Help Please,I`m a Wimp

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Fast-talkr

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I would like to purchase a rifle that I can use for bear and moose,but I am recoil sensitive when sighting in and practicing. I shoot a 12 guage shotgun a lot and would like to get a rifle for large game that would compare to or be close to that kind of recoil.
Don`t know if I am dreaming or being realistic,but opinions and thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks:confused:
 
Recoil sensitive?!? What exactly is "recoil sensitive when sighting in and practicing"??

Bear and moose? How close do you want to stalk them? A 45-70 is really good, but has a recoil. I find that a 30-30 has a heavier recoil on the Marlin levers than my Savage 30-06. Reason is heavier gun. I have always thought my 30-06 is way lighter (recoil) then either of my two 12 ga. shotguns.

A lighter recoil, say a 243, is only going to anger a bear (not quite, but it is too light a round in my opinion) and to penetrate all that mass, you are going to need mass on the bullet and velocity. Recoil will be there regardless.

At first glance, I thought this question bordered on nonsense, as perhaps you may not exactly be an experienced hunter. The reason is that recoil sensitive would also suggest to me that you may be an ideal candidate as a classic flincher, wherein with just about any given bear or moose rifle you may not be able to hit a barn at 200 yards. The solution will be to get some instruction and practice, practice, practice - but not if you're recoil sensitive.

You may wish to hunt smaller game with light recoil calibers.
 
A .30-06 in a full wood rifle that weighs about 7 or 8 pounds would be a good choice for you. The weight of a rifle plays a huge factor in recoil, and to top the recoil reductive properties of a heavy stock, pair it with a quality recoil pad.

If .30-06 isn't what your looking for, then the .308 Winchester is an excellent choice.
 
.270 has low recoil and is plenty for moose - I'm assuming black bear is what you're thinking of? Bigger than black and I would go bigger but then you're into heavier recoil. You could consider going semi-auto, they'll have less kick than a bolt action. You really have a ton of options here depending on preference and budget - bolt actions without muzzle breaks will kick more, those with breaks are toned down a ton.
 
Fast-talkr said:
... I shoot a 12 guage shotgun a lot and would like to get a rifle for large game that would compare to or be close to that kind of recoil.
Click to expand...
A 12 Ga shotgun is not exactly a light recoiler. If you are fine with a 12 gauge, then there are a lot of choices for you. I assume by 'bear' you mean Black Bear. A big factor is the weight of your rifle. A heavy rifle will have a lot less felt recoil that a light one for the same caliber. Keep that in mind when you purchase your rifle; you may want to stay away from anything ultralight. As for cartridges, the 308 and 30-06 are both excellent choices.
 
Fast-talkr said:
I would like to purchase a rifle that I can use for bear and moose,but I am recoil sensitive when sighting in and practicing.
Click to expand...
If you're shooting at a bench, make sure you're seated comfortably and your setup is ergonomic.

Secondly, ear plugs and ear muffs along with a towel between the rifle butt and your shoulder go a long way to minimizing the noise and kick.
 
Fast-talkr said:
I would like to purchase a rifle that I can use for bear and moose,but I am recoil sensitive when sighting in and practicing. I shoot a 12 guage shotgun a lot and would like to get a rifle for large game that would compare to or be close to that kind of recoil.
Don`t know if I am dreaming or being realistic,but opinions and thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks:confused:
Click to expand...

Just buy a semi in a rifle. Nice browning etc
 
I think most of us are recoil sensitive to a point. My suggestion is in fact to plan on keeping two calibers, say one in the 6-7mm range (not magnum), and one in 30cal... Shoot the 6-7 lots at the range and get used to it. Then move up to lighter loads in the 30cal, and gradually increase up to a decent load for bear. That way you're working on accuracy which is more important that horsepower.
Moose aren't hard to kill, I took mine last year with a 7-08, before that I used a 30-06 but tended to flinch a bit because the rifle I was using didn't fit me at all (and I didn't realize it). Working my way back up to a decent 30cal by shooting the smaller calibers lots has helped my shooting huge, and has minimized my flinching habit. Shooting should be fun, and lots of trigger time with a non intimidating caliber (and a well fitting rifle) will improve your accuracy and confidence.
 
You regularily shoot with a 12 gauge and you say you're afraid of recoil ?!?! a good recoil pad will take a lot of the recoil away.. I don't know what kind of insane recoil you expect but I would say a 12 gauge generally has more recoil then most large calibers (.308, 30-06, etc.)
 
Firstly I would work on your recoil sensitivity.
Start with a .22-250 or .243 Winchester and concur your fears.
The bulet comes out the end of the barrel away from you and after that it is not your worry other than finding its way to the target.
A flinch is a case of mind over matter - the rifle does not mind and it does not matter and you should think in somewhat similar terms.
Firstly, you have advanced to a 12 gauge and that can only be viewed as an extremely positive. Don't let anyone push you past your comfort zone. Increasing the weight of a rifle and a premium pad are aids. Take the positives you have gained from the shotgun and apply those thoughts to rifle. Since shotguns normally do not sport scopes, is it the sights on rifles that cause your fears. Stories of scope bite does instil some fear. Find yourself a good mentor with a substantial number of guns to advance you slowly through the learning process.
 
I should say that I have shot lot`s of turkey`s,and I am an avid waterfowl hunter shooting ducks and geese is my main passion.
I will say that I did not even sight in my own turkey barrel because I flinch . I do not flinch when shooting at the birds however and have been quite successful.
I agree that it is mind over matter.
I guess what I need to do is put in some bench time with my 223 weatherby.
I can see how this would help me if I built up to larger calibers slowly through repetition.
 
The type of gun you choose can have a lot of influence on perceived recoil.
You say you shoot a 12ga comfortably. Trap/skeet loads? Duck loads? Goose loads? Pump? Autoloader? A 3-1/2" 1-3/8oz load in a pump is actually a heavier load in terms of measured recoil than a 375H&H. An autoloader reduces it a bit.
A 1-1/8oz 2-3/4" load lists as a bit more than a 7mm Rem mag depending on the gun/bullet weight.
A 300gr 45-70 can be about the same as a 12ga 1-1/8oz load.
A lot depeneds on the type of rifle you choose, a metal military style buttplate will give you a completely different view of a 30-06 vs a pad like a Pachmayr Decelerator in the same gun. A light 308 may feel more recoil intensive than a heavy 300winmag.

Get out and shoot some rifles of different types and setups to get a feel for it.
 
My savage axis in .270 has next to no recoil. Its still there but i shot that thing for 3 hours (80 rounds) and wasnt even sore. If it is too much then put a limbsaver on it and pick any caliber you want.
 
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