Least felt recoil
- Thread starter BenBhoy
- Start date
I am afraid you are comparing apples with pears, I guess firing equal loads in a same weight gun the pump will have more recoil than a recoil operated semi and this will have more recoil than a gas operated auto. First step to me would be to find the lowest load you gas semi will reliably cycle, remembering that it is often cartridge length that is the problem. Lighter loads in 70mm cases are often fine. If not maybe go for gas operated 20 bore, but they are often quite a bit lighter so perceived recoil can be worse. As a really unusual solution but it may be worth pursuing if other solutions don't help your shoulder enough learn to shoot off the other shoulder, it would feel weird for a bit but should be possible.
Best wishes,
David.
Best wishes,
David.
Gun fit will give the least recoil of all as there is no gap between stock and shooter's body and cheek so there's a shove not a punch.
The worst gun I ever ever shot for recoil was an air rifle. A .22 Webley Patriot. Heck it was like being punched in the face by Mike Tyson. A gun that I also shot that had less felt recoil that even a 3" cartridge in a light 20 bore was a .sidelock double barrel 470" Nitro Express Holland and Holland Royal.
In theory if the ejecta is the same (that's the shot, wad and powder that's fired down the barrel) in a gun of equal weight the one firing the cartridge with the greater cartridge base area will give the least recoil.
Thus a 24 gram well fitted 12 bore will recoil less than a 24 gram load in a well fitted 20 bore. Modern gas operated semi-autos are the answer for the OP.
The worst gun I ever ever shot for recoil was an air rifle. A .22 Webley Patriot. Heck it was like being punched in the face by Mike Tyson. A gun that I also shot that had less felt recoil that even a 3" cartridge in a light 20 bore was a .sidelock double barrel 470" Nitro Express Holland and Holland Royal.
In theory if the ejecta is the same (that's the shot, wad and powder that's fired down the barrel) in a gun of equal weight the one firing the cartridge with the greater cartridge base area will give the least recoil.
Thus a 24 gram well fitted 12 bore will recoil less than a 24 gram load in a well fitted 20 bore. Modern gas operated semi-autos are the answer for the OP.
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
It all comes down to perceived recoil. A well fitted gun with a stock of proper length and fitted will kick a lot less than poor stock fit. Even minor changes to angle of butt plate makes a big difference.
Then comes technique. A proper hold with the forehand on the barrels with a straightish arm acts like a spring soaking up the recoil. A bent forehand gripping the foreend close to the action soaks up very little recoil.
The weight of shot. A heavier load will generate more recoil than a lighter load. A faster load will also generate more - laws of physics.
Gun weight also helps - a heavier gun kicks less with a slower recoil than a lighter gun.
But barrel diameter also has a big difference. A 28gram load in a 12 will require less pressure to achieve required velocity than a 28gram load in a 20. And back bored / over bored barrels recoil less. Take a 7lb 12 and a 7lb 20 both shooting a 28 gram load and the 20 will have a snappier kick from the higher pressure.
Then it comes down to the gun. A well made gun put together will feel much much smoother to shoot than a cheaper poorly made gun. I have shot pump guns - they are generally mass made and quite ratly. They kick. Semi’s do soak up some of the kick but you often feel a multiple kick. And they, like pumps tend to vibrate. And most pumps require a 28gr load to run reliably.
If you want a nice smooth shooting gun with minimal recoil I would find a good well fitting 12 bore over and under and use 24gram loads. Cost need not be high. Things like the ATAs are very good value for money and will be much nicer to shoot than similarly priced semis.
And don’t be put off by lighter loads on game. Drop down a shot size to keep pattern density, ignore those birds where it’s more hope than expectation and instead concentrate on birds you can kill and kill cleanly. By picking your shots your kill rate goes up and so does confidence.
Then comes technique. A proper hold with the forehand on the barrels with a straightish arm acts like a spring soaking up the recoil. A bent forehand gripping the foreend close to the action soaks up very little recoil.
The weight of shot. A heavier load will generate more recoil than a lighter load. A faster load will also generate more - laws of physics.
