Softer-shooting than .308?

[Sammie]

Due to an injury from a car accident, I would like to reduce recoil. I currently use a .308 with a muzzle brake. I'm looking for a softer-shooting caliber suitable for general hunting.

In the Netherlands, the legal minimum caliber for hunting anything bigger than roe deer is 6.5 mm.
I've read mixed reviews about the 6.5 Creedmoor.

Who can give me advice about low-recoil hunting caliber(s)?

 

[Greenmist]

6.5x55, softer than the .308, less snappy than the .243, less beard oil than the creedmoor

 

[Jagged77]

6.5cm makes sense if that’s the minimum calibre, plenty of factory ammo if that’s a concern plus light loads down to 100gr. Always been a fan of .260 but it basically does the same thing.

Have you tried lighter loads in .308? I find the 130gr pretty mild to shoot

 

[long_range_rob]

6.5x55, 6.5 CM, 7mm08 for starters

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

6.5x55 is the one for you, a lovely gentle calibre with plenty of wollop with 140gn bullets

 

[Utectok]

Any of the 6.5 calibres CM x55 260 so forth

 

[Donkey Basher]

My 6.5x47 Lapua is a beautiful cartridge to shoot with very little felt recoil

 

[BigT]

Sounds like the perfect situation for a 6.5 Creed or Swede

I’d look at which offered the most ammo availability near you and what rifle options are around and that you like and go that route

Can you have moderators in the Netherlands ?

 

[Steff]

If you cannot bear a .308 with a muzzlebrake you should stop shooting until your injury has healed.
In case the injury is permanent the only alternatve is to change the shooting shoulder.
Recoil aversion can‘t be overcome by using a smaller calibre. All it will lead to is flinching.

 

[Dr. Strangelove]

7x57 would also fit the bill!

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

7x57 would also fit the bill!

I agree not that I am bias or anything

 

[Sammie]

Sounds like the perfect situation for a 6.5 Creed or Swede

I’d look at which offered the most ammo availability near you and what rifle options are around and that you like and go that route

Can you have moderators in the Netherlands ?

Nope, not allowed...

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

Nope, not allowed...

In that case the 6.5x55 again is an excellent option, un moderated it’s one on the better bangs

Plus ammunition should be easy to get hold of in Europe.

 

[Emilio]

What a hillbilly respons....

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

What a hillbilly respons....

A far more civilised thread

 

[Emilio]

If you cannot bear a .308 with a muzzlebrake you should stop shooting until your injury has healed.
In case the injury is permanent the only alternatve is to change the shooting shoulder.
Recoil aversion can‘t be overcome by using a smaller calibre. All it will lead to is flinching.

It's a long term precaution, nothing to do with aversion. If she starts flinching she may stop shooting tighter groups than me....

 

[Steff]

It's a long term precaution, nothing to do with aversion. If she starts flinching she may stop shooting tighter groups than me....

Long-term precaution … sounds like a pace maker, not an accident.

 

[Emilio]

Long-term precaution … sounds like a pace maker, not an accident.

Nope, and not relevant.

 

[Sammie]

6.5cm makes sense if that’s the minimum calibre, plenty of factory ammo if that’s a concern plus light loads down to 100gr. Always been a fan of .260 but it basically does the same thing.

Have you tried lighter loads in .308? I find the 130gr pretty mild to shoot

Yes, but less would be better.