You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
A 30-06 tears my shoulder up
- Thread starter MADISON
- Start date
Have you tried adding a recoil pad? Those really help, and you won't even have to buy a new rifle.
If you're looking for an excuse to buy a new rifle, and there's nothing wrong with that, have you considered .270 Winchester or 7mm-08 Remington? They're in the same general class for power and performance, but lighter bullets translate into more manageable recoil. Some of my friends are also lately very fond of 6.5×55mm Swede, but good luck getting a modern rifle in that caliber that isn't a CZ or hideously expensive (lots of milsurp floating around though).
If you're looking for an excuse to buy a new rifle, and there's nothing wrong with that, have you considered .270 Winchester or 7mm-08 Remington? They're in the same general class for power and performance, but lighter bullets translate into more manageable recoil. Some of my friends are also lately very fond of 6.5×55mm Swede, but good luck getting a modern rifle in that caliber that isn't a CZ or hideously expensive (lots of milsurp floating around though).
A good recoil pad tames the -06 considerably. Learning to handload does too. Using the old Garand load turns the .30-06 into almost a pussycat, but it's got plenty of power downrange to do the job.
Of course, there are smaller calibers and lots of shooters swear by them. The .243 with good bullets is one answer, as is the .260 Remington or any of the other 6.5mm rounds. You might want to try some of the 7mm rounds, they're very good also.
Of course, there are smaller calibers and lots of shooters swear by them. The .243 with good bullets is one answer, as is the .260 Remington or any of the other 6.5mm rounds. You might want to try some of the 7mm rounds, they're very good also.
A Tare is the weight of a shipping container.
If your 30-06 is tearing up your shoulder we need more information to help you. What type of rifle, ammo etc.? What type of previous shooting experience do you have?
Most people can learn handle 30-06 recoil with time, but some people have different body types and recoil effects them differently. Some are less tolerant of recoil than others.
There are several options including using reduced recoil ammo, changing to a better recoil pad, having the stock modified or changed to fit you better. Nothing wrong with stepping down to a lighter recoiling round. A 243 will kill anything in the lower 48, although it might not be ideal. But most folks never shoot anything bigger than a deer and a 243 is just about perfect for that.
If your 30-06 is tearing up your shoulder we need more information to help you. What type of rifle, ammo etc.? What type of previous shooting experience do you have?
Most people can learn handle 30-06 recoil with time, but some people have different body types and recoil effects them differently. Some are less tolerant of recoil than others.
There are several options including using reduced recoil ammo, changing to a better recoil pad, having the stock modified or changed to fit you better. Nothing wrong with stepping down to a lighter recoiling round. A 243 will kill anything in the lower 48, although it might not be ideal. But most folks never shoot anything bigger than a deer and a 243 is just about perfect for that.
Adding weight will help, so long as you don't mind hauling it around.
My .30-06 is barrel heavy, so I put a pound or so of lead shot into the hollow cavity of its synthetic stock to give it a better balance because I was too cheap to buy a better stock for it. That reduced the felt recoil to about the same as a .308. Filling the cavity entirely, which took about 3 lbs of lead shot, made it feel more like a .243, but it was pretty much only useful as a bench gun.
My .30-06 is barrel heavy, so I put a pound or so of lead shot into the hollow cavity of its synthetic stock to give it a better balance because I was too cheap to buy a better stock for it. That reduced the felt recoil to about the same as a .308. Filling the cavity entirely, which took about 3 lbs of lead shot, made it feel more like a .243, but it was pretty much only useful as a bench gun.
Colorado Redneck
New member
25-06
Can do everything from bunny wabbits to elk. Some say this caliber is too light for elk, but people I know have taken elk with no difficulties with 25-06.
Recoil is 25% less than a 30-06. Compared a 120 gr 25 caliber projectile at 3000 fps vs 150 gr 30 caliber projectile at 3000 fps.
Can do everything from bunny wabbits to elk. Some say this caliber is too light for elk, but people I know have taken elk with no difficulties with 25-06.
Recoil is 25% less than a 30-06. Compared a 120 gr 25 caliber projectile at 3000 fps vs 150 gr 30 caliber projectile at 3000 fps.
bamaranger
New member
kicker
The '06 with heavy bullets (180 and up) and certain stocks and body styles can be a kicker. My sister (no kiddin) had a S&W 1500 that Dad bought her that they shot 180's out of, and the thing was a vicious kicker. Sis shot it well, she ain't no ordinary gal.
If you haven't checked, and the game your after does not require a heavy slug, try 150 gr slugs. Modern premo bullets have in many cases superceded the old heavy cup and core bullets. Too, I think Rem sells reduced recoil rounds for the '06, featuring lighter slugs and milder charges, as a factory load. Also, plus one to a fit assessment and a premo pad like the Kick-eeze.
If you just have to have a new rifle, one of the oft touted advantages to the .270 was that, w/ 130 gr slugs, it was more manageable. The 7mm-08 and the 7x57 are also full power ctgs with reps as mild shooters.
