Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 270WSM vs 30-06 recoil?

How does a 270WSM compare with an 06 as far as recoil goes? I shoot a model 70 featherweight 30-06 and can't stop flinching. I know i need to start with shooting more to get more used to the gun/recoil and maybe even change the recoil pad, but i can't seem to get the rifle to shoot consistently anyway. i'd like to add a 270 or 270 wsm to my cabinet. But, i don't really want to add something that i'll flinch with also.
let's assume basically the same model gun in either caliber for a straight comparison.
any thoughts? thanks in advance

For a straight comparison, we should compare like bullet weights also. Let's say 150 grains(3100 in 270 WSM(65 gr powder) vs 3000 in .30-06(59 gr powder), I came up with 20 ft lbs versus 18 ft. lbs in 8 pound rifles.
So yes, the .270 WSM will recoil more. Now, I'm not someone that would ever dissuade you from buying another rifle, but I think it's more important for your to solve your flinching problem. And I don't know how to help you with that, maybe someone else has advice there.

I have shot a FW 30-06 and a A-bolt 270 wsm. The wsm kicks a tad more, almost similar. If it isn't a pre-64 FW, add on a limbsaver recoil pad, it'll tame the lion down.

If you're flinching with 30-06 recoil, may I recommend something like a 243, 260 or 25-06? They'll kill any deer just as dead as a 270 WSM, and the recoil is SO much less.

thanks so far-
with what i've read around different posts, the 270wsm is very close to the same recoil as the 3006. probably need to look at straight 270. I know if i got a little heavier gun it would reduce some of the felt recoil also.
I'd like a gun that is capable of shooting very accurately (who doesn't!) and is more manageable for me. Also, maybe my trouble this past week sighting in my '06 is that I have some 180 grain soft points i was using. I put a new scope on my gun & so I needed to do a little more shooting. I usually shoot 168's hunting, but didn't have enough of those to use to just get my scope on target - and the 180's were cheap wallyworld ammo.
probably still strongly considering a new 270 or maybe a little heavier gun in 270WSM (maybe). i shoot here in Nebraska and some in western KS (shots anywhere up to 400 yds not uncommon).

Are you a reloader??? If so, reduce your loads a little.

To help reduce the recoil jump into your shoulder try using this method.

When shooting my two `lil puddycats, I put my non-trigger hand (palm) on top of the scope using "some" downward pressure along with my elbow resting on the bench. That technique will help reduce the felt recoil to your shoulder and reduce the backward jump.

I use the Limbsaver (slip on) recoil pad too.

There are nice shooting vests that you can buy that have shoulder padding sewn in.

Last resort would be to get a lead (pussy) sled.

Dry fire it several times making sure to hold the reticle on bullseye when the hammer drops. Then quickly load and shoot using the exact same technique. Get some reduced recoil loads for practice. I've heard they shoot pretty well too.

I've shot both but not in identical firearms. My '06 is a sporter M700, and the 270 WSM was a sporter A-Bolt.

The 270 WSM has a little more "pop" to it. Neither is a hard kicker. Modern recoil pads are wonderful; have a smith put a Limbsaver on the 30-06 and you'll be all set!

If I was going to just put together two rifles as a package, I wouldn't go 30-06/270 WSM (or .270 Win). They are too close in performance. I'd either step up to a 338 Win Mag, or down to a 7mm-08. Just me. In your case a 7mm-08 makes all kinds of sense. It's both a relatively mild kicker, and a great performer on game, and is usable all the way up to elk.

If you want a noticeable difference in recoil, I think you need to drop all the way down to 25-06. Of course everything that people are telling you about the other variables (weight, recoil pad, stock design, etc.) is true. But once you get down to 100 gr bullets in cartridges like the .25-06 or .260, then things get mo betta.

I also assume you are wearing good ear protection; if not, that is the quick route to a flinch.

I'd concur that you need to drop well down to get rid of that flinch.

In open country like Neb. and Kansas, I'd be running a 243.

