Recoil comparison

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Recoil comparison

Post by Harrynsw » 09 Oct 2019, 7:20 pm

Hi guys
Looking for a general recoil comparison between .308 and 6.5 creedmoor.
The old shoulder isn't liking the recoil from the .308, so I want to step it down a couple of notches.
Open to suggestions as well.
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Re: Recoil comparison

Post by TassieTiger » 09 Oct 2019, 7:25 pm

Chuck Hawks has a generalised recoil table on line but a lot depends on rifle.
I’ve a 260 that recoils as much as a mates 308, but then I’ve an 06 that kills shoulders, more than a 300 win.
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Re: Recoil comparison

Post by Harrynsw » 09 Oct 2019, 7:57 pm

TassieTiger wrote:Chuck Hawks has a generalised recoil table on line but a lot depends on rifle.
I’ve a 260 that recoils as much as a mates 308, but then I’ve an 06 that kills shoulders, more than a 300 win.

Thanks Tassie Tiger, i know the table you're talking about, I have referred to it but was hoping to get some personal accounts.
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Re: Recoil comparison

Post by PaddyT » 09 Oct 2019, 8:25 pm

ive got both, both rifles are fairly heavy- Tikka CTR 6.5 CM, and the 308 is a LA102- the 6.5 definetly has a lot less kick , i can put 50 rounds through it at the range without an issue- i did put an aftermarket pad on it though as the Tikka ones arent brilliant . The LA102 is an awesome rifle though- the recoil is more than managable, the factory pad is pretty soft.Both rifles have a bit of muzzle jump off the bag or bipod , i would imagine a break would fix that without an issue.
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Re: Recoil comparison

Post by MontyShooter » 09 Oct 2019, 8:27 pm

Depends on a few other factors like the weight of the rifle. My 20 pound 338 lap mag kicks alot less than my hunting rifles in 308 and 7mm rem.

I also have a 6.5 creed tac a1 and that's very tame.
A brake will help alot.
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Re: Recoil comparison

Post by solarpak » 09 Oct 2019, 8:35 pm

Weight is the key and you cant cheat physics.
Lets assume your 308 scoped weighs 8 lbs - lets look at other calibre in a rifle weighing the same.
Naturally the 243 Winchester firing projectiles from 55-105 grains will cover quite a lot of applications with recoil much more manageable.
The 260 Rem and 7-08 are also nice to shoot calibre as is the exotic 7x57 .....very mild on the shoulder.

Another good one is the 6.5x55 Swedish - and the 6.5 Creed.

My choice - 7x57 then the 243

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Re: Recoil comparison

Post by bigrich » 09 Oct 2019, 8:37 pm

chuck hawks recoil table is very useful as a general guide , handloading and the qaulity of the recoil pad are two very big variables .rifle weight and handloads are factored into this table but the recoil pads aren't . one of my more recent projects is a 8x57 carbine that weighs the same as my scoped cz 22 lr . :P with handloads it's got a good shove and you are looking up :P but i fitted a new pachmyer shotgun recoil pad which takes a lot of sting out of it and turns it into a shove. a mate of mine has a P14 sporter with a good pachmyer pad on it , and he swears it makes a 303 into a 223 in felt recoil. so maybe a recoil pad might help in this instance :thumbsup:

edit - i like solarpacs recommendations, but a handloaded 6.5x55 can have some punch , don't you worry ;) 243 is very accurate, will cover a lot of applications , and even loaded hot doesn't punch the shoulder hard and will use less powder than a 6.5x55 . i have both these calibers, but can't help with the 6.5CM . trying a recoil pad on your 308 might save some money in changing rifles, and a muzzle brake will help too i guess :thumbsup:
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Re: Recoil comparison

Post by in2anity » 09 Oct 2019, 8:48 pm

in addition to a nice squishy pad, have you considered also adding a brake?(that's what I have) Also I've been shooting 125gr pills over a 4/5 case of AR2207 (out of my 4.2kg 308) and I can see the fall as close as 100m.
Last edited by in2anity on 09 Oct 2019, 8:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Recoil comparison

