Author Topic: Recoil pads - How much bite will one remove (Read 4035 times)

379 Peterbilt · « **on:** February 02, 2006, 09:56:12 AM »

Considering buying a new.338. I see that the recoil energy on a 338 winmag is about 32 ft pounds with a 225 gr bullit.

I am used to a 20 ft pound shock with a 30-06 without a recoil pad, using 180 gr loads

My question is will a good quality pad like the Sims, on a 338 winmag, reduce the poundage comparable to an 06 with no pad??? Close???

Slamfire · « **Reply #1 on:** February 02, 2006, 11:57:29 AM »

The kick eze does reduce the felt recoil, but the rifle seems to jump up in the air more, but maybe I didn't get it mounted just right. :oops: The other high teck pads are probably the same, as they use the same material.

killdeer · « **Reply #2 on:** February 02, 2006, 01:12:12 PM »

I can only speak for Remingtons R3, I believe its made by limbsaver.
On my 300 Rum, recoil is essentially a non event as far as discomfort goes. But I must say that the CDL stock fits me very well and it's classic design has been said to contribute as well.
I also own a Rem 742 in 30-06 without a pad and it has a little bite.
If you can shoot a 12 ga comfortably I wouldn't hesitate to purchase a well designed .338 WM.
KD

Robert357 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 02, 2006, 06:42:24 PM »

I have the extra super duper Magnum Plus Past recoil shoulder pad that you strap on to your shoulder.

Last weekend I shot 20 rounds of .338 Win Mag factory ammo for the brass so I could reload it.

I will be very honest with you. The Past pad taimed the recoil very nicely with one exception. The exception was a bit of face slap.

I will refer you to the following article. It appears that the more you use a pad to tame recoil, the more likely you are to end up with a degree of face slap.

http://www.shotgunreport.com/TechTech/TechnicalTracts/RecoilPads.html

I guess there is no free lunch. After 20 rounds my face was sore from about 4 good hits, but my shoulder was just mildly sore. I had no flinch from firing.

Slamfire correctly indicated the problem is that the rifle tends to jump up more and that is what causes the face slap.

I love my 30-06, but I respect my .338 Win Mag.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 03, 2006, 02:11:50 AM »

It will reduce the felt recoil well. The soft rubber in the Simms pads are great.

poncaguy · « **Reply #5 on:** February 03, 2006, 03:46:45 AM »

Simms pads do great, and I have a 45-70 Handi that really killed my shoulder to shoot. I put the Choate Varmit stock and forend on it, and now, I can even shoot it from the bench in comfort.I'm not sure what pad the Choate has on it. Put the Simms on my Stoeger 2000 12, and it really helped with the 3" turkey loads.

379 Peterbilt · « **Reply #6 on:** February 03, 2006, 04:00:05 AM »

Thanks gents

I was already sold on them prior to posting but was curious if the 338 winmag w/Limb saver would rate about the same as an 06 wo/LS, as far as felt recoil.

In other words, would the limbsaver reduce felt recoil by 12 pound or so.

I'm guessing "close enough" to initiate the purchace.....(grin)

nomosendero · « **Reply #7 on:** February 03, 2006, 06:01:37 PM »

Well Sir, one excuse is as good as another!

Seriously, thou it will make a huge difference. I will also add that the weight also has a direct bearing on the recoil. The 338 should be a little
heavier than the 30-06. If not, add a little weight.

JD338 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 04, 2006, 09:14:40 AM »

Stock design and fit are important in felt recoil. Adding a good aftermarket recoil pad will make a big difference in felt recoil.
I bought a M700 LSS in 338 RUM. I put 15 rounds through it and had a sore shoulder for a couple of days. I had a Pachmyer Decelerator recoil pad added and can shoot 20-25 rounds from bench or field positions, including prone, without any discomfort.
You might also check to see if someone you know has a 338 WM that you could shoot.
Contrary to what most people will tell you, there isn't that much recoil difference between a 30-06 and a 338 WM. It will give you a somewhat harder push. The 338 WM lacks the velocity that gives you the wack.
A 12 ga 3" load kicks more than a 338 WM. In the field, you will never notice the recoil.
I beleive that a lot of recoil issues are mind over matter. Stay away from the brakes unless you are going to use hearing protection in the hunting field. If you are bothered by the recoil on the bench, you can get a Past recoil shoulder pad that straps on or just use a sand bag between the gun and your shoulder. I think that you will do just fine!

Hope this helps you out.

Regards,

JD338

jk3006 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 09, 2006, 05:30:59 AM »

I had to put a decelerator pad on my .338 win to be able to shoot it more than a few times in one session. Although I could still feel the incredible shove, it didn't produce that painful sharp jab like it did before.

Jon

jro45 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 13, 2006, 09:42:38 AM »

I shoot the 338 RUM and have found if you hold the rifle tight into your shoulder. Keep it tight and fire off a round the rifle will NOT hurt you.

But to be more comfortable I put a brake on that I can remove for hunting
and I do just that but when hunting I don't feel anything when shooting at bears.

