When I started hunting in the early 70s, there were no lightweight rifles , compared to today. The average big game rifle weighed over 7lbs, which makes them much gentler than the 5-1/2lb lightweights we have today
When did folks become such recoil wimps?
- Thread starter Jim870
- Start date
When I started hunting in the early 70s, there were no lightweight rifles , compared to today. The average big game rifle weighed over 7lbs, which makes them much gentler than the 5-1/2lb lightweights we have today
dgradinaru
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- British Columbia
I've been working up in the recoil department. Shooting full power loads out of a 338 WIN MAG and 9.3x62 and so far im doing fine. Still produce MOA accuacy on bench. Ive bought a 416 rigby as of recently and plan on mastering its recoil. I'd like taking a spring black bear with it. 350gr TTSX or 400gr Hornady interbonds should do the trick.
And when was that, exactly ... ? From when I first started to shoot, guys like Whelan, Keith, (and many others) the military shooters ALWAYS shot prone. The proof of a hunting rifle was with a 10 rd group fired prone using a sling, not three like now.
Most ranges now do not provide for prone shooting unless they sponsor "F" class. Our range has ONE prone position where all steel targets are visible.
I have a few thoughts on this.
I think changes in rifle weight and barrel length, when shooting one of my fathers old rifles in the same caliber as one of my newer and lighter rifle there is a noticeable difference in perception of recoil from a rifle that was a few lbs heavier and most barrels were 24"
Our expectations of accuracy. I think most people have come to realize that the average shooter does much better in the accuracy department when shooting a milder recoiling cartridge. Most people can handle recoil if your only goal is to hang on to the rifle and pull the trigger. My old army unit noticed a large difference when we moved from a 308 with aperture sights to 5.56 with a x1.5 optics, peoples ability to hit targets went up.
- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
The notion of being of "large' build saying you can handle more recoil is complete BS and backwards.That is pain tolerance and is based solely on the individual, if you science it and talk about inertia and physics a smaller person will sustain less damage.Hit a bowling ball with a hammer vs a softball kind of idea. 
But there is also no winning this debate, shooting a large capacity rifle means you are compensating or have ego, if you shoot a small capacity rifle you are wimpy.
P.S. - Just think how the game and targets feel, there is a lot more damage coming from the pointy end of that rifle.
But there is also no winning this debate, shooting a large capacity rifle means you are compensating or have ego, if you shoot a small capacity rifle you are wimpy.
P.S. - Just think how the game and targets feel, there is a lot more damage coming from the pointy end of that rifle.
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- Location
- West Central Alberta
I have no problem with my .45-70 but 3.5 inch high speed steel out of a 12 gauge pump is friggin' brutal.
- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
The notion of being of "large' build saying you can handle more recoil is complete BS and backwards.That is pain tolerance and is based solely on the individual, if you science it and talk about inertia and physics a smaller person will sustain less damage.Hit a bowling ball with a hammer vs a softball kind of idea.
But there is also no winning this debate, shooting a large capacity rifle means you are compensating or have ego, if you shoot a small capacity rifle you are wimpy.
P.S. - Just think how the game and targets feel, there is a lot more damage coming from the pointy end of that rifle.
P.S.S. - This is just a wiener measuring thread anyways.
Such a thing already exists and is called 22 lr and it comes with 25 - 30 rd magazines too. 'Poodle Shooter's' only have 5 rd mag's ( OK... LAR has 10 rds). And I can shoot a 22lr on my acreage.
And don't even think about trotting out that lame *ss 'Fudd' BS around here. You want play that card go to that forum or that Sub forum CC thing... that ain't how the majority think.
I like a woman with hips and a rifle with a bit of spirit...that doesn't mean that I want to let 'Poodle Shooter's' get thrown under the bus. I'm just going to troll you in friendly sort of way for rolling with half the energy that I do.
And you are right... it's a wiener measuring contest, lol
Yeah, no thanks. My 12 round mags suit me just fine thanks. I don't have to result to my 22, I can take them out to 1500m, and I can also shoot them on acreage.
Sounds fuddly.
No one shoots heavy recoiling rifles in NRL/PRS. Not just those who aren't competitive, but no one at all.
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Like I said earlier ..... I've been in competition shooting a .308 with guys shooting .300's/.338's from FIELD positions. Not ONCE did a magnum rifle shooter ever win! After a mere 20 rds, those guys had had enough shooting for the day.
The rest of us stuck around and plinked off hand on steel, just for fun, some shooting better than they had in the match once the pressure was off.