Post by bigrich » 09 Oct 2019, 8:49 pm

or Harrynsw , you could buy a 45-70 , after shooting that your 308 will seem fine :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

:drinks: :drinks: :thumbsup:
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Re: Recoil comparison

Post by JimTom » 09 Oct 2019, 9:18 pm

My 6.5 Creedmoor (Sako A7) has significantly less recoil than my .308 (CZ557).
As others have eluded to, I also believe that the rifle itself will make some difference.
I also have a 300AAC which is even more gentle as you would expect, yet a capable pig rifle.
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Re: Recoil comparison

Post by bladeracer » 10 Oct 2019, 4:33 am

I don't have the Creedmoor or .308, but I have six 6.5mm rifles in five chamberings. With heavy bullets, like 160gn, they have noticeable recoil, though still pretty light. The little carbines thump more than the rifles, but none come close to the recoil of my .30-06, .303's or 8x57mm rifles. The Russian M91-30 is particularly brutal for me, despite the 7.62x54R being no more potent than any of that era's military chamberings.

Calculated recoil is a result of the bullet/powder mass, the velocity, and the mass of the rifle. Reducing the first two and/or increasing the last will reduce the recoil.

Felt recoil is a different matter though, and comes down to the design of the stock, and how you connect it to your body.

My 7mm-08 is pretty tame with light bullets, but I doubt it's all that far behind .308 with heavier bullets.
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Re: Recoil comparison

Post by bigfellascott » 10 Oct 2019, 7:19 am

Just shoot lighter projectiles, that makes a fair difference too, better still just use em for hunting that way you aren't shooting a heap of rounds each time you go out, you might get one or 2 shots off in a day hunting, unlike poking paper where you are shooting a fair bit each time out which of course will be telling on ones shoulder if its got issues (shooting off hand isn't anywhere near as hard on ones shoulder I find) shooting off a bench you notice recoil a lot more on cals that have a bit of kick to em.
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Re: Recoil comparison

Post by in2anity » 10 Oct 2019, 8:21 am

bigfellascott wrote:Just shoot lighter projectiles, that makes a fair difference too, better still just use em for hunting that way you aren't shooting a heap of rounds each time you go out, you might get one or 2 shots off in a day hunting, unlike poking paper where you are shooting a fair bit each time out which of course will be telling on ones shoulder if its got issues (shooting off hand isn't anywhere near as hard on ones shoulder I find) shooting off a bench you notice recoil a lot more on cals that have a bit of kick to em.


The number of young blokes I see flincing from their fancy new large caliber rifles on the rare occasions I visit certain benchrest ranges is cringeworthy. Such a terrible way to enter into the sport. New shooters should be forced to buy rimfire before centerfire :lol:
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Re: Recoil comparison

Post by bigfellascott » 10 Oct 2019, 9:05 am

in2anity wrote:
bigfellascott wrote:Just shoot lighter projectiles, that makes a fair difference too, better still just use em for hunting that way you aren't shooting a heap of rounds each time you go out, you might get one or 2 shots off in a day hunting, unlike poking paper where you are shooting a fair bit each time out which of course will be telling on ones shoulder if its got issues (shooting off hand isn't anywhere near as hard on ones shoulder I find) shooting off a bench you notice recoil a lot more on cals that have a bit of kick to em.


The number of young blokes I see flincing from their fancy new large caliber rifles on the rare occasions I visit certain benchrest ranges is cringeworthy. Such a terrible way to enter into the sport. New shooters should be forced to buy rimfire before centerfire :lol:


How can they claim to be fully sick bro if they have to use the pipsqueak :lol: Most of them have absolutely no bloody idea what they are doing when it comes to choosing a particular cal - bigger is better right? :D

The good news is we get to buy their bad mistakes cheaply :lol:
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Re: Recoil comparison

Post by No1Mk3 » 10 Oct 2019, 9:10 am

G'day Harrynsw,
Think 243 for the Creedmore, for a given load in the same weight rifle 6.6CM is a little higher, about 6 or so ft/lbs. Much easier than the 308, Cheers
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Re: Recoil comparison

Post by bigrich » 10 Oct 2019, 9:18 am

bigfellascott wrote:
in2anity wrote:
bigfellascott wrote:Just shoot lighter projectiles, that makes a fair difference too, better still just use em for hunting that way you aren't shooting a heap of rounds each time you go out, you might get one or 2 shots off in a day hunting, unlike poking paper where you are shooting a fair bit each time out which of course will be telling on ones shoulder if its got issues (shooting off hand isn't anywhere near as hard on ones shoulder I find) shooting off a bench you notice recoil a lot more on cals that have a bit of kick to em.


