like to hunt with my contenders and encores but would never recommend one for a young or beginning hunter.

[vhunter]

My Encore kicks more but the limbsaver really helped!!