280 rem
 

im curious,ive always used my old 30-06 for my big game hunting for ever.the doc told me to find a caliber that i can shoot until im done with this hep c.my 06 is just too much for me right now,is the 280 any easier on recoil?not even sure if ill be elk hunting this year.

I have a remington 700 mountain rifle in 280. It weighs around 6.5lbs and has a good recoil pad. I would say just a little less recoil than the 06 I had. I'll shoot my 280 all day.
Have you thought of lighter loads for the 06.

i do have some lighter loads for deer and such but for elk hunting i use 180 npt.

I used 150 gr npt for elk in my 280. I'm working reloads now in 140, 150, and 160 gr. The 140's shoot tighter but I do like a heavier bullet. I'm sure you could use the same bullet for elk that you use for deer. Just use a good 150 gr bullet no need to go heavy.

I would hate to say go ahead a get one then it turns out it kicks just as hard and you are out several 100 and in the same boat so to speak. My 25/06 kicks harder than my 280 and they are the same rifle just different recoil pads.

Stock design can change felt recoil, thumbhole stocks (imo) seem to reduce felt recoil. You can put a better recoil pad on or put a muzzlebrake on too.

Not a whole bunch of difference in felt recoil between the 2. I shoot 165 grainers out of my '06 and 160s out of the 280. If you're looking to seriously reduce the recoil, try a good pad or go to a smaller caliber and smaller bullet.

I agree with strapher 100% on this one. Stock design is a major factor in my rifles. As a preference I prefer a straight stock to a monte carlo stock that has severe drop in the comb design. I'd rather have a punch to the shoulder than a bucking recoil that bucks up into your face and then punches you. There are some straight stocks that will rock your world. Especially like a remington 700 adl synthetic try shooting one of those with a 300 win mag or larger. That's felt recoil for sure. Even weight of the rifle doesn't seem to tame felt recoil in some rifles.

30-06 Recoil
 

I've shot a 280 for about 20 years and my step dad has used his 30-06 for longer than that. The difference in recoil isn't noticeable to me unless we shoot stout loaded 180 gr. bullets in his 06. One cure could be to have a muzzlebrake installed on your 30-06 or buy a rifle chambered for 25-06. I use a 25-06 quite a bit for deer and hogs & the felt recoil is much less to me than the 30-06 or the 280. If you want to pursue elk with it use a Barnes 115 gr x bullet or the 120 gr nosler partition and place your bullets in the lungs and not the shoulders. You will need to wait for good broadside shots. The 25-06 with partitions is what my Granddad's best friend used for better than 30 years and he's taken a ton of elk to prove it can be done.

+1..........

i have the rifle in a B&C alaskan ii,it really is comfortable and alot less recoil than with the original open sight stock.im just gonna use my 30-40 and be happy,its killed more elk than i can imagine over the years.

280 and 30-06 recoil shooting 150gr bullet is the same. If you want reduced recoil and a caliber that is effective on deer - look at 7mm-08 or 6.5x55 Swed. These would not be my first choice on Elk beyond 200 yards (especially beyond 300) but they will work with the right bullet put in the right place. Been there, done that as has a friend I hunt with.

280
 

It will do you just fine Just a little bigger than a 270 alot less recoil than 30-06. very flat shooter.Just a super caliber.

If reducing recoil is a medical necessity then I don't think you will be making that much of a difference with either the 270, 280 or the 30/06 (with all other things be alike or near same). I own all 3 & recoil depends more on the stock & pad than the recoil difference between these 3 calibers. Several years ago I also had 25/06 & it is a very easy recoiling cal, but I personally wouldnt depend on it for elk!

I have another caliber that I LOVE & I think it just might be "what your Dr. Ordered" (THANK YOU, I'll be here all night! :p ) I would SERIOUSLY recomnend you consider the 7-08! :barmy:

It's nearly TO SWEET of a caliber, yet with 150-160 monolithic type bullets, it will send ANY elk within 1/4 mile to the big wallow in the sky! :s4:
HL

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

All things being equal,stock design,recoil pad,ect... you might notice less recoil with the 280. Check out the recoil table above it may give you some other options as well.

I know this is oh so passe', but the 7x57 is a great choice too. Most rifles will handle all the bullets from 100 to 175gr . While I'm about to get flamed, it operates at lower pressures than both the 280 and the 7-08, so there's generally less muzzle blast and lower recoil. It lags a little behind the 06' but w/the modern factory offerings it becomes a real contender in what's a 100 ft lbs game.

I've a 1908 Mauser and a Savage 110 in 7x57 both are a pleasure to shoot.

I wish I could remember where I read it but a guide up in Alaska said the 7x57 was his favorite for dropping caribou and outperformed any other cartridge he'd used for the same purpose.
For my own taste I prefer the 8x57 but that definitely wouldn't serve OP's purpose for less recoil.

I cannot tell the difference in recoil in a 270 280 or 3006