ORIGINAL: HEAD0001
"Recoil energy under 15#"
IMO this is the wrong way to put your question. Felt recoil should be the parameter. Recoil is a function of stock design, rifle and barrel weight, and the application of a muzzle break.
+1! I just spent several hours at the range, and my 700 CDL in .30-'06 shooting 165's & 180's, had far less FELT recoil than my Savage 14 in 7mm-08 with 140's. The CDL fits me far better than the savage, and the R3 (Sims) recoil pad puts the Savage's pad to shame.
ORIGINAL: HEAD0001
Not for the sake of argument but I will take the "killing abilty" of the 165 grain 30 caliber bullet over the 100 grain .243 caliber bullet every day of the week, and twice on Sunday. Tom.
And HOW! I'd start out
above .243, suggesting .257 Roberts, .25-'06, .260, 7mm-08, and .270, as cartridges which would fit your criteria. Ammo availability might rule out the .257 and .260, if not the 7mm-08 as well, depending on your area. All of 'em will work well, though.
ORIGINAL: Cruise J.D.
To shed some light on #3, I'm currently using a Remington 7600 .30-06. I agree that perceived recoil is subjective and depends on the actual rifle. I am wanting signficantly less recoil for my next rifle.
I know you don't want to test too many guns, but I'd submit that handling them will tell you as much as shooting them, as far as fit goes. If the gun fits you well, you shouldn't have much trouble handling up to the standard .30 calibers, so long as the gun's not too light.
FC