I do not own a big bore, or even anything larger than a .300 Wby Mag. I am considering a .338 Win Mag for North American big stuff, but my eventual goal is, of course, DG in Africa.

My problem: I get the hell knocked out of me just by that .300 Wby because I am just a little shit. 5'6", 135 lbs, etc. While I'm no wimp about recoil, the laws of physics can not be ignored. I am looking at .375 H&H, .404 Jeff, or one of the .416s.

What suggestions would you folks have for someone in my situation? One rule: No Muzzle Breaks. I like my hearing. Thanks

Cengel,

I think is going to have to be the .375. I notice quite a bit of difference in the recoil between my .375 and .416 Rem mag.

Regards,

Terry

Large bore DGRs do not necessarily mean heavy recoil. I've known numerous small bore magnums that were worse. Certain cartridges like the .375 H&H and the .404 tend to push rather than slam against your shoulder. The ergonomics of the stock and your shooting style will dampen felt recoil.

Thanks Kurt. I have shot the 338 Win Mag and its a pussycat compare to that 7 lb. 300. The Weatherby "slaps" at you, rather than a shotgun like "push". I have shot a 375 H&H once and it wasnt too bad, but that was just one round. The 416 Rigby was significantly more of a punch, although I think that was a 9 lb rifle, which seems light for the bore. I'm leaning towards the .375, but am curious if there is a way to make a larger bore more tolerable to my little butt.

Get a cz .375 and start off with 235 gr bullets, no recoil really here and the heft of the cz with pachymeyer pad will make the .375 an enjoyable experience, later you may want to work up to the 300 gr loadings. As it has been said here many times before the .375 H&H is the best combination of awsome power and low recoil.

CZ's are great rifles and are my favourite, they are affordable and are all steel, and thye shoot well. They are the best out of the box rifles yoiu can get at the minute or the money.

I have heard from shooters who have both .338 win mags and .375's that the .375 is a little gentler to shoot. I do not know personally if this is correct but it may be due to .375's being a little heavier in general.

[ 01-03-2003, 01:21: Message edited by: PC ]

Physical size has nothing to do with handling recoil. Recoil is merely a state of mind. I weigh 145 pounds, yet I shoot the big bore better than I shoot some lighter magnums.

I suggest that you consider a standard weight .375 H&H, such as a CZ550 or a Win model 70. They are really not that bad, as long as you have a premium recoil pad installed.

Cengel, I am in the same boat as you. I'm 5'7, and about 140. A couple years ago I got my first big bore-a Ruger No.1 in 416 Rigby. It weighs ten pounds and with heavier loads it's still not bad to shoot. The pad is terrible however, and is just a solid orange rubber pad. Eventually I will put a decelerator on it, but otherwise it's very manageable. I would go with either the 375 or 416, and just get a good pad.
Also, shoot it a lot if you can and get used to it. The more you shoot it, the more comfortable it will be.

cengel,

I'm a pretty big guy and my son's M77 Ruger synthetic in .338win. is downright unpleasant to shoot. I have a Browning, same caliber, that is a pleasure to shoot. I also have access to a custom .375H&H, Brno, about nine pounds without the scope, nice straight wood stock that is no worse than my .338Win. Browning. I think the .375H&H in the CZ would be what you're looking for.

Joe

RGB's-Recipe for recoil reduction in anything! Caliber is irrelevant, however, I'd start with a .375 H&H for psycological reasons,but consider a .416 Rigby if possible! Your size does not matter!
1. Gun weight-10-13 lbs scoped( add lead shot and epoxy to the butt and forearm( drill holes and fill or buy a mercury recoil reducer) till it balances just under the receiver ring) a properly balanced gun is easier to shoot well and is faster on the target. Most factory guns don't balance properly!
2. Make darn sure you have a scope with the MAXIMUM possible eye relief MOUNTED AS LOW AS POSSIBLE in good quality rings and bases. Leupold's usually work well, but Swarovsk/Kahles is another higher end option.
3. Pachmeyer Tripple-X pad- very ugly but really soaks up recoil
4. Heaviest and longest barrel you can comfortably use.
5 Straight stock with no significant amout of drop( recoil is more in a straght line with your shoulder, not upwards(bad)
6. Good muzzel brake( you can wear earplugs at the range and you won't hear it at all while hunting). Muzzel brakes can reduce the felt recoil by 40% in some cases.
7 Practice with cast bullet loads and work your way up to full power hunting loads.
8 Have someone experienced with big bores watch how you shoot. Never take your face off the stock and learn to roll with the recoil. I've seen even experienced shooters take their face off the stock just as they shoot. Bad habit!
Trust me ,this recipe works.-Rob

[ 01-03-2003, 10:16: Message edited by: Robgunbuilder ]

You just got to get intense before you pull the trigger, plumb mad dog mean about not letting that rifle get a run at you. Concentration and the proper attitude. The Zen of the big bore.

