rifle recoil

[splitshot]

   what are the ways to reduce recoil on a rifle?   mike w

[Blacktail Sniper]

Muzzle brake, good quality recoil pad, instock recoil reduction device, better designed stock, added weight, reduced power loads, get someone else to shoot it for you....

[splitshot]

  please explain instock reduction device.  never heard of it.  is it costly?   mike w

[KevinClimbs]

Shoot lighter, lower velocity ammunition - Remington makes some "Managed Recoil" rounds for certain calibers. The other way is to shoot a heavier rifle (some accessories add weight such as scope, different stock) or maybe try a different recoil pad on your rifle such as the Pachmayr Decelerator.

[Blacktail Sniper]

  please explain instock reduction device.  never heard of it.  is it costly?   mike w

Here is a link to an example:

http://www.edwardsrecoilreducer.com/#!product/c1jxp

[Reidus]

  please explain instock reduction device.  never heard of it.  is it costly?   mike w

Usually a mercury filled something that goes in the butt of the stock. I know benelli makes a  recoil reducer that fits in the stocks of their Nova Shotguns. Looks to me like it mostly adds mass, which reduces recoil. I'm not to sure but I'm guessing the mercury is a fluid in there which may delay the recoil over more time, if that makes sense. Kind of like putting a half full water bottle in your stock. 

[JimmyHoffa]

  please explain instock reduction device.  never heard of it.  is it costly?   mike w

They use a weight/springs/mercury to use the inertia of the weight to slow the recoil.  It adds a little weight to the gun and requires installation (possible drilling/inletting).  Not going to change a lot if fired on a bench or vise, but can really slow down the recoil in a few positions.

[JDHasty]

Fiberglass stock.

I have an original Winlite in 300 Wby.  The 300 Wby is a cartridge with a nasty reputation for recoil.  The rifle came from New Haven in a McMillan stock and the recoil is very much mitigated over the same rifle in a wood stock.  But my buddy has the exact same rifle and had to have a muzzle brake installed on his.

I would definitely not rely on my advice alone. 

I hate recoil, but I shoot 7 lb Ithaca Deerslayers off the bench with 3" slugs, that and shooting max loads out of my 6 lb Marlin 1895 45/70 is about as vicious as it gets.  Both make an eleven and a half pound 460 Weatherby seem tame in comparison.  What I am saying is: I don't like it, but I can handle it. 

If you have not yet purchased a firearm - this is a good place to start comparing your options.  You will have to go to Hodgdon to get a likely powder weight though.  Factory ammo they don't list powder weight.   

http://www.beartoothbullets.com/rescources/calculators/php/recoil.htm

I said "fiberglass stock."  IMHO a real, honest to God, fiberglass stock absorbs and/or dissipates a LOT of the recoil before it gets to your shoulder.  I Have a few other rifles with McMillans and MPIs on them and all seem pretty much to have the bite taken out of them.  The "glass filled" plastic or whatever stocks I have shot don't seem to give much, if any, relief from recoil though. 



 

[pianoman9701]

What are you shooting?

[b23]

Muzzle brake is going to be the most effective but the downside is they are quite a bit louder, you'll for sure want to always wear hearing protection, and it'll cost you a couple hundred bucks. 

Suppressors work nearly as well and usually are hearing safe with no ear protection but they are considerably more expensive and will take the better part of six months before you can actually use it.

Reduced loads, both, lighter bullets and slower velocity will be the least expensive but will, in all honesty, pretty much be the least noticeable too.

A good quality pad helps a little but don't expect to see a significant difference.

For the most part, about the only way to reduce recoil effectly is you have to eliminate what causes it or in the case of a muzzle brake or suppressor, manipulate it so it diverts that energy somewhere else.

[The scout]

I would opt for a muzzle brake, mostly so you don't have to sacrifice anything, usually weight is one of them, or lighter loads. might as well get the most performance out of your caliber. one other reason for the brake is to be able to stay on your target, other options may not make you feel it as much but a brake will decrease the barrel jump. they do make it louder though

[splitshot]

  am shooting a fairly light 270 wsm.  am not a big guy aND AM OLD AND A CHICKEN.  WANT TO REDUCE RECOIL.   have a synthetic stock.  mike w

[Reidus]

Muzzle break will reduce recoil the most but with the downside of being super loud. Maybe make your 270wsm kick like a 243.

Limbsaver recoil pad will help

Adding weight will help

Less powder, less bullet weight, less velocity will all reduce recoil

I had a 300 ultra mag. It was brutal to shoot and I did not like shooting it. I'm not a proponent of hunting with guns you aren't comfortable with. I didn't want to go the muzzle break route, so I sold it.

[bobcat]

Shoot lighter bullets. Do you reload? If so, try Barnes 110 grain bullets. If you don't reload, these are kind of spendy but a good option if you don't shoot a lot:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/415393/doubletap-ammunition-270-winchester-short-magnum-wsm-110-grain-barnes-triple-shock-x-bullet-hollow-point-lead-free-box-of-20

[pianoman9701]

You might PM Carp or biggerhammer about options for a custom stock.