300 winmag has recoil?
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TehK1w1
Member
I agree that a 300 win mag is not exactly a great choice for a first gun. However, with no personal experience, and(presumably) no advise from anyone but quite possibly a store clerk(who may very well be commissioned, or otherwise have a hand in the pie), how would he know any better? At 18 many people have a lot more testosterone than good sense. Additionally, movies like Shooter rarely show any kind of realistic recoil, and I've never yet seen a movie where someone gets "scoped"
And personally, I'm kinda tired of Airsoft bashing. Just because some people act irresponsible with them, doesn't mean there's anything wrong with them, or that all people who use them are immature people who can't use real guns.
And personally, I'm kinda tired of Airsoft bashing. Just because some people act irresponsible with them, doesn't mean there's anything wrong with them, or that all people who use them are immature people who can't use real guns.
taprackbang
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300 WinMag have RECOIL? Duuuuhhhhh?!
Airsoft poster is priceless. I guess some countries (like Canada) have to make do with airsoft.
Airsoft poster is priceless. I guess some countries (like Canada) have to make do with airsoft.
I am all for attempting to learn and that is one of the reasons I hang out there.
However, my experience says this one isn't attempting to learn, he is attempting to look cool, and is only asking about this because he fears he will make a fool of himself.
To me, that is different than being willing to learn. Being willing to learn OFTEN means being willing to look a bit foolish.
Hello Akluis, I guess u are akodo here. After you answered my question on yahoo and pointed me here, I felt compelled to register here and write something after seeing all the comments.
My name is Mike, I will be a college student at university of Michigan start this fall. Like I said in my post, I worked during the summer in a research lab and saved up some money. I don’t have many expenses, so I decided to impulsively get a rifle.
Yes, I did get into rifles after watching the movie shooter, and it just came over me and all of a sudden I wanted to get one. I have had air rifles and air soft rifles before. The reason I didn’t get a .22 is because it isn’t too much fun too shoot I imagine.
Second thing, I am not going to just take it to the range and start shooing without figuring everything out first. And akluis, you are wrong and right. I am attempting to look cool, but I am also trying to learn as much as I can using the internet before I actually go to a range. I know a lot about air rifles, and have owned some high end ones. But this is my first firearm, and yes I did get a 300 win mag because I didn’t want to keep upgrading, even though that would be the proper way to do it.
I decided to just keep this rifle in the box under my bed, and get a Mossberg shotgun to learn to handle recoil properly. Some will say get a centerfire rifle instead, but I’d prefer the shotgun however, because I would rather have 2 different types of firearms.
http://www.mossberg.com/images/Mossberg_Guns/930/NEW/50420.jpg
With the rest of the money I have saved up, I’ll get this to and learn to handle recoil.
And btw, I’m not a kid! I’m 18 years old, and the gun shop owner was very happy that I was buying the 300 win mag, and said it’s a great caliber.
And finally, here is a picture of the ammo I got in the kitchen, looks prettyyy damnn sweet. A lot better than tiny cartridges for those .22s everyone suggests
http://www.screenshots.cc/upload/9751e888.jpg
Now, just have to figure out how to tell my parents that I bought a rifle instead of a laptop w/o getting owned by them.
My name is Mike, I will be a college student at university of Michigan start this fall. Like I said in my post, I worked during the summer in a research lab and saved up some money. I don’t have many expenses, so I decided to impulsively get a rifle.
Yes, I did get into rifles after watching the movie shooter, and it just came over me and all of a sudden I wanted to get one. I have had air rifles and air soft rifles before. The reason I didn’t get a .22 is because it isn’t too much fun too shoot I imagine.
Second thing, I am not going to just take it to the range and start shooing without figuring everything out first. And akluis, you are wrong and right. I am attempting to look cool, but I am also trying to learn as much as I can using the internet before I actually go to a range. I know a lot about air rifles, and have owned some high end ones. But this is my first firearm, and yes I did get a 300 win mag because I didn’t want to keep upgrading, even though that would be the proper way to do it.