I can't address your question directly since I don't own nor shoot a .30-06. I do know that my Kimber, .270 WSM has a bit of recoil though. Since recoil bothers you, I would suggest a PAST Recoil pad and if you're a handloader, maybe loading down some of your loads. Reduce them to safe levels I might add. I use a PAST when shooting my .338 Mag. from the bench and it makes a world of difference. And practice, practice, practice. Just a suggestion.
Bear in Fairbanks

I have had a Montana in both. The 30/06 with 150/165's vs. the 270WSM with 140's is REALLY close. Move up to 180's in the -06 and the WSM is a tad easier on the shoulder.

I agree with the others, go to a 7-08, 260, 243, etc. FWIW, I have a 84M in 257 Roberts that is a sweetheart to shoot, and whacks 'em hard on the receiving end with 100 grain TSX's.

270 WSM and '06 are very similar, feels about like a 7 RM.
Drop down to a regular 270 Win and it is noticable.
A 25-06 recoil is getting to feel really light.

A LimbSaver pad is a tremendous product.

Real simple. Have a friend at the range do the ball&dummy exercise with you. Turn your back while your partner either loads the rifle or closes the bolt on an empty chamber. Without cheatin (checking to see if the chamber is empty) fire the rifle.

Even better using a third person to video tape the session...


A good stock with either a Limbsaver or a Decelerator pad goes a long way towards reducing felt recoil.

OK,
thanks for the input. How about I change the comparison:

3006 featherweight (7# gun)with 180gr bullet (factory softpoint)
vs.
270WSM in 7.5# gun with factory 140-150 gr loads.
same scope both guns.
compare recoil?
thanks.

Play around with any of the recoil calculators that you can find on the web and come up with your own conclusions:
Recoil calculator

I think you are going to find that they are within 10-15% of one another, which would be indistinguisable (and dwarfed by other variables) in the field.

I've got a Rem. in 06' and a Win. in 270WSM both about the same weight guns. With 150gr. Fusion in the WSM and 165gr. in the 06' the recoil is very slightly more than the 06'.

It's probably 20% more then my Rem. 270 Win. shooting 130gr. ammo. Hope this helps----all subjective.

You might consider a 270 Win.,light kicking and far reaching. It's been a dandy caliber for me over the years.

270

Unless you are comparing them in the same model and stock configuration, the recoil tables don't tell you much. I found the recoil of a 7mm WSM in the New Haven Model 70 factory stock considerably sharper than an '06. However, I have a Kimber Classic in .270 WSM that is comfortable to shoot, even with full house 150 grain loads, and it weighs at least two pounds less. Stock design and fit is a key variable in all of this. Among the aftermarket stocks, the Pacific Research/Rimrock stocks do the best job of mitigating recoil for me...FWIW.

I agree with the recommendation of ECD's (Empty Chamber Drills), highly effective tool for calming yourself down and focusing on the basics like breathing and trigger control. It's mostly mental and the drill will assist you in slowing everything down and not prepping your body for what it believes is a sure jolt. Also, dropping down to a lighter caliber or at least having one in your arsenal to practice with is never a bad idea.

There are two ways to approach this.
1. Yes the 30-06 in a Win. Fwt. does have noticeable recoil.
I haven't read if you are a handloader or not. I'm assuming, not. You can begin with dry firing drills to build confidence on sight alignment thru the scope and trigger control. After that shows good improvement, at the range, perform the live chamber/dummy chamber drill with MANAGED RECOIL LOADS. Still maintaining sight/scope alignment and trigger control. No anticipation of the shot!
If you ARE a handloader or have access to a reliable buddy, you can do the same with reduced loads and cheap 150gr bullets.
Than work up as improvement is shown.
Also get a PAST recoil reducer to wear.
Don't overlook the .22 rifle as a good starting point to build your confidence.

2. The more spendy solution is to do the same thing only with a lesser caliber, such as a .243.
By the way, I believe there still is merit in a .270Win.. You can buy reduced recoil loads or handload them. The .270Win is a 130gr does have less recoil than a 180gr in a 30-06. If you can rid yourself of the flinches with light loads from a .270Win., I believe you will have a nice two gun combo with it and the '06. Or, you may come to conclude that the '06 and its recoil really isn't needed once the .270Win is mastered.
Good luck.