Low recoil rifle for elk, deer, etc. but .270 or larger caliber

[brancher147]

I have never noticed the recoil on my 7mm-08

 

[mtnbound]

So let me put this differently then, I need to do a better stock if I buy a tikka or look at a rifle with a better stock to start with. The wife is on board with a decent brake or lower end can. I learned to hunt shooting 12gauge or 30-06. I can shoot something that size but I shoot better with a lower recoil. In my opinion everyone does but I know people prefer more knock down from bigger guns. If I settle on the idea that I can handle my .308 but would like better efficiency and less recoil then what would be a middle of the road caliber? Mainly for whitetail in ky but still capable out west. Rifle recommendations are appreciated too. My current .308 is out of the equation. I’ll keep it around but can’t justify any more improvements to it with the issues I’ve had.


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Replacing the factory Tikka stock is not necessary to do as a first step. It functions just fine, can you improve it, yes, just like dam near every factory rifle that’s in the same price range but it’s far from needed.

The 7-08 is a great cartridge especially if you reload, in my area you don’t see a lot factory 7-08 choices. The 6.5CM has more choices by far but with caliber restrictions I would go with the 7-08 for a do all one rifle.

 

[UnckleBob]

Thats what I always said too, now I own a Kowa 66a. Once you compare the alpha stuff to the rest it becomes easier to justify the cost.

Also, the guy is obviously looking for an excuse to get a new rifle and did a great job using the potential for elk to get his wife on board - why are you guys cockblocking a new rifle?! Gotta have this guys back.

The sales pitch to the wife an elk gun! Get rid of the rokslide cult bullshit and help the dude out! No 223s and ammo bullshit. He doesn’t want or need that.

What the hell is the matter with some you guys?!

We moved states recently and a couple guys we go to church with do some thermal pig hunting. Do I have an invite yet? Nope! Did I leverage the chance of an invite to put together a new thermal set up with the wife? Hell yes I did!

It's not like he is considering buying a 338 Lapua to hunt deer. People have been killing deer with the 270 Winchester for over 100 years. It is not overkill for deer.

Why? Flat shooting, good projectiles for deer, and moderate recoil.

According to this Recoil Chart, it has less recoil than the 308 Winchester. Most men (and women) can easily handle the recoil of an unbraked 270. If he installs a muzzle brake or suppressor (which I highly recommend and enjoy for all rifles), he ends up with recoil close to a 6.5 Creedmoor.

Having a 270 or 6.8 Winchester would give him an excuse to tell his wife he NEEDS to go out of state for something bigger than an Elk

Personally, I am trying to decide between a Nilgai,, Aoudad, a Moose or Africa Plains game. My 6.8W or 280 AI would be perfect for those hunts. My 243 - not so much.

 

[Pharmseller]

According to this Recoil Chart, it has less recoil than the 308 Winchester.

How closely did you look at that chart?

 

[Pharmseller]

Try this one:

https://www.sportsmans.com/recoil-table?srsltid=AfmBOoppdwD2Yysp8slRV2nMt6il1ep9BfUs2X2_ePKzfvrCdvDbdI9J

 

[UnckleBob]

Try this one:

https://www.sportsmans.com/recoil-table?srsltid=AfmBOoppdwD2Yysp8slRV2nMt6il1ep9BfUs2X2_ePKzfvrCdvDbdI9J

.308 Win. (150 at 2800)

7.5

15.8

11.7

270 Win. (130 at 3140)

8.0

16.5

n/a

OMG - I am embarrassed that the 270 has .8 more pound of recoil on one chart. The point is that neither are particularly high on the recoil scale.

Until the 6.5CM came along, they were not considered high recoil cartridges because they aren't. That is a big reason both rounds have been routinely killing deer for decades. Both have been offered in lightweight rifles like the Winchester Festherweigh for decades. They didn't beat people up.

The fact that the 6.5CM recoils less than them doesn't transform them into having 300 Win Mag levels of recoil.

If OP wants a deer only cartridge, it is hard to argue with the 6.5CM. If he wants to have other options and hunt deer, the 270 is a great choice. .

 

[Pharmseller]

Bob,
Your chart used the average weight of 202 grains for the .308 Win and made their recoil calculations based on that bullet weight.

Unrealistic, in my opinion. So your conclusion might not be accurate.

That’s all I’m saying.

 

[Rock’N Tacos]

So let me put this differently then, I need to do a better stock if I buy a tikka or look at a rifle with a better stock to start with. The wife is on board with a decent brake or lower end can. I learned to hunt shooting 12gauge or 30-06. I can shoot something that size but I shoot better with a lower recoil. In my opinion everyone does but I know people prefer more knock down from bigger guns. If I settle on the idea that I can handle my .308 but would like better efficiency and less recoil then what would be a middle of the road caliber? Mainly for whitetail in ky but still capable out west. Rifle recommendations are appreciated too. My current .308 is out of the equation. I’ll keep it around but can’t justify any more improvements to it with the issues I’ve had.


