is it just me or does 308 hurt?
- Thread starter allan92
- Start date
Right. If it hurts, it hurts. If you like pain, carry on. If you don't, do something else.
I am a recoil whimp and not ashamed of it. I use a Past recoil reducer pad on the range (recoil isn't noticed hunting) and would buy another one in a flash for twice the money.
Muzzle brakes should be reserved for those with private ranges, well away from those doomed to have to shoot at the next bench.
I am a recoil whimp and not ashamed of it. I use a Past recoil reducer pad on the range (recoil isn't noticed hunting) and would buy another one in a flash for twice the money.
Muzzle brakes should be reserved for those with private ranges, well away from those doomed to have to shoot at the next bench.
Last edited:
I haven't shot the 5R, but i owned a SPS TAC AAC-SD and my father owns and older 788 both in .308. I found the TAC had almost no recoil. I could shoot it all day long. the old 788 on the other hand, Killed my shoulder after 5 rounds. I swore that i would never fire it again. I hate that gun. Loved my Tac. Only Sold it to get the TAC in .223. its far cheaper and painless on the wallet. Just my opinion.
I would try switching the recoil pad before a break. The pad is simple, easy, cheaper, less chance to mess anything up, then if you feel you need it try the muzzle break. Even with the pad it will still kick, but it should change it from a hard abrupt punch to a still hard but slower push, which is much easier to handle.
It might also be worth getting a second gun in a smaller cal to practise with and get range time in, then switch to the 308 at the end to keep up with it. This is usually easier on the shoulder and much cheaper in the long run as price for ammo for a 308 vs something like 223 or 7.62x39 can be quite different.
It might also be worth getting a second gun in a smaller cal to practise with and get range time in, then switch to the 308 at the end to keep up with it. This is usually easier on the shoulder and much cheaper in the long run as price for ammo for a 308 vs something like 223 or 7.62x39 can be quite different.
Are you shooting it:
- only from a bench? I'm not a fan of bench shooting with .308 and + size rifles so can't help you there.
- only in prone?
Your body positining will play a huge role in how you feel the recoil of your rifle. Piss-poor, misaligned in a 60degree of to the side prone position will result in your shoulder to pretty much fully absorb the recoil. If your hole body is being the rifle, that's a totally different thing.
How are you holding it to your shoulder pocket?
How do you position your face for the cheekweld? Holding and pressing on for dear life, or a light touch and you get slapped?
Best advise is to ask a season shooter at your range to work with you for a day.
As for a muzzle brake - go for it. Anyone who complains about it aren't wearing proper hear protection and that's totally on them. If you're well equipped, every shot gets cancelled and you don't feel it any differently. Some MB control muzzle blast / dust better than others.
A recoil pad will help too if the one on your rifles is hard as plastic.
Best of luck with it!
- only from a bench? I'm not a fan of bench shooting with .308 and + size rifles so can't help you there.
- only in prone?
Your body positining will play a huge role in how you feel the recoil of your rifle. Piss-poor, misaligned in a 60degree of to the side prone position will result in your shoulder to pretty much fully absorb the recoil. If your hole body is being the rifle, that's a totally different thing.
How are you holding it to your shoulder pocket?
How do you position your face for the cheekweld? Holding and pressing on for dear life, or a light touch and you get slapped?
Best advise is to ask a season shooter at your range to work with you for a day.
As for a muzzle brake - go for it. Anyone who complains about it aren't wearing proper hear protection and that's totally on them. If you're well equipped, every shot gets cancelled and you don't feel it any differently. Some MB control muzzle blast / dust better than others.
A recoil pad will help too if the one on your rifles is hard as plastic.
Best of luck with it!
Everyone has different tolerance for recoil. There are some really good posts about dealing with recoil on CGN that would be worth looking up. I think they come down to:
1 Make sure you are shooting the gun properly so that you aren't experiencing unnecessary recoil. I.e. tight to the shoulder, properly fitted stock, shooting position makes a difference etc.
2 get a good recoil pad
3 reload lighter loads ( I do this for my 308 more for cost savings but it does make a significant difference in recoil.)
4 limit the amount you shoot with the gun so you don't develop a flinch. you might only be able to shoot 10 shots at a time before it starts to affect you. Then go to a 22 or 223 and practice.
Good luck
1 Make sure you are shooting the gun properly so that you aren't experiencing unnecessary recoil. I.e. tight to the shoulder, properly fitted stock, shooting position makes a difference etc.
2 get a good recoil pad
3 reload lighter loads ( I do this for my 308 more for cost savings but it does make a significant difference in recoil.)
4 limit the amount you shoot with the gun so you don't develop a flinch. you might only be able to shoot 10 shots at a time before it starts to affect you. Then go to a 22 or 223 and practice.
Good luck
WestIslandRifle
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- QUEBEKISTAN, Canada
+1 for you need to hold it tighter against your shoulder....
