308 (Target/Fun gun) recoil for 5'11" 145lb guy?

[Crapshot]

I have a Rem model 7 in .260 that knocks me back<span style="text-decoration: underline"> what seems like a foot</span> (in reality it is a few inches) when i shoot it off of a bench with factory Rem 140gr's. I realise it is a light gun compared to a stout HB target/varmint gun but also that the 260 has less recoil than 308.

Im wanting a gun for probably 98% target (and to see how far I can go) and general fun and 2% for a little hog prob at the farm. Having never owned or fired a heavy barrel 308 i didnt want to buy it and then hate shooting it.

I will either get a 223 or 308 in rem like:
SPS Tactical in either .223 or .308
Any REM heavy barrel in 308
Wish I could affored a PSS or 5R but cant

I will swap stocks for a choate mainly because I dont like the hogue on the tac or the factory plastic on the varm. but also to reduce recoil if I decide on the 308.

Thanks for the help I couldnt think of a better place to ask this question

 

[Swift]

Re: 308 (Target/Fun gun) recoil for 5'11" 145lb guy?

Recoil management has almost nothing to do with size. With proper technique, a small person or even a youth would have no trouble managing it. Just make sure your whole body is absorbing the impact, not just your shoulder. Make sure you're practicing the fundamentals. Natural point of aim, clear sight picture, square to the rifle, proper support with the offhand, breathing control, trigger control and followthrough. If you do these correct, you should have no issues with recoil.

As far as what rifle to choose, if you're on a budget, I'd comb the classifieds and local gun shops for a used Savage in .308. Inexpensive, accurate, good bang for the buck. If you're dead set on Remington then go for the Tac. The heavier barrel will help add weight as will almost any aftermarket stock.

 

[hill billy]

Re: 308 (Target/Fun gun) recoil for 5'11" 145lb guy?

If 140's in a .260 knock you back a foot you have a technique problem and not really a rifle problem. I was testing a customers 300 WM with hot loads the other day in a 7lb rifle. I shot 65 rounds with no issues.

 

[Shortdraw]

Re: 308 (Target/Fun gun) recoil for 5'11" 145lb guy?

A 308 heavy barrel Remington would suit you well, especially with that heavy pig Choate stock. I am 5'9" 160lbs and regularly shoot 50 shot range days with a heavy 308. I have shot it 200 rounds in a day with no problem. I also usually shoot a 7 1/2lb 375 H&H about 20 rounds a week but not that much fun on the bench.

 

[nobearsyet]

Re: 308 (Target/Fun gun) recoil for 5'11" 145lb guy?

Yeah, keep in mind you're gonna have a full rig that weighs close t oprobably 15lbs with that Choate stock and a good scope, wersus around nine lbs. in the model 7 (depending on model) FWIW I haven't really noticed a big difference in recoil out of the 260 and 308 lightweights I've shot so the extra weight ought to soak up a bunch of that recoil for you.

 

[ARsR4ME]

Re: 308 (Target/Fun gun) recoil for 5'11" 145lb guy?

Did you look like these guys?

If you watch it all the way till the end you can see the last guy takes the recoil very well.

577 T rex video

 

[Super-X]

Re: 308 (Target/Fun gun) recoil for 5'11" 145lb guy?

How about an AR10... semi-auto's recoil quite a bit less. Then you can have several choices in calibers. A 22/250 in an AR10 would clean out your varmint issue. Just a thought.

5'11" 145lb... get yourself a steak... for God's sake man you live in Texas

 

[Crapshot]

Re: 308 (Target/Fun gun) recoil for 5'11" 145lb guy?

Haha I forgot about that video thats hilarious.

Thanks for the replies guys yall are correct about my technique (or lack there of) im sure. Having said that, I didnt mean the M7 LITERALLY threw me back like those fellas in the video, it simply felt like I was being knocked back that far. It is a stainless fairly thin contour 20 or 22 inch barrel id say with black syn stock. It doesnt have much meat on it kinda like me.

In all reality it was probably no more than 4in but like i said it was off of a bench then bipod. Prone it isnt as big of a problem naturally I have just never been to a range where that was even an option. Now that college is almost over and weekends are free I will make the drive to the family land where I plan on shooting this gun and where I am able to shoot however I want. Untill then however it will be at the range or at a friends place where what he says goes and what he says is lets shoot foxes and racoons and god forbid we see a coyote.