The '06 with heavy bullets (180 and up) and certain stocks and body styles can be a kicker. My sister (no kiddin) had a S&W 1500 that Dad bought her that they shot 180's out of, and the thing was a vicious kicker. Sis shot it well, she ain't no ordinary gal.
If you haven't checked, and the game your after does not require a heavy slug, try 150 gr slugs. Modern premo bullets have in many cases superceded the old heavy cup and core bullets. Too, I think Rem sells reduced recoil rounds for the '06, featuring lighter slugs and milder charges, as a factory load. Also, plus one to a fit assessment and a premo pad like the Kick-eeze.
If you just have to have a new rifle, one of the oft touted advantages to the .270 was that, w/ 130 gr slugs, it was more manageable. The 7mm-08 and the 7x57 are also full power ctgs with reps as mild shooters.
Brian Pfleuger
Moderator Emeritus
I don't enjoy shooting a 30-06 either.
I throw my hat in with either 25-06 or 7mm08. 7-08 is my favorite.
I throw my hat in with either 25-06 or 7mm08. 7-08 is my favorite.
I have a Tikka T3 Lite in .30-06 that turned into a meat tenderizer after only a few shots of 180gr Federal HE. I swapped the OEM pad out for a Limbsaver and tamed it down quite a bit. Kick-Eez pads are just as good.
You could also switch to a lighter load. Looking at your grid coordinates (grew up an hour from there), there's nothing that treads in deepest, darkest Appalachia that you can't handle with 150gr loads or even the calbers suggested by the other posters.
You could also switch to a lighter load. Looking at your grid coordinates (grew up an hour from there), there's nothing that treads in deepest, darkest Appalachia that you can't handle with 150gr loads or even the calbers suggested by the other posters.
warbirdlover
New member
It's amazing how some can handle certain calibers and some can't. I've had a .300 Win Mag for years that I can shoot all day on the bench. I got to shoot a .375 H&H mag recently that didn't seem to kick any worse then my .300 Win.
My .270 is a baby for me. But I'm a fairly big guy so it might just come down to that. In any case you can't hit with a rifle that hurts you although when in a hunting situation that 30-06 might not bother you at all.
My .270 is a baby for me. But I'm a fairly big guy so it might just come down to that. In any case you can't hit with a rifle that hurts you although when in a hunting situation that 30-06 might not bother you at all.
Rifleman1776
New member
I am not very big and my 30-06, Win. 70 is easy to handle for me and (perceived) recoil is not uncomfortable. This with max loads in 150 and 170 gr. bullets. But heavier bullets like 180-200-220, etc. do get very stout and are less than fun to shoot for me. I can handle them enough to zero, practice and hunt. But, for target and pleasure shooting I'll stick with the lighter bullets.
BTW, to others. We see a lot of poor grammer and spelling here. It is a sad state but sadder still when a member ridicules a poster.
BTW, to others. We see a lot of poor grammer and spelling here. It is a sad state but sadder still when a member ridicules a poster.
Well I`m a good sized feller & I`m recoil sensitive also !!! even more so after shoulder reconstruction !!!!
I have a Remington 700 BDL wood stock & a Leupold 50mm scope mounted on it .
When I went to the 50mm the angle change that I had to tilt my head to see thru the scope & how I leaned on the stock to fire it , needless to say precieved recoil changed also , it seems alot more tolerable & even more so with cast bullets running round 16-1800 fps !!!
So it`s true as a package , heavier , correct comb of the stock & optics mounted correctly will affect precieved recoil quite a bit !!!
If ya reload check out "Youth Loads" in the data section , there designed to introduce new or young shooters to rifle shooting !!
Besides ,shooting supposed to be FUN not PUNISHING or PAINFULL !!!!!
That`s why 99% of 357 revolver shooters shoot or rather practice/ plink with 38s .
I have a Remington 700 BDL wood stock & a Leupold 50mm scope mounted on it .
When I went to the 50mm the angle change that I had to tilt my head to see thru the scope & how I leaned on the stock to fire it , needless to say precieved recoil changed also , it seems alot more tolerable & even more so with cast bullets running round 16-1800 fps !!!
So it`s true as a package , heavier , correct comb of the stock & optics mounted correctly will affect precieved recoil quite a bit !!!
If ya reload check out "Youth Loads" in the data section , there designed to introduce new or young shooters to rifle shooting !!
Besides ,shooting supposed to be FUN not PUNISHING or PAINFULL !!!!!
That`s why 99% of 357 revolver shooters shoot or rather practice/ plink with 38s .
black mamba
New member
Anyone who is recoil sensitive, or does a lot of bench shooting, should get a P.A.S.T. Recoil Shield. They just flat work, and you only need one for all the different rifles you will be using. I frequently shoot 40-50 rounds at a sitting from the bench when working up loads, and even with medium and large bore cartridges (up to 416 Remington Magnum) there is no discomfort.