I decided to just keep this rifle in the box under my bed, and get a Mossberg shotgun to learn to handle recoil properly. Some will say get a centerfire rifle instead, but I’d prefer the shotgun however, because I would rather have 2 different types of firearms.
http://www.mossberg.com/images/Mossberg_Guns/930/NEW/50420.jpg
With the rest of the money I have saved up, I’ll get this to and learn to handle recoil.
And btw, I’m not a kid! I’m 18 years old, and the gun shop owner was very happy that I was buying the 300 win mag, and said it’s a great caliber.
And finally, here is a picture of the ammo I got in the kitchen, looks prettyyy damnn sweet. A lot better than tiny cartridges for those .22s everyone suggests
http://www.screenshots.cc/upload/9751e888.jpg
Now, just have to figure out how to tell my parents that I bought a rifle instead of a laptop w/o getting owned by them.
Mike;
A suggestion. Heavy recoil (and the .300 Winchester magnum is a heavy recoiler) will almost certainly create major problems that will seriously interfere with your shooting enjoyment. The first and foremost problem will be flinch. Which may very well be acerbated by scope bite. Flinch will keep you from learning things like trigger feel, sight picture, proper breathing technique, and how to simply properly hold the firearm.
The 12 guage isn't gonna help with those things either. Please consider getting a used 20 guage shotgun & at least experience that amount of recoil first.
And then: Just because a .22 rimfire isn't a louden-boomen wunder-blaster doesn't mean you can't have a blast with one. Being able to hit what you're aiming at is positive reinforcement. Being able to either put the bullets in a smaller group, or hit the target of given size at longer ranges is immensely satisfying. Not only that, you can also work on things like trigger squeeze, sight picture, & breath control without involuntarily getting the mucus detached from yer snot-locker.
900F
A suggestion. Heavy recoil (and the .300 Winchester magnum is a heavy recoiler) will almost certainly create major problems that will seriously interfere with your shooting enjoyment. The first and foremost problem will be flinch. Which may very well be acerbated by scope bite. Flinch will keep you from learning things like trigger feel, sight picture, proper breathing technique, and how to simply properly hold the firearm.
The 12 guage isn't gonna help with those things either. Please consider getting a used 20 guage shotgun & at least experience that amount of recoil first.
And then: Just because a .22 rimfire isn't a louden-boomen wunder-blaster doesn't mean you can't have a blast with one. Being able to hit what you're aiming at is positive reinforcement. Being able to either put the bullets in a smaller group, or hit the target of given size at longer ranges is immensely satisfying. Not only that, you can also work on things like trigger squeeze, sight picture, & breath control without involuntarily getting the mucus detached from yer snot-locker.
900F
I don't understand what's teh difficult in being able to hit what you're shooting? It seems like there is no skill involved, as long as u have a sighted in scope, u just put the cross hairs on the target, and hold it steady which shouldn't be too hard unless u have parkinson's. Then just pull the trigger by only moving your finger, and bam u hit ur target. Why is there any skill or practice involved in that? Even if there is recoil, the recoil hits after you fire, so it won't affect your aiming.
TehK1w1
Member
You get points in my book for signing up here and asking. I really would suggest a 22 to start off though. You can get a decent 22 and a 500-round brick of ammo for under $100 if you shop around a little. That can get you used to the tecnique of shooting without having to deal with recoil at the same time. I also would suggest that if you really feel an absolute need to shoot the 300WM right off the bat, be very careful of getting "scoped" which is when the scope mounted on a rifle hits the shooter's head during recoil-usually right on the forehead, over the eye you were looking though the scope with. It often results in a cut that needs stitches-which of course cost WAY more than that little 22 would have. Not trying to be condescending, I've just seen too many people scope themselves.
EDIT: I would add that the 300 Win Mag IS an excellent caliber, and the Savage is an excellent gun. It's just a bit of a handful, is all.
EDIT: I would add that the 300 Win Mag IS an excellent caliber, and the Savage is an excellent gun. It's just a bit of a handful, is all.
Yea, I figured out what getting "scoped" is after seeing some youtube videos such as this when i typed in 300 win mag.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=oHIowZ9JftA
I'll make sure u get a scope with 4 inches of eye relief or more.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=oHIowZ9JftA
I'll make sure u get a scope with 4 inches of eye relief or more.
