Taming Heavy Recoiling Firearms?

[arakboss]

I guess some people are into s&m too. Not for me, but do what makes you happy

"...but do what makes you happy"

Now you're getting it.

 

[orygun]

The boss systems found on browning and winchester rifles really tames the recoil.

I helped a friend sell a Browning with the BOSS. The buyer complained to me after the fact that it damaged his hearing even though he was wearing muffs.
I'm still not sure what to think about that.

 

[Bobbygun]

I helped a friend sell a Browning with the BOSS. The buyer complained to me after the fact that it damaged his hearing even though he was wearing muffs.

30 years ago I hunted elk with a couple that packed a pair of Browning BARs with bosses on them. His was a .300 Win Mag and hers was a .338 Win Mag. He popped a coyote resting off the open door while I was standing on the other side of the vehicle. It made my ears ring. I think plugs with muffs over them would be the way to go if I was shooting one off of a benchrest.

 

[arakboss]

30 years ago I hunted elk with a couple that packed a pair of Browning BARs with bosses on them. His was a .300 Win Mag and hers was a .338 Win Mag. He popped a coyote resting off the open door while I was standing on the other side of the vehicle. It made my ears ring. I think plugs with muffs over them would be the way to go if I was shooting one off of a benchrest.

I always use both at the range and I am still going deaf, according to my wife.

 

[Colt Carbine]

 

[arakboss]

I am taking the newly weighted down rifle out for testing today. There are lots of things, I will be trying to tame the recoil, from added weight, to pads, to reduced loads, etc, etc, etc.

Weather is not looking conducive to accuracy testing. It may be a struggle to keep my targets from disintegrating. Regardless I will be able to test recoil mitigation methods and some barrel cooling techniques as well. I will report back, with a summary of results, tomorrow morning.

 

[arakboss]

Not going well out of the gate. I am getting a bunch of rounds with primer strikes but not firing. I thought maybe some powder got in the firing pin bore but the strikes on the primer look pretty solid. Recoil pad plus weight in butt of stock make a huge difference. If I can get this primer strike issue resolved it should be a good day. No rain so far.

BTW I had zero issues with primers not going off during the last trip. I think some of that 2400 powder got inside the firing pin bore. Not sure I want to disassemble bolt here at the range but if problem persists, I may have to.

 

[tac]

BTW I had zero issues with primers not going off during the last trip. I think some of that 2400 powder got inside the firing pin bore. Not sure I want to disassemble bolt here at the range but if problem persists, I may have to.

I'm trying to get my mind around your comment and failing dismally. Put it down to old age and general infirmity,

However, and explication would be useful, especially since in my 74 years of shooting, I've never heard of that occurrence taking place.

 

[arakboss]

I'm trying to get my mind around your comment and failing dismally. Put it down to old age and general infirmity,

However, and explication would be useful, especially since in my 74 years of shooting, I've never heard of that occurrence taking place.

During test chambering of a cast bullet round, the bullet stuck in the rifling as I extracted the case. The round was loaded with Alliant 2400 powder which went everywhere inside the action. It's a fine powder and it's possible some got inside the bolt?

 

[arakboss]

I just started this string of 5rnds. First round fired.




Second round did not. Strikes looks light.





Second try and it fired.



3rd and 5th rounds fired first try.

4th round took second try and it fired.

Left pic is first try, right pic is second try.




Ignore left pic. Too much posting. I am just going to muddle through.

 

[arakboss]

Looking at the bright side. The barrel will have more time to cool between misfires.

 

[arakboss]

Just added the weights and shot 10rnds of stout loads. They worked like a charm.




50yds 10 shots. My cooling towel slipped over the muzzle and may have interfered with a couple of the shots. The bungee cords are holding the towel on but it slips forward after a number of shots.

 

[arakboss]

The shoulder pad is making a huge difference but required some mods to keep it from slipping off.

 

[tac]

During test chambering of a cast bullet round, the bullet stuck in the rifling as I extracted the case. The round was loaded with Alliant 2400 powder which went everywhere inside the action. It's a fine powder and it's possible some got inside the bolt?