Having said that, a pal had a .458 Win built on a Springfield action (not the ideal action length for the .458) by the 'smith who worked for the long defunct Harkley & Haywood firm in Vancouver. He was slight of build and we'd watch him shooting it off hand, expecting to see a flinch. He never did. The stock was made for him and he figured that was the answer.
At the same time, another guy (a 'smith) had a lightweight .30-'06 he built and it kicked hell out off anyone who shot it! It was patterned after the Husky Lightweight Mauser. I've got one of those in .308 and it's a pleasant shooting rifle.
The rest of us stuck around and plinked off hand on steel, just for fun, some shooting better than they had in the match once the pressure was off.
Having said that, a pal had a .458 Win built on a Springfield action (not the ideal action length for the .458) by the 'smith who worked for the long defunct Harkley & Haywood firm in Vancouver. He was slight of build and we'd watch him shooting it off hand, expecting to see a flinch. He never did. The stock was made for him and he figured that was the answer.
At the same time, another guy (a 'smith) had a lightweight .30-'06 he built and it kicked hell out off anyone who shot it! It was patterned after the Husky Lightweight Mauser. I've got one of those in .308 and it's a pleasant shooting rifle.
Fuddly, lol. No winning with Black rifles folks.
1500m...hmmm...seems like 5.56 is a tad weak for that claim. Or do you roll 6.5 CRM or such?
No big rifles? Well, good for the folks in NRL/PRS I suppose... likely makes the matches easier... only need sit down toilets then.
Fuddly, lol. No winning with Black rifles folks.
1500m...hmmm...seems like 5.56 is a tad weak for that claim. Or do you roll 6.5 CRM or such?
No big rifles? Well, good for the folks in NRL/PRS I suppose... likely makes the matches easier... only need sit down toilets then.
I shoot a bolt gun dude, and it isn't black...
Well, and I was being such a troll, lol.
Whatcha shoot? Honest question, no more smart mouth sass from me.
Except for using the term 'Fudd', it's got too broad of a term of usage...kinda like high school kids in the '80's used the term 'F*g' for anyone who wasn't in their cliche.
So I gotta sass ya on that one, lol
I shave my chest buttery smooth and shoot .308 . I can send you pics of my rifle at the bench next to my Venti Caramel macchiato .
I’d like to get a 6.5 creed but that means new gun new equipment etc . I like my .308 set up but if I could go back I’d get a 6.5 .
I like shooting lots of shooting at various distances not marked out . Take the side by side drive out and drop tannerite along the way . Then go lay in the truck bed and see what I can hit . Bring a few friends make a day of it . It’s quite satisfying to hit a half pound tannerite at 600 meters . It’s a nice gathering and a social event .
I’m not man enough or rich enough to spend a day doing that with a giant magnum.
I’d like to get a 6.5 creed but that means new gun new equipment etc . I like my .308 set up but if I could go back I’d get a 6.5 .
I like shooting lots of shooting at various distances not marked out . Take the side by side drive out and drop tannerite along the way . Then go lay in the truck bed and see what I can hit . Bring a few friends make a day of it . It’s quite satisfying to hit a half pound tannerite at 600 meters . It’s a nice gathering and a social event .
I’m not man enough or rich enough to spend a day doing that with a giant magnum.
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I can understand the allure of mid power rounds, I get it...anyone can shoot them.
And the 'It's Swell, you can tell..it's made by Mattel' lego type AR platforms...actually seem kinda cool.
A bit lite for me...I like to hear that big old slug impact something...kinda satisfying?
And the 6.5 CRM... supposed to be a 'Turn-key' silly accurate cartridge. I've heard they are a touch lite for Sask Deer...but Sask boys run hotter stuff than I. Too much prairie IMO.
Stay Safe
And the 'It's Swell, you can tell..it's made by Mattel' lego type AR platforms...actually seem kinda cool.
A bit lite for me...I like to hear that big old slug impact something...kinda satisfying?
And the 6.5 CRM... supposed to be a 'Turn-key' silly accurate cartridge. I've heard they are a touch lite for Sask Deer...but Sask boys run hotter stuff than I. Too much prairie IMO.
Stay Safe
My match rifle also weighs 20.5 lbs and is heavily braked.
About the most I'd want to hunt with is coyotes which I could call in.
Definitely not a mountain/sheep gun, though I'd still have no problem using 6.5CM in one of those.
About the most I'd want to hunt with is coyotes which I could call in.
Definitely not a mountain/sheep gun, though I'd still have no problem using 6.5CM in one of those.
It’s kind of like the fleet of Dodge Caravans and midsize generic SUVs most of us drive. Some piece of my life needs a bit of spice. I like shooting my 375. I want a 450 or 458. I’m going to go pour myself a 99 whiskey neat to blunt to pain.
