All handguns recoil -- it's a perfect demonstration of Newton's Third Law. But the way we experience that recoil -- the perceived or felt recoil -- often varies dramatically from one gun to the next. Even if we compare two guns of equal weight firing the same cartridge and theoretically transferring the same amount of energy to the shooter's hand via recoil, it's possible for the felt recoil to be vastly different. We analyzed some more high speed footage to help explain why.
VIDEO HERE (10:15 minutes)
Okay, let's talk recoil...yesterday I brought two guns to the range, both .30-40, and both over 100 years old...I've owned them for a while and now was time to fire them...Winchester 95 carbine and Krag 98 carbine...Winchester has one of those cute, curved buttplates and the Krag, a strait military issue one.., fired 5 rounds from each, then handed the gun to a buddy to do the same. Freakin loud, shooting indoors at 25 yards and the recoil reminds my of the phrase, "kicks like a mule!" Now, I'm a big guy, 6'2", 218 pounds and just turned 71 the other day, around the same time I started to notice the slight black & blue mark on my shoulder...damn, next time, and there will be a next time, gonna hafta break out my trap vest with the padded shoulder protector!
ReplyDelete@Wolffman: As a former rifle instructor, I will tell you that the big guys typically suffer more with hard-kicking rifles. Smaller guys roll with the punch more easily and aren't stabbed by the stock like big guys. Holding that rifle VERY tight back against the shoulder also helps manage recoil and reduce discomfort/bruising.
ReplyDeleteEd
Thanks, man, but I still was holding it as tight as possible, and, I've been shooting for well over 40 years! I will say, the Winchester curved butt plate dug in and hurt more than the Krag's flat plate, but the slight damage was done and I learned my lesson!
DeleteYep, had me an 1886 in 45-70 and traded it off a few years ago because of recoil. That crescent steal butt plate got to be too much for me. Buddy suggested cutting it off and replacing it with a nice recoil pad, but I just couldn’t do that to real Winchester 1886. Eod1sg Ret
ReplyDeleteWhen I got my 30-06 some 40 years ago it took me about 10 shots to sight in the scope. It was no problem shooting the 180 gr Silvertrips. I doubt I could handle more than 2 shots now. Good thing it only takes one shot.
ReplyDeleteTaught my sons 100 pound girlfriend to properly handle the recoil of my 45-70 Marlin Guide Gun with the Pachmayr "decellerator" recoil pad firomg 405 grain Buffalo Bore ammo. After the first shot she let out a "whoop", ejected the round and then shook her head and said "sh*t". The she grabbed another round and went again! By the way, the forward mounted Scout Scope really helps newbies because it is so easy to get a sight picture and prevents scope bump injuries. I twas one of my favorite days at the range ever.
ReplyDeleteHad a friend who bought himself a bolt action rifle in .30-06 back in the day. He outweighed me by about 50 pounds and 8" in height. He couldn't hit a pie plate at 50 yards with it he was flinching so bad. He kept saying that rifle was no good until I took it from him and fired one round dead center from the sitting position. Even after me showing and telling him he kept flinching, he couldn't solve it until I surreptitiously loaded a blank and gave it to him to fire. No recoil, but the muzzle was doing a mad circle as he pressed the trigger. Convinced him it was him.
ReplyDeleteNemo