Regolith
Member
Mike.. the recoil doesn't effect your aiming, but your flinch certainly does.
I have a .30-06, which is somewhat less powerful than a .300 Winchester Magnum. I shoot it out of a 6.5 lb gun. The recoil is about 20-25 ft/lbs. Its about like being punched in the shoulder. Hard. It hurts; I can't fire much more than 10 rounds without my shoulder feeling like it was used for boxing practice by Mike Tyson.
And that's just a .30-06. I have prior experience, so I knew what I was in for. You don't. And the 300 Winchester Magnum has significantly more recoil than a .30-06.
Now, you MAY handle the recoil better than some, but if every round you fire downrange hurts, its quite easy to develope a flinch, and the flinch throws your aiming off.
There is also a significant difference between firing from a bench rest, which does require little skill, to firing offhand or from an unsupported position, which does require a lot of skill.
Also, as the shot distances get longer, the skill required to hit at that range grows exponentially higher as you are required to account for more variables - wind speed, atmosphere conditions, ballistic trajectories, etc. Past 300 or 400 yards, which is where the .300 WM begins to shine, is about when the skill required starts going up.
You've basically done the equivalent of jumping into the deep end without learning to swim, and your safety and enjoyment of the sport may suffer because of it.
I have a .30-06, which is somewhat less powerful than a .300 Winchester Magnum. I shoot it out of a 6.5 lb gun. The recoil is about 20-25 ft/lbs. Its about like being punched in the shoulder. Hard. It hurts; I can't fire much more than 10 rounds without my shoulder feeling like it was used for boxing practice by Mike Tyson.
And that's just a .30-06. I have prior experience, so I knew what I was in for. You don't. And the 300 Winchester Magnum has significantly more recoil than a .30-06.
Now, you MAY handle the recoil better than some, but if every round you fire downrange hurts, its quite easy to develope a flinch, and the flinch throws your aiming off.
There is also a significant difference between firing from a bench rest, which does require little skill, to firing offhand or from an unsupported position, which does require a lot of skill.
Also, as the shot distances get longer, the skill required to hit at that range grows exponentially higher as you are required to account for more variables - wind speed, atmosphere conditions, ballistic trajectories, etc. Past 300 or 400 yards, which is where the .300 WM begins to shine, is about when the skill required starts going up.
You've basically done the equivalent of jumping into the deep end without learning to swim, and your safety and enjoyment of the sport may suffer because of it.
You are in for some serious disappointment. I will wager that when you get that 300WM scoped that you won't be able to put your shots into an 12" group at 100yds let alone the bullseye. Once your shoulder gets sore (2nd shot) and you start flinching involuntarily (2nd shot as well) when you pull the trigger then expect your accuracy to go down even further. That is why everyone is telling you to get a .22 and practice, it'll let you get your technique refined without tearing up your shoulder or wallet. If hitting the x-ring was as as easy as it seems by your 'no skill' technique then there'd be a 100-mile line of us going to the Olympics
Seafarer12
Member
You have never shot one I take it. 22's are a blast to shoot. You can burn through 500 rounds and have a blast. With a 300 mag you might get 5 shots before your shoulder starts hurting.
JesseL
Member
MikeT1981 said:
Yep, and all it takes to be a winning NASCAR driver is to push the gas pedal all the way down and turn left.
Accurate rifle shooting requires as much discipline and self control as any other martial art.
To hold an 8.5 pound rifle steady and squeeze the trigger while dealing with your own body's unsteadiness from your breathing, heartbeat, and muscle tremors is not trivial. After a few shots from a heavy recoiling gun, your body will try to anticipate the shock and cause you to unconsciously compensate as you squeeze the trigger - this urge to flinch must be controlled and restrained. After that there are issues of understanding how to accurately estimate and compensate for range and wind based on the characteristics of the round you are shooting.
Accomplished rifle shooters train and practice for years. They are athletes and martial artists of the highest degree. Please don't denigrate their skill by assuming that rifle shooting is a simple point-and-click exercise.
