308 recoil and muzzle brakes

[Grahamcs]

Hi,

Still learning the ropes and had my first experience of a .308 (for a long time) on Saturday.

It was a Mauser action on a normal hunting stock with a Harris Bipod.

Really nice and really enjoyed shooting it but...

I can't help thinking it would be more enjoyable with less recoil. It seemed to kick 'and jump' more than I remember with SMLE's and SLR's probably due to the weight and bipod.

However, this was what I was aiming for if/when I 'qualify'.

What can be done to reduce recoil and how effective is it.

I assume muzzle brakes do this but then you can't have a moderator?????

Is it better to get a heavier stock (tactical type) for target shooting?

I suppose I could just go for a smaller calibre but I think the .308 ticks a lot of boxes.

[Grahamcs]

Also, is recoil much reduced on .223?

I'll be trying that next week

[Grahamcs]

er should this be in new to shooting?

[kennyc]

what recoil on a .223? tongueout
a brake will work on a .308, some will work very well, almost all will raise the hackles of shooters either side of you a moderator will make the .308 into a pussycat, and will make life so much more comfortable for your neighbours
stock design and good technique will also do wonders for perceived recoil as well

[Maggot]

Hi,

Still learning the ropes and had my first experience of a .308 (for a long time) on Saturday.

It was a Mauser action on a normal hunting stock with a Harris Bipod.

Really nice and really enjoyed shooting it but...

I can't help thinking it would be more enjoyable with less recoil. It seemed to kick 'and jump' more than I remember with SMLE's and SLR's probably due to the weight and bipod.

However, this was what I was aiming for if/when I 'qualify'.

What can be done to reduce recoil and how effective is it.

I assume muzzle brakes do this but then you can't have a moderator?????

Is it better to get a heavier stock (tactical type) for target shooting?

I suppose I could just go for a smaller calibre but I think the .308 ticks a lot of boxes.

Man up man....

Joking aside, light rifles do tend to skip about a bit, and the match and F/TR rigs are heavy, mostly by dint of the 30" plus barrels, so they tend to make it easier.

You can help a lot be leaning into the bipod properly, it might also be that you were using heavy bullets, they can wind the recoil up a bit.

Even my heavy F/TR rifle will skid and bounce if I get the hold wrong.

I have always shot .30cals even in the mob (apaft from a brief period with 5.56) so it does not bother me (I am a fat git as well), but one of the lasses in our club must be about 6 stone p*** wet through and shoots and F/TR .308 rifle, so you can get used to it.

You could add a brake or a moddy, some places wont be happy with the brake, and could you justify a mod for target shooting?

[Maggot]

what recoil on a .223? tongueout
a brake will work on a .308, some will work very well, almost all will raise the hackles of shooters either side of you a moderator will make the .308 into a pussycat, and will make life so much more comfortable for your neighbours
stock design and good technique will also do wonders for perceived recoil as well

Ello dear, you supposed to be working too eh? Spot on

A while back someone gave me a light hunting rifle to shoot in .308 Norma magnum...it was ok for 5 rounds or so but you definately felt it....going back to the Konnie was like shooting a bloody airgun and that's a .308.

I find getting down low helps (like Stuey, looks like he's been dropped onto the firing point from a helicopter...free fall).

[Grahamcs]

LOL!!

I deserved that !

Hey I'm a big unit as well....it wasn't moving me just the barrel!

It didn't really bother me just wondered how it could be made a bit nicer.

I was firing sitting for a bench so I suppose I couldn't really lean into it much.

It was great though....big smile!

[Grahamcs]

Maybe it's just the fact that it was a light hunting rifle like you say and my positioning.

5 rounds at a time is what I did.

and my shoulder felt it....

[Grahamcs]

Can't I justify a moderator on the grounds of comfort (for everybody) and recoil suppression?

[Maggot]

LOL!!

I deserved that !

Hey I'm a big unit as well....it wasn't moving me just the barrel!

It didn't really bother me just wondered how it could be made a bit nicer.

I was firing sitting for a bench so I suppose I couldn't really lean into it much.

It was great though....big smile!

Its one of lifes little mysteries G. How can something that is so much fun be so hard to get into?

Yep, not pleasant off a bench, I hate them and wont use the things, but they have their place/uses. They dont make shooting very comfortable for many.

You will get used to it mate, its a bit telling how something behaves when fired, which is why consistency is so important....I am still chasing it and will be for years to come I guess.

With a Harris or other flexi bipod, if you push slightly against the bipod, it will set you up right for the recoil and steady the thing for you as well. Actually being tight into the rifle is preferential to being loose.

With the F class rifles (F/TR) although you cannot really lean into them, you can still snug into the butt pad.

If you could see it slowed down, the rifle will do all sorts of odd stuff. The barrel snakes slightly, the thing will jump, slew, and even try and twist a bit, as well as trying to propel you off the firing point. We cannot stop this, but we can try and make the way we handle it consistent.

One of our lads shoots a lee and an open F class rifle from a bench in a wheel chair. I love him to bits but I can never stop wondering what would happen if he was on a flat surface with no brakes

Enjoy it mte and welcome to the assylum :55: