Most cost effective way to reduce recoil of .308

S

springerjb

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 28, 2010
133
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Ephraim, UT
#1
Remington 700 SPS Tactical (20in), .308, B&C Medalist Stock other than that it's stock.

I'm trying to make this rifle more "wife friendly" otherwise I'll be ordering the same rifle in .223 for her. She is a tiny thing doesn't much care for the recoil of the rifle as is.

So what can I do to get recoil a bit more managable for her?
Muzzle brake? Can? Add weight to stock (it's already as heavy as my Garand)? How much should I plan to spend on these? Can with stamp etc is 800-1000? Brake a 300-500? How much would these options help? What am I missing?
 
#2
Re: Most cost effective way to reduce recoil of .308

Do you reload? If so, reduce your bullet weight (130 or 150 grain) and reduce the powder charge. I've done a lot of reduced loads for 308 based cases. It cuts the recoil down by over half.
If not, a muzzle brake can reduce 30-50% of the recoil. This would be the easiest gun modification option. You can make the rifle heavier with lead in the stock, but it takes a lot of weight to reduce the felt recoil on full powder loads.
 
#3
Re: Most cost effective way to reduce recoil of .308

Lowering the force of the action that causes the equal and opposite reaction is a great place to start.

Tuning load and springs has my 1911 shooting softer than a 9mm. Same idea/smaller scale.
 
#4
Re: Most cost effective way to reduce recoil of .308

My father had shoulder surgery a few years back, and cannot shoot full power loads in his SAKO .308 now. He's gone to the "reduced recoil" loads from Remington...and the rifle is a machine. Shoots like a .243 (read: not noticeable recoil), and still drops game in it's tracks.

A big +2 to the guys posted before me....I'd try reduced power loads / 130grn projectiles before I modify the gun.
 
#5
Re: Most cost effective way to reduce recoil of .308

I would go with good muzzle. If you alter your loading then, as you know, you will need to recalibrate your scope, ladder or accuracy testing, etc.
 
#6
Re: Most cost effective way to reduce recoil of .308

A muzzle brake might help but doing reduced loads (be careful, you can't just reduce ANY powder, you have to do it RIGHT). There are subsonic loads with small amounts of powder.

But the best thing would be to get her a 22 or 223. They hardly kick at all.
 
#7
Re: Most cost effective way to reduce recoil of .308

Simm's Limbsaver Slip-On Butt Pad. Remington Managed Recoil ammo.

This is enough remediation without downright pampering her.

The Managed Recoil ammo is completely adequate for hunting, just don't stretch the shots too far, which she shouldn't do anyway.

Greg
 
#8
Re: Most cost effective way to reduce recoil of .308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mtneer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So what can I do to get recoil a bit more managable for her? </div></div>

Give her some credit and teach her proper technique. We don't always have to "soften" things up for women. They are pretty tough to begin with.

My wife is quite a bit smaller than me. She has no problem tolerating my 700 and the same 175gr loads I use for competition. I don't think she would want to put 100+ rounds down in one session since her shoulder has not been de-sensitized over time. However she has no problem dropping behind the rife and putting ten or so rounds downrange. She was actually expecting a lot more the first time she fired it.

Get her straight behind the rifle and make sure she snugs the stock into her shoulder. Don't let her push it away otherwise it will get a running start and knock the snot out of her. It may be funny for a youtube video, but it's just mean. Same thing with the eye relief. Make sure she's far enough off the ocular bell that she's not going to need stitches.
 
#9
Re: Most cost effective way to reduce recoil of .308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sniperaviator</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
But the best thing would be to get her a 22 or 223. They hardly kick at all. </div></div>

I agree here, but ask what is her goal or purpose, is it just paper targets, hunting what?
 
#10
Re: Most cost effective way to reduce recoil of .308

first vote is to load up some ammo with trailboss, recoil will be almost non existant. it will be subsonic with most bullets.

second is to get a 22lr or 223, they are great practice rifles. if you are like me and dont have a ton of time to reload they really help.
 
#11
Re: Most cost effective way to reduce recoil of .308

Reduced loads and/or a brake are good suggestions.

Or you can mount it to a vehicle.
grin.gif
 
#12
Re: Most cost effective way to reduce recoil of .308

1. Teach her the proper grip, and position

2. Reduce the load

3. Muzzle brake

4. Mercury recoil reducer

5. Buy her a .243 (Id go .243 before I dropped to .223)
 
#13
Re: Most cost effective way to reduce recoil of .308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tangodown911</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Reduced loads and/or a brake are good suggestions.