Don't take my word for it. Find a safe and knowledgeable shooter who can take you to the range and let you do some shooting.
Wildfire
Member
Recoil ?
Hey there:
Not sure who is really asking the question here. I tune rifles for accuracy. This last year I had a rash of .300 win mags come in. I also finally got a lead slead.
I must be a wimp. Cause shooting those things from the bench Kicks my butt.
These are not even hot loads. (Accuracy tuning only) ....
I am 6'2" and weigh 165lbs. I hate .300 win mags and all their cousins. The guys that bring me these things are bigger then me. But they will not help me shoot them. They say they do not want to ruin them selves for their hunting trip.
Oh well I already feel sorry for the kid. He will be loosing a lot of money on that gun when he trys to sell or return it.
Hey there:
Not sure who is really asking the question here. I tune rifles for accuracy. This last year I had a rash of .300 win mags come in. I also finally got a lead slead.
I must be a wimp. Cause shooting those things from the bench Kicks my butt.
These are not even hot loads. (Accuracy tuning only) ....
I am 6'2" and weigh 165lbs. I hate .300 win mags and all their cousins. The guys that bring me these things are bigger then me. But they will not help me shoot them. They say they do not want to ruin them selves for their hunting trip.
Oh well I already feel sorry for the kid. He will be loosing a lot of money on that gun when he trys to sell or return it.
W.E.G.
Member
Wildfire, we've had a rash of muzzlebrake orders and installations for 300WM, 7Mag, and 338WM rifles lately as well. They must've watched 'Shooter' as well, they're paying dearly for it now since the brakes cost about 75x more than the movie rental However, with the brake installed they are pussycats. I've literally shot dozens of rounds thru 300WM's and such with the brake installed and don't even get a sore shoulder. Without a brake you won't catch me shooting more than 5 rounds and I'll still be griping about how much my shoulder hurts
However, with the brake installed they are pussycats. I've literally shot dozens of rounds thru 300WM's and such with the brake installed and don't even get a sore shoulder. Without a brake you won't catch me shooting more than 5 rounds and I'll still be griping about how much my shoulder hurts Der Verge
Member
Everyone here should have denied the fact the the .300 had any recoil at all. Should have let the kid get scope eye, and a bruised sholder, and possibly learned the lesson that you should do SOME sort of research before making a decision of any type of importance. He could have learned that he would have looked just as "tacticool" with a 10fp in .223, or .308
ronnieevans40
Member
I own 2
Ok I own 2 300 Win Mags a Thompson Encore 300 Win Mag HB with the recoil stock and pad and I had a King Armory 1830 brake installed and this is a fun gun to shoot and very easy on the shooter (but very loud). I also own a savage 110 FP Tactical in 300 win mag (see attached). I am having a version of the King Armory 1830 put on as we speak due to recoil. I love big bore guns. I have 45/70 30/06/ 300 min mag/ 308/ 303/ 7.62X59 and the list goes on. The one thing you must do is calm the gun down and love to shoot it or it is a waste of money. The macho types will say different but I will out shoot them all day long because I know that when I pull the trigger my only worry is hitting the target not get my ass kicked. Look into a good brake, get a good stock, and buy decent optics and you will love your 300.
Ok I own 2 300 Win Mags a Thompson Encore 300 Win Mag HB with the recoil stock and pad and I had a King Armory 1830 brake installed and this is a fun gun to shoot and very easy on the shooter (but very loud). I also own a savage 110 FP Tactical in 300 win mag (see attached). I am having a version of the King Armory 1830 put on as we speak due to recoil. I love big bore guns. I have 45/70 30/06/ 300 min mag/ 308/ 303/ 7.62X59 and the list goes on. The one thing you must do is calm the gun down and love to shoot it or it is a waste of money. The macho types will say different but I will out shoot them all day long because I know that when I pull the trigger my only worry is hitting the target not get my ass kicked. Look into a good brake, get a good stock, and buy decent optics and you will love your 300.
