The only time I ever fired a 30-06 I got clouted in the eye by the scope. Certainly my 270 has never exhibited such antisocial behaviour!
Recoil
- Thread starter Sheorsa
- Start date
I have a T3 and I'm sure it came with spacers to lengthen the stock. But maybe I'm getting confused with another rifle/gun I've got. But I'm not going into the loft to get the box out to check! But certainly you can get them online.
The thing to think of is gun fit. Normally thought of as a shotgun thing, it's just as important for rifles, for slightly different reasons. If your previous experience with rifles is with a rimfire or small calibre centrefire, felt recoil is always pretty small and it's easy to get into the habit that if the scope is on target, all is fine and just squeeze the trigger, not worrying about how snug your grip is. So it can be easy to develop unhelpful habits. So, like others have said, it could well be worth your while seeking out someone with a bit of knowledge and checking things out in that department.
There is also of course, again as above, your ammunition to look at and perhaps if all else fails, the rifle itself. Obviously it's light and a heavier one will absorb more of that recoil. Probably a last resort there though. So fear not. There's quite a few things to try before throwing the towel in.
The thing to think of is gun fit. Normally thought of as a shotgun thing, it's just as important for rifles, for slightly different reasons. If your previous experience with rifles is with a rimfire or small calibre centrefire, felt recoil is always pretty small and it's easy to get into the habit that if the scope is on target, all is fine and just squeeze the trigger, not worrying about how snug your grip is. So it can be easy to develop unhelpful habits. So, like others have said, it could well be worth your while seeking out someone with a bit of knowledge and checking things out in that department.
There is also of course, again as above, your ammunition to look at and perhaps if all else fails, the rifle itself. Obviously it's light and a heavier one will absorb more of that recoil. Probably a last resort there though. So fear not. There's quite a few things to try before throwing the towel in.
Muntybuck5803
Well-Known Member
Looks like you have more than enough to run out and there’s some really good advice here. To offer a quick vignette: I spent a long time using an AI .338LM with all the modular bells and whistles. Adjustable butt spacers, adjustable comb etc and it gave the ability to truly tailor the rifle to the shooter. I never once noticed the recoil of that relatively harsh calibre even though I favour it unmoderated. I then purchased a Tikka T3 with its standard none adjustable stock in .308 and although it wasn’t hard hitting it was noticeably less comfortable than the .338 I was used to. Clearly there’s also a large weight difference in these rifles but I have since put that Tikka in a PSE stock with its adjustable cheek piece and butt spacer system. The fit and recoil management of a property fitting stock has transformed the felt recoil to more of a shove and made it much more pleasurable to shoot.
As the above poster has stated, rifle fit is just as important as shotgun fit but is often overlooked. Maybe because on the whole rifle shooting is less instinctive (barring the obvious driven disciplines) Felt recoil of anything that doesn’t fit will be massively exasperated.
As the above poster has stated, rifle fit is just as important as shotgun fit but is often overlooked. Maybe because on the whole rifle shooting is less instinctive (barring the obvious driven disciplines) Felt recoil of anything that doesn’t fit will be massively exasperated.
Yes those
In the days before moderators the 270 rifle in standard sporter weight was a bit of a beast to shoot. However you do get used to it. I would say the easiest and most cost effective way is to watch several videos of rifle shooting techniques. If you are shooting from bags they tend to take up some of the recoil better than a bipod. I also think using earmuffs help.
I use a 270, 6.5-284 and 6.5×47. The felt recoil is in that order too. The 6.5x47 being the softest. It's so soft on the shoulder I think at times how does it have enough oomph to knock things over. The dead deer tell me otherwise
I use a 270, 6.5-284 and 6.5×47. The felt recoil is in that order too. The 6.5x47 being the softest. It's so soft on the shoulder I think at times how does it have enough oomph to knock things over. The dead deer tell me otherwise
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
When I first got my 7x65r it belted the snot out of me. I had been and was used to the 243.
My 7x65r has an all up weight of c7 1/2lbs. My first ammo was 162gn RWS with cone shaped bullet at 880 m/s. Stock was too short, and scope on a claw mount couldn’t be moved. Most painful was that the scope was difficult to get away from and comb was too low. It wacked me between the eyes a couple of times and that really hurts.
I lengthened the stock by 3/4”, first with a slip on pad, but then with a good recoil pad. And I also made a lace on leather recoil pad to give better cheek weld.
