friendliest heavy caliber for the recoil sensitive?

Mr. Friendly

Mr. Friendly

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being loose jointed, I'm finding myself to be recoil sensitive. biggest issue is when my back goes out (.308 recoil does that...), my ribs can dislocate...and yes, that's as painful as it sounds.

so, I'm looking for something that would drop a moose at up to about 200 or 300 yards. something that's friendlier than either .308 and .30.06.

I've been thinking 7mm-08...as I've read it has a mild recoil, but also wonder about something heavier, like the .35 Whelen or something European?

aside from bugging me about being the pansy I am...what kind of recommendations would you gentlemen come up with?
 
May I ask what you are using now? Rather than buying again, you may be able to have some reduced loads reloaded for your existing setup. Consider having your rifle properly fitted and adding a Limbsaver recoil pad. Maybe the LOP is wrong etc. Wearing a Past shoulder recoil pad will really lessen the blow too. If you want European, the Swede (6.5x55) is a gem.
 
burnsy56 said:
May I ask what you are using now? Rather than buying again, you may be able to have some reduced loads reloaded for your existing setup. Consider having your rifle properly fitted and adding a Limbsaver recoil pad. Maybe the LOP is wrong etc. Wearing a Past shoulder recoil pad will really lessen the blow too. If you want European, the Swede (6.5x55) is a gem.
Click to expand...
I was using an XL7 in 30.06...but sold it to a friend. in a sense of conundrum, I've been wanting to buy an ultra light rifle in a friendlier cartridge (afore mentioned 7mm-08) in something like the Savage 11 Ultralight Hunter...or perhaps the Kimber 84M Mountain Ascent in .308 (has the muzzle brake). at the same time, I'm entertaining the idea of the Forbes in .35 Whelan or 7mm-08 too. would just have to find out to export/import one in for me. perhaps save myself from the $2400 Kimber price tag!!! :eek:
 
Ultralight a low recoil don't go together. I hate brakes. I'd look at a rifle in the 7 pound range...still fairly light...with an upgraded recoil pad in something like 7mm08, 270, 6.5 Creedmoor, 260....lots of options.
 
7x57 Mauser.
As the late Bob Milek liked to point out, according to the writings of John Barsness, a careful handloader could obtain 90% of the velocity of the 7mm Rem Mag from the 7x57 with only two-thirds the powder and half the recoil.
You'll never get that that sort of efficiency from domestic factory loads, unfortunately, but then you'll be getting even less recoil in return.
A very efficient cartridge.
If that is still above your recoil tolerance level, then the 6.5x55 Swede could be just the ticket.
 
I guess it all depends on one's definition of "heavy". 6.5s, 7mms, 30-06s pretty much occupy the "light" category. 8mms, 338s, 9.3, 375, etc occupy the niche that is commonly called "medium" calibers, and "heavy's" generally start at .40 and go up from there. The "kindest" heavy would likely start at somewhere around the .416 Taylor, although the vast majority of mortals would be better served by a 375 H&H/Ruger, etc.
 
If the .308's recoil bothers you, you won't be doing yourself any favours by going to a .35 Whelen or 9.3. While I don't find the recoil abusive, it's definitely pushier than a .308.

I would agree with the recommendation of 6.5x55, 7-08 or 7x57 in a 7 lb minimum rifle. I personally hate brakes, but with your special circumstances it would be justified.
 
Heavier rifle means lower recoil. You can also load your rounds lighter ( or buy them light). When I was a scrawny young teen at 100 pounds, I still shot a 30.06 with light loads of 130gr. Took half a dozen deer by age 15.
 
I think that you're on the right track with the 7/08. I got one in a T3 Lite for my daughter when she was 12, and with a Limbsaver pad the recoil is a joke.

I wouldn't hesitate to take moose at the ranges you mention; not because I've done it with a 7/08 but because I've done it with a .270 and 130 grain bullets and there is no big difference between the two. Moose are easy to kill.
 
Brakes are for ar##holes. Bottom line. End of discussion.

Get a 270 in a heavier hunting rifle (say a Ruger or M70) topped with a decent scope, say a 3-9x Burris or something like that. It's so refreshing to be trying to find a heavier rifle not a lightweight combo. Get a rifle with decent heft to it and it will soak up the recoil much better which will allow you to use a bigger caliber. Shoot 140gr premium bullets and you're set.

Don't get a braked rifle. You'll be better served with a well thought out hunting rifle package. And forget about shooting anything bigger than a 30-06. It'll just hurt you and be no fun. Recoil isn't for everyone.
 
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