And I have steak a couple times a week and all thats done is make me want more steak, maybe I should try ~6 or 8 a week and see how that goes....

 

[Iggy]

Re: 308 (Target/Fun gun) recoil for 5'11" 145lb guy?

Like the others have said it's about handling recoil. I am 5'10" and weigh 130lbs and I can shoot my .308 all day. My rifle weighs about 15lbs fully loaded. When I first started shooting i had issues with recoil, but you just really have to put dead weight behind the rifle.

The only rifle I had to get used to was my friends hunting .340 weatherby magnum. that thing kicked and took some getting used to with a scope with little eye relief.

 

[Dylan in AZ]

Re: 308 (Target/Fun gun) recoil for 5'11" 145lb guy?

That video is hilarious! But as stated before, you really need to master your form. I shot a friends 7lb 300WM without a break offhand when I was just 5'8" and 130lbs and didn't have any problems. You should be fine once you get that form down.

 

[Mute]

Re: 308 (Target/Fun gun) recoil for 5'11" 145lb guy?

If recoil is a problem, start with a Limbsaver recoil pad. Should help tremendously. If it's still a problem you can always consider adding a brake.

 

[Dirty D]

Re: 308 (Target/Fun gun) recoil for 5'11" 145lb guy?

Before you spend a dime on equipment get some training, Rifles Only, Tac Pro and several other great schools are right there in Texas. In addition to marksmanship they will teach you recoil management techniques that will make a 100 round session with a .308 comfortable. After some training and trigger time you will have a much better idea of what equipment you really want.

 

[jroberts]

Re: 308 (Target/Fun gun) recoil for 5'11" 145lb guy?

+1 on getting some training first...i know at rifles only if you dont have gear they will hook you up with top notch stuff for a small fee...and after a week of training and good advice from jacob and the crew you will have a much better idea of what you want..

 

[cooper623]

Re: 308 (Target/Fun gun) recoil for 5'11" 145lb guy?

heres the thing about recoil. as much as it doesnt quite make since, the harder you push the gun into your shoulder, the less felt recoil you are gonna have. this is because it gives it less space to get moving and gain momentum. When done right, recoil will certainly move you but shouldnt hurt you even in magnum or extremely large calibers. I dont want to put you down or anything but .260 is a really light recoiling round, as is .308. I would highly recommend either getting training as some have mentioned before or simply practicing with the .260 that you already have until you are comfortable shooting the gun.

 

[cooper623]

Re: 308 (Target/Fun gun) recoil for 5'11" 145lb guy?

however, while you should push the gun into your shoulder, you dont need to push so hard that you are straining since this will detract from accuracy. Just a little solid pressure should do the trick.

 

[madd0c]

Re: 308 (Target/Fun gun) recoil for 5'11" 145lb guy?

I have to agree with many of the above statements. Even if you don;t go to a high end course like rifles only, at least have someone who is experienced take a look at your form. Especially from the bench, your 260 should not be moving you a foot.

I would bet you are not squared up behind the rifle, and that you are to far lateral (to the outside) in the "pocket" your deltoid and clavicle make. The other posts regarding proper seating of the stock in the pocket are also important.

If you can not find someone experienced to observe, then as a last resort have someone video you while you shoot and post it here.

I highly suspect that with some tune up of your form, you will find the 260 and 308 enjoyable to shoot. Definitely not a criticism, just some suggestions that might make managing recoil easier.

madd0c

 

[Crapshot]

Re: 308 (Target/Fun gun) recoil for 5'11" 145lb guy?

Thanks again for all the advice. I edited my first post because I wasnt literally being tossed back a foot with my little 260 just an over exaggerated perception of mine. Also shooting it never hurt or caused any bruises it just wasnt very fun to take to the range but it was never meant for that so im looking for one that is.
I have always kept rifles snug after watching my older brother get scope bit bad by my dads 308 (rem 788 or something). Ha that might actually explain some of my trepidation with buying one.
I will look into these schools since they are relatively close by and considering I have never heard of any specific form when shooting from a bench it seems as if I know very little about what im getting into eventhough ive done it all my life. If a simple posture adjustment can make recoil enjoyable for me then I am an idiot and probably shouldnt own a gun.

