Recoil confusion
 

Alright a quick background description on what I'm doing. I'm looking to buy a 30-06 for hunting elk, bear, deer, and well basically the 30-06 is historically great round, it's chambered in the gun I'm looking at, and well quite frankly....I want one to have one also.

The problem is I've never shot a high powered rifle...ever. I don't have any idea of the recoil from a highpowered rifle people talk of. Descriptions of teeth splitting recoil don't do me any favors. I've shot many 12ga shotguns over the years up to 3" magnum slugs. I'm 6'-1" 200lbs, am I going to be comfortable shooting a 30-06 or is it going to mess me up forever as far as flinching goes?

I would rather buy one great gun and scope instead of 2 mediocre ones?

Any suggestions other than finding someone with a 30-06 to shoot, because I don't know of any off hand.

RE: Recoil confusion
 

Personally I don’t think you should have any problem. You’ve mentioned that you shot a 12 ga. in 3” magnums. Now if that’s from a single shot, pump or double barrel, I can’t see any problems, but if you were shooting a semi auto, the recoil could be slightly less. Every one handles recoil different but I think you should be good to go just stay away from 180 gr. or 220 gr. bullets when you start. Good luck.

RE: Recoil confusion
 

30-06 doesn't recoil too bad, from a semi-auto 12 gauge I still think 2 3/4" slugs kick more than a 30-06. From a 7.5 lb gun a 3" mag generates around 50-55 lbs of recoil, while a 30-06 150 grain load from a 8 lb gun generates about 18 lbs, around 1/4 of a 12 gauges recoil. If nothing else, lots of people have 30-06s, ask if you can shoot one.

RE: Recoil confusion
 

Rifle Recoil Table

RE: Recoil confusion
 

You will be fine.

The 30-06 is not bad at all.

My 12 year old son that weighs 125 pounds shoots his 30-06 from the bench for hours at a time with no complaints at all.

RE: Recoil confusion
 

Recoil is so subjective you really can't say. It varies from rifle to rifle and from load to load. I have shot two different 30-06's side by side. One was very managable the other made my teeth hurt. Completely different feeling shooting the same exact round. Stock design, weight and how the gun fits you really effect the amount of recoil you feel.

I owned a savage 110 E bolt action 30-06 when I was 18. I weighed about 90 lbs and didn't have any trouble shooting it.

The worst thing I have shot was 3 1/2" magnum turkey loads from a 870 remington. But I still didn't have any trouble hunting with it. You really don't feel the recoil in the field.

Paul

RE: Recoil confusion
 

You might think about trying Remington's Managed Recoil ammo for .30-06.

That stuff really tames the recoil, but still delivers a punch. Check it out!

RE: Recoil confusion
 

Over the years I've noticed you don't feel the recoil in the field, or the sound for that matter.

I guess I kinda get freaked out everytime I get a new caliber. Going from 20ga to 12ga. My first .40 S&W and first .357 Mag. Usually it's all in my head and I never bothers me.

According to the "writers" the Cauldwell Lead Shooting Rest Sled might be a good investment?

RE: Recoil confusion
 

As a comparison to the above link from Chuck Hawes websiteto shotgun recoil - see here:

http://www.chuckhawks.com/shotgun_recoil_table.htm

RE: Recoil confusion
 

The Lead Sled is money well spent, my grandpa got one for me and him when we sight in guns and it's great, and even without any "lead" it takes away alot of recoil.