Now, go benchrest a T. rex for 43 rounds of hot loads as an exercise, and all else will be trivial.

cengel You should try this if possible. Shoot one of the 40cal rifles, one that weighs at least 9.5 lbs without scope. If the rifle owner reloads have him load some 400gr.soft points at 2125fps to 2175fps, If he does not reload contact Superior Ammo and tell him what you need. Better get at least 40 rounds as you will be having so much fun 20 will not be enough. Shoot the rifle offhand at 25 yards and maybe 50 yards. Stay off the bench for your first few range sessions until you get used to the recoil.400gr. at @2150fps is plenty for any thing this side of Jurrasic Park. That is the ballistics of the 450/400 doubles and the original 404 Jeffery. I have a 9 1/4 lb double in 450/400, and I find it much more comfortable to shoot than a 375 H&H.
You can also drop down to 300gr. bullets for plinking and lesser big game like deer and pigs.

Cengel
I�m not a big guy either, 160 pounds except right after christmas, and find my .375 hh to ber very shootable, even though it only weighs 8,5 pounds scoped. I use the 235 grain bullets for practice, light loads, and at the range I use a past recoil shield/pad. When the recoil doesn�t hurt you its all a matter of practice. I have shot appr. 400 shots every year for the past five years with my .375�s, and it really makes a difference, now I use it for 50% of my hunting. I agree with all the others stating that your physical size has got nothing to do with anything (as long as your�e not dreaming of becoming a sumo wrestler). I also feel that fast smaller bores have a snappish kick that feels more uncomfortable than the larger bores. Get a .375 and don�t be intimidated, it will not hurt you. Also I think you should get a reasonably light rifle, not a 13 pounder as sugested by some, a heavy rifle is exhausting in the field, especially if you carry it at the ready.
Tron

MacD37, can you contact me by e-mail?
lb404

Thank you all. I know I have very little experience with the larger bores, and appreciate all you folks have to say. Once again thanks. I'll take some of the advice here.

Cengel: There's a lot of good advice in the above posts. I'd start with a 375H&H in a 9lb rifle (CZ550 or BrnoZKK) with quick detachable mounts (Warne, Talley, etc.). If you must choose a larger bore keep the velocity down, the overall weight up and select a stock that is relatively straight with a large butt area.

cengal,
Since Ray is out of town I'll make this post for him. Seriously consider the 9.3x62. It's both legal and effective on dangerous game and in a 8.5 lb. rifle is a complete pussycat to shoot. My pocket rocket only weighs 7+ and it handles like a shotgun. CZ makes new ones and there are plenty of used ones around built on honest M98 actions that will still be killing game for your grandsons. Look through the past posts for this cartridge and make no decisions until you've given it some thought.

Get a 375 and get a gun that fits you absolutely to the T.

Get a custom stock.

I had a Ruger #1 in 375 back in 78-79 and it was a very very easy rifle to shoot. I had a Rem. 700 BDL in 8mm Rem. mag that was a bear to shoot.

I really like the stock fit on a #1 best of all for factory rifles.

But short and sweet, get a custom stock made specifically for you. Gun fit is greatly important in how you deal with the recoil.

Jim B.

What Rob said, and consider a screw on muzzle brake. Practice with it, and then, when you go hunting, take it off. Make sure you get a thread protector.

YOU HAVE TO RELOAD. Factory ammo, in my experience, uses, most of the time, cheap powder, at high pressures. The result is a bunch of recoil, with usually poor ballistics compared to what you can load yourself.

To repeat:

Start with low velocity, light bullet loads for caliber and work up. Start with a heavy rifle, like the CZ 550.
Use either lead weights, or mercury, to balance the rifle, and use a huge pac XXX 990, or, a kickeze, thickest they make.

I have a 375, and wish I had bought a 416.

I believe in another thread the difference in recoil between the 375, at about 40 ft-lbs, and the 416, is about 60. Of course you CAN shoot 300 grain bullets in the 416, giving you 375 recoil, and ballistics.

Again, YOU HAVE TO RELOAD, or the cost of ammunition is going to kill you for the 416.
DR S