I want to buy a bolt action for hunting season. Whats the difference in recoil between an autoloading full sized rifle (Rem 700 wood) and a bolt action Ruger M77 (wood or synthetic but not lightweight) in .30-06? I know that the gas operation of the auto lessens the recoil to a degree. I ask because I have fired a .30-06 auto and felt no real recoil. But the gas blast to the face made me shut my eyes and the sound was a bit of a suprise. The only other guns I have shot are a few .22's and 12ga shotguns (skeet shooting) and I have never had a flinching problem. A day of shotgunning will give me bruises :)

thanks in advance
josie


If you are interested, below is the reason I asked:

Thanks to all the kind posters, I have decided on a ruger for my first hunting rifle. But I have a small twist on the ol caliber question.

I really want a rifle that I can shoot alot at the range as well as hunt with (not worried about hunting recoil). No competitions, just want to feel competent for deer season and get out of the house a bit. I only have access to a 100yd range anyway.

All of this lead me to looking at the .260 rem and 7mm-08 rem. On paper they are great deer calibers and I have scoured the web and heard great things. The problem is, I have also asked around a little and ammo in those two calibers is either expensive or not found easily (no .260 at my Walmart, wont stock it! ) around here. Do you guys find that to be true?

The question is should I just go with the .30-06 and take the beating at the range or shell out the cash for the other less popular calibers? Maybe I'm wrong altogether and wouldn't feel the .30-06 much after 20 rounds. (doubt it :) ;)

I have shot my cousin's Rem 7400 in 30-06, and I noticed the recoil was less of a quick jab. I don't know that it recoiled less, but it was definitely different. The noise was no different than my bolt action '06.
Addressing your concerns about recoil - the best answer is to handload! I shoot reduced loads all year round to keep in practice, then sight in with the stout stuff for hunting. It pays to practice with the full power loads, as well, to become familiar with the increased recoil and blast, but for general practice it's good to save wear and tear on yourself and the rifle.
If you don't handload, there are a couple of things you can do, assuming you go ahead and get the '06. (By the way, ammo for the other calibers is not a problem in my area!) First, use a folded towel or other padding on your shoulder when shooting from the bench. And second, once you've sighted in, DON'T SHOOT FROM THE BENCH ANYMORE. Recoil is at it's most painful when your body is hunched over that bench; besides, we all need the practice shooting from field positions anyway!

I've shot several bolt guns in .30-06 and also some Remington semi-autos in that chambering.

There may be a 'bit' less felt recoil due to the gas operation.

But I think that the differences in weight of the individual guns, and certainly the different stock profiles, will make a lot more difference.

Shooting a 742 or 7400 from the bench is an exercise in "now where did my brass go"? Anyone to your immediate right will become your new best enemy.....

742s/7400s are reasonable guns for hunting. Target rifles they ain't.

If you want to cut your recoil down and target shoot, I'd say drop down a bit in power. Bolt-action .308 would start looking good to me.

A good recoil pad on the gun, and correct stock fit, will do wonders.

If you're looking for an ideal rifle to shoot deer and to sit and shoot many rounds, try a .243. I know there are probably many who feel this is too light for deer but I know very different. You don't need a cannon to take a deer. When placed properly a 100 grain bullet will devistate a deer at ranges farther than I'd care to shoot. If you'd like to shoot varmints, just switch to a lighter bullet. Recoil is VERY tolerable and accuracy is superb. I believe to shoot something that gives you a beating on recoil you'll learn to anticipate the recoil and accuracy will be gone. Not to say that the 30-06 isn't a GREAT round mind you, I owned one in model 742 semi auto.

The gas operation of a semi-auto 30-06 results in a velocity loss of a little over 100 fps - effectively turning a semi-auto 30-06 into a bolt action .308 Win.

Perceived recoil is about 20% less because the action in a semi-auto spreads the recoil over a much longer period of time (long push) versus the quick jab of a bolt action with no moving parts.

I've shot the 30-06 in both an autoloading Remington and a Savage 110 bolt action. The recoil was noticably different on totally stock rifles with the Savage kicking much more. However, we put a Pachmayr Decelerator recoil pad on that Savage, and now it seems to kick less than my 308 which is a heavier rifle but still has a factory pad. I'd say you could easily put 20 rounds through it in a t-shirt without bruising and no discomfort at all.

My advice would be to get what feels good to you and save about $50 or so to have a good recoil pad put on it. Also, if you stick with the Ruger, keep some extra money to have some trigger work done or to buy a drop-in part. They are known for having heavy and non-adjustable triggers.

amndouglas

I think Mike hit it, the .308 is a good deer cartridge (always good with a 30 caliber hole), and you should be able to find a lot of inexpensive ammo for the range.

Get one of the rifle rests designed to reduce recoil off the bench rest like the Lead sled and put a couple of bags of shot on it. Recoil falls to 222 levels and no more pain. Kinda makes it fun to shoot the bigger boomers off the bench.

