Author Topic: Recoil help  (Read 1058 times)

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Offline darat100

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Recoil help
« on: March 27, 2006, 06:02:19 AM »
Ok guys, I am a recoil weenee.   I shot a 30-06 for years deer hunting and finally figured out that I missed a lot of shots because I had developed a bad flinch.  And if its not fun to shoot, you don't practice like you should.  

Ok, long and short, I am looking for suggestions.  I have dropped down and currently shooting a .243 and I am very accurate out to about 250 yds.  I would like to shoot something with alittle more punch if possible.  7mm-08, 25-06, or even .308.  

I considered a muzzlebreak but having to wear ear protection while trying to hunt just doesn't make sense to me.  Any suggestions on a good recoil pad and how much do they actually absorb.  I have tried the walmart inexpensive versions, didn't seem to do hardly anything for me.  

Other suggestions?

Thanks

Josh

Offline Mac11700

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Recoil help
« Reply #1 on: March 27, 2006, 06:14:45 AM »
Limbsaver recoil pads work great..a little lead shot in the stock..and a soft cheek piece will make all the world of difference to you...even shooting heavy 45-70 loads..having a Handi set up like this works great..and is very managable..you can make a shootable cheek piece with a Uncle Mikes neopreane or nylon shell holder and some soft foam under it..or you can get on of these..







Having a soft cheek piece will reduce face slap..promote better cheek weld...better eye alignment....and help stop flinching..I have have been using them for years for trapshooting..and they do help emmencely..

Also..for shooting one of the larger caliber guns..you can always try some of Remingtons managed recoil loads..they give good accuracy..have reduced recoil by over 1/2 and do a good job on game...

As too NOT wearing ear protection when shooting a rifle..you will find out quickly enough that having to wear hearing aids the rest of your life isn't any fun...so I suggest you look into some of the in the ear electronic plugs...

Mac
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Offline quickdtoo

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Recoil help
« Reply #2 on: March 27, 2006, 06:35:11 AM »
What Mac said!! Wearing hearing protection while hunting does make sense, every shot without protection, even rimfire, destroys your hearing a little and it doesn't come back. There are lots of options that enhance your hearing as well as protect your hearing.

Take it from someone who 'thought' hearing protection while hunting wasn't necessary, I have tinitus that prevents me from hearing a lot of forest noises, I can't hear my own watch alarm, the list goes on and on, and my wife constantly reminds me of it!!! :(

I've been wearing SportEars while hunting for several years, they are wonderful, I hear everything, including turkeys responding to my calls that my huntin partner can't. I can also hear my own foot falls much better and can step quieter while still hunting, what I used to think was quiet, was just me not hearing well!!

Tim

http://www.keepandbeararms.com/information/XcIBViewItem.asp?id=2052

Hearing Enhancement/Protection

http://www.thegunsource.com/shopping_category.aspx?idcategory=26&idmanufacturer=460

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_7_51/ai_n13785395
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Offline Ranger J

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Recoil help
« Reply #3 on: March 27, 2006, 09:10:53 AM »
A good slip over or replacement recoil pad works wonders.  If for some reason neither of these will fit your gun, as in the case of my Deerfield, one of the pads that straps on your shoulder will also work.  Hearing protection will help get rid of your ‘gun shyness’ as it dampens the ‘bark’ which can be as bad as a gun’s 'bite’.  If possible adding weight to the gun will reduce recoil.  I added eight .75 cal musket balls to my Handi stock, which added up to ½ pound.    I saw a fellow at the range last weekend that was using one of the Lead Sleds, which he said practically, eliminated all recoil from even his hardest kicker.  If you are like me, when you are hunting you never feel the gun go off, it’s those range sessions that kill your shoulder.
RJ

Offline darat100

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recoil
« Reply #4 on: March 27, 2006, 09:32:46 AM »
Ranger

You are exactly right, when I shoot in the field, I never feel a thing, but I know I am jumping the same way I do when I shoot at the range.

By the way, for all interested, I always use hearing protection when practicing, I just don't like the thump.  

I have tried the slip over pads, they just don't seem to make it any more fun.  They help some, but not enough form me.  

As for adding weight to the stock, I would be happy to try that.  Can someone tell me where you are adding this weight?  

I don't mind to carry the extra weight.  If I could add a pound to the gun I would be happy to.

Thanks

Offline quickdtoo

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Recoil help
« Reply #5 on: March 27, 2006, 09:42:28 AM »
That's the nice thing about adding the weight to the stock, it can be removed for hunting so you aren't carrying that extra 2lbs of lead!! I use a lead filled pipe in the stock bolt hole under the recoil pad on the wood stocks, lead shot can also be used. On the syn stocks, fill a sock with lead shot and duct tape it shut and stick it in the hollow stock. Some of the syn stocked calibers like .30-06 and .308s come with a steel bar inside the stock, also. The small Limbsaver grind to fit pad fits all Handi/Ultra wood stocks with little work, and they do work exceptionally well, I have several of them on hard kickers that make '06 recoil seem baby like!!