And I didn’t like that cone point bullet. Too hard and too fast. I dropped down to a 140gn soft point at c 2650 fps.
I now use RWS 140gn HIT load with the bullet doing c2750 fps.
It is now a very nice rifle to shoot. And that it fits it is even comfortable to shoot RWS 173gn bullets at close to 2.700. Yes they kick, but not when shooting pigs.
A few changes to make it fit, and I have learnt how to shoot it.
Going back to the 303 and brass butt plate. I think they got their reputation when used as Cadet rifles. Most had very short stocks and I remember that most cadets hated shooting them.
I shot one again last year for the first time in over 30 years. It brought back memories of being a 15 year old cadet lying on a freezing cold range being belowed at by the RSM, at not really having a clue. I too had a blue shoulder after 10 rounds.
But then last year, squeezed it in tight and what was all the fuss about???
My 7x65r has an all up weight of c7 1/2lbs. My first ammo was 162gn RWS with cone shaped bullet at 880 m/s. Stock was too short, and scope on a claw mount couldn’t be moved. Most painful was that the scope was difficult to get away from and comb was too low. It wacked me between the eyes a couple of times and that really hurts.
I lengthened the stock by 3/4”, first with a slip on pad, but then with a good recoil pad. And I also made a lace on leather recoil pad to give better cheek weld.
And I didn’t like that cone point bullet. Too hard and too fast. I dropped down to a 140gn soft point at c 2650 fps.
I now use RWS 140gn HIT load with the bullet doing c2750 fps.
It is now a very nice rifle to shoot. And that it fits it is even comfortable to shoot RWS 173gn bullets at close to 2.700. Yes they kick, but not when shooting pigs.
A few changes to make it fit, and I have learnt how to shoot it.
Going back to the 303 and brass butt plate. I think they got their reputation when used as Cadet rifles. Most had very short stocks and I remember that most cadets hated shooting them.
I shot one again last year for the first time in over 30 years. It brought back memories of being a 15 year old cadet lying on a freezing cold range being belowed at by the RSM, at not really having a clue. I too had a blue shoulder after 10 rounds.
But then last year, squeezed it in tight and what was all the fuss about???
I have had a few 308‘s always found them very snappy especially with the shorter barrel.
as others have said
1. light bullets will make a big difference sako 123gr very sweet.
2. fit , are you an odd shape
, very tall maybe. Recoil pads and comb raisers can be a help.
3. not convinced about adding weight, as the worst kicker I had was a sako TRG 22. The rifle weighs about 5 kg without a scope or mod. So for me fit is more important.
4. a good moderator will help too.
5 if you are shooting prone or off a bench don’t have the bipod too high, it will mess up your position. Maybe consider training with a few sand bags for a bit.
i wouldn’t be a big fan of recoil and when I start back it take 10-15 shots to get back in the groove.
while the 308 is a common caliber it’s serving up a big bullet with a significant amount energy . if you are coming from much smaller calibers it takes a bit of getting use too.
good luck nice set up by the way.
as others have said
1. light bullets will make a big difference sako 123gr very sweet.
2. fit , are you an odd shape
, very tall maybe. Recoil pads and comb raisers can be a help.3. not convinced about adding weight, as the worst kicker I had was a sako TRG 22. The rifle weighs about 5 kg without a scope or mod. So for me fit is more important.
4. a good moderator will help too.
5 if you are shooting prone or off a bench don’t have the bipod too high, it will mess up your position. Maybe consider training with a few sand bags for a bit.
i wouldn’t be a big fan of recoil and when I start back it take 10-15 shots to get back in the groove.
while the 308 is a common caliber it’s serving up a big bullet with a significant amount energy . if you are coming from much smaller calibers it takes a bit of getting use too.
good luck nice set up by the way.
You've got yourself a decent rifle that is capable of shooting well, but if it doesn't fit you it will be a right pain. I had a T3 Lite in .243 and that was quite a pleasant gun to shoot. I fired a friend's in .270 and it was a brute, I hated it! You've got quite a beast of a calibre as a first deer rifle if you've never shot anything like it before.
