.223 recoil

uel1780

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I would like some feedback on the lowest .223 recoil experienced by CGN members. I have a tumour in my neck which has damaged my C1 and C2 vertebrae and will probably lead to spinal fusion. Surgeon says no shooting "if there is any kick".
Does anyone have experience firing the Tavor, Ruger mini-14, and Norinco T97 with regard to felt recoil? Has anyone had spinal fusion in the neck and is still shooting? Are there loads that "soften" the kick and still function?
I am grasping at straws here hoping for a "soft" shooter but may have to restrict myself to .22 rimfire.
Thanks in advance.
Tom
 
It's not worth it if you are into spinal issues. The recoil is low and made better with a brake but why bother if taking a risk with something like that. You will decide for yourself but some of the most fun I have is shooting my 22s at trees and spinners and big lobs out to longer distances. If you want to go further maybe get a 17 or something
 
I would also recommend listening to the doctor. It's not worth it: if you shoot centerfire and it accelerates your spinal issues what will you be relegated to shooting then?
 
Lead sled off a table, or consider a rimfire. It would have to be semi auto to keep the recoil down. The Savage A17 in .17Hmr is a fun gun. Your condition sounds too scary to fool around with and push it.

Hope you get better
 
Thanks for the responses. I do appreciate any feedback.
I fully intend to follow the doctor's orders. I have heard from a small number of .223 semi-auto shooters that say "mine has no kick", or "can't feel any recoil"; my .223 shooting many years ago was a bolt-action Ruger and, while soft, could still be felt.
I wanted to get several opinions for when the neurosurgeon tells me to take off the cervical collar and/or fuses C1-C2 and I fully recover; I would then video a friend shooting something with the lowest recoil or .22 rimfire then show the surgeon the video. He will say "Yes" or "No" based on what he sees. If he says "no", my shooting days are over.
Just looking for the softest recoil for the video. Tom
 
Does it have to be a semi-auto? I have a Sako .222 with a heavy barrel, and it is about as close to "no recoil" as it comes with the rifles that I own. Would a "varmint / target" bolt action rifle in 223 appeal to you?
 
Yes, it would appeal to me. I thought that the semi-auto action would bleed off a lot of the gas that adds to the recoil; I did not think of the heavy barreled bolt action rifles although the heavier the gun, the less recoil felt I have been told.
Thanks Scott
 
I have a 14 pound 6x45 recoil with 85gr bullets at 2994fps is less then a sporter weight 223. I have also shot 55gr bullets with 7gr of trailboss it is quieter then a 22lr and has less recoil then a 22lr. Mine is a bolt action
 
Well the Doctor knows best for sure.

I have a few semis, and when I got my kids into shooting noise and recoil was a concern for me as I did what to turn thenm off to shooting altogether.

So I used a 479.00 Savage Hog Hunter, added a used 50.00 Accustock/ DBM to go with the Accutrigger, recoil pad, to get them into bench shooting with optics and old fashioned metal sights.

It is over 10lbs, but with the AR brake recoil is really nothing. My 13 dughter shoots it all day like our bolt action .22 rimfire.

If it has to be a .223, and you have spinal challenges, a bolt from a bench will be the least for recoil.
 
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.223 ARs have almost no recoil and when equipped with a good brake, feels like a .22LR, except louder.

I have introduced women shooters who are intimidated by the gun by shooting one with my nose on the butt stock.

Having said that, I would definitely take your MD’s advice. Spinal injuries are, at best, uncomfortable and, at worst, life altering.
Good luck and speedy recovery.
 
This is a great forum for someone like me with a shooting problem; now I have some good suggestions from experienced shooters.
I've never shot from a LeadSled. The ad from Cabelas says "recoil reduction up to 95%".....that might be my best solution to stay with centerfire rifles.
Sure appreciate the input folks.
Tom
 
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