Big bore recoil

Namibia Hunter

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Let me start by saying that I am an absolute novice with big bore rifles. I can shoot a 300wm or 8x68S all day without problems but recently got a chance to shoot a friend's .458 winchester with a 500 gr bullet and it felt like a truck had smashed into my shoulder after just one shot. I am, however, also quite intruiged by the 40 calibers and have always wanted a 404J, 416 Rigby or even the 458 win truck. So I have two questions. 1) can recoil management be "learned" and improved? 2) How do those three cartridges compare recoil wise? All things being equal that is, I realise weight and stock fit etc play a massive role as well. Would appreciate your insights.
 
Great questions. Big bores with the exception of my 275 Rigby are all I shoot. The following are the keys to manage recoil:
1. Having the right LOP that fits you.
2. Making sure the weight fits the caliber...example...having a 470 that weighs 9.3 pounds will kick you to death given the weight of the gun is too light for the caliber.
3. Using proper technigue...see @Tanks video of rolling with recoil to make my point.

If you do the above three things, recoil for the most part will be manageable.

Good luck!!!
 
As you are unimpressed by the relatively nasty 8x68 S my guess would be that your friend's
458 Win must have been too light, or the butt did not fit your shoulder - or it actually was
a .458 Lott.
With a rifle heavy enough and a tailormade stock you should have no problems, especially not
with the .416 Rigby.
 
The correct LOP, weight, and technique will all help to tame recoil, but the most effective way to reduce recoil is to install a muzzle brake.

Let the flaming begin...
 
Recoil can be managed to some extent with skill. But many modern guns are entirely too light for caliber! A 458 WM should weigh 10+ pounds, many modern guns do not even weigh close to that. These large bore guns also need to have the proper stock geometry and balance. A well-made gun will expend a good amount of energy lifting its own muzzle, without being too excessive.

I've shot 577 NE guns that felt "mild" compared to some of the cheap mass produced 458 guns out there. The best factory produced 458 gun I know of was the CZ 550... and they quite making it years ago. Worst 458 I've ever shot was a Ruger #1, that thing just hurt to shoot.
 
When I got my first .458 WM in that late 1950's, I was terrified of the recoil, so I started by loading light loads and gradually increasing them, until at last in about 1963 I was able to stand up against a full factory load. At that point I thought I was ready for anything, but I was unprepared for my then newly acquired .458 double rifle to double on me. I was pushed backward for two paces and ended up sitting on the ground, but was completely unharmed. That put recoil into perspective.
On of the worst "kicking" rifles I have ever fired was a Remington slide action rifle in caliber .30-'06. I was sighting it in for a friend off a bench and the stock design was such a disaster that I almost gave it up. The stock on my double rifle used measurements I had obtained at the Holland and Holland shooting school, and they fit me perfectly.
Later, when I was learning to shoot my wildcat .505 SRE, a cartridge which duplicated the performance of the .500 NE, with a 570 grain bullet at 2150 fps., my rifle was similarly stocked, and I shot it in perfect comfort, despite the fact that it weighs 8.75 pounds and does not even have a recoil pad. The free recoil calculates out at around 100 ft/lbs, but shooting it has never bothered me. The only rifle I ever owned with recoil beyond what I thought I could use effectively was my wildcat .577 VSRE, which fired a 750 grain bullet at 2050 fps. It was not uncomfortable to shoot, but each shot forced me to step backward two paces, and there are situations in the hunting field where that would not be possible.
My advice would be to make sure the stock on your rifle fits you properly and that you know how to hold it properly when firing it. Concentrate on aiming and pulling the trigger correctly, and the recoil will cease to be a concern.
This is me, after taking my first elephant, and firing five shots from my .505. Recoil was the least of my
concerns. The elephant was lying on the ground for four of the shots.
Africa 1971 003.png
 
Let me start by saying that I am an absolute novice with big bore rifles. I can shoot a 300wm or 8x68S all day without problems but recently got a chance to shoot a friend's .458 winchester with a 500 gr bullet and it felt like a truck had smashed into my shoulder after just one shot. I am, however, also quite intruiged by the 40 calibers and have always wanted a 404J, 416 Rigby or even the 458 win truck. So I have two questions. 1) can recoil management be "learned" and improved? 2) How do those three cartridges compare recoil wise? All things being equal that is, I realise weight and stock fit etc play a massive role as well. Would appreciate your insights.

Buy yourself a beautiful bolt action rifle in 375 H&H. It will do everything you want without kicking the hell out of you.
 
1) can recoil management be "learned" and improved?
Yes, at least I did. I started out tensing up for the recoil. Boy did my 416 and 458 recoil! After a hundred rounds or so I relaxed in my trunk and presto! My body would sway with the reassuring push of recoil!

Of course, shoot big guns standing from a standing bench or Africa-type sticks. Never from a sitting position at a bench unless you want to feel pain.

One of these Caldwell/PAST 1/2" thick should pads keeps the black and blue marks away...

1679094998834.png
 
Wanker
 
Was all ways worried about recoil. Have some neck issues and was very concerned about it.

Started off with a 375h&h. Would get headaches from it. After 200-300 rounds down range was not a big deal any longer. Purchased a 416REM after 200 rounds with it was comfortable. The step up from 375h&h to 416REM was a none issue. I actually liked the 416REM better the recoil impulse was not as sharp. Then I purchased a 458Lott it was part of a package and I was very concerned it was going to be more than I wanted. I had to try it for myself but almost sold the barrel before even trying it. Turns out I enjoyed shooting it the most. The R8 might not have the appearance some are after. The fit is one of the best I have in the way of hunting rifles. It is knocking on the door of 12#s with the optic. I'm comfortable with carrying the weight and shooting the rifle.
 
Welcome to our forum. Good luck managing the recoil. Lots of good advice on here.
 
Lots of good advice above. Fit, form, rifle weight, and position (standing preferably) are all important factors. I’d also add shoot some bigger stuff and the 458 win won’t seem all that bad.
for me 40-50 pounds of recoil are manageable and can shoot quite accurately without issue - when I move up to 70-80 pounds it really bothers my neck and I flinch.
 
I don't suppose any suppressors are offered with a configuration compatible with big bores? They tame recoil somewhat.
 
I don't suppose any suppressors are offered with a configuration compatible with big bores? They tame recoil somewhat.

When shooting a 338LM suppressed I hated it. The shove felt 1' long it is the only time I have ever been scoped by a rifle. I would never attempt to try it with anything bigger.

Besides that the weight and length of the can required to handle the pressure and volume of gas would be rather large and unwieldy.
 
Buy yourself a beautiful bolt action rifle in 375 H&H. It will do everything you want without kicking the hell out of you.
I’m with Colorado on this one, get a gun that you can shoot comfortably, a 375 H&H is great and it’ll do the job.
 

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