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Old Grump
Member
Some of us old dinosaurs like our 22 calibers
My 300 WBY trumps your 300 WIN and so does my 348. I shoot both well, I shoot neither extensively. The reason I shoot them well is hours and hours on the mouse gun learning to shoot. It is a skill and if you don't keep at it you lose some of it. I have been practicing since 1963. Was shooting before that but not seriously.
I give you credit for asking, now quit being defensive about your choice, you made it and its done. If you shoot it and we all know you will, get somebody to show you how. The ones who look like idiots at the range are the ones who don't think they need help. Shooters are almost always glad to lend a hand to a new shooter. When you shoot your boomer do not do it from the bench, I repeat do not do it from the bench. Scope bite usually happens to people who crawl the stock and shooting prone, sitting or at the bench will crawl the stock. Shoot off hand. You do not shoot a 416 Rigby from the bench. You shoot them on your hind legs. A good instructor will teach you to use your legs to support the gun and to let your legs absorb the recoil, you can only do that with a proper stance. When you get some gear and that includes hearing and eye protection and a tight fitting shooting jacket or vest with padded shoulders and some sand or shot bags to stick between you and your stock then you can shoot from the bench and get that thing zeroed.
The only dumb thing you really said was about shooting not being a skill activity. Neither is surgery or calligraphy or juggling. Imagine trying to get a 180 grain pellet to hit a 4" vital zone on a living animal with no bullseye painted on it for the angle you are shooting. You have wind and light and altitude and distance and mirage and you have no idea what all you have to learn yet. Best advice is to hold onto the gun and start saving your quarters for a good bolt action 22 rifle or even a used one and buy your ammo in bricks. Same rules apply, find an instructor to teach you to shoot. Get good, then shoot the boomer. No matter how much hair you have on your chest even us guys built like gorillas are affected by recoil some more than others.
Good luck and welcome to the sport. Just in case you are wondering I read a couple of issues of Guns and Ammo when I was 17 and was a gun expert. Now I'm 63 and read everything I can get my hands on because there is a hell of a lot to learn I haven't got to yet.
My 300 WBY trumps your 300 WIN and so does my 348. I shoot both well, I shoot neither extensively. The reason I shoot them well is hours and hours on the mouse gun learning to shoot. It is a skill and if you don't keep at it you lose some of it. I have been practicing since 1963. Was shooting before that but not seriously.
I give you credit for asking, now quit being defensive about your choice, you made it and its done. If you shoot it and we all know you will, get somebody to show you how. The ones who look like idiots at the range are the ones who don't think they need help. Shooters are almost always glad to lend a hand to a new shooter. When you shoot your boomer do not do it from the bench, I repeat do not do it from the bench. Scope bite usually happens to people who crawl the stock and shooting prone, sitting or at the bench will crawl the stock. Shoot off hand. You do not shoot a 416 Rigby from the bench. You shoot them on your hind legs. A good instructor will teach you to use your legs to support the gun and to let your legs absorb the recoil, you can only do that with a proper stance. When you get some gear and that includes hearing and eye protection and a tight fitting shooting jacket or vest with padded shoulders and some sand or shot bags to stick between you and your stock then you can shoot from the bench and get that thing zeroed.
The only dumb thing you really said was about shooting not being a skill activity. Neither is surgery or calligraphy or juggling. Imagine trying to get a 180 grain pellet to hit a 4" vital zone on a living animal with no bullseye painted on it for the angle you are shooting. You have wind and light and altitude and distance and mirage and you have no idea what all you have to learn yet. Best advice is to hold onto the gun and start saving your quarters for a good bolt action 22 rifle or even a used one and buy your ammo in bricks. Same rules apply, find an instructor to teach you to shoot. Get good, then shoot the boomer. No matter how much hair you have on your chest even us guys built like gorillas are affected by recoil some more than others.
Good luck and welcome to the sport. Just in case you are wondering I read a couple of issues of Guns and Ammo when I was 17 and was a gun expert. Now I'm 63 and read everything I can get my hands on because there is a hell of a lot to learn I haven't got to yet.
