Big Bore DG Rifle - Recoil Energy - How Much is Too Much?

[nomspc]

Here’s a slo-mo of me shooting a 570 grain TSX out of a Krieghoff Classic Big Five .500 NE. Keep your eye on my right shoulder for the push.

 

[JG26Irish_2]

Did you take those recoil numbers from the Chuck Hawkes recoil table?

Rifle weight is an important factor here as the rifle you own may not line up with the weight used in the calculation in the table.

I personally own 375HH (9.6lb rifle), 416 Rigby (11.5lb rifle), 458 WM (8.6lb rifle) and a 470 NE (12.5lb rifle).

Some of the example numbers did come from the CH tables. But, there is a formula for figuring the recoil energy of any specific rifle. As you state, the weight of the rifle is a very important variable as is the weight of the bullet. Just adding the weight of a scope to a rifle will improve the felt recoil. Still many of the largest DG caliber rifles are deployed with only iron sights or a red dot for both aesthetics and to prevent getting scoped in the eye. The 458WM I was shooting is a CZ550 Safari and weigh just over 9lbs with irons only. I found it fairly tolerable. With irons it shot very well. One of our guys shot it for the first time and hit a std IPSC plate at 400y on the 1st shot (luck?). I tried a couple of times but aimed too high and shot over it and forgot that the rifle had folding leaf sights for longer shots and a set trigger. Nice rifle. I liked it a lot more than I thought I would.

I have a vintage FN in 308 that is light as a feather and has a impressive recoil (for a 308) when fired with 180g ammo. It is true that we rarely notice recoil when hunting and shooting in the field, but at least for me, I need to get used to the recoil of my rifles enough at the range that I am comfortable and not anticipating the impulse. It helps me to shoot with the necessary precision.

When I bought my 7mm Mag, it is a 6.5lb very light mtn rifle and I was a bit concerned that the recoil might be harsh. I was pleased to find that the muzzle brake on this particular rifle is very efficient and the recoil is only slightly more than my 30-06 with heavy bullets. Totally OK, but the muzzle blast on the other hand is harsh. Not one to shoot without some form of ear protection. I took a deer with it last fall and the blast left my ears ringing for a while. I have since acquired a pair of electronic ear protectors for the trip to Africa. Will see how those work. My PH has them also. In fact he was the one who turned me onto the particular set.

 

[BourbonTrail]

A 416 Rigby in a Sako Brown bear was the WORST recoil I have ever felt. It absolutely rattled my chiclets.

I turned around and shot 2 double rifles in 470 Nitro, and a CZ 550 in 500 Mbogo without issues. I did not care for the Mbogo because of how long the recoil recovery was. The rifle weighed 9.25lbs and was loaded to 500 NE specs. I think 11lbs would have made it just about right.

 

[Northern Shooter]

A 416 Rigby in a Sako Brown bear was the WORST recoil I have ever felt. It absolutely rattled my chiclets.

I turned around and shot 2 double rifles in 470 Nitro, and a CZ 550 in 500 Mbogo without issues. I did not care for the Mbogo because of how long the recoil recovery was. The rifle weighed 9.25lbs and was loaded to 500 NE specs. I think 11lbs would have made it just about right.

I really don’t know what Sako was thinking with those rifles. 9lbs would have been find for 375HH, but for 416 Rigby, 450 Rigby and 500 Jeffery they should have been 10-12lbs.

 

[BourbonTrail]

I really don’t know what Sako was thinking with those rifles. 9lbs would have been find for 375HH, but for 416 Rigby, 450 Rigby and 500 Jeffery they should have been 10-12lbs.

You know, my 416 Rem Model 70 is 9lb naked, and it is still nowhere close to that rough. I think there must be something to the stock geometry that does not fit with me.

 

[TTundra]

One more mention for stock fit and design.

At 6'4" I crammed my head down to more rifles than I can remember to shoot and just deal with it. Then I began to get sticks with the appropriate LOP I needed and made an incredible difference.

Then, I purchased an A2 Hannibal with a massive buttpad and unique design in 460 wby (10.5lbs). I've written here numerous times that is is less perceived recoil or at least better fitting to me. I have little to no issue shooting 20 rounds of the 460 (500grs at 2500fps) than I do 3 rounds from my father's Ruger 77 Hawkeye in 9.3x62...boy that rifle just slaps my face.

