Recoil aversion

[MS 9x56]

I have noticed over the last 20 years since the magnum craze faded out here in the USA that hunters have developed a real aversion (fear?) of recoil and are gravitating to smaller and smaller calibers in lighter and lighter bullets. With big game here running mostly 75 to 200 lbs they work fairly well. The problem doesn’t really become noticeable until you actually start hunting BIG game 300 to 1500 lbs. the proliferation of various AR style rifles is responsible for some of this, but I can’t help but wonder what other factors are contributing to this issue? Thoughts?

 

[Newboomer]

Possibly hunters are finding they don't need as big a cartridge as before. With the new bullet technology they can get about the same performance with a lighter round and without getting their teeth rattled loose. Of course the round has to be suitable for the game hunted.

 

[curtism1234]

I think the biggest thing is the youth age restrictions have disappeared. Used to be around age 12 and even then kids didn't always start deer hunting at that age bc the seasons were so short. You went out hunting with dad's 9 pound 270 or 3006 or you stayed home.

Now you see 8 year olds regularly deer hunt. I personally think that is absurd and it doesn't teach them anything except things are just given to you life, but I digress. Point being though, they require different cartridges; normally based on the 308 --- 243, 260, 7-08. I think those kids grow up and stick with those rounds and I think the parent sees what those rounds do and they swap their 7mag recoil for a 7-08

 

[crs]

I must have slept through any recoil aversion that may have occurred.

 

[MS 9x56]

My Dad now 85 says it’s just this younger generations don’t know how to take a punch! That and a bunch of other things not fit to print in this forum. The trend is so wide spread there has to be more underlying causes at play here. Or maybe I am just getting old and senile.

 

[Bert the Turtle]

Probably because every generation in history thinks the subsequent generation is softer and hasn't had to face anything so hard as their own generation has.

 

[Shootist43]

Prior to my African hunts the largest caliber rifle I used was a 30-06, and even that had been put on a back burner once I "discovered" the 6.5 X 55 Swedish Mauser. I owned several 300 Win. Mags, a 338 Win Mag and a 375 H&H all of which I thought I might hunt with one day if I ever got out West to hunt Elk. To be honest, I never shot any of them. Since joining AH, I have acquired two more 375 H&H(s), two 404 Jeffery(s), a 416 Remington Mag. and a 416 Rigby. While I might get a kick out of waking everybody up on the range when using one of these bigger bores I certainly don't enjoy shooting them as often as I do one of my Swedes. Not to mention the expense. If I ever decide to hunt something that weighs over 700 lbs. I'll probably drag out one of the 404 Jeffery(s), BTW all of my larger bores shoot sub 1" groups.

 

[Justbryan]

We lived in the country and shoot 12 ga. shotguns almost everyday during duck season. We hunted from about 10 years of age and so recoil was ignored. We bragged about our bruised shoulders.

Many hunters and shooters do not shoot enough to learn to deal with recoil. Shoot enough big bores you get to where you don't notice recoil. But shoot once a year or less and it can be a shock. I also believe lots of newbies shoot guns that don't fit them well. I am afraid of a short LOP in a big bore. I don't like scope scars, only happened to me once with someone else's rifle.

Some believe shooting big bores too much can also cause issues. I believe there is a happy medium. My practice is to shoot a lot of 22lr, 223, and 243 for trigger control but shoot enough big bores to get use to the big push and not be too tense.

I am not a great marksman or hunter but I love to shot my 375 H&H. The feel of the power of the round is just fun stuff. So, attitude does also matters!

 

[Randy F]

I think one thing that possibly contributes to it might be that some hunters have perceived less time to scout and hunt so are opting for long range setups in smaller calibers with the improved ammo mentioned by @Newboomer.
I'm more concerned about the long range shooting (often mistaken for hunting) than I am about the weapons chosen.

ok let me have it

 

[MS 9x56]

Probably because every generation in history thinks the subsequent generation is softer and hasn't had to face anything so hard as their own generation has.

I gotta admit the gen Xers got us on that one with this covid crap. More mentally tough than physically tough but still a once every hundred years pestilence.

 

[mark-hunter]

Quality of modern bullets.
ar-15 popularity, brings 223 rem caliber popularity up.
And then, recent appearance of 6.5 mm frenzy, with 6.5 creedmoor caliber most famous, and written about.

 

[BeeMaa]

Practice, plain and simple practice.
Practice that is not being done.
This can turn shooting a 6.5CM into a flinch.

Shooting is a perishable skill that needs constant honing.
The basics always come back quickly.
Those finer points however do not.

Also moving up in caliber slowly.
As the shooter is ready, then move from a 270WIN to a .30 caliber.
Want to hunt DG...no problem.
Get comfortable with a .30 caliber and step up to a 375H&H.
Slowly...a few rounds per range session.

Daily dry fire drills work wonders on sorting things out.
Then much less range time will be needed, keeping costs down.
Those who don't will suffer the adverse effects of recoil and a flinch.

 

[Whacker]

This brings to memory a conversation a guy at work brought up last week. He has a bolt action 30-06 and he mentioned he was getting older now (he’s 49) and it just has to much recoil for him to enjoy. It kind of caught me off guard because he’s not necessarily a small guy. I do tend to hunt with overkill sometimes as I grew up hunting with a 300 win mag. (Not because I thought it was needed for white tails but because we grew up out in the hills without a surplus of money and it was the only extra rifle we had lying around). I was 12 at the time and yes it was quite a recoiling rifle for me at the time but after the first few shots I knew what to expect and it became natural to me and I still hunt with it some to this day. I offered to let him shoot my 6.5 Creedmoor sometime as I don’t even notice the recoil from it but I do see this more and more around my area as well and have been wondering the same myself. Not sure what the cause is?

