Author Topic: Single Shot recoil (Read 980 times)

Dana C · « **on:** May 09, 2005, 11:29:28 AM »

I have a Ruger #1varmit in .223 and have shot the big bores in both #1's and bolt action rifles. The Ruger #1's seem way more punishing that the bolt actions in 375H&H, 458 Win etc. Is it the weight or design of the rifle.
Don't get me wrong, I love single shots and the Ruger #1 a bunch, but I am curious if the felt recoil is shared by others or is it just me?

EVOC ONE · « **Reply #1 on:** May 09, 2005, 03:41:50 PM »

Hello Dana! Welcome aboard. I primarily haunt the NEF board, but I try to get around.

I have often read that stock design is a factor in recoil as well as weight. I would guess that a lighter gun in a stout caliber it would recoil more than in a heavier gun regardless of the stock design. I own several NEF Handi Rifles. A couple of .30-06's, a .45-70 and a .280 are my most powerful models. Some NEF Handi Rilfe owners put shot or a heavy bar of some type in the stock to add weight and it seems to work. In my experiance, it believe that NEF has done well with designing a stock that is appropriate for their firearms. I also believe that it depends on the tolerance of the shooter as to how much recoil each can/is willing to sustain. I have read where some say the AVERAGE individual can sustain 15 ft pound of recoil comfortably. The .30-06 is reported to generate about 22 ft. lbs. I personally believe I have a low tolerance for recoil, but I shoot each of my .30-06's comfortably, as well as the .45-70. I do believe that anything more powerful, would be beyond my comfort zone.

EVOC ONE

marlinman93 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 09, 2005, 04:47:27 PM »

I only have one comparison that I personally can vouch for. I shot a friend's .458 Win, on a custom Mauser action, and I once owned a Ruger #1 Tropical in the same .458 Win.
From my recollection, both kicked like mules! I really can't say that one kicked worse than the other, because at some point recoil hurts, and after that I can't register how much! Both were no fun to shoot for me, and I sold my .458 Ruger #1.
I now have a Ruger #1 in .45-70, on the Lyman Centennial version, and even with heavy .45-70 loads, it's a much more comfortable gun to shoot!
I don't own any bolt actions other than my .30-06, and .22-250, so I have no comparison for them. All my others are either old Marlin levers, or old single shots.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #3 on:** May 09, 2005, 04:47:41 PM »

Welcome aboard, Dana!

Try this with the ruger next time. Get one of the neoprene bullet carriers that fit on the stock, place a small pad of foam under the bullet carrier right where your face fits the comb. A lot of the perceived recoil is thru the face and not just the shoulder. Here's a recoil table for comparisons of recoil among different calibers.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm

Tom W. · « **Reply #4 on:** May 09, 2005, 05:14:41 PM »

All of my Centerfires are single shots, two are NEF's and two are Ruger #1's. I usually shoot 180 gr. bullets in my 30-06, and I really don't notice the recoil. I may be one who is rather insensitive to recoil, unless it's a 3 1/2 inch turkey load from a 5 pound H&R single shot shotgun.
I can't say that I've had a desire to shoot a .458 yet.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 09, 2005, 05:18:22 PM »

Dana C, welcome to Graybeard.

I have noticed the same thing when shooting the Ruger #1. I have a #1 in 45-70 and with hot loads it has a sharp recoil, more like a quick snap.

Winter Hawk · « **Reply #6 on:** May 10, 2005, 08:03:07 AM »

I think it has to do more with stock design and the weight of the barrel. I have had two Thompson Center TCR rifles in .30-06 and both were brutal on recoil. Beautiful firearms, though. My NEF in .30-06 on the other hand, is a joy to shoot. However, it has a straighter stock configuration and the barrel is definitely heavier, which tames the perceived recoil immensely.

-WH-

Prince of Wales · « **Reply #7 on:** May 10, 2005, 08:47:18 AM »

Dana thanks for joining us. Personally I have had only one Ruger #1 and it was in 25/06 Remington. I do not remember it being a kicker. I`m surprised that a 223 in a heavy firearm is kicking hard. The weight should tame that round very well.
I would think it is as Winter Hawk has stated that stock design is a fault or that you were expecting much less recoil and as a result it seems to be more.
Have a friend load five consecutive rounds for you. One time will be a spent round. You are not to know which time though. If felt recoil is a result of a flinch it will become apparent on firing the spent round. A flinch will increase felt recoil. Glad to have you here. POW

huntswithdogs · « **Reply #8 on:** May 10, 2005, 09:39:36 AM »

Guys,

Ive owned 300 Win Mags in bolt guns(mauser actioned) and have never had problems with the recoil. In Feb, I got a replacement for the 300 that I had sold 2 years previously. My replacement was a barrel for my Encore(26" heavybarrel). After the first shot I KNEW that I had to do something about the stock recoil pad. I think that the cut and shape of the stock has a lot to do with the recoil on this gun. I'll be getting rid of it soon. Some of my shooting partners,who own Rem 700 in the big Ultra Mags, refuse to shoot this rifle! Oh by the way, I have a 25-06 barrel(26" HB) for it also and the recoil from this one is alot more noticeable that from my brotherinlaw's Rem 700.

HWD

Dana C · « **Reply #9 on:** May 10, 2005, 06:17:59 PM »

Hi Prince of Wales. It isn't the 223 that kicks it is the big bores that seem to have more bite to them than bolt rifles. I shot a Ruger #1 followed by an English bolt action both chambered in 375 H&H. The Ruger seemed to bite me more.