Looking for a new rifle ....
- Thread starter Borcagu
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If you are recoil sensitive, all of the above rifles carry considerable recoil because of the bullet weights/diameters. The .280 prolly would have the least recoil of the bunch, but the .308 family of cartridges would fit the bill best, the .308, 7mm/08, and the 260 Rem. All can be used on big game, at long range, and with minimal recoil.
If you are going to hunt primarily for deer I would include a .243 in that list. It is great for varmints as well. My son shot a 243 at nine years of age with no worries.
If you are recoil sensitive and want to shoot something with a bit more power consider a rifle with a muzzle brake or a gun with a bit of weight to it. Savage makes a reasonably priced model. You'll appreciate the reduced recoil but your ears and those of your buddies won't appreciate the noise
If you are recoil sensitive and want to shoot something with a bit more power consider a rifle with a muzzle brake or a gun with a bit of weight to it. Savage makes a reasonably priced model. You'll appreciate the reduced recoil but your ears and those of your buddies won't appreciate the noise
For what purpose?
The most versatile rifle in North America is probably the venerable 30-06. It can be loaded light for all day plinking or just darn punishing for taking down grizzly. Recoil is a question of energy and weight of the rifle. A good recoil pad can reduce felt recoil by gradually absorbing the energy.
I've got a 308 with a steel butt plate that is just as painful to shoot as a heavy 45-70 load. My full stock (ie: heavier) 30-06 is a pleasure to shoot, it feels more like a push than a punch.
If you want to go big, don't reload, only fire a few shots a year for sighting-in and then a few rounds hunting, a 338 Win Mag is invigorating! But it'll make you twitch if you are recoil shy.
For just putting lead downrange a 223 is hard to beat.
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You have obviously not shot a "heavy" 45-70 load, I would put money on it based on your comparison.
Based on your list of choices, it appears you are looking for something with a bigger thump.
The 338 Federal is a nice choice, but finding ammo off the shelf is difficult. Great cartridge, but the 308 and a heavy bullet already did everything the 338 was designed to do. The 308 has killed everything on several continents, including the big dangerous critters. The 338 Federal is a neat little cartridge, but I would not go near it because of so many better choices available straight off the rack.
The 338-06 is a beauty, only IF you reload.
The 35 Whelen is another beauty, but it needs the right set up. I had a 700 in an HS stock, recoil was on par with a 308. My buddy has a Ruger Hawkeye that I find unpleasant to shoot. Ammo used to be difficult to find, but since Remington and Ruger both turn out a production model 35, Remington keeps the 200 and 250 Corelokts on the shelf.
The 338 Federal is a nice choice, but finding ammo off the shelf is difficult. Great cartridge, but the 308 and a heavy bullet already did everything the 338 was designed to do. The 308 has killed everything on several continents, including the big dangerous critters. The 338 Federal is a neat little cartridge, but I would not go near it because of so many better choices available straight off the rack.
The 338-06 is a beauty, only IF you reload.
The 35 Whelen is another beauty, but it needs the right set up. I had a 700 in an HS stock, recoil was on par with a 308. My buddy has a Ruger Hawkeye that I find unpleasant to shoot. Ammo used to be difficult to find, but since Remington and Ruger both turn out a production model 35, Remington keeps the 200 and 250 Corelokts on the shelf.
Being another 'sensitive' guy, those calibers stated above make me flinch just reading them! I can say that the above posters that are steering you towards the 308 parent cartridges are giving the straight goods. The 243, 7-08, 308 are all in my comfort zone. The upper end of calibers for me is the 30-06.
My advice from one sensitive guy to another is to buy a quality rifle that has the proper weight to caliber ratio,( light rifles have more 'felt' recoil than the heavier versions), with an excellent trigger. Stay away from the 'mountain' versions until you're used to a bigger punch.
In my opinion,a good medium cartridge like 7x57,7-08,260(vg),270,--up to 30-06 will do all you need. A top quality recoil pad is well worth the $$. An other investment for years of range work is a Pass shoulder recoil pad, one you wear over your jacket. If you get something that kicks too much sell it & try something else. Good luck. Al
#2, #10, #11. there is a Mountain rifle in 280 here, it's not hard to shoot at all.
A big part of recoil is "felt recoil". The fit, dimensions, style and recoil pad of a stock make a big difference in what you feel. The other consideration is weight. I found that the Remington Mountain Rifle stock just didn't work for me. Mind you it was one of the first ones and had a hockey puck for a recoil pad. It was in .270 and it just seemed to dig into me.
On the other hand I had a .338 Win Mag in a Sako Fiberclass (McMillan stock) and it was great to shoot. A .338 Win Mag in a Model 700 BDL was the worst I have ever tried - including my .416 Rem Mag.
So it really depends on many factors relating to the rifle. Additionally, the weight of the bullet, velocity and powder charge also have an effect on recoil.
On the other hand I had a .338 Win Mag in a Sako Fiberclass (McMillan stock) and it was great to shoot. A .338 Win Mag in a Model 700 BDL was the worst I have ever tried - including my .416 Rem Mag.
So it really depends on many factors relating to the rifle. Additionally, the weight of the bullet, velocity and powder charge also have an effect on recoil.
What do you consider "heavy"? 405 gr @ 1880 fps through the 18.5" barrel is my "heavy" round right now. Just shy of 3200 ft-lbs. I keep that one for my buddies that are always at the gym, most won't take the 2nd shot! From the outside of the shooting shack, I'm told the snow lifts off the shingles a few inches ...
That damn Savage 99 308 with the steel but plate still hurts more, but doesn't push nearly as much... now that I type this I think it's kind of silly I've been enduring that setup for 20 years ... time to get a limbsaver pad fitted.