Gun weight also helps - a heavier gun kicks less with a slower recoil than a lighter gun.
But barrel diameter also has a big difference. A 28gram load in a 12 will require less pressure to achieve required velocity than a 28gram load in a 20. And back bored / over bored barrels recoil less. Take a 7lb 12 and a 7lb 20 both shooting a 28 gram load and the 20 will have a snappier kick from the higher pressure.
Then it comes down to the gun. A well made gun put together will feel much much smoother to shoot than a cheaper poorly made gun. I have shot pump guns - they are generally mass made and quite ratly. They kick. Semi’s do soak up some of the kick but you often feel a multiple kick. And they, like pumps tend to vibrate. And most pumps require a 28gr load to run reliably.
If you want a nice smooth shooting gun with minimal recoil I would find a good well fitting 12 bore over and under and use 24gram loads. Cost need not be high. Things like the ATAs are very good value for money and will be much nicer to shoot than similarly priced semis.
And don’t be put off by lighter loads on game. Drop down a shot size to keep pattern density, ignore those birds where it’s more hope than expectation and instead concentrate on birds you can kill and kill cleanly. By picking your shots your kill rate goes up and so does confidence.
Last edited:
MAH
Well-Known Member
A gass semi-automatic will be more gently on the shoulder than a pump action.
I have a Remington 1100.
One of the barrels has a Cutts Compensator on it.
The Compensator makes it even more pleasant to shoot.
M
I own three semi-autos but the softest recoiling shotgun I own is a 26 inch barreled 12 bore 1959 Browning B25 over and under. I am not sure why as it is so soft shooting as it only weighs just over 7lbs. Maybe it is the design of the stock or the boring of the barrels. But I recommend trying one as you may like it.
physics is physics
A 6lb gun shooting 32gr will hurt more than a 7lb gun shooting 24gr
A semi auto cycling a 400gr bolt and action will give less recoil pulse than a static over and under shotgun
A 6lb gun shooting 32gr will hurt more than a 7lb gun shooting 24gr
A semi auto cycling a 400gr bolt and action will give less recoil pulse than a static over and under shotgun
Foxyboy43
Well-Known Member
This ^^^^^.
I have a similar issue and found that a good recoil pad (kickeeze?) coupled with a strapped shoulder pad which slips inside my jacket or shooting vest together make a considerable difference. The shoulder pad does take a bit of getting used to but if properly located and straps tightened it does work.
Blind Pugh
Well-Known Member
Wrap >5lb of lead sheet around the stock.
Len the dog
Well-Known Member
There are plenty of softer recoiling cartridges designed for use in older English side by sides as they are lightweight guns, I think it is Gamebore that makes the Regal range aimed at Grouse as that tends to be English guns firing a lot of shots in a short space of time.
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
Reading the OP again 32grams is the equivalent of the old 1 1/8oz cartridge. These always were quite a heavy load. Not as heavy as 34gram or 1 1/4oz which were the Alphamax duck type load, or the 36gram 1 1/2oz load which were baby magnums.
Drop down to 28gram, or the gun cycles them, the 24 gram load and life will improve tremendously. I have rotator cuff injuries on both shoulders, but a well fitting gun, a good straight arm grip where forehand takes recoil and light cartridges I quite happily shoot 50 cartridges at clays out of an old Scottish sidelock.
But there are days when I just love my little 410 with 9 gram 2” cartridges
Drop down to 28gram, or the gun cycles them, the 24 gram load and life will improve tremendously. I have rotator cuff injuries on both shoulders, but a well fitting gun, a good straight arm grip where forehand takes recoil and light cartridges I quite happily shoot 50 cartridges at clays out of an old Scottish sidelock.
But there are days when I just love my little 410 with 9 gram 2” cartridges
BenBhoy
Well-Known Member
Arthritis mate. Too many years chucking sheep about, agony some days just lifting arm up
Smellydog
Well-Known Member
Not good mate. Have it in my right foot, agony most of the time now.
Go to a 20g mate. The autos are sublime. A 20 with standard loads are sweet.
Similar threads