Nothing sucks up recoil quite as well as weight...but it does make for a much less handy rifle for hunting (or anything but bench rest).

Gas operated rifles do seem to reduce the felt recoil...not sure if there is a real difference in total recoil or if they just spread out the force over a longer time frame. Whatever...the recoil feels less for two rifles of the same weight. Not a whole bunch less, but enough to be noticed.

For that amtter, one of the strap on the shoulder recoil pads does a good job of taming the sting...and as it's a "universal" system, you only buy it once.

My 30-06 rem 700 ADL does not have a recoil pad! I grew up on a Mauser 98 [8mm] and a 300 Sav. and the '06 does have a louder report & more recoil; yet I can recall every deer I've shot w/ the '06 and I never remember any recoil.

I sighted it in at a well built bench [private range] over bags of shot without any problems. My first deer I leaned out over a big rock & shot like I was at a bench, standing hunched over w/ extra weight on my elbows...I was 1/2 way to the deer b/4 I felt the blood running down, I still have the curved scar from the scope...Today I just twist my left arm in the sling and shoot offhand, works best for me.

My old Win Mod 70 that was made in 1939 in .30 Gov't (30-06) chambering still has the steel buttplate and the european drop stock that was so popular in those days. Talk about a shoulder stomper with 180 gr hunting loads! :eek:

However, when in the field and shooting at hair in the glass, have never even noticed the recoil! :D

My 30-06 rem 700 ADL does not have a recoil pad! I grew up on a Mauser 98 [8mm] and a 300 Sav. and the '06 does have a louder report & more recoil; yet I can recall every deer I've shot w/ the '06 and I never remember any recoil.

I sighted it in at a well built bench [private range] over bags of shot without any problems. My first deer I leaned out over a big rock & shot like I was at a bench, standing hunched over w/ extra weight on my elbows...I was 1/2 way to the deer b/4 I felt the blood running down, I still have the curved scar from the scope...Today I just twist my left arm in the sling and shoot offhand, works best for me.

Hey KampKool... you're in Riegelsville, huh? I'm over in Haycock! Howdy, neighbor!

Hey KampKool... you're in Riegelsville, huh? I'm over in Haycock! Howdy, neighbor!
Howdy...Familiy has been in the area since 1750's or so...

Ever consider a semi-auto .308 rifle? Recoil is far less than a bolt action 30-06 with added benefit that cheapy NATO surplus practise ammo is widely available.

If you discover a good used Savage 99 in 300 caliber, you should consider it. An excellent cartridge that faded as the .308 Winchester became widely marketed. My Dad and his buddies hunted every big game animal Wyoming has to offer with their 300 Savage rifles. Sadly, many 300's are locked away in collector's cabinets and never to hunt again.
TR

josie wales' ill never badmouth the 0/6 but i dont like recoil to me the 0/6 in abolt gun kicks.but i wouldnt go auto. killed alot of deer with 243/6mm in bolt guns.and works over predators and varmints with enthusiasm.

Used to have a Browning BAR in 30-06. It would kick the stew out of anyone! - Didn't may sense! So there are a lot of varibles to recoil.

I want to buy a bolt action for hunting season. Whats the difference in recoil between an autoloading full sized rifle (Rem 700 wood) and a bolt action Ruger M77 (wood or synthetic but not lightweight) in .30-06? I know that the gas operation of the auto lessens the recoil to a degree. I ask because I have fired a .30-06 auto and felt no real recoil. But the gas blast to the face made me shut my eyes and the sound was a bit of a suprise. The only other guns I have shot are a few .22's and 12ga shotguns (skeet shooting) and I have never had a flinching problem. A day of shotgunning will give me bruises :)

thanks in advance
josie


If you are interested, below is the reason I asked:

Thanks to all the kind posters, I have decided on a ruger for my first hunting rifle. But I have a small twist on the ol caliber question.

I really want a rifle that I can shoot alot at the range as well as hunt with (not worried about hunting recoil). No competitions, just want to feel competent for deer season and get out of the house a bit. I only have access to a 100yd range anyway.

All of this lead me to looking at the .260 rem and 7mm-08 rem. On paper they are great deer calibers and I have scoured the web and heard great things. The problem is, I have also asked around a little and ammo in those two calibers is either expensive or not found easily (no .260 at my Walmart, wont stock it! ) around here. Do you guys find that to be true?

The question is should I just go with the .30-06 and take the beating at the range or shell out the cash for the other less popular calibers? Maybe I'm wrong altogether and wouldn't feel the .30-06 much after 20 rounds. (doubt it :) ;)
My Savage mod.116, in 7mm. mag. has a muzzle break that reduces about (they say 40% recoil) and I think it does. But never shoot it with the break open without ear protection, I never knew how loud a gun could be until I shot at a deer one year with it open, never again. I close it for hunting, you don't feel the shot when shooting at game. Its nice when target shooting though.
Glockman..