[mrbirdguy]

I have conciiidered getting a 30-06 but don't know about recoil just ii heard it compars to a big load. In a 12. Gauge I have a 870 I am ok with it just shhot a buck hammer slug once got scared of it not the recoil but getting clobbered by the scope
Reg sluugs don't bother me
I. Someday might. Want to get an elk or sompting so
I know the 30-06 is capable. Want to practice with it. And get good befor I decide to go just unshur of recoil
I am not intrested in expensive calibers to shote just good popular one not hard to get ammo for .....and could do elk maby black bear or wild boars.... thanks
I also like the 243 its under powered I. Think

[cpttango30]

Recoil is different for different people. Some 6'8" 250 guys think a 30-06 is a shoulder killer. I am 5'11" and even at my lightest of 165# It was nothing for me to shoot. That said I was shooting 30-06 and 45-70 when I was 10 years old. I will shoot any gun 5 times. Recoil doesn't bother me at all. My 30-06 bucks like a mule on roids. The stock ergo is not right for me. If you get a good gun with a good stock that fits you good and has a decent recoil pad it shouldn't be to bad to shoot. Mine has a steel butt plate so that adds to the ouch factor.

The 243 is a great caliber but the biggest thing I would ever shoot with it is the little eastern white tails.

Look into a 270 rem 280 rem and a 260 rem or a 7mm-08. The first two are based on the 06 and the last two are based on the 308. the 280 and 260 will be harder to find ammo for. For elk I think it would be hard to beat the 280 in a non magnum caliber.

[mcramer]

You shouldn't get bit by your scope if its set up right. Your eye relief will differ from gun and scope, but most scoped guns I have shot, have at least 2-3 inches of relief. Plus the recoil of the gun should come straight back, and if your doing it right your upper body will do the same.

[Hawg]

I don't notice the kick of an 06 with a steel plate either but I know guys that will whine from one with a pad.

[ScottG]

It depends on the rifle you're shooting. I couldn't stand more than 4 shots out of a Savage 110. I had a huge plate sized bruise on my shoulder for a week. However, I shot 45 rounds out of a Springfield '03 with a pad and felt no pain or stiffness afterwards. The heavier the rifle, the less recoil will affect you.

[Txhillbilly]

You will need to find a rifle that fits you.If the stock doesn't feel good when you shoulder the rifle,it will most likely be compounded when the gun is fired.

The weight of the rifle also has impact of recoil,a Feather weight rifle is going to have more recoil than a standard weight.

Most 30/06 rifles have a decent amount of recoil,but not anything painful.
I have a sporterized A303,and it has a decent amount of recoil when shot from a bench,but you don't feel it when out in the field hunting.

If you are too worried about the recoil of a 30/06,just get a 308,it will do everything a 30/06 will do with alot less recoil.

[mrbirdguy]

What about what I have. Read about 12gaug compairiing it to the 30-06
Wouuld the 270 be a choice for elk? Or maby black bair or wild boar

[buckhuntr]

I always felt that a 12-ga. kicked a lot harder than my 30-06, but maybe the Remington 742 dampened the recoil some.

[Txhillbilly]

There are alot of calibers that will take down an elk,but it all comes down to knowing the useful range of the gun that you are shooting,and shot placement at the ranges needed to shoot one.
A wounded elk can go miles away before it stops,so whatever caliber you choose to get,practice alot,and know your rifle and the conditions your going to be hunting in.

A 270 is also a great caliber,it's just a necked down 30/06,so in the heavier bullets it will still have some recoil.
A 308 or 7mm/08 would be a great starting point,and a good elk gun out to around 400yrds.

[spyderfan]

My old ithica used to kill me.