Stocks and felt recoil

[BRL]

How much does a rifle stock effect felt recoil? I'd like to take this into consideration the next time I look for a rifle.

Probably the hardest recoiling gun I own is a .243 in the Handi Rifle. My Remington 7400 autoloader in .30-06 seems to recoil less. My AR-10 in .308 feels less too. Granted, they are heavier rifles and are autoloaders but still...My Browning BLR in 7mm-08 is pretty light and feels like it's the lightest recoiling gun I own.

What stocks are more likely to reduce felt recoil, all else being equal?

Thanks!!

[WyoStillhunter]

Stocks can make a big difference for good or ill.  In late 1960s I bought a Rem. 700 30-06 that had been "custom" stocked by a local gunsmith in my hometown.  The stock had beautiful wood and was sort of a '60s Weatherby configuration with very sharp lines, a long forend, etc.  It kicked like a mule!

Many years later I put a laminated "mountain rifle" stock on it when the Warsaw, MO companies of Bishop and/or Fajen were closing down.  That stock was trimmer and lighter but the perceived recoil of the '06 was noticeably less.  And that is the way it remains to this day.

Stocks make a difference IMO.  And factory stocks on major brand, American rifles have really improved in the last 40+ years.  I have three of the Remington 700 Classics (.222 Rem., 6.5X55, and 35 Whelen) and I really like the classic lines, walnut wood, and comfortable recoil/handling characteristics.

[jro45]

Stocks Should fit you. Take the rifle up to fire your sights or scope should line right up. I mean there will be very little movement. You mite have to come down 5 inches or go right 5 inches  or left or up 5 inches but basickly you are on target.

[nomosendero]

How much does a rifle stock effect felt recoil? I'd like to take this into consideration the next time I look for a rifle.

Probably the hardest recoiling gun I own is a .243 in the Handi Rifle. My Remington 7400 autoloader in .30-06 seems to recoil less. My AR-10 in .308 feels less too. Granted, they are heavier rifles and are autoloaders but still...My Browning BLR in 7mm-08 is pretty light and feels like it's the lightest recoiling gun I own.

What stocks are more likely to reduce felt recoil, all else being equal?

Thanks!!

"How much does a stock effect felt recoil?"  A whole heck of a lot!! A heavier stock of the same shape will have less actual & less felt recoil than a lighter stock. A good recoil pad is huge in reducing felt recoil & the tech. diff. in some of these new pads over the old style is mind boggling. The shape of the stock & the amt. of drop are important as well & as jro45 stated, you should make sure it fits YOU!

[BRL]

Good points. I'll have to keep this in mind as I look for a new rifle...and possibly make changes to an existing rifle (which could breath some new life into one).

Thanks

[huntswithdogs]

I've owned and sold rifles in 300WM and 25/06. I decided to get me an Encore and a couple of barrels, a couple of years later, to replace the pair. An Encore, at least the one I owned, will kick the snot out of ya from the bench, but handles extremely well in hunting situations. I don't remember getting that kind of recoil from any other 25s  or WMs so I put it off to stock design.

The first 300WM I had would kick the daylights out of my brotherinlaws, who're a heck of a lot bigger than I am. Both of them had 300s of their own at the time thaqt didn't give them near the thumping they took from mine.


HWD

[Dave in WV]

Monte Carlo stocks fit those with sloping shoulders and or long necks. The "classic" style stock fits those with square shoulders and or shorter thick necks. Savage factory 110 stocks have a rep for increasing felt recoil. A thin butt will increase felt recoil. The old curved " cresent" style butt like on older lever rifles and carbines are shoulder killers. My BIL has a Browning made Win M1886 45-70 and he told me it's the hardest kicker he has and he has a .375 H&H and a 30-378 Weatherby.His M86 has the cresent style butt. Comb height can have a lot to do with felt recoil. If you have to press your cheek on the comb or raise it off the comb felt recoil can increase.