Real world perceived recoil vs "the charts"

[jjohnwm]

stock design makes a big difference...the tikkas just plain hurt. the xbolts do not there insanely comfortable compared to the t3 with limbsaver. don't ask me why exactly.

It's voodoo. I've long ago given up on trying to analyze which guns will or won't handle recoil comfortably for me. Generally, a Weatherby-style Monte Carlo...which I find abominable to look at...tends to be the most comfortable style for me to shoot. A more subdued "classic" style stock with a straight comb is my taste from an aesthetic viewpoint, but those are the ones that beat on me hard. My beloved Ruger #1 rifles were the worst offenders; loved the way they looked, hated the way they felt.

When I got my first Blaser R93 it was equipped with a straight American-classic stock, rather than the Euro hogsback that I wanted...or thought I wanted. I almost passed on the gun, but for some reason decided to try it. That first barrel was a .375H&H barrel in the standard light profile, not the heavy-barrel or the one they called the "semi-weight". The gun weighs 6.8 pounds empty, usually about 8.5 or 9 ready to go, depending on the scope it's wearing. It is a sensual joy to shoot; the lightest of my .375's and yet by far the most comfortable.

I finally shot a Euro-stocked R93 years later. Kicked bad. Go figure.

 

[Chilly807]

I love my 30-06 Tikka, it's as accurate as I'll ever need but you are not wrong about that lol. I can only shoot off 10-15 rounds accurately before I start flinching from the bruising pain.

You are definitely not the only one, as I've read further along in this thread.

My T3 Lite started out as a lowly .308, intended to be a hunting gun. It turned out I was shooting it more prone or from a bench, and my max endurance before a flinch started was 10-15 rounds as well.

It was better with a Limbsaver, but I still ended up swapping barrels to make it into a .243.. one of my better decisions it turns out. It's incredibly accurate and an all day shooter. Good enough that I sourced a walnut Hunter stock for it. Definitely a keeper.

I shoot to enjoy myself, and getting tenderized doesn't make for an enjoyable day for me.

 

[OntJim]

A moose hunting buddy at one time used a .300 Win. Mag in (I believe) a Parker Hale rifle. This guy is a very experienced shooter and handles most guns well. This particular gun kicked the crap out of him. In spite of this he used it for several years. Then another hunting buddy got a .300 Mag in a Winchester rifle. He let the other friend try it and he found it to be very tolerable. Within 2 weeks or a month he had replaced the Parker Hale.

For anyone contemplating getting a hard kicking rifle I would suggest finding someone you know who will let you try a few shots with the rifle of choice before you spend your money. Stock design can make that much difference!

Physical impediments (if you have them) can also dictate what level of recoil you can tolerate. While practice can get you around some problems it may make others worse.
Like Clint Eastwood said "a man has to know his limitations."

Jim