Tim
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Offline PA-Joe

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Recoil help
« Reply #6 on: March 27, 2006, 09:57:56 AM »
Have you tried the reduced recoil loads? A pad and reduced loads should solve the problem.

Offline flintlock

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Recoil help
« Reply #7 on: March 27, 2006, 11:42:22 AM »
If you are deer hunting...why not just use the .243??? Seems you have built up a bit of confidence up with that caliber...If you need a bigger round for bigger critters, I'd look at a 7mm-08.

Offline poncaguy

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Recoil help
« Reply #8 on: March 27, 2006, 02:48:19 PM »
I put a Choate Varmit stock on my  Handi 45-70 and 306, recoil is really mild. Surprised at the difference. I'm 65, not a fan of recoil. Also 260 Rem and 7-08 are ncie mild rounds.

Offline wsjones

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Recoil Management
« Reply #9 on: March 28, 2006, 10:38:02 AM »
Stock that fits you, double ear protection at the range (plugs and muffs), good sandbagged bench and proper technique, Limbsaver pad, 7mm-08, magnum recoil shoulder pad.  In the field, raise your right elbow (or left, if it's your trigger hand).

I don't shoot the really big stuff but do shoot 270, 30-06, 300 Win, 8mm Rem, 350 Rem, 35 Whelen, & 45-70 fairly regularly with pretty decent handloads (and less frequently a 375 H&H and 3 1/2" 12 ga. turkey loads in an 870; the 870 probably kicks more than anything!).  The above list helps me keep from flinching too badly.  And I think they're an aid to my accuracy even with rifles that don't kick noticably (243, 257 Rbts, 7mm-08, etc).

Good luck.  -WSJ

Offline longwalker

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recoil
« Reply #10 on: March 28, 2006, 10:58:16 AM »
All the suggestions are on the mark, Make sure you have good hearing protection on when you shoot at the range and other practice. ( plugs and muffs )

Keep shooting your 243, until you know your trigger pull and follow through is correct. Then try some reduced load 30-06. and work you way back up to full loads. As far as other calibers correct shooting is much better than lots of bad shooting. Concentrate on trigger pull and follow through. Anything with more power will kick more.

Not for nothing, the handi is a light weight rifle, and will recoil more than a heavier gun. It's greatest asset is it's greatest down fall.


longwalker

Offline 223Shooter

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Recoil help
« Reply #11 on: March 28, 2006, 02:00:56 PM »
I own a beautiful Springfield 03-A3..30-06. I have had this gun for 40 years now and have just recently begun to shoot it again. I found a slipon pad that fit the butt and it helps in two ways...one, to cushion the recoil and second, to extend the short military stock of my Springfield. Works for me. Oh...YES it is very accurate.

Offline lovedogs

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Recoil help
« Reply #12 on: March 28, 2006, 03:41:57 PM »
Hey, Darat100...

All of the previous advice is good.  Your .243 will, in reality, handle any deer alive with the right bullet and proper placement.  But if you want more power both the .25-06 and 7-08 are low recoil numbers.  The .25 is better for truly long shots, but the 7 will reach as far as one should be shooting at live animals.  The 7 can do fine with a shorter bbl. but the .25 should have a long bbl., the longer the better.  I'd say where you hunt would be the best deciding factor to dictate which of these two you'd prefer.  I have used both and like them both.  I've used the Model 7 in 7-08 in the woods and the .25 on the open plains.  But lately I've used .45-70's and handguns.  More fun to sneak closer.

Offline Dean van Praotl

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Recoil help
« Reply #13 on: March 29, 2006, 12:35:44 PM »
I've got a 1903 Springfield that I've had for 34 years, and it was my dad's before that.  In that time, I've come to the conclusion that a 30.06 is at or beyond the threshold where shooting starts to be less fun.  The damn recoil just tears me up any time I'm at the range, though like most I've never felt any recoil when hunting.  It don't shoot one-hole targets, but it's been shooting minute of deer for 60 years that I know of.  I finally admitted that I'm a recoil weenie, and bought a PAST recoil shield for shooting at the range.

Offline hunman55

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Recoil and hearing
« Reply #14 on: March 29, 2006, 01:04:40 PM »
:grin: Looks like the recoil part has been well covered-all good advise. But take the hearing part to heart. I've worn aids(2) now for 8 years and I thank the Lord for them, but they are no fun to wear and they help a lot, but in no way do they make your hearing normel.WEAR EAR PROTECTION. :grin: Hunman55