Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Recoil difference in 243 vs 270

In similar stocked rifles weighing within a few ounces of each other how much of a step up in felt recoil do you think there is in stepping up to 270 from 243? My 12year old son is 5’5” and about 125lbs. He’s been shooting a compact Ruger American in 243 with no recoil problems and I’m thinking of stepping him up to the 270 and rotating the 243 down to a younger son.

Worse case is I can let him shoot and see, hold off another year if it’s a bit too much for him. LOP wise I really think it’s time to step up to a normal size stock.

I think at this point I’m probably just trying to justify buying the Ruger American in 270 this summer...

I've got model 70's in those cartridges, weighing the same. the .270 is a pretty big step, do you handload? otherwise maybe buy some .270ammo loaded with 110's and I think he'll be fine especially if he does much shooting. My kids started with .243's and at 14 my sons moved up to .270's without issue.

I agree the 270 is a pretty big step up from a 243. Another Ruger American I believe can be had in 260 or 6.5 creedmoor and maybe 7-08 all of which would be less recoil than a 270. That being said if 270 recoil does not bother him why not?

If you hand-load, Nosler makes Accubonds intended for the 6.8 SPC that could be loaded down and still expand and penetrate; 100 & 110gr. H4895 is a classic powder for such loads.

If you don't, look for reduced-recoil ammo from the various makers. Last thing you want is for your child to develop a flinch. Better to keep him on the .243, even if you have to buy another rifle. There's plenty of time for him to work up to a bigger cartridge.

My .270 weighs about 9 1/2 lbs, my .243 about 7 1/2. The .270 still comes back a lot harder.

It would serve your small son well to stay with the 243 until he is about full grown. By then, he will have killed enough animals with the 243 that he may see no need in changing...dead is dead.

Try the rem managed recoil loads to see how he reacts... then once he’s comfy give him a standard charge to see if he notices it.

It is a decent step up. I think you nailed it with let him try and see but if the 243 works as it sounds......I wouldn't change a thing.

With reduced recoil ammo from Hornady, or others, I don't think a boy that is 5'-5" and 125 lbs. would have any trouble with a .270 if he has the experience with the .243 that your son has. What I have found with my two sons and later with 6 grandchildren is it is the noise and sudden jump of a centerfire rifle is what causes problems with a new shooters. Once someone, like your son, has gotten past that issue the actual push on the shoulder, within reason, will be easy.

Yup plugs plus ear muffs from the start. The noise scares them as much as recoil sometimes. He’s big for his age... haven’t made my mind up but if I do get the 270 I’ll for sure start with reduced loads and see how he does.

Chuck Hawks Rifle Recoil Table

243 win 7.5 lb rifle 100 gr bullet 8.8 ft. lbs recoil energy.

270 win 8 lb rifle 130 gr bullet 16.5 ft. lbs recoil energy.

We certainly won't hold justification against you. I think your plan of seeing if he's grown into it and rotating the .243 is a wise one.

If you're lucky, he won't like it, you'll have to buy son #2 a .243, and YOU will use the .270...(grin)

I'd be tempted to buy a second RAR in 243 for little brother and keep it simple for you and both young hunters.
You could load a 270 down if you already had it but why make it difficult?

Without reduced loads it's a big jump for a kid. I watched someone let a 10-11 yr old shoot a 270 after only ever shooting a 22. The kid wasn't unusually sensitive, but it was a full power Corelokt and definitely did his best to fight back a tear or two. I think a big issue with smaller kids is that they can't hold a full sized stock in tight, so rather than a push, they get a hard jolt.

I'd try to hold off a couple years. There is a big difference between 12 and 14 year olds and unless he is a really tough kid it may not be in his best interest. If the next oldest is ready for a 243 I'd think about getting another one for him and not rush the older one. Much better he learns to be a good shot rather than just shoot a big (for him) rifle.

10-11 year olds also don't have as much muscle mass on their shoulders--which is a big reason more recoil can actually hurt, not just jolt them back.

I don't see the benefit for the risk of giving him a flinch.

Just something to add as food for thought - I recently purchased a compact .270 as a donor. Before I shipped it off for a rebore, I shot sone cheap factory ammo through it.

I was impressed by the muzzle blast from the 130 gr ammo. Maybe the standard 22” or longer barrel tames this a little.

I find muzzle blast is more of an issue with new/young shooters than recoil in the milder recoiling cartridges.

I’ve had new shooters balk at an AR in .223 (16” barrel, muzzle device that acts partially as a break), but do fine shooting a Rem 700 in 6.5x55.

The Swede has more felt recoil, but the longer barrel and lack of a muzzle device produce less blast and concussive force.

MD - Yes. To me, a jolt is an actual hit/smack. (Probably not the best adjective.) Anyone who has ever carelessly shouldered and fired magnum buck in a 12ga knows the feeling.

444 - I have a 708 M70 FW for my wife and the Hornady Lite (120 I think) are basically 243 recoil... but honestly, for deer and smaller, good 243 bullets are laser beams. So unless he's got an elk or moose on the menu, wait until he really bugs you to move up?

Only way I would do a 270 for a kid is with a brake and hearing protection. Felt recoil will be similar to a 243.

Lots of good advice, maybe stick with the .243 and get a second, it sure killed the heck out of deer and antelope for my kids.