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.