Ah.

I do my test chambering with a loosely-fitting dummy round.......

 

[arakboss]

Ah.

I do my test chambering with a loosely-fitting dummy round.......

That would have prevented a mess.

 

[tac]

That would have prevented a mess.

Yup.

Once-fired case, with a slit cut in the neck so that it just holds a bullet, just inserted in the neck.

Load it carefully unto the breech by hand, until the bullet engages with the lands, and gently close the bolt fully.

Open the bolt and carefully withdraw the case with the bullet and measure the overall length. You will now have the measurement of where THAT particular bullet shape touches the rifling, and you can now start the reloading process if backing the bullet off the lands by small increments - say 5 thou at each stage.

My Krico likes bullets 15 thou off the lands, but both the 7x57 have such long leades that I just load to conform to the factory spec and leave it at that. Same for my 6.5x55. All my Swiss rifles like the factory COL.

 

[arakboss]

I arrived at the range at 8am and left at 3pm. Fired 230 rounds total. I do not anticipate any bruising. The Caldwell pad soaks up a lot of recoil and the weighted rifle minimized recoil to begin with. Even before I added the weight plates it was pleasant to shoot. The benefits the weight plates provided was keeping the rifle from jumping off target during each shot. I think the 4lbs of lead shot I added to buttstock might have made the rifle even more jumpy. Once I added the weight plates it settled down a lot.

The weight plates did not shear the bolt off or damage the stock. Those fears can be put to bed. I did have to constantly tighten the wing nut securing the weight plates to the bolt. Some type of lock washer made be necessary.

All in all it was a successful day despite the primer strike issues.

 

[tac]

Just remind me what you were shooting, and maybe how you can burn up 230 rounds of ammunition - just like that?

I was shooting my Krico .308 this morning, doing some load testing - 40 shots was enough for me. I'm not recoil-shy - two years infantry in the TA [UK reserves] followed by the next 33 years in the regular Army is enough to cure anybody of any kind of feeling for recoil. Add that I'd been shooting since age six anyhow, starting with my dad's M1911.

I'll admit that I remain greatly puzzled by all the shennanigins you are putting yourself through, just to shoot a rifle effectively. Anybody here who shoots a Swiss rifle of any kind - G1900m, K11 or K31, will tell you that the 174gr GP11 round, at 2560fps, is NOT user-friendly for most people, and yet 14-year olds learn to shoot with one every year back in CH. Back in 1962, I was one of 'em. Your .30-06 ought to feel not much different.

Here I read 'weight-plates', 'shot-bags' and think what's all this about?

 

[arakboss]

Just remind me what you were shooting, and maybe how you can burn up 230 rounds of ammunition - just like that?

I was shooting my Krico .308 this morning, doing some load testing - 40 shots was enough for me. I'm not recoil-shy - two years infantry in the TA [UK reserves] followed by the next 33 years in the regular Army is enough to cure anybody of any kind of feeling for recoil. Add that I'd been shooting since age six anyhow, starting with my dad's M1911.

I'll admit that I remain greatly puzzled by all the shennanigins you are putting yourself through, just to shoot a rifle effectively. Anybody here who shoots a Swiss rifle of any kind - G1900m, K11 or K31, will tell you that the 174gr GP11 round, at 2560fps, is NOT user-friendly for most people, and yet 14-year olds learn to shoot with one every year back in CH. Back in 1962, I was one of 'em. Your .30-06 ought to feel not much different.

Here I read 'weight-plates', 'shot-bags' and think what's all this about?

"Just remind me what you were shooting, and maybe how you can burn up 230 rounds of ammunition - just like that?"


Are you wanting recipes? And just like that was actually 7 hours of shooting.

 

[tac]

"Just remind me what you were shooting, and maybe how you can burn up 230 rounds of ammunition - just like that?"


Are you wanting recipes? And just like that was actually 7 hours of shooting.

Nope, I'm good, thanks, 'sides, I don't have a .30-06. I don't bleeve I've ever undertaken a seven-hour shoot in my entire life - so far, that is.