Shooting a magnum while prone?

Bush Hunter

Bush Hunter

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Hi. So a bit af a story..
. My hunting rifle is a Sako A7 30.06. I load 51.3 grains of IMR 4831 behind a Barnse TSX-T 180 grain. The thing recoils very sharply up and damed hard to the back. It is accurate. Makes me want a trip to the dentist after 20 rounds benched but man did I say it's deadly accurate? BUT I have to hold the forearm to keep it down. If not I'm sure my eye will pay the price. While I'm hunting I don't even feel it or hear it. I know this is typical....but it's not bench. I've hunted most of my life with a 30.06....just not one that weighs 7.6lbs with the scope and base. I have shot this rifle a lot so know my limitations. Now on to the next story...

I have a Savage 10TR 24" barrel .308. Man I can snuggle right up to that thing on the bench and shoot. (Rear bag, no holding the forearm, just this bean bag held my shoulder) Under 1 MOA at 204 yards with 178 grain hornady match with (can't remember powder weight...in my book. I think 43.1 grains of IMR 4064). The thing is great to shoot off bags and prone. The load needs tuning but I'm pretty happy so far. I've tried varget....no go. I can shoot this rifle all day.

No break on either rifle so I know I'm not recoil sensitive....but the .06 is a beast lol.

i bought a Remongton 5R gen 2 in .300 win mag. I like .30 cal lol! I'm setting it up with a Bushnell XRS with Badger rings and base. This will be my long range rifle(+600 yards) Already in my hands so that will be the set-up. I'm going to load Hornady 200 grain ELD-X over an unknown charge of IMR 4831 as that is a powder I have in abundance. I have all the load data and just have to work with it. Powder wise I have enough to play with loads with other powder.

Now the question......I've read some stuff about having to hold the forearm down on magnum rifles while prone. I do not want to have to do this but if it makes me more consistent while I'm shooting I'm willing. I find I shoot better with my hand as a rear support + bag. I just don't want to eat the scope. Most of my shooting with this rifle will be prone. I know proper body alignment but I guess I have a little atticipation from the 30.06. The rifle will be 12.6lbs when done. As I might use this hunting I don't want a break on it..I'm already deaf enough(Bad choices when I was younger lol). I do use hearing protection at the range. Not in the bush.
How do you shoot your magnums without a break? Is it that bad with a .300 win mag? I guess if I have to I will get a break for the range. Does it affect your point of impact if you take it off for hunting?
 


The above attached videos are a Remington 700 Sendero in 300RUM fired from a lead sled. No bad muzzle jump. Not sure how your holding your 30-06 to get bad jump.
 
12.6 lbs in a .300wm shouldn't treat you too badly. A removable brake with a thread protector might be nice if you're going to use it at the range a lot.

My .338LM is about 14lbs and I shoot it the same as everything else from .17HMR upward.

I too like to use my hand/fist as a rear rest and let the front rest/bag/bipod do the work at the fore-end.

GGG
 
Regardless of shooting position, the rifle should recoil straight back horizontally. If it doesn't it usually is because of poor shooter position. There are rare times it's a poor stock, butt plate design that encourages the rifle to rise/rotate upon firing.

Anytime the rifle/shooter position leave the normal 90 degree (standing, rifle horizontal) position there is potential for scope cut especially with poor eye relief scopes. I cautioned my SIL on his 270 but he, while sitting, leaned over at the waist shooting downward from a tree stand and was rewarded with stiches.

Prone can be the worst as there's not much give to the recoil AND the body/ head is rotated.

As long as one is aligned straight behind the gun and with good shoulder/cheek, weld recoil should be a non issue.

I just recently tried a rear bag. I am a backfist, no rear bag type shooter also.
 
I have a 300 Win MAg that weighs around 12 lb, scoped and have shot it prone. Left hand on butt. A typical match is 12 rounds. 3 or 4 matches per day. Recoil is more than 308, but probably less than your light 30-06.
 
Thanks for the replies. I will defiantly look into my position behind the .06. I do have a limb saver on this rifle as well. It's going to be a pain to add one to the Remington as tooling for a grind to fit will be an issue. I will have to take it to a smith. Thanks for the videos as well.
Ganderite...that's good news lol! I can't wait to shoot it soon.
 
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