Softer-shooting than .308?

[Sammie]

I think you might like 6.5CM. I find it a very different recoil to a .308. Certainly more comfortable. And you could perhaps try a muzzle brake if you aren’t permitted a moderator, it will help but it will be quite loud. I think the trick is to try as many rifles as you can for fit and comfort, preferably with a scope fitted so can bring it into your shoulder with the correct eye relief. As has been mentioned above, you could have a different butt pad fitted to the stock. And wear a ‘shooters’ jacket’ or gilet with a padded shoulder. Definitely ’try before you buy’. You will find the right rifle and the right cartridge for you, and you don’t need to compromise. Good luck in your search and let us know how you get on.

Thanks for your advise, I appreciate it.

We use a scope because we shoot long range and for hunting.

We do have a muzzle break on our R8, you are right about "quite loud", everybody at the shooting range came to see what monstrous weapon we were firing.

 

[ejg]

R8 is quite heavy, stock is heavy meaning COG well low. Try a much heavier scope on top of the rifle not a heavier barrel. You might be able to borrow a scope from someone to try which will cost nothing. You should see the recoil behaviour of your rifle changes a lot. I balance most of my rifles and they shoot very soft for cal/weight.
edi

 

[grimstone]

Just got a 6.5x55 from .308. An absolute dream to shoot, next to no recoil/muzzle flip. Had an itch to scratch and so glad I did.

 

[Foxyboy43]

Thanx! For now no reloading, so just go for the most practicall option?

Yep and if holding the rifle (in whatever chambering) is difficult perhaps a tripod and clamp such as this would help?

Google Image Result for https://i.ytimg.com/vi/u3fBNiPG-Kw/hq720.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEhCK4FEIIDSFryq4qpAxMIARUAAAAAGAElAADIQj0AgKJD&rs=AOn4CLAzIyhRmA3qqWMORgW2eJc5x_Rbog

 

[Malxwal]

Hard to stabilise out of a standard R8 barrel I think?

Any 308 will stabilise 123gr.

 

[Sammie]

Yep and if holding the rifle (in whatever chambering) is difficult perhaps a tripod and clamp such as this would help?

Google Image Result for https://i.ytimg.com/vi/u3fBNiPG-Kw/hq720.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEhCK4FEIIDSFryq4qpAxMIARUAAAAAGAElAADIQj0AgKJD&rs=AOn4CLAzIyhRmA3qqWMORgW2eJc5x_Rbog

Thanks for the advise.
We already use the Blaser Bipod at the shooting range. Works very well! In the field we shoot from sticks or lying down and use a backpack.

 

[disco_ike]

You mention using the R8 at the range. Are you allowed to try other people’s rifles there? Here long as you are both members at the club/range you can try someone else’s rifle.

I ask to see if there is anyone at your range that could let you try a 6.5swede or a 6.5creedmoor to see how you get on with it?

Also can you get any 120gr 308 or less to try. It should be around 2500j muzzle energy so retaining the powers required above.

 

[enfieldspares]

What version of the R8 is being discussed? And what stock configuration?

 

[Emilio]

Any 308 will stabilise 123gr.

Calculators I found online seem to think it's not really optimal. We have a standard Blaser 520 barrel with 1:11 twist and like tight grouping with the target shooting we do besides hunting.
I am not an expert, so if you have more info, please share.

 

[Sammie]

R8 is quite heavy, stock is heavy meaning COG well low. Try a much heavier scope on top of the rifle not a heavier barrel. You might be able to borrow a scope from someone to try which will cost nothing. You should see the recoil behaviour of your rifle changes a lot. I balance most of my rifles and they shoot very soft for cal/weight.
edi

R8 is quite heavy indeed, but at the moment I cannot hold any rifle up no matter the weight. The R8 suits me, I can shoot very well with it. Shooting sitting, lying down or from sticks works all good for me.

We have a scope, because we use the R8 for shooting long range and hunting.

 

[Radstorm]

Hi - I went from .308 to .260 for exactly the same reason - due to back injury.

I would suggest find the right physio etc and time helps a lot.

Moderate the rifle - but not all moderators are equal. Stock configuration and the recoil line is not often thought about -

And remember if your reducing recoil reduce the bullet weight - have you tried loading a lighter bullet on your .308 ?