The number of young blokes I see flincing from their fancy new large caliber rifles on the rare occasions I visit certain benchrest ranges is cringeworthy. Such a terrible way to enter into the sport. New shooters should be forced to buy rimfire before centerfire :lol:


How can they claim to be fully sick bro if they have to use the pipsqueak :lol: Most of them have absolutely no bloody idea what they are doing when it comes to choosing a particular cal - bigger is better right? :D

The good news is we get to buy their bad mistakes cheaply :lol:


Ya both right fellas, it is very entertaining to watch some characters at the range. Overheard a couple of characters chatting about how their mate was going to go with his new muzzle braked tac rifle , in 6.5CM . Or another fella trying to sight in a tac rifle at 50 yards, shooting horrible blamed the scope but claiming he’s ex military . :lol:
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Re: Recoil comparison

Post by bigfellascott » 10 Oct 2019, 9:34 am

bigrich wrote:
bigfellascott wrote:
in2anity wrote:
bigfellascott wrote:Just shoot lighter projectiles, that makes a fair difference too, better still just use em for hunting that way you aren't shooting a heap of rounds each time you go out, you might get one or 2 shots off in a day hunting, unlike poking paper where you are shooting a fair bit each time out which of course will be telling on ones shoulder if its got issues (shooting off hand isn't anywhere near as hard on ones shoulder I find) shooting off a bench you notice recoil a lot more on cals that have a bit of kick to em.


The number of young blokes I see flincing from their fancy new large caliber rifles on the rare occasions I visit certain benchrest ranges is cringeworthy. Such a terrible way to enter into the sport. New shooters should be forced to buy rimfire before centerfire :lol:


How can they claim to be fully sick bro if they have to use the pipsqueak :lol: Most of them have absolutely no bloody idea what they are doing when it comes to choosing a particular cal - bigger is better right? :D

The good news is we get to buy their bad mistakes cheaply :lol:


Ya both right fellas, it is very entertaining to watch some characters at the range. Overheard a couple of characters chatting about how their mate was going to go with his new muzzle braked tac rifle , in 6.5CM . Or another fella trying to sight in a tac rifle at 50 yards, shooting horrible blamed the scope but claiming he’s ex military . :lol:


Yep seen plenty of "specialists" when I was at the range too, I'm glad I don't have to put up with any of that crap anymore I can tell ya.

I remember being at the range one day and there were a couple of fella's trying to sight in a 223 (I can't remember exactly what their profession was but it was something to do with a job that requires shooting) anyway they were stuffing around for hours trying to sight this new rifle in (50m) and were having no luck at all, in the end I decided to go down and help them or at least see if I could help them, anyway I had the rifle hitting paper in one or 2 shots and hitting POA in another 1 or 2 shots and they were amazed how quickly I did it considering how many shots they'd had and where they got too with their efforts. :unknown:

Got me f***ed what they were doing, it took all of 5mins if that to get it shooting straight. :unknown:
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Re: Recoil comparison

Post by Harrynsw » 10 Oct 2019, 11:03 am

No1Mk3 wrote:G'day Harrynsw,
Think 243 for the Creedmore, for a given load in the same weight rifle 6.6CM is a little higher, about 6 or so ft/lbs. Much easier than the 308, Cheers


Cheers thanks bud, and everyone else for the input
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Re: Recoil comparison

Post by bigfellascott » 10 Oct 2019, 1:40 pm

Harrynsw wrote:
No1Mk3 wrote:G'day Harrynsw,
Think 243 for the Creedmore, for a given load in the same weight rifle 6.6CM is a little higher, about 6 or so ft/lbs. Much easier than the 308, Cheers


Cheers thanks bud, and everyone else for the input


Harry what's the lightest projectile weight you've tried in the 308 mate?

