shotgun vs rifle recoil
 

Hello, I have a very close friend that moved to VT and wants to buy a 300 win mag for long range shooting. He is worried about how much the recoil is because he has heard bad stories of the 300's recoil. If he didn't live so far away I would let him shoot mine. He shoots trap with a 12ga 1 1/8oz 8 shot at 1200fps which according to chuckhawks has a felt recoil of 23 ft.lbs. He shoots trap all day with that so do you think he could handle a 300 easily? I don't think it would be an issue but he wanted me to ask on for him on the forums because he doesn't have internet yet because he just finished his house.

Thanks!

Piece of cake, tell him to go for it...

Shotgun and rifle recoil are very different. I'm not sure why. I'm a recoil sissy but I have adapted very well to a 300 WSM. I use a lead sled at the range and have had zero problems hunting. I'd tell him to go for it. 300 win mag is a great round!

I'd recommend that he try a 300 WM before buying if he's concerned about recoil. If the recoil doesn't bother him, go for it. Just because the caliber is capable at long range doesn't automatically translate into the innate ability of the shooter to do so. The best way to be a successful long-range shooter is practice. If he's afraid of the recoil, practice probably won't happen. He'd be better off with a caliber that won't beat him up that he'll be comfortable shooting.
Lots of hunters hit stuff regularly at long range with 30-06's, 7MM Mag's, .270's, etc.

I didn't look at recoil numbers when I bought a .375 H&H (we didn't have the internet then, so I couldn't readily develop a sense of paranoia about it). I just knew that I wanted something heavier than a .30-06 for my moose hunts in Alaska. Ya know what I found? It kicks. In fact, it kicks pretty hard. But I knew it was going to, and it wasn't my intent to launch 60 rounds through it from the bench each Saturday.

This preoccupation with recoil just creates more drama than it solves. If he wants to know if he can "handle it" - he needs to go shoot it, not rely on internet opinions. I lob bullets at distant targets too - but with a .308. With the rifle at 16 pounds, it kicks less than a .223. There's way more to recoil than just the chambering.

I like the 300 WM mine is a pleasure to shoot compared to some. Not getting into a debate lets just say some rifle manufactures like to see people flinch. So maybe shoot a few and see which model fits you best.

Long range shooting or hunting? I don't think of Vermont as a long range hunting state, but I don't hunt there. If I thought I needed a big bullet I'd be looking at .338s and deal with the recoil, if not I'd be very happy with a rifle in the .280 to .30-06 range.

If it's long range shooting, he might consider 6.5-284 which is a long range match winner.

Shooting trap is a lot different than shooting off a rest. Has he ever patterened his shotgun off a rest? The 30-06 is about all the average shooter can tolerate as far as recoil goes (at least that is what I've read). A 300 WM has substantially more because it uses about 20% more powder for a 180 gr bullet (referencing IMR load data and IMR4350 powder). The 300WM is not a 'plinker' and you will not shoot alot of rounds in a session. I would advise that your friend try one first.

Thanks for all the help guys.

300 wsm would be a pretty expensive plinker anyway.

ditto .

I just wanna know where he's going to "long range" hunt in VT...I spent a year deployed up there and did some hunting...in VT 100 yards is long range from my experience!

he owns 110 acres and it is mostly fields

Yes I do believe that 23 ft.lbs. = 23 ft.lbs.

I also believe that good shooting form is the main factor in perceived recoil.


Ear plugs plus ear muffs lessens percussion, which also effects perception of recoil.

I have a 300 Win. Mag. I have hunted with it a bunch and been at the range with it often. On the bench, it is not waht I'd refer to as fun as far as sitting down for round after round. By the time I get to 100 shots or so, the fun factor starts to evaporate and precision shooting begins to take on a "work" factor. If you could find one for the guy to try out at the range, probably would not be a bad idea.

To answer your question, comparison to say a 2 3/4" , 12 ga. shotshell medium load as far as recoil, I'd say about the same.

100 rounds?!

100 shots of trap loads is a far cry from a belted magnum rifle in "felt" recoil. I know I shoot both.

100 rds of trap loads in or even the bit stronger sporting clays loads are doable. But one box of 20 7mm Rem mags is, to me, worse.

Weight of my two guns is part of it, the shotgun is heavier than the rifle. Also the shot gun is a auto & rifle a bolt action. These are major differences in recoil.

He'd best try some rifles for himself, it's the only way he's going to KNOW.

I agree with you there. I have an 870 wingmaster and before I bought my 300 mag I shot it from a bench with loads that I mentioned in the first post that have 23ft lbs. Im not recoil sensitive and it felt just fine so I got the 300. And I have no issue with the 300. The only thing that is a little different is the 300 is a little sharper.

Anyone who shoots 100 rounds of 300WM in one bench setting has my immediate admiration. :hail:

lol, me too!

i hope 100 rounds is an exaggeration. if i shoot a box of 20 by shot 7 it starts to become noticeable and by 17/18 i begin flinching.
100 free-arm shots would be on par with water-boarding.