Get the rifle balanced well, so it recoils well.

Get a recoil pad and wear a suitable clothing - or get another recoil pad in your shooting jacket.

And build Up to it - all the best.

Try lots of rifles and moderator and ammo combinations as you can.

I’d get a 6.5 creedmoor - more factory ammo choice more rifle options too.

 

[Sammie]

What version of the R8 is being discussed?

Silverstone. An absolute beauty, we gave it to ourselves for our 25th anniversary. (Not everybody understands a rifle as an anniversary gift. )

This R8 has a .308 barrel, but for my 50th birthday later this year we have a R8 Huntec Camo on order and I can choose the barrel caliber I wish.

 

[LeftHandGuy]

Until seeing the comments about power restrictions and the desire to stick with an R8 I was going to suggest trying a 30-30, but it might not suit your circumstances too well.

7mm-08 could be softer shooting, and you should be able to get a barrel for it easily, ditto 6.5CM, and I guess 7x57 and 6.5x55 (albeit the Sweed might need a different bolt too maybe?)

I think your best answer would be to get a press and develop some loads of your own. 308 is an amazing round for that due to the almost unrivaled choice of bullets.

Good luck however you do solve this one.

 

[Emilio]

You mention using the R8 at the range. Are you allowed to try other people’s rifles there? Here long as you are both members at the club/range you can try someone else’s rifle.

I ask to see if there is anyone at your range that could let you try a 6.5swede or a 6.5creedmoor to see how you get on with it?

Also can you get any 120gr 308 or less to try. It should be around 2500j muzzle energy so retaining the powers required above.

No problem using other peoples rifles. But everybody seems to use .308. We will ask around, but not very likely testing will be possible.

Will a 308 in shoot lighter or as light as 6.5 and be stable enough for target shooting tight groups?

 

[Sammie]

You mention using the R8 at the range. Are you allowed to try other people’s rifles there? Here long as you are both members at the club/range you can try someone else’s rifle.

I ask to see if there is anyone at your range that could let you try a 6.5swede or a 6.5creedmoor to see how you get on with it?

Also can you get any 120gr 308 or less to try. It should be around 2500j muzzle energy so retaining the powers required above.

Thank you.
Yes, we are allowed to use each other rifles but so far we don't know anyone who shoots with a 6.5swede or a 6.5Creedmore. But we could ask around some more.

 

[tackb]

No problem using other peoples rifles. But everybody seems to use .308. We will ask around, but not very likely testing will be possible.

Will a 308 in shoot lighter or as light as 6.5 and be stable enough for target shooting tight groups?

There is an optimum twist for any given calibre/bullet weight , I’ve shot the 123gr bullet in a 308 with 1-11’’ 1-12’’ and my current 1-10’’ they all shot it well as they did the 110vmax but that’s not a great deer bullet but it does kill them esp for head shots!

In my 1-8’’ creedmoor i have shot 95gr to 160gr , all very acceptably but both of my rifles absolutely love the 140gr Hornady eld-m match factory ammo , i mean 1/4moa groups at 200m (i am the weak link but was on form that day)

Of course for long range target shooting a heavier bullet with a better BC is more suitable but obviously there is the potential for increased recoil

 

[Selous]

Being a bit of a nerd I thought I would run some figures through a recoil calculator to check out how things look. If we take an 11 pound rifle/scope if you reload or can get someone to do it for you.

180g bullet in .308 loaded to max pressure this gives a recoil energy of 11.7 ft lbs
150g bullet in .308 loaded to max pressure this gives a recoil energy of 10.87 ft lbs
130g bullet in .308 loaded to max pressure this gives a recoil energy of 10.39 ft lbs
110g bullet in .308 loaded to max pressure this gives a recoil energy of 9.03 ft lbs

140 g bullet in 6.5x55 loaded to max pressure this gives a recoil energy of 9.25 ft lbs
120g bullet in 6.5x55 loaded to max pressure this gives a recoil energy of 8.52 ft lbs

As you can see there is overlap between the recoil levels. If the 110g .308 is loaded down to a reduced velocity of 3000 fps which will still be effective on deer at moderate ranges ( muzzle energy 2100 ft lbs) then the recoil can reduce further to 7.84 ft lbs. Now obviously any cartridge can be loaded down to reduce recoil but the point I'm making is that you don't need to swap calibres just to reduce recoil if you reduce bullet weight and velocity. Can I ask what game you are shooting as this may influence the bullet choice? If you are shooting deer then the light Barnes TTSX work very well.
Please feel free to ignore this, I'm not trying to "teach Granny to suck eggs" as they say!!

