Felt Recoil 270 WSM v. 270

[Bart Solo]

Currently I am debating between a Ruger M77 II Standard and a Savage 11G or 111G.  The prices are surprisingly comparable when you consider that the Ruger comes with built in bases and with rings.   The Ruger is better looking, and I am told that  they have done a lot to tighten up their quality control and are now making their own barrels.  On the other hand the Savage comes with the accrutrigger.  The Savage shoots well out of the box, but before the Ruger can begin to reach its full potential you have to spend $50 plus having a smith work on the trigger or $110 buying an after market trigger assembly.  Call me old fashioned I just don't like buying something brand new that has to be modified before it can be properly employed.

[copp]

I am very proud of my son and his quest for his Ph.D in physics. Do you realize how few people obtain the Ph.D status in Physics in the USA? I also have a degree as a licensed physical therapist and am very science oriented.

I weigh 280 lbs and am an avid powerlifter. Still recoil sensitive, and believe recoil is a much bigger factor than inherent accuracy in determining ultimate accuracy.

Yes, i've noticed that my lightest weight rifle in 270 WSM recoils about the same as the highest weight rifle I've ever owned, the M1000 Browning in 270 WSM. With the right stock and recoil pad, the 270 WSM can have less perceived recoil than the 270 WIN. Believe it's all in the first few milliseconds of ignition.

Have a Savage in 22-250 and really like the accutrigger, but can duplicate with simple trigger adjustment for free in many rifles. Lately I've become a fan of the Winchester rifles due to good stock design, but this might change.

[Bart Solo]

I a very proup of my son and his quest for his Ph.D in physics.Do you realize how few people obtain the Ph.D status in Physics in the USA? I also have a degree as a licensed physical therapist and am very science oriented.

One of my sons has a degree in physics.  He is working toward a Masters now, but I sense a Ph. D. in the future.  

Do you have as much trouble understanding what your son says as I do understanding mine?       You should be very proud of your son.  

BTW, I absolutely agree with you.  Recoil is a major issue.  I am convinced you can't be a good shooter unless you practice.  You won't want to practice if you think every shot is going to deliver a hammer blow to your shoulder.  Even if you do force yourself to practice,  if the recoil is suffiently sever, you will develop a flinch that will require additional practice (with reduced loads) to over come. I long ago came to the conclusion that supposed advantages of most magnums are merely advertizing hype.   Look at all the magnums for sale on the used rack.

[copp]

Yes, my son can be hard to understand sometimes. However, just because you have a degree in Physics does not mean you're smart in everything. He can be kind of dumb on some subjects.

Since I am science oriented also, I really like to explore all possibilities with a rifle and cartridge design.

[poncaguy]

Not much difference, my Winchester 270 WSM seems a little less than my Savage and Remington  270 Win. It is less than my Ruger 7mm Rem Mag for sure. A little more accurate than my 270's, but all shot less than an inch at 100 yards.

[Judson]

I get this question in my shop quite often.    Bottom line is that if the energy is there then so is the recoil.     I do not care what the advertising department said physics is physics!!!!   Take the Ultra mags foe example you do not like the recoil of a 4500 foot pound cartridge like a .404 jeffries then you will not like the kick of a 300 Ultra.     If the rifles are the same weight and the energy the same then so is the recoil.
    As for being the same power wise.    Well the 300 short mag is loaded to 62000 or 65000 Cup and then compared to the 300 Win mag loaded to 52000 CUP    Now I will grant that short cases are more efficiant but not that much.    When loaded to the same pressure the 300 Win mag will blow the short mag into the weeds velocity wise.    Again we are talking ballistics and physics there is no magic pill here but lots of advertising hype.

[jmckinley]

I have been shooting a Winchester 70 in 06 and at first found the recoil to be harsh. I stopped hunting big game for 20 years due to 15 knee operations. (I hate football!!!!!) Point being I took a 6x6 Bull here in NM and now 06 recoil up to 300WIN is not a problem, yet I agree with many of the posts if you can handle a 270 a 270WSM won't cause you sleepless nights. I hate recoil due to a knocks to my 50+ year old backside, yet I shoot  3 1/2 12 ga. This is along way around, but my next rifle will be a Weatherby Vanguard in 270Win, (alittle less push than my 06) and if that doesn't float my boat i'll back down to a 25-06. I'm no doctor of physics but I hold a Masters in Education and have been hunting for 43 years the old standards are still here for a reason. Here in rural NM i'll find a 270, but not a 270WSM I guess I'm getting old, every time a new cartridge comes out the debate starts up again. Shoot what fits you best, recoil is about the same, just enjoy. I shoot Mossbergs better than any pump on the market ugly as dried mud but they work and I guess that's my point. If you like one better than the other then good hunting.  Jess

[gunnut69]

Well we finally got to it.  The term that's really being discussed is 'perceived recoil'.  Actual recoil is nearly inpossible to alter in a normal projectile weapon.  It's not being reduced by a recoil pad, stock design, muzzle brake or an autoloading action.  It is being diverted...  through time.  The exact same amount of recoil is being absorbed by your shoulder in most instances (except the brake).  It is simply delivered over a longer period of time so that it peaks at a lower level.  In the instance of a brake the muzzle gases are redirected to produce a jet or rocket effect if you will that actually destroys some of the recoil energy and slows the recoil velocity of the rifle..  They also add weight where it will do the most good..  The most effective way to alter perceived recoil is through good stock design..  and weight..

[lilabner]

Love this thread! Stock design, rifle weight etc. all have something to do with the question. Why not the powder burn rate? Seems like powder in a short fat case would burn over a shorter period of time than powder in a long skinny one. Wouldn't this have an effect on the recoil impulse?  Seems like a short fat case would provide a more concentrated impulse - more of a smack than a shove.