As a side note what would you consider comparable in recoil to a rem sps "Tactical" in 308 in a choate "tactical" stock or obviously any 308 in the same weight class? And SS10X42.

some ive got to compare:
obv. a rem model 7 in 260
Heavy barrel 16" ar15 in 223
20gauge, 12g, 410. only shot standing up or sitting on ground
m1 carbine
22-250


Thanks again and sorry I keep rambling on just double and triple checking before i cut a check.

 

[benchmstr]

Re: 308 (Target/Fun gun) recoil for 5'11" 145lb guy?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KenTex</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Haha I forgot about that video thats hilarious.

Thanks for the replies guys yall are correct about my technique (or lack there of) im sure. Having said that, I didnt mean the M7 LITERALLY threw me back like those fellas in the video, it simply felt like I was being knocked back that far. It is a stainless fairly thin contour 20 or 22 inch barrel id say with black syn stock. It doesnt have much meat on it kinda like me.

In all reality it was probably no more than 4in but like i said it was off of a bench then bipod. Prone it isnt as big of a problem naturally I have just never been to a range where that was even an option. Now that college is almost over and weekends are free I will make the drive to the family land where I plan on shooting this gun and where I am able to shoot however I want. Untill then however it will be at the range or at a friends place where what he says goes and what he says is lets shoot foxes and racoons and god forbid we see a coyote.

And I have steak a couple times a week and all thats done is make me want more steak, maybe I should try ~6 or 8 a week and see how that goes.... </div></div>
at your height and weight that sound like that steak "a couple times a week" is all you eat

seriously though...recoil this bad with a caliber of that size is NOT a weapon problem...just follow the others advice and control it, and man up..

bench

 

[Swift]

Re: 308 (Target/Fun gun) recoil for 5'11" 145lb guy?

Also, when shooting prone, use a bipod and make sure you preload it. Doesn't take much but it will keep the bipod from hopping around through recoil. Helps maintain sight picture through the shot.

 

[lovain1932]

Re: 308 (Target/Fun gun) recoil for 5'11" 145lb guy?

My eleven year old girl shoots my 308 and she weighs about 100lbs. It's all about proper technique. Get yourself a 22 rmfire and practice until perfect. You can subscribe to the training here on the hide for $10 a month that will help you to improve

 

[Crapshot]

Re: 308 (Target/Fun gun) recoil for 5'11" 145lb guy?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: benchmstr</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KenTex</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Haha I forgot about that video thats hilarious.

Thanks for the replies guys yall are correct about my technique (or lack there of) im sure. Having said that, I didnt mean the M7 LITERALLY threw me back like those fellas in the video, it simply felt like I was being knocked back that far. It is a stainless fairly thin contour 20 or 22 inch barrel id say with black syn stock. It doesnt have much meat on it kinda like me.

In all reality it was probably no more than 4in but like i said it was off of a bench then bipod. Prone it isnt as big of a problem naturally I have just never been to a range where that was even an option. Now that college is almost over and weekends are free I will make the drive to the family land where I plan on shooting this gun and where I am able to shoot however I want. Untill then however it will be at the range or at a friends place where what he says goes and what he says is lets shoot foxes and racoons and god forbid we see a coyote.

And I have steak a couple times a week and all thats done is make me want more steak, maybe I should try ~6 or 8 a week and see how that goes.... </div></div>
at your height and weight that sound like that steak "a couple times a week" is all you eat

seriously though...recoil this bad with a caliber of that size is NOT a weapon problem...just follow the others advice and control it, and man up..

bench </div></div>





Ha I dont know what it is my dad is 6'2" 160 brother 6'1" 155 and i topped out at 5'11" - what can ya do..

I will have to pull something besides my 22 from the safe and go out and try different ways of shooting it to see if things get better or worse then go from there.

I have thought about it and to test it I went and shot my 22 a few times to see where the butt of it was resting when I shoot like I have all my life and it was nice and snug on my actual shoulder. Not anywhere near the so called "pocket". So with me there was nothing substantial to take the force. Almost using leverage to push that half of my torso backwards. Again I could be completely wrong and assume I am but that is why I came here to ask you guys (and maybe girls) for advice because if any group of people can offer valuable advice it seems to be yall.

Thanks again

 

[-Snyper-]

Re: 308 (Target/Fun gun) recoil for 5'11" 145lb guy?

You could always go with the Knoxx recoil solutions from Blackhawk. As long as you don't mind the look or style it takes away a lot of the recoil. I have one on my Howa Axiom .308. Feels like a 223.