Another alternative would be reduced recoil cartridges such as the Hornady Custom lite ammunition or the Barnes reduced recoil line:

https://www.hornady.com/ammunition/rifle/308-win-125-gr-sst-custom-lite#!/

VOR-TX RR TTSX 308 Win 110 GR BT

Pioneering the world's most effective all-copper hunting bullet. For over 30 years, we've been engineering the most advanced hunting bullets, trusted by the world's best hunters and shooters.

barnesbullets.com

 

[Olaf]

A moderator is forbidden in The Netherlands... I hope the rules will change!
We've already come down from 180 to 147gr.

Just borrow or loan a R8 with a thicker barrel or a heavier stock . shoot it with some 125 gr copper ( they should happily give you about 2400 j at 100 m ) and all recoil will be gone.
Personally I’d stick with the .308 win if I were you. I bet you that adding a few hundred grams to your rifle and reducing your bullets weight will have a way bigger effect than keeping the rifle the same and switching to some 6.5 mm chambering.

Kindest regards, Olaf

 

[Emilio]

Being a bit of a nerd I thought I would run some figures through a recoil calculator to check out how things look. If we take an 11 pound rifle/scope if you reload or can get someone to do it for you.

180g bullet in .308 loaded to max pressure this gives a recoil energy of 11.7 ft lbs
150g bullet in .308 loaded to max pressure this gives a recoil energy of 10.87 ft lbs
130g bullet in .308 loaded to max pressure this gives a recoil energy of 10.39 ft lbs
110g bullet in .308 loaded to max pressure this gives a recoil energy of 9.03 ft lbs

140 g bullet in 6.5x55 loaded to max pressure this gives a recoil energy of 9.25 ft lbs
120g bullet in 6.5x55 loaded to max pressure this gives a recoil energy of 8.52 ft lbs

As you can see there is overlap between the recoil levels. If the 110g .308 is loaded down to a reduced velocity of 3000 fps which will still be effective on deer at moderate ranges ( muzzle energy 2100 ft lbs) then the recoil can reduce further to 7.84 ft lbs. Now obviously any cartridge can be loaded down to reduce recoil but the point I'm making is that you don't need to swap calibres just to reduce recoil if you reduce bullet weight and velocity. Can I ask what game you are shooting as this may influence the bullet choice? If you are shooting deer then the light Barnes TTSX work very well.
Please feel free to ignore this, I'm not trying to "teach Granny to suck eggs" as they say!!

Another alternative would be reduced recoil cartridges such as the Hornady Custom lite ammunition or the Barnes reduced recoil line:

https://www.hornady.com/ammunition/rifle/308-win-125-gr-sst-custom-lite#!/

VOR-TX RR TTSX 308 Win 110 GR BT

Pioneering the world's most effective all-copper hunting bullet. For over 30 years, we've been engineering the most advanced hunting bullets, trusted by the world's best hunters and shooters.

barnesbullets.com

Bit of a nerd also, so much appreciated.

We just starting of with hunting, but we will probably be hunting in NL (stangely enough likely hardest to get a chance here on bigger game), DE, FR and the UK to start of, so besides deer species (reds being the biggest) we will most likely be hunting boar also.

As stated we also shoot for sports, so softer loads are possible as long as they are perfectly stable. But I would prefer to not have to big of a difference if possible, to have a better feel with the riffle when hunting.

We have a new riffle on order and can choose from a lot of calibres. It is an extra, a gift from me to Sam, with the medical advice for low recoil in mind. We could even, after a little saving up, buy another 308 barrel should we go for another calibre now.

Please keep the feedback coming, it helps the decisionmaking proces along.

 

[enfieldspares]

Silverstone.

Ah. Alas I fear that the stock is the problem. My suggestion would be to contact Blaser, explain your accident and its result, and ask if they can re-stock the rifle to a type that weighs more or can with lead inserted be made to weigh more. Maybe their R8 Professional or Professional Hunter stock? I think if that was possible it may solve the problem?

This as below is your rifle?