Also Harry have you tried a better recoil pad on the rifle, that can make a lot of difference to felt recoil too. :drinks:
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Re: Recoil comparison

Post by Harrynsw » 10 Oct 2019, 4:09 pm

bigfellascott wrote:
Harrynsw wrote:
No1Mk3 wrote:G'day Harrynsw,
Think 243 for the Creedmore, for a given load in the same weight rifle 6.6CM is a little higher, about 6 or so ft/lbs. Much easier than the 308, Cheers


Cheers thanks bud, and everyone else for the input


130 grain, and I do have a recoil pad, it's a firm rubber type...
Harry what's the lightest projectile weight you've tried in the 308 mate?

Also Harry have you tried a better recoil pad on the rifle, that can make a lot of difference to felt recoil too. :drinks:
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Re: Recoil comparison

Post by marksman » 10 Oct 2019, 7:32 pm

TBH I have loaded up 130gr interlocks in my brno 308 thinking I would get a lighter recoil for my young daughter to shoot deer with but the recoil was much stiffer because the powder, 2206 is a faster burn rate, I found that the 150grers loaded with 2208 to have less recoil
she can shoot them but I would rather her not get a flinch, she is 54 kg's
it is fallow we are after but I have been thinking of putting together a creedmore or buy her a 243, she has hinted at taking over my 6mm dasher but that's not happening just yet :lol: :lol: :lol: I have a 6.5x55 she shoots regularly very well, no misses at clays on a berm at 200 but it is on its last legs
IMHO I dont think you would go wrong with the 6.5 creedmore or I believe it would be possible to get the 308 recoil down by as Scott has said a smaller projie with a slower powder
good luck with it :drinks:
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Re: Recoil comparison

Post by Baronvonrort » 10 Oct 2019, 7:51 pm

Harrynsw wrote:Hi guys

The old shoulder isn't liking the recoil from the .308, so I want to step it down a couple of notches.
Open to suggestions as well.


Light projectiles 110-130 gr with minimum powder loads or one of these.
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Re: Recoil comparison

Post by bigfellascott » 10 Oct 2019, 9:51 pm

I'd be looking at a better recoil pad first Harry then if that's not doing it you could always go a Muzzle break (horrible noisy things IMO) but it will help with recoil.

Last resort I guess sell it and find a smaller milder cal to shoot along the lines of what you were thinking.

Another thing is if you are going to be going to a range regularly, perhaps see what smaller cals people are shooting and see if you can have a few shots out of those to work out whether the cal is suited to you, will save a lot of hassles down the track in case you find something you think you will be ok with is in fact similar to what you have now. :drinks:
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Re: Recoil comparison

Post by PaddyT » 11 Oct 2019, 12:21 am

i reckon the 6,5 CM has a bit more grunt than the 243, heavier pills, more energy downrange, the 6.5 Grendal is probably very close to the 243. But at the end of the day they are all good calibres to own. I think in terms of getting close to the versatility of the 308 a 6.5CM is as close as your going to get (excepting legalities - you cant shot sambar in Vic with a 6.5)
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Re: Recoil comparison

Post by bladeracer » 11 Oct 2019, 5:01 am

PaddyT wrote:i reckon the 6,5 CM has a bit more grunt than the 243, heavier pills, more energy downrange, the 6.5 Grendal is probably very close to the 243. But at the end of the day they are all good calibres to own. I think in terms of getting close to the versatility of the 308 a 6.5CM is as close as your going to get (excepting legalities - you cant shot sambar in Vic with a 6.5)


The 6.5mm's are significantly harder-hitting than the 6mm's. 6mm gives you bullets from 50gn to 108gn or more, the 6.5mm gives you from 85gn to 170gn bullets. 7mm-08 gives you 100gn to 175gn normally (212gn or more if you have the twist rate), and high-BC for longer range performance, and is legal for the big deer in Victoria..
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Re: Recoil comparison