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Go hold and handle a tikka and then go and handle an x-bolt. The x-bolt is a better built gun. Plenty of aftermarket options if you want them. Triggers, stocks, etc. Yeah, they probably don’t make a “Rokstock”
For it yet but those as ugly AF. You wouldnt want one anyway.

 

[Marbles]

.308 Win. (150 at 2800)

7.5

15.8

11.7

270 Win. (130 at 3140)

8.0

16.5

n/a

OMG - I am embarrassed that the 270 has .8 more pound of recoil on one chart. The point is that neither are particularly high on the recoil scale.

Until the 6.5CM came along, they were not considered high recoil cartridges because they aren't. That is a big reason both rounds have been routinely killing deer for decades. Both have been offered in lightweight rifles like the Winchester Festherweigh for decades. They didn't beat people up.

The fact that the 6.5CM recoils less than them doesn't transform them into having 300 Win Mag levels of recoil.

If OP wants a deer only cartridge, it is hard to argue with the 6.5CM. If he wants to have other options and hunt deer, the 270 is a great choice. .

So, a 130 gr 0.277" bullet can take more than deer, but a 143 gr 0.264" diameter bullet cannot?

But, but a 130 gr 0.277" bullet is somehow the equivalent of a 150 gr 0.308 bullet? While still recoiling more?

In Hornady Precision hunter the 270 gets a 145 gr bullet while the 6.5 creed gets a 143 gr bullet with better sectional density. If the 6.5 creed is a deer only cartridge, then so is the 270.

 

[Ringbill27]

Wait… you can shot a 308 to 600yds constantly? But it recoils to much? I’d pick a bullet that is designed to perform at that range and send it. Or just buy a 6.5 PRC or 6.8 western once you know you’re going to make the +600yd shot.

308win isn’t a high power cartridge/shoulder thumping cartridge.

 

[AntelopeEater]

If you aren’t doing long steep hikes with the rifle, consider a heavier rifle, weight soaks up felt recoil.

Also, if you can use a semi to hunt, a gas operated semi eats up some felt recoil as well.

I have a Browning Bar in .308 with a heavy hardwood stock, an aftermarket recoil pad, and a heavy scope mounted on it, recoils like a lightweight bolt action .223

 

[gerry35]

To the OP stock fit is important in how recoil is felt much more than some might realize. When I was younger I had a Browning A Bolt 30-06 that didn't fit me quite right, it was a great gun otherwise. My friend had a Sako AV Fiberclass in 300 Win Mag that he let me shoot, it was the first time I had the chance to shoot a bigger cartridge. First shot I yanked the trigger but realized it wasn't that bad, took a second shot and it honestly was much more comfortable to shoot than my 30-06 was.

Bottom line is a good 7mm-08, 308 or 270 Win that fits you well with a good recoil pad will be easy to shoot. None of those are hard kickers and will be able to do everything you have in mind where you live or if you travel elsewhere.

 

[UnckleBob]

So, a 130 gr 0.277" bullet can take more than deer, but a 143 gr 0.264" diameter bullet cannot?

But, but a 130 gr 0.277" bullet is somehow the equivalent of a 150 gr 0.308 bullet? While still recoiling more?

In Hornady Precision hunter the 270 gets a 145 gr bullet while the 6.5 creed gets a 143 gr bullet with better sectional density. If the 6.5 creed is a deer only cartridge, then so is the 270.

First, I picked the two from his chart that used bullets I thought would be representative choices for a deer hunter using those cartridges. The difference in recoil is negligible.

Second, I know from personal experience that a 143g Eldx or a 140g BT out of a 6.5CM will easily kill a deer. I had great results with both. For a deer only cartridge, it is hard to beat a 6.5CM with either of those bullets. I think the "Needsmoor" jokes are idiotic when it comes to deer.

My point is that OP can get something more with more speed (like a 270) without dealing with absolutely punishing recoil. That would help him if he gets to hunt animals bigger than deer. There are literally thousands of people using 270's to hunt deer every year without any recoil related drama.

 

[Marbles]

Second, I know from personal experience that a 143g Eldx or a 140g BT out of a 6.5CM will easily kill a deer. I had great results with both. For a deer only cartridge, it is hard to beat a 6.5CM with either of those bullets. I think the "Needsmoor" jokes are idiotic when it comes to deer.

My point is that OP can get something more with more speed (like a 270) without dealing with absolutely punishing recoil. That would help him if he gets to hunt animals bigger than deer. There are literally thousands of people using 270's to hunt deer every year without any recoil related drama.

The implication in both your posts is a 6.5 creed is not adequate for more than deer, but somehow a 270 is. You even double down on that in the bit I bolded above.