Or you can mount it to a vehicle.
grin.gif
</div></div>

Nice...I like the idea of a vehicle mount. Maybe get an old Willy with a .50 cal mount.

Thanks for the replies guys. I like the idea of a VAIS brake (almost no sound gain and 30-40% reduction from what I read/see). I don't like that it has ports on the bottom, but I could live with it. Midway has them for $99. I figure another hundred bucks to get a smith to fit it properly. It's better (or at least significantly cheaper) than buying and setting up a new rifle.

The first step is to try some of the Rem Managed Recoil loads...and maybe start tinkering with some reloads. I have experience reloading handgun ammo but I'm a little leary of bigger loads for long guns.

My wife is quite accurate with a Marlin 7000 .22lr. I just want to keep her from getting smacked in the face with the .308.
 
#16
Re: Most cost effective way to reduce recoil of .308

You might just buy her a PAST recoil pad, I had one for a while when shooting the old 1903 Springfields. I see no shame in having a long range session with tons of rounds and not having your shoulder hurt afterwards.

Or you can handload some subsonics, I loaded some 168gr SMKs in 7.0gr of Bullseye for a .308, the recoil is almost nonexistent.
 
#17
Re: Most cost effective way to reduce recoil of .308

How about a shooting vest or jacket with the padded shoulder to go with the recoil pad and brake.
with these 3 she should be A OK.
Oh and a cup of coffee so she won't fall asleep shooting. ;-)
 
#18
Re: Most cost effective way to reduce recoil of .308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mtneer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Remington 700 SPS Tactical (20in), .308, B&C Medalist Stock other than that it's stock.

I'm trying to make this rifle more "wife friendly" otherwise I'll be ordering the same rifle in .223 for her. She is a tiny thing doesn't much care for the recoil of the rifle as is.

So what can I do to get recoil a bit more managable for her?
Muzzle brake? Can? Add weight to stock (it's already as heavy as my Garand)? How much should I plan to spend on these? Can with stamp etc is 800-1000? Brake a 300-500? How much would these options help? What am I missing? </div></div>

Just get the 223, which you probably should have done in the first place. Do you really think she will enjoy shooting a rifle with a muzzle break? Not the way to go if a "pleasant day shooting" is what you want her to have. Get a 223 with a 26" barrel (reduces noise and blast) and I bet she'll love it.
 
#19
Re: Most cost effective way to reduce recoil of .308

If you can get cans, get it.

Reduced recoil and noise... its like the benefits of a muzzle brake without the bad.

Otherwise a .223.

How about a .223 with a can?
 
#22
Re: Most cost effective way to reduce recoil of .308

I like LoneWolfes idea the best, teach her, dont pamper her. Why go spend a bunch of time and money when with a little education she can learn to do it the right way. I would venture to guess, she would be more proud to say she shoots her husbands gun just how it is, instead of "oh I had him go buy me a muzzle break, that ended up costing us $300." Mine goes and shoots my bone stock 300wsm with 185s in it and doesnt bother her, and she is fairly little. Just my .02
 
#23
Re: Most cost effective way to reduce recoil of .308

What about the Badger FTE ($250 installed by GAP)...that way I'm ready for a can if I ever get around to it (i.e find the cash in the couch cushions)? I'm starting to rule out the VAIS...I'm thinking it's too much of a problem when shooting prone. They tend to kick up too much dirt/debris from what I read. Granted the FTE is big and ugly, but it seems effective and it seems easy to use.

I like the idea of having a .223...but for the money I'd rather just build the .308 into a gun that does just about everything...

I don't see it as pampering, I see it as insurance. The more she enjoys my "hobby" the easier it is for me to justify spending money on it. I'm easing her into it VERY slowly for this reason.
 
#26
Re: Most cost effective way to reduce recoil of .308

If you are really looking for the most cost effective way, it is with the ammo, cost is zero, if you are a reloader. Just look in a good reloading manual and load her some 125gr or 130 gr bullets with the lowest starting load of powder and sight the gun in for them. Most rifles will not stabalize the 110 gr carbine bullets, I've tried them. The light bullets usually cost less than the 150's or 168's so the ammo per round is actually cheaper. You can get down to safe 30-30 level loads (recoil wise) and most any adult should be able to handle that.
 
#29
Re: Most cost effective way to reduce recoil of .308

One word of caution with a break, for some people the increased noise equates to increased (preceived) recoil. And with a recoil pad, some people may still feel the recoil in their cheek. If you can afford it, a heavier rifle with a can.

I feel the best solution, as previously mentioned is to teach proper shooting techniques ...also start off with a .22LR and move up to a .223 Rem, then the 308.
 
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