No fault to the rifle (maybe...) but fit and technique mean more at those big bore levels. Add rifle weight to the equation and introduce another variable of course.

 

[Northern Shooter]

You know, my 416 Rem Model 70 is 9lb naked, and it is still nowhere close to that rough. I think there must be something to the stock geometry that does not fit with me.

If we're talking 416 RemMag V Rigby, the differential in case capacity and powder charge could be making all the difference in the same 9 lb rifle.

416 RemMag uses about 20% less powder for the same ballistics.

These are the numbers I get when running the numbers through this calculator.

1. 416 Rigby - 75.12 ft-lbs in a 9 lb rifle with 100 gr of powder.

2. 416 RemMag - 65.18 ft-lbs in a 9lb rifle with 80 gr of powder.

 

[ftrovato]

If we're talking 416 RemMag V Rigby, the differential in case capacity and powder charge could be making all the difference in the same 9 lb rifle.

416 RemMag uses about 20% less powder for the same ballistics.

These are the numbers I get when running the numbers through this calculator.

1. 416 Rigby - 75.12 ft-lbs in a 9 lb rifle with 100 gr of powder.

2. 416 RemMag - 65.18 ft-lbs in a 9lb rifle with 80 gr of powder.

Thanks for sharing the calculator!

 

[Andrew62]

My hunting buddy loads his 458 win mag with 350 grain Barnes TSX bullets, he took a cape buffalo with one shot. The recoil with that load is very tolerable.

 

[Northern Shooter]

My hunting buddy loads his 458 win mag with 350 grain Barnes TSX bullets, he took a cape buffalo with one shot. The recoil with that load is very tolerable.

I always like to hear accounts like this, especially since the 350gr 458 bullet would have what many would consider to be an sub-par Sectional Density of 0.238.

 

[Brian]

I have been hunting cape buffalo since 2016 with a .577 NE mostly, it is a 13 lb. single shot with a two piece stock and a 26.5 inch heavy barrel. Before that I mostly used a .375 HH.

With a two piece stock it is relatively easy to make a new and different butt stocks which I have done 5 times, experimenting with felt recoil versus butt stock configuration. What I have learned is in agreement with the points offered in all the above posts.
I should just frame my comments by saying that I am no stranger to recoil ( I am not sure if I am bragging or complaining ). Back in the days of lead shot, one of my favourite hunting experiences was pass shooting Canada geese with a 12ga. using maximum long range loads. ( Countless cases, not boxes, of Federal Premiums.)

Here is what I like in a heavy recoiling rifle.
- Straight stock with minimum drop at comb and heel.
- A bit longer length of pull.
- Heavy gun with balance 5 inches ahead of the trigger.
- Very wide recoil pad. ( I use the Limbsaver Nitro.)
- Crisp 3lb. to 3.5 lb. trigger.

Things I do to master recoil.
- Positive assertive attitude. Don't think like a wimp. Some times I give my .577 a little talk before I start the day and tell him where he stands. Mental attitude/prep is king.
" Ok old boy", I say to my .577, "lets try and get along today but if you think that you are going to hurt me you better bring your lunch!"

- Lean forward with your body alert and ready but not tight. Be like a foot ball player racing to the gaol, flexible body with a fierce grip on the ball.
- Focus visually and mentally on the target not the rifle.
- Trigger control is usually, if it's not a "panic" charge, a brief one second squeeze, not a jerk. It should be a bit of a surprise when it breaks. ( Otherwise you may cause the dreaded flinch.)
- Follow through with the shot. You must imagine/pretend that the shot is not over until the bullet goes through the target. ( Same as boxing, you are not finished the punch until your fist goes through your opponent.) So. keep you whole body and mind in the shot until the bullet hit the buffalo. Other wise, sooner or later you will become a flincher. ( I am living proof to this theory.)

- I look forward to the shot. I love it! It is the best thing I ever get to do!

The only thing wrong with shooting a cape buffalo with a big bore rifle is that you usually only get to shoot once and he is down.
I know that I have a run-away when I talk about the art and science of shooting a big bore,
It's as good as sex and at my age I get to do it much more often.