Post by Harrynsw » 11 Oct 2019, 8:06 am

marksman wrote:TBH I have loaded up 130gr interlocks in my brno 308 thinking I would get a lighter recoil for my young daughter to shoot deer with but the recoil was much stiffer because the powder, 2206 is a faster burn rate, I found that the 150grers loaded with 2208 to have less recoil
she can shoot them but I would rather her not get a flinch, she is 54 kg's
it is fallow we are after but I have been thinking of putting together a creedmore or buy her a 243, she has hinted at taking over my 6mm dasher but that's not happening just yet :lol: :lol: :lol: I have a 6.5x55 she shoots regularly very well, no misses at clays on a berm at 200 but it is on its last legs
IMHO I dont think you would go wrong with the 6.5 creedmore or I believe it would be possible to get the 308 recoil down by as Scott has said a smaller projie with a slower powder
good luck with it :drinks:


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Re: Recoil comparison

Post by Harrynsw » 11 Oct 2019, 8:07 am

:drinks:
bigfellascott wrote:I'd be looking at a better recoil pad first Harry then if that's not doing it you could always go a Muzzle break (horrible noisy things IMO) but it will help with recoil.

Last resort I guess sell it and find a smaller milder cal to shoot along the lines of what you were thinking.

Another thing is if you are going to be going to a range regularly, perhaps see what smaller cals people are shooting and see if you can have a few shots out of those to work out whether the cal is suited to you, will save a lot of hassles down the track in case you find something you think you will be ok with is in fact similar to what you have now. :drinks:
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Re: Recoil comparison

Post by Harrynsw » 11 Oct 2019, 8:08 am

PaddyT wrote:i reckon the 6,5 CM has a bit more grunt than the 243, heavier pills, more energy downrange, the 6.5 Grendal is probably very close to the 243. But at the end of the day they are all good calibres to own. I think in terms of getting close to the versatility of the 308 a 6.5CM is as close as your going to get (excepting legalities - you cant shot sambar in Vic with a 6.5)


Is it a legality though? Or a guideline?
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Re: Recoil comparison

Post by bigrich » 11 Oct 2019, 8:49 am

marksman wrote:TBH I have loaded up 130gr interlocks in my brno 308 thinking I would get a lighter recoil for my young daughter to shoot deer with but the recoil was much stiffer because the powder, 2206 is a faster burn rate, I found that the 150grers loaded with 2208 to have less recoil
she can shoot them but I would rather her not get a flinch, she is 54 kg's
it is fallow we are after but I have been thinking of putting together a creedmore or buy her a 243, she has hinted at taking over my 6mm dasher but that's not happening just yet :lol: :lol: :lol: I have a 6.5x55 she shoots regularly very well, no misses at clays on a berm at 200 but it is on its last legs
IMHO I dont think you would go wrong with the 6.5 creedmore or I believe it would be possible to get the 308 recoil down by as Scott has said a smaller projie with a slower powder
good luck with it :drinks:


That old 6.5x55 you’re daughter shoots well and is probably very familiar with might be a good thing to rebarrel and pass down to her. She shooting with irons or a scope ? If she’s hitting the clays at 200 consistently with irons good on her :thumbsup:

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Re: Recoil comparison

Post by bladeracer » 11 Oct 2019, 9:37 am

Harrynsw wrote:
PaddyT wrote:i reckon the 6,5 CM has a bit more grunt than the 243, heavier pills, more energy downrange, the 6.5 Grendal is probably very close to the 243. But at the end of the day they are all good calibres to own. I think in terms of getting close to the versatility of the 308 a 6.5CM is as close as your going to get (excepting legalities - you cant shot sambar in Vic with a 6.5)


Is it a legality though? Or a guideline?


Legal requirement in Victoria, Minimum .270" and 130gn bullet for the big three, .243" and 80gn bullet for the small deer.
https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/deer/hunting-methods

Ludicrous as there is no restriction on chambering or velocity.
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