Andy2590 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 09, 2006, 05:18:06 AM »

Tack on another vote for the sims. I have one on my 300 win mag and its not a problem at all to shoot.

Jim n Iowa · « **Reply #12 on:** April 09, 2006, 01:40:32 PM »

I have the hd Past and it works well. I also use a muzzle brake, as I reload and still looking for the right combo. I just shot off 20 rounds of 215 gr 338 fire lapping rds with no Past on. These are low level charges and not a problem with the recoil (it will shove you). Next day I was very stiff as if I was helping some one move out of their house. I guess the old body is not up to this recoil. Get the muzzle brake and be comfortable, as it is a good long range rifle if your a reloader.
Jim

go1fshn · « **Reply #13 on:** April 10, 2010, 03:39:04 PM »

I shoot a 300 wsm and I really love it. Thing is I tore my rotator Kuff at work and had shoulder surgery for it. Now I'm worried about the recoil redamaging my shoulder, Is there anything I can do to reduce the recoil of my 300?

Bigeasy · « **Reply #14 on:** April 10, 2010, 04:06:43 PM »

Quote from: go1fshn on April 10, 2010, 03:39:04 PM

I shoot a 300 wsm and I really love it. Thing is I tore my rotator Kuff at work and had shoulder surgery for it. Now I'm worried about the recoil redamaging my shoulder, Is there anything I can do to reduce the recoil of my 300?

A recoil pad or recoil reduction device like the old mercury filled tubes in the but stock do not reduce recoil, they change how recoil is perceived by your body, usually spreading the recoil force over a longer time and physical area. To really lessen recoil, more weight, along with a muzzle brake make a big difference, with their attendant drawbacks. You might want to try reduced, 308 win. level loads until your shoulder heals. Using lighter weight bullets makes a difference as well. A modern game bullet, like a Barnes X-Bullet in 150 grain weight will perform just as well, if not better then a traditional cup and core 180 grain bullet, with less recoil.

Larry

eye shot · « **Reply #15 on:** April 11, 2010, 05:32:09 AM »

I use the Sims slip on recoil pad on three 12ga. slug guns. I just rotate to the gun I want to shoot and you can slip off for hunting if you like. The 12ga can have twice the recoil of a .338 and IMO makes them feel like shooting a 20ga.

mannyrock · « **Reply #16 on:** April 11, 2010, 07:46:39 AM »

The Kick-Eez and the Limbsavers are the best.

But the answer to your question is NO. Even the best recoil pad will not reduce the felt recoil of the .338 Mag to a .30-06 with 180 grain bullets and no pad. It is still going to be significantly more recoil.

Also, the recoil pad only helps cushion the direct rearward motion of the rifle. As one person has alread noted, that .338 is still going to jump upward, and slap you very hard in the face, unless you have a good cheekpiece on the stock and a real strong weld of your cheek against it.

In all honesty, I think you would be much happier with a .35 Whelen than a .338 Mag. The Whelen, fitted with a top grade pad, will be very close to the recoil of the .30-06 with no pad, and will do absolutely everything you need to do out to 200 yards. You will be comfortable shooting it, and be able to deliver fast follow-up shots as needed. The .35 Whelen is, of course, the .30-06 case necked open to .35 caliber. It is a very effective caliber and a hits like a sledge hammer.

Just my thoughts.

Mannyrock

Harry Snippe · « **Reply #17 on:** April 12, 2010, 06:01:15 PM »

Quote from: Redhawk1 on February 03, 2006, 02:11:50 AM

It will reduce the felt recoil well. The soft rubber in the Simms pads are great.

I totally agree . My wife calls then sissy pads , but I would rather have a tamed recoil than to get beat up with every shot . Think one too learns to shoot better knowing it is not going to leave a bruse on the shoulder . So invest in a Slimms Pad.The new ones are advertised as to also control muzzle jump.

fatercat · « **Reply #18 on:** April 15, 2010, 03:44:54 AM »

i tried the magnums and as the years have past, I have found that 30-06, the old 30-30, and my baby 257 weatherby kill just as good. you will hear people tell you to practice and practice. its not to make you a better shot( you probably are a good shooter) its so you get use to the recoil without flenching. get the trigger worked on your old 30-06, put some good glass on it, and you will fair well.

Harry Snippe · « **Reply #19 on:** April 15, 2010, 08:05:24 AM »

Well If one is looking at the 338 Mag I am sure it is more for whittails and an ego. The 06 is plenty for game to and including Moose , but a huge brown Bear or an elk in the next country, may need something with a bit more powder .

Yes many guys feel they need a 375 H&H to put down a 600 lb moose where a 300 Savage is enough to get the job done.

I have a 300 WM and it has pad , so I can shoot it well , since most of my Moose / bear /Deer is shot with something based on the 308W case .I will use the WM only in more open country and on large game , so being in heavy bush 80% of the time ,the 300 is used off season for practice most of the time, hunting with the milder cartriges for the thick.
If I could only afford one gun , then it would be an "O6" but then would feel I had double the gun needed to harvest a 60 IB deer at fifty yds were a 30/30 lever is more than enough.