Recoil on an 06

[ghosthunter]

I used an 06 for many years and as I grew older the recoil was not fun on the range like you have experienced. Don't notice it in the field though. I switched to a 7mm-08 and that is my go to rifle for deer size animals. Can't tell the difference in killing power. Still have the 06, but it is pretty much a safe queen. I would suggest you try a smaller caliber and see how you like it.

Exact same for me.
Bought a 110 Storm in 7mm o8 last year at 69.

[mazama]

A Past recoil pad or past slipon recoil pad,my 338 rum had a hard pad and my first session bruised me from center of chest to elbow,the past helped quite a bit,but later put on muzzle break.

[cooltimber]

Limbsaver recoil pad., I use it on my 7mm.No regrets.

[Taco280AI]

Don't shoot 50 rounds in one session. 20 max.
Go to a lower weight bullet if able.
Use a lead sled or similar art the range.
Practice with a 22 or even a pellet gun to get rid of the flinch.

[EmeraldBullet]

I dont get to go as often as I would like so if im going im gonna let loose 100+ rounds at the range. I actually enjoy a little shoulder bruise from it the next day though. Guess it'd be different for me if I could go more often. I miss where I lived in SO and you could use your rifle to cut down a small tree off your front porch and no one cared.

[rasbo]

125 grain helps and it works awesome on deer. 50 rounds? Holy raspberry Batman, lol as stated shoot less but more often. 30-06 is a great caliber

[Jingles]

I can understand shooting numerous rounds with your anticipated hunting weight bullet for sightingin a new scope or working up a load if a reloader but that would be a total of 12 to 15 rounds max. IMO 50 rounds per session is being a masochist with a heavy hitter.

[RodR]

Everyone,

Thank you for you comments, very helpful and I'll start with the easiest and a reasonable recoil pad. As most of you implied 50 rounds was a lot, and rather expensive. Part of that was a lack of experience in sighting in my scope and as a few of you might surmise, frustration. I started on 165's and ended with the  bear load I'll be using 180's, felt compelled to put 3 in the black before I left for the day. But at that point I'm sure I was tossing rounds and not shooting.

I appreciate the comments of less is more and will be a bit more judicious and less obsessive.  Anyone ever mounted a Falcon Strike? Rather expensive but possibly a placebo for my mental block!

Thanks guys for taking the time to respond.. I am looking forward to getting back into the hunt..

[bobcat]

You don't need 180 grain for bear. I'd use a quality 150 grain bullet. That would help a lot with reducing the recoil.

[RobinHoodlum]

I had recoil issues with my .06 years ago after about 10 shots, though never considered shooting more than a dozen rounds. From personal experience I can reiterate the comments about how swapping in a limbsaver and shooting a lighter round can make a world of difference.

[jrebel]

Though I agree going to a lighter bullet will lessen felt recoil.....it is likely not enough to help in and of itself.  Here is a chart I found online and the difference in 180 and 165 is negligible.  Same could be said for 150's, though the recoil velocity looks to be substantially less. 

http://www.twoamendments.com/post/rifle-recoil-table-sortable

[Rob]

When I am shooting a lot, or have one shot that triggers a nerve in the shoulder, I use a sissy pad. 

It really helps! 

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1002531259?pid=699899

[Igor]

If you are going to be experimenting with different bullets, and different bullet weights, I would recommend that you acquire some ballistic charts.  You will find differences in the ballistics between the 180 gr. and the 165 gr. are negligible.  However, the 150 gr. is a dog ballistically, and the 125 gr. is even worse.  In fact, at 300 yards, the retained energy of the 125 gr. falls below what is considered the minimum for humane kills on deer and bear sized animals.

Have fun, and stay safe.

[RodR]

I had recoil issues with my .06 years ago after about 10 shots, though never considered shooting more than a dozen rounds. From personal experience I can reiterate the comments about how swapping in a limbsaver and shooting a lighter round can make a world of difference.

Thanks... Yeah I seem to have been a little too assertive, such is my personality, you'd think wisdom and patience would reign in my later years.

[RodR]

When I am shooting a lot, or have one shot that triggers a nerve in the shoulder, I use a sissy pad. 

It really helps! 

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1002531259?pid=699899

Thank you Rob,

I assume that you do not use this in the field and do you feel that it interferes with the the parallax? My scope is very precise and was a difficult to acquire the target. Appreciate the link. Frankly I didn't feel much of a difference from 180 to 165, so with my skill set take the 180 as I'll likely need as much lead as possible in my target..

Rod

Rod