 

[Tra3]

I agree with @BeeMaa that practice makes recoil less of an issue. But, people don’t practice as much as they should. I have two range memberships in MN and hardly ever see people there. A person who is going to hunt only opening deer weekend just doesn’t see the value in practice. One shot a year at a deer... why bother.
The long range craze makes me cringe, especially someone who doesn’t practice then thinks that a 350+ yard shot is easy. I’ve found multiple dead (rotting) elk in the last few years, I’d venture to guess why.
Think about how much people practice at golf. Hunting is similar in the need to practice to be good.
As a kid, we used what rifle was available. Today, those same rifles are in gun cases and new ones have been added. (Think about how many of your father’s, grandpa’s, uncle’s guns are in your safe.) People gravitate to one they shoot the best, a smaller caliber is an easy choice and works great for deer. Elk and the bigger PG are a different world and can take a bullet standing.

 

[Tanks]

Bad technique.

Most are starting shooting with AR-15s. Imagine duplicating this with a big bore?

 

[YancyW]

I am very fortunate to be able to hunt quite a bit, especially for my age. Well over 90% of what I hunt, anywhere in the world, can be taken with a non-magnum round. With the new powder and bullet technology, the need for magnum chambering is just less.

I will also say, I very much disagree on the lighter bullets being craze, if anything, we are see far more heavy for caliber bullets available now, over the past generation or so.

 

[MS 9x56]

Bad technique.

Most are starting shooting with AR-15s. Imagine duplicating this with a big bore?

View attachment 379010

If more young men were serving I would put this as my top contributing cause but sadly not many young men serve anymore. Imagine that being a30-06? He would have a permanent outline of those sunglasses in his forehead.

 

[MS 9x56]

I am very fortunate to be able to hunt quite a bit, especially for my age. Well over 90% of what I hunt, anywhere in the world, can be taken with a non-magnum round. With the new powder and bullet technology, the need for magnum chambering is just less.

I will also say, I very much disagree on the lighter bullets being craze, if anything, we are see far more heavy for caliber bullets available now, over the past generation or so.

You must shoot the long distance bullets. I can’t remember the last time I heard of anyone using cup and core round nose bullets other than those shooting lever actions. Most deer hunters I talk to are shooting light for caliber bullets. Maybe the reason I don’t see the long heavy for caliber bullets in my area is we don’t have many ranges around here where you can shoot further than 300 yards with many only 200 yards.

 

[Edster]

Practice, plain and simple practice.
Practice that is not being done.
This can turn shooting a 6.5CM into a flinch.

Shooting is a perishable skill that needs constant honing.
The basics always come back quickly.
Those finer points however do not.

Also moving up in caliber slowly.
As the shooter is ready, then move from a 270WIN to a .30 caliber.
Want to hunt DG...no problem.
Get comfortable with a .30 caliber and step up to a 375H&H.
Slowly...a few rounds per range session.

Daily dry fire drills work wonders on sorting things out.
Then much less range time will be needed, keeping costs down.
Those who don't will suffer the adverse effects of recoil and a flinch.

WOW I'm following a philosophy and didn't even know it. Typical range day usually includes 3-4 rifles. 223/308/35Remington/30-06. 223 is usually just for goofing off. My 308 is my go to, if I cant shoot Sub MOA with first magazine, it's not gonna be a good day. THe 35 is a project gun I started 2 years ago. Marlin Texan, shorthened to 16 1/2", still working the bugs out with sights so it pretty much goes every trip, really a pleasant caliber to shoot. Then the 30-06, bolt gun was new to me last year and is going to Africa in April, so getting roind count and becoming comfortable withthe rifle is important. Personally I enjoy shooting the bigger bore. I have a 444Marlin that will make your fingers go numb after 3 rounds. I just purchased a Ruger#1 in 375H&H and can't wait to add it to the weekly range visits. Added a couple of pics of the 35Rem. Added a Skinner peep sight -- working on front sight height now

 

[Philip Glass]

It is true but I don’t know the answer. It may be rude of me but when I see a 6.5 Creedmore with a muzzle break I just laugh. I know the shooting schools love them as they give you a bit more control but unnecessary in my mind.
I grew up with a .30-06 and when my dad first gave it to me he just had 180gr bullets. It kicked so hard I didn’t know if I could use it! (Light weight Remington shooting off he roof of the ranch truck) I went and bought 150gr and all was good with the world. I have been recoil averse and topped out with that ‘06 all these years. Then I made my mind up to hunt the Big 5 and had no choice to get used to recoil. .375 & .416 were both purchased and I went to work with them. I used muzzle breaks, Edward’s recoil reducers, and had them fit to me by a gunsmith but then took the brake off the .375 shortly thereafter. I may never get used to the .470NE but I got the rhino!
Due to this nationwide recoil aversion we have these African Safari caliber debates. People argue vehemently here on AH for their little calibers that they have “hunted deer for decades” with great success. They insist on shot placement as the only factor(puke). They’ve yet to experience the difficulties of hunting African game. The unforgiving nature of the land and the animals and insist on taking the rifle that they’ve only shot deer from a blind with. My experiences lead me to use a bit more gun and to advise others to do the same. I advise guys to get out of their comfort zone and step up in caliber for their first Safari. So far those that have taken my advice have done well while those who insisted on taking their precious 6.5CM not so well. You live and learn!