How you progress is up to you and your budget I suppose. It's hard to know whether you're having issues with the stock fit or whether it's just the thump of the .308 that bothers you. Do you have much experience of large(ish) bore rifles? I say that because when I started out I recognised the recoil from my 6.5x55. These days I barely notice it. Over the years I've worked through some pretty brutal rifles - .375H&H, .45-70, my current challenge is a .416 Rigby. You can overcome the recoil but it will take time. Don't shoot it until you've had enough at the range, all that will do is set the seed in your mind that every time you shoot it, it hurts. Shoot it a few times and call it a day. Build up slowly. That way your memory of using the gun is more pleasant and you won't feel so opposed to it. If you go out expecting it to batter you then you've lost the battle before you've even started.
How you progress is up to you and your budget I suppose. It's hard to know whether you're having issues with the stock fit or whether it's just the thump of the .308 that bothers you. Do you have much experience of large(ish) bore rifles? I say that because when I started out I recognised the recoil from my 6.5x55. These days I barely notice it. Over the years I've worked through some pretty brutal rifles - .375H&H, .45-70, my current challenge is a .416 Rigby. You can overcome the recoil but it will take time. Don't shoot it until you've had enough at the range, all that will do is set the seed in your mind that every time you shoot it, it hurts. Shoot it a few times and call it a day. Build up slowly. That way your memory of using the gun is more pleasant and you won't feel so opposed to it. If you go out expecting it to batter you then you've lost the battle before you've even started.
Just read your 6ft plus . As Ed has said stock is possibly a bit short and you may be rolling your head over on the comb too , which would put anybody off. Get yourself to a range for a few hours watch some of the seasoned campaigner‘s maybe someone might have a look at you behind your rifle. If you feel you are a bit shy of it maybe double up on the ear protection (plugs and muffs) could be the blast is more off putting rather than the recoil.
I appreciate I'm picking up an old thread - but is the Tikka T3x lite really that light? The website shows most of the Tikka T3x lite calibres are 3kgs (= 6.6lbs or 6lbs and 10oz) without scope or mod, which is the same as Sako, Mauser etc. Are there any heavier rifles out there available as new with synthetic stock?
Bergara B14
Stalker62
Well-Known Member
I had lost some weight - do not worry anyone - I found it again during the 1st Lockdown.
As we dive into day 1 of the 2nd Lockdown, I note that today's 11s were consumed at 10.25 am...
Again I hear the fridge calling me.
When I said to my wife:- "I am twice the man your Father was." ...
Deutsch - Drahthaar
Well-Known Member
My 308 is noticeably less recoil with a Atec Hurtz when compared with a DPT mod with same ammo.
HappyHunter
Well-Known Member
I've a very lightweight .308 and it was also very short length of pull.
I didn't suffer for recoil but a slip on pad definitely improved fit and felt recoil wise due to better fit. I then had the LoP altered professionally which improved things further.
I've also used neoprene and sniper tape to improve cheek weld.
Before all of the above and as much as I didn't suffer discomfort, it did bark and throw itself around to the point I developed a flinch.
That took some time and ammo to unlearn!
HH
I didn't suffer for recoil but a slip on pad definitely improved fit and felt recoil wise due to better fit. I then had the LoP altered professionally which improved things further.
I've also used neoprene and sniper tape to improve cheek weld.
Before all of the above and as much as I didn't suffer discomfort, it did bark and throw itself around to the point I developed a flinch.
That took some time and ammo to unlearn!
HH
I think felt recoil depends on the person as well, I prefer the recoil of my 30-06 over some of the smaller calibers (243, 308)
the best way I can describe it is the 06 is a “ba-doom” the 243 is a “pitisssshhh”....
it’s more of a slow push verses a fast sharp crack.
the best way I can describe it is the 06 is a “ba-doom” the 243 is a “pitisssshhh”....
it’s more of a slow push verses a fast sharp crack.
Scapegoat
Well-Known Member
I use the same rifle, a T3 Lite on .308. The recoil can be a bit sharp if you aren’t used to it, but make sure it fits properly, and that you learn how to ride the recoil/work with it. A reflex moderator helps, but I reload and deliberately load a slow 150 grain bullet. It works well at stalking ranges and recoil is noticeably more comfortable and progressive than factory loads.
I think you lot should get down the gym (when they re open) load up the lap bar and get pulling lolI think felt recoil depends on the person as well, I prefer the recoil of my 30-06 over some of the smaller calibers (243, 308)
the best way I can describe it is the 06 is a “ba-doom” the 243 is a “pitisssshhh”....
it’s more of a slow push verses a fast sharp crack.
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