Big Game caliber for shooter with bad back

[TechJeff]

I am going to pick up a new rifle for deer, bear, and elk. I would like some help figuring out the best caliber that can take all three and is still gentle on recoil. I have extensive experience shooting 5.56 with no problem, but shooting 1 oz. slugs out of my 12 gauge caused me to call in to work the next day. I'm thinking 30-06 but have never shot one so I'm not sure where it lies on the recoil spectrum. Any thoughts? Thanks everyone.

[pianoman9701]

Build an AR in .308. Very little recoil at all and can put down anything in North America.

[h20hunter]

I like what Pman is laying down.

Do you reload? If so and you are thinking the  -06 or even a .270....you can load up rounds pretty dang easy with a rock chucker or even look into some low recoil ammo that is factory made.

[bobcat]

The 30/06 is a good choice if you shoot 150 grain bullets. But I'd probably go with the 270 Winchester (what I shoot) Another good choice is the 308 Winchester. There's actually very little difference between these three. The ballistics and recoil are determined more by the ammunition you are shooting than the actual cartridge.

[DOUBLELUNG]

Great suggestions.  Lots of caliber choices but hard to beat .308 for mild recoil and availability.  Also look at muzzle breaks and butt pads like a Pachmayr Decelerator, both can greatly reduce felt recoil.  Also, if you are not going to be lugging it great distances, a heavier rifle is also more comfortable to shoot than a light one.  I would call a .30-06 "medium" recoil, less than a 12 gauge with slugs. 

[Blacktail Sniper]

Also consider a semi-auto Remington or Browning if the AR style is not to your liking.

[WAnoob]

Is it just me or is every recoil slightly feel different?  My .270 WSM has a hard snap to it and my .30-06 just has more of a big push to it.  Sensitive to recoil, just look at a good brake and recoil pad, Precision Rifle Blog has a great comparison of brakes if you're curious: http://precisionrifleblog.com/2015/08/21/muzzle-brake-summary-of-field-test-results/

[Bean Counter]

I just blasted some half dozen animals in Wyoming with a .270 Winchester and cheap, 130 grain soft point rounds. All the animals I shot piled up within 5-25 yards. Haven't put down an elk with it yet but I don't imagine any different results.

Unless I go for a rhino or elephant hunt I don't see myself ever owning magnum round shooting rifle. 

[Ridgerunner]

I'd go 270, thats my go to gun.  Very mild recoil, the weight of the gun does impact recoil quite a bit, I have a 30-06 that is very lightweight and that thing definately kicks pretty good.

[Bofire]

7mm08, super cartridge, low recoil.
Carl

[lamrith]

I will vote with the Pianoman, 308 Semi Auto.  Be it "ar10" or old school.  The semi auto will reduce recoil quite a bit, then add a brake as well if needed.  It you prefer to stay bolt gun, they you can look at heavier stock and a brake but it will not be as docile as a semi, and hevay get sold lugging around the woods after a while.

Bad back is a bugger and those that have not dealt with it may not realize just how little it takes for it to go out.  308 is a mellow recoil for the larger calibers, but still produces a shove that can tweak things.

[mikeybuck]

7mm08 with some kind of 140 gr bullet.

[12Gauge]

I hear you, been there done that;  It's not only the recoil you have to deal with, it is also the weight of the rifle while walking.

Sometimes these back problems can be very devastating, disabling.  Even sneezing or coughing hurts like there is no tomorrow. 

I use to shoot 7mm mag, 338 mag,  now I am down to 7x57, 6.5x55, 308 win.  there are others you can choose from maybe 7mm-08, 260.

You can try the Winchester 1 oz. sabot slugs that are 1325 FPS, if you have a rifled barrel for your shotgun. 

[Griiz]

This link to a recoil table and article should be a good reference for you.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm

Good Luck

[ndcasla]

Another path you might conceder is a Muzzle Brake. They can really reduce felt recoil. I put a Witt Clamp on brake on my 300Win Mag and it reduced recoil down to the 30-30, 243 range.