Lots of guys here are recomending recoil pads, which i agree is a good idea. I personally think that you would find that if you installed a ' Kickeez"
recoil pad you wil notice a big diffrence. Recoil pads can absolutley change your shooting exsperience for a small investment.
I have shot a 300 wsm for about 7 years now " which is your cartridge on steroids "and have had several diffrent models in that calibur. When i first started shooting it i would get red marks with broken blood vessels on my shoulder. It really didnt bother me, im a big guy and just shrugged it off. After a month i stopped getting the marks and thought that i had just built up a tolerance and everything was good. After about 6 month and 700 rounds of shooting this gun i actually started to get sharp pain in the ball and sockett of my shoulder joint and realized i was doing permanent damage. I then put the gun down for a few months untill my shoulder felt better and only shoot 300wsm a few times a year when im getting ready for hunting season.
I told this story to a few old timers that the range. They informed me that they have all done lots of damge to there shoulders from pounding thousands of roundes through 308 caliburs over there lives. They now all shoot 6ppc at the range.
My point is, although 308 isnt considered a big cartridge your shoulder isnt designed to be pounded on time and time again. So dont let anyone tell you that your not man enough, or your a p**sy because you cant handle the recoil. Get a good recoil pad, and maybe a shooting jackett with a good shoulder pad. If you have to, although people will never hunt with you again if you unexspectly fire a shot near them with muzzle break on... Get one if you need to and be respectfull of others. Its your shoulder and your gonna need it for along time to come.
recoil pad you wil notice a big diffrence. Recoil pads can absolutley change your shooting exsperience for a small investment.
I have shot a 300 wsm for about 7 years now " which is your cartridge on steroids "and have had several diffrent models in that calibur. When i first started shooting it i would get red marks with broken blood vessels on my shoulder. It really didnt bother me, im a big guy and just shrugged it off. After a month i stopped getting the marks and thought that i had just built up a tolerance and everything was good. After about 6 month and 700 rounds of shooting this gun i actually started to get sharp pain in the ball and sockett of my shoulder joint and realized i was doing permanent damage. I then put the gun down for a few months untill my shoulder felt better and only shoot 300wsm a few times a year when im getting ready for hunting season.
I told this story to a few old timers that the range. They informed me that they have all done lots of damge to there shoulders from pounding thousands of roundes through 308 caliburs over there lives. They now all shoot 6ppc at the range.
My point is, although 308 isnt considered a big cartridge your shoulder isnt designed to be pounded on time and time again. So dont let anyone tell you that your not man enough, or your a p**sy because you cant handle the recoil. Get a good recoil pad, and maybe a shooting jackett with a good shoulder pad. If you have to, although people will never hunt with you again if you unexspectly fire a shot near them with muzzle break on... Get one if you need to and be respectfull of others. Its your shoulder and your gonna need it for along time to come.
Try shooting 3" magnums out of a lightweight single shot shotgun...that can rock your world after a while...I have a 308 in a model 660 rem, it is a light gun and the recoil is sharp with this rifle...Weight of the gun sure helps with recoil. Let the "men" here shoot their 600 nitro express...gett comfortable with your gun and you will be a better shot for it...
- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
It's all how one perceives and deals with the rifle.Fit and comfort are really important.
Some guys like strait shots of Golden Wedding while others don't, who is more manly?
Some guys like strait shots of Golden Wedding while others don't, who is more manly?
Brakes at crowded or covered ranges can be terribly inconsiderate of other shooters. If you must have a brake try to have some courtesy for those around you and put up some form of barrier using gun cases etc, or try and set up away from other shooters. Shooting next to someone with a brake is every bit as frustrating (and potentially worse, EVEN if you have good ear pro) then setting up next to the guy going rapid fire and spraying hot brass at you.
Other issues to consider: a brake may simply make bad technique more tolerable. As others have suggested, take the time to ensure you're properly set-up, and you may find the problem goes away while simultaneously improving your shooting. The second option to consider would be a good replacement recoil pad like a Deccelerator or Kickeez; I use a Deccelarator on my 308 shooting a stout load with 200s and I have no issue shooting 70-80 rounds a day for a few days in a row. A 3rd option would be a Reactar type shoulder pad/harness. These options would all cost hundreds less than having a brake installed and are far more conducive to ensuring you and everyone else can enjoy their trip to the range.
colt45cz75
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Try a kickeez pad after checking to make sure the rifle fits you properly.A stock change may be required.I am a fan of HS Precision thumbholes myself.A mercury recoil reducer in the stock can help too.Gracoil makes a rifle version of their hydraulic recoil reducer for shotguns.Brakes are excellent at killing recoil.Do what you gotta do.Shooting in pain will eventually **** you up.
He has a 5R, that's what he is talking about. I am not aware of a 5R in .223. Maybe I missed something but I was under the impression it was only available in .308. I have a 5R .308 and find the recoil quite tame compared to my Savage .308.
Ranger Dave
Regular
They make it in 223.