Mike, I am glad you decided to learn.
you write
Age has got nothing to do with it. How you choose to handle this mistep in your introduction to the world of firearms will decide if you are a kid or not. There is a LOT of good advice here, and some of it contradictory. Be prepared to have a thick skin and your ears open.
If you really are willing to learn, these guys will stear you right.
let's talk math for a minute. Think about a long and narrow triangle, with the bullet at the point, and one side going along the barrel. Now, move the barrel one inch to the right, so you have a triangle that is 3 foot on each side, and 1 inch wide at the base. Now extend that triangle 100 yards, or 300 feet. How wide is that base now? 100 inches! a 1 inch drift of the end of the barrel moves the shot 8 feet! Just a tenth of an inch wiggle at the tip of the barrel will move the point of impact 10 inches.
Olympic class shooters learn to slow their heartbeats down and shoot inbetween the beats so the pulse of blood going through their hands doesn't interfere with their shooting.
Shooting a gun is nothing like using a mouse and crosshairs in Call of Duty, Gears of War, or whatever your computer game of choice is.
I also say this so you don't get frustrated by your initial attempt. If you can consistantly hit a paper plate at 25 yards, that is a good start, with practice pretty much everyone can hit a paper plate at 300 yards.
Take a look at this thread, http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=367866 print out that target and put it 25 paces away and then think about hitting each circle
you write
Age has got nothing to do with it. How you choose to handle this mistep in your introduction to the world of firearms will decide if you are a kid or not. There is a LOT of good advice here, and some of it contradictory. Be prepared to have a thick skin and your ears open.
If you really are willing to learn, these guys will stear you right.
let's talk math for a minute. Think about a long and narrow triangle, with the bullet at the point, and one side going along the barrel. Now, move the barrel one inch to the right, so you have a triangle that is 3 foot on each side, and 1 inch wide at the base. Now extend that triangle 100 yards, or 300 feet. How wide is that base now? 100 inches! a 1 inch drift of the end of the barrel moves the shot 8 feet! Just a tenth of an inch wiggle at the tip of the barrel will move the point of impact 10 inches.
Olympic class shooters learn to slow their heartbeats down and shoot inbetween the beats so the pulse of blood going through their hands doesn't interfere with their shooting.
Shooting a gun is nothing like using a mouse and crosshairs in Call of Duty, Gears of War, or whatever your computer game of choice is.
I also say this so you don't get frustrated by your initial attempt. If you can consistantly hit a paper plate at 25 yards, that is a good start, with practice pretty much everyone can hit a paper plate at 300 yards.
Take a look at this thread, http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=367866 print out that target and put it 25 paces away and then think about hitting each circle
You imagine wrong. I'd bet every experienced shooter here owns or has at least fired a .22. I own 5 different .22s myself. And, no, I don't own a .300 Win. I own two. One of them is a custom job which would make your head spin.
I'm sure most of my fellow Marines would disagree. Especially those with a certain "B billet". A scope magnifies your vision, nothing more. It does't aim or fire for you.
Sell your rifle, completely ditch the tacticool shotgun idea, and find (and by find I mean a real, physical human in the flesh) someone who can teach you how not to kill yourself.
I know you want to look cool. We all want to look cool. Injuring youself during a bout of ignorance rarely impresses the ladies, dude.
Last edited:
Monkeybear
Member
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2006
- Messages
- 1,178
All you have done is show everyone here that you don't know enough to know what you don't know.
Bottom line is this, a beginner trying to learn and doing it right looks like exactly that. No enthusiast is going to look down on you for trying to become accomplished in their field. A beginner who wants to start at the top looks like someone who is either unwilling to ask questions or unwilling to listen to the answers.
Spend a little time shooting and manage to learn a few things in the process and I think your definition of "cool" will change a bit. Right now you are at "big bullets and movie guns are cool!". Thats kind of a juvenile mentality, but you are an actual juvenile so its ok. As you mature, at least as far as firearms are concerned, you will hopefully progress to "I actually hit my target! Awesome!".
BigCompetator
Member
they have a lot of recoil but with a bipod and scope and a good recoil reduction butt plate you should be ok. like everyone says though be ready for a press conference between your eye and the scope.
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