Need a LOW recoil rifle for deer
#12
#13
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,143
I have a rem 700 in 243 w/ a 24" barrel.I think the gun wieghs 7 1/4 lbs.With the scope it must be around 8lbs.I have 3 herniated disc in my upper spine....I can shoot 40 round @ the range without any pain.IMO the recoil is miminual.
#15
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: central florida
Posts: 857
You might try a better stock on the old 600, stock weight, shape and construction have a lot to do with felt recoil. The .308 is not a high recoil round in my opinion so it may help and save you a little money.
#16
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Rivesville, WV
Posts: 3,192
I went through the same thing with my dad. A lot of guys will discuss different cartridges. But different cartridges are not really the answer. The answer is in rifle design and rifle weight. Now the problem with weight is that it is difficult for an older shooter to handle a rifle if it is too heavy. So normally the weight needs to be controlled also. So this leaves rifle design as your first priority.
We went to a thumbhole stock Encore for my dad. The thumbhole design spreads the recoil out. It allows for your hand and arm to absorb part of the recoil.
Personally I do not like quarter bore rifles. But for my dad we went with the 257 Roberts. The 250 Savage would also be a good choice. We went with the medium weight barrel with a 20 inch length. This makes for a rifle that handles very well. Weight without scope is just under 8#. Then we put a 2X7 Leupold RF scope on the rifle with the shorter parallax, and sighted it dead on at 75 yards. My dad was deadly with that rifle. And 100 yards was farther than he could see effectively.
Find a rifle with a thumbhole stock somewhere and see if your dad likes the design. I know my dad really loved his. Tom.
We went to a thumbhole stock Encore for my dad. The thumbhole design spreads the recoil out. It allows for your hand and arm to absorb part of the recoil.
Personally I do not like quarter bore rifles. But for my dad we went with the 257 Roberts. The 250 Savage would also be a good choice. We went with the medium weight barrel with a 20 inch length. This makes for a rifle that handles very well. Weight without scope is just under 8#. Then we put a 2X7 Leupold RF scope on the rifle with the shorter parallax, and sighted it dead on at 75 yards. My dad was deadly with that rifle. And 100 yards was farther than he could see effectively.
Find a rifle with a thumbhole stock somewhere and see if your dad likes the design. I know my dad really loved his. Tom.
#17
Get a weatherby vanguard in .243, the gun is slightly heavier than most, there will be no recoil in the .243 . Use 100 gr hornady btsp. Same gun in 7-08 will be slightly more recoil but not bad at all.
I shoot a vanguard 7-08 with a custom stock on it, its a knox axiom and has a recoil reducing spring internally. it does not kick at all but just slightly jumps off the rest.
But it looks tactical and some people arent in to that.
You can get a .243 in the howa axiom with the same recoil reducing stock.
Heres a pic of mine and a pic of the howa.
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
heres the howa in .243
I shoot a vanguard 7-08 with a custom stock on it, its a knox axiom and has a recoil reducing spring internally. it does not kick at all but just slightly jumps off the rest.
But it looks tactical and some people arent in to that.
You can get a .243 in the howa axiom with the same recoil reducing stock.
Heres a pic of mine and a pic of the howa.
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
heres the howa in .243
#18
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,519
Browning BAR or Remington 7400 in .243 would be my choice. The semi auto's tend to kick less as well as a .243 being a pretty light kicking caliber. I used to not be a fan of .243's but after shooting one I really liked how accurate it was, light kick, and just a fun gun to shoot. I don't think I'd hesitate to purchase one. The only bad thing I've heard about them is that the barrels have a fairly short life for a rifle barrel.