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Over time your favorite easy shooting loads might change. Took my model 70 30-06 to the range last week. First time I've shot it in about four years. With scope it weighs in at 7&3/4 lbs. Around nine years ago about when I hit seventy I started using a relatively mild load of 50 grs of 4064 with a 150 gr bullet. I could put 50 rounds through it in a morning or afternoon and never think about it. It's an accurate load in that rifle and I really enjoyed shooting it. This time I was feeling it at 15 rounds. Tried a lighter load, 50 grs of 4895 with 125 gr bullets and didn't like that one much better. Quit after ten rounds. Woke up that night and the next with a sore shoulder.

I was initially surprised at this as I think I'm in good shape for my age, go to the range about every week and shoot rifles most of the time with no thought to recoil. After thinking about it though the rifles I've been shooting for the past few years are old Mausers that are at least a pound heavier than my Model 70 with light, around 35 grs of powder, starter loads or various 223s. The substantial increase in powder, 15 grs. with my 30-06 load even though it's considered a mild load makes a big difference.

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You can reduce felt recoil a lot with a simple change in recoil pads.If that didn't work I would have a break put on it before I gave up on the wonderful 30-06.


~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
As Bob Hagel would say"You should not use a rifle that will kill an animal when everything goes right; you should use one that will do the job when everything goes wrong."Good words of wisdom...............
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Thanks, I'll figure something out. I've got some 110 Sierras. Might try them with Tac.

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I used to load 42 gr. of 3031 with 150 gr. bullets in a 30-06 for my daughter. Very easy shooting and very accurate.

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A 308 capacity case definitely recoils a bit less. But how fresh is the recoil pad?

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Getting old ain’t for sissys, be 70 next birthday.

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Birthday today. Still have not reached 80. I don’t shoot 250+ grain bullets near 3,000 FPS at the sit down bench anymore. I’ve sold my 338’s and only my 375 H&H AI is capable of that. For some reason the felt recoil on the 375 seems lower than the 338’s. (Weight is likely the reason) I used to shoot 338’s all the time including whitetail, usually with 250 grain partitions. Made good practice for elk.
That 375 only gets shot while I’m standing up and I have a stand up bench for that. I keep thinking it might be possible that I can still go to Africa and go after Cape - but seems unlikely more and more each year.


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Not so much age for me, but neck/shoulder injuries and time for them to get more bothersome. I downsized to all small/midsized cartridges several years back. 30-30 class stuff is about as large as I can shoot comfortably for more than a handful of rounds these days.

Even just putting 10-15 rounds through my 270 Win had gotten to making me feel like someone had taken a hammer to the back of my head, and I used to be able to sit down and put 50-100 through it no problem when I first got it.

Checking the zero on slug guns was definitely my least favorite time of the year, but the state legislature astonishingly had a fit of good sense and finally legalized some rifles for deer here a couple months ago.

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A .22-250 will kill most things just as well as a .30-06.

Or a little gym time to build up some extra neck and shoulder strength most likely will make a difference.


laissez les bons temps rouler
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You’re on the right track with the H4895. I don’t think you mentioned what you’re shooting with your 30/06, but if it’s just deer and similar stuff at normal hunting ranges, I’d take a 125-150 grain bullet and start backing off from starting loads until you find something you can live with. I’d bet you could get a 150 grain bullet going 25-2600 fps that will kill deer just fine and have about as much recoil as a mouse fart.

You probably already know this, but you can load h4895 down to 60% of any book max load. I am sure you can find a good load combo for your needs with it and keep shooting your rifle.

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I have one of those past pads I use at the bench. Makes a difference

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Originally Posted by 43Shooter
Thanks, I'll figure something out. I've got some 110 Sierras. Might try them with Tac.

I'm not sure that's the way to go. TAC generally operates best at full throttle, so even with the lower bullet weight you may not achieve the soft shooting result you desire.

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I load 46 grains of Varget with a 150 partition for my Garand. They are easier on the shoulder in a bolt gun than a max load of IMR 4350.

Last edited by hanco; 08/02/22.
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Originally Posted by hanco
I load 46 grains of Varget with a 150 partition for my Garand. They are easier on the shoulder in a bolt gun than a max load of IMR 4350.

That should be pretty mild. Have you clocked it?

I loaded some 150s with 46 grains of one of the 4895s and it was very easy shooting.

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With a 125 gr bullet and H4895 the starting load is 32.2 gr. Start there and work up as needed. Recoil should be pretty light.

https://hodgdon.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/h4895-reduced-rifle-loads.pdf

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Originally Posted by Bugger
Birthday today. Still have not reached 80. I don’t shoot 250+ grain bullets near 3,000 FPS at the sit down bench anymore. I’ve sold my 338’s and only my 375 H&H AI is capable of that. For some reason the felt recoil on the 375 seems lower than the 338’s. (Weight is likely the reason) I used to shoot 338’s all the time including whitetail, usually with 250 grain partitions. Made good practice for elk.
That 375 only gets shot while I’m standing up and I have a stand up bench for that. I keep thinking it might be possible that I can still go to Africa and go after Cape - but seems unlikely more and more each year.
Happy birthday! Been thinking lately of putting my 375 on the block as I don't see any more safaris in my future. I'm just a punk compared to some, be 69 next month.
The 270 and Roberts seem to have more and more appeal.
43shooter,
Just a folded up towel can make a big difference in recoil if you really want to shoot off the bench. Of course shooting from field positions is usually easier, if you can get into field positions that is.


I am continually astounded at how quickly people make up their minds on little evidence or none at all.
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Because I had a replaced right shoulder, and even before that, 220 gr RN in an .06 was hard for me. I put a break on it and was darn glad I did. Now it feels like a souped up .243. I can do 20 rounds now fairly easy. My Franchi semi 20 gauge kicks more.
Use plugs and muffs at the range, electronic muffs when hunting.

Don't worry about the negative comments you will get, but be courteous at the range by notifying close shooters you have one and use firing point away from others or at the end of the line


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Y'all need to put the brakes on when considering "breaking" your rifles! grin

I tumed a particularly vicious little .30-06 Mauser guild gun (7 pounds with scope, and a very narrow stock) by loading 41 grains 4895 + 165 Sierra HPBT. Very comfy now and certainly possessive of enough moxie for deer killing in the woods.

Last edited by gnoahhh; 08/02/22.

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Originally Posted by blairvt
I have one of those past pads I use at the bench. Makes a difference

At the range with pretty much anything over .270 class rifles I always use a PAST shoulder pad - can shoot most rifles without thinking about recoil issues (up to .340 Weatherby and heavy loaded .45-70 which are the biggest I have).

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Quote
… Or a little gym time to build up some extra neck and shoulder strength most likely will make a difference.

You did note that the OP is almost 80 years old, right? “A little gym time” most likely won’t fix his issue! crazy




.

Last edited by DoubleRadius; 08/02/22.
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