Rifle Shock

[Presidio]

Okay, I already know I'm gonna be razed fer askin' this, but, I don't care:

I've got an old Winchester Model 91 30-30 that will kick ya like a Russian Mule that has a R E A L bad attitude.

Question is, do any of ya'll think that I kin slip some kind of padding on the butt of it and then have a leather butt wrap installed ta cover it, would do me any good.

This is for my long range rifle that I'm planning on using, but, them shoulders sure have gotten tender over the years.

FYI - Load I'm using is 180 grain.

[St. George]

I really don't want to tread on toes - but when your shooting the piece - is your grip 'really' consistent and firm?

The reason I ask is because a 'less-than-firmly-pocketed' rifle butt can really build up some momentum in recoil.

You may've noticed this phenomenon...

A lot of the problem may rest in a buttstock that doesn't quite fit you properly and Model 94's aren't noted for being 'long' - so if you've got some height to you - a short stock can get your attention.

Replacement buttstocks for pretty much all Winchesters are available and one of those may prove to be a better idea.

As to adding padding and such - I have no idea.

Good Luck.

Scouts Out!

[jiminy criquet]

Yes, it would help, particularly if it's out of a soft, thick hide, such as buffalo.  Do the stitching on the inside and turn it inside out...it will offer more cushion.

The 30-30 in a light gun has a good kick, and it's also a very underrated round.  More game has been taken by the 30-30 than any other cartridge in history, more than likely.  A lot of people scoff at the 30-30....I'm not one of them.

[Presidio]

Thanks fer the replies, Pards.

Oh good gosh amighty I hold it so firmly and tight to the shoulder, St. George, that ya would think I'd be scared of it.  Maybe holdin' it too tight, it does have me a bit intimitaded   No toe trendin' here at all, Pard and I hope none taken there!  Like Jiminy pointed out, this here Model 100 (Yep a 100 I stand corrected), Ted Williams special from Sears Roebuck & Co., number 273.532140, Serial # V107663; is pretty lightwieght even though it's based on the 94 platform, and that 30-30 packs a real punch even at 180 grain.  Got lottsa bruisin' from that little framed rifle .  Think the overall weight is maybe 15 lbs more or less.

Jiminy, I like the idea of the thick leather...but, buffalo ain't too popular or populated round here.  Kinda thinkin of some kind a rubber pad concealed in the leather butt wrap.

One of the drawbacks, I think, is that the butt is straight and flat.  Kinda wonder'n a couple of things just now.  (1) If I drill a 1/2 hole (or series of 'em at different depths) and fill it with some small shot almost full  and then replug it, would it act like some kinda shock absorber?  (Think this solution was posted here sometime back but not for sure when).  (2)  What if I re-cut the butt in a curve  so it fits inta my shoulder better? (3) All of the above?
(4) Get better at shootin' my Puma 45 LC with a heavier load?

[St. George]

You'd be surprised at how many shooters I see that move their position on the weapon - so I figured I'd ask the question.

A solid, firm grip and the stock well-placed in the pocket formed at your shoulder as you raise the elbow 'high' has always worked for me - so that's about the first thing I suggest.

If you decide on putting a crescent buttplate on - be sure the thing fits you.
A too-short one will now have not 'one' flat surface with which to attack - but a double-pronged one.

You can drill the butt a bit and add shot - or a lead cylinder - and it'll absorb a bit.
Just make sure that the thing doesn't slide around to add 'velocity' and that you drill it 'straight'...

If you wear a vest - there used to be a 'recoil shield' made by P.A.S.T. that you could probably hide under it so it wouldn't show.
I've never used one - but I remember that it had a decent review.
I 'think' it's something that competitive shotgunners use.

Good Luck.

Scouts Out!

[Lars]

Thanks to some deterioation in both shoulders, I now wear at least one PAST recoil sheild when shooting even a 44-40 M92 with standard SAAMI loads. I highly recommend them, especially the "Ambidextrious" one intended for shotgun shooting.

Recoil is a variable thing in its effects on shooters. I have some nice old hammer doubles that bother me much less than nearly all of my modern, even heavier, doubles. It is all in the fit and shape of the stocks. My 7X51 turnbolt lightweight rifle (7,0 lbs total) "hurts" me less with full elk loads than a 30-30 M94 with factory 170 grain loads. The latter is one of the most uncomfortable rifles for me, especially the carbines or rifles with cresent buttplates. ALL of the lightweight Winchesters (92s and 94s) have much too short stocks and the butts have shapes that are just plain painful. They all get stock extensions, wider butts, etc. before I will shoot them for more than a shot or three.

Lars

[Delmonico]

I have one of those Big Bore 94 carbines in 375 Winchester a 255 cast at a bit under 2000 fps.  It's a good thing my shoulders are fine, it takes you for a bit of a ride. 

[Capt. Augustus]

I've been working on a long range .30-30 load for the last couple of months.  My rifle is a Buffalo Bill Commerative with the 26 in. octagon barrel.  For a match I set uo the following load, 155 grain GC Lead bullet, 28 grs. of IMR4895 and a regular rifle primer.  She kicked, but Iwe won the class.  Since then I put a Lyman 17A front sight on her and it was lower than the original.  Well, out to 200 yards my Marble tang sight was bottomed out.  So I started fooling with the load, and dropped the powder down to 21 grains.  Shooting at 100 yards it was doing fine with plenty of rear sight left, and it was very pleasant to shoot from a rest.

[dangerranger]

At least for Me, recoil problems are almost always a stock fit problem.30 30 is a fairly mild cartrige. I have short arms and almost always have to alter the length of pull, and in one case had one stock bent so I could shoot it comfortably.one of the only rifles that Ive been able to shoot well right off the rack is a Win 94 carbine in 3030.it has a short length of pull.So if you have trouble finding a shirt that fits [ sleves to long or short] you might look into a stock fitter. And yes you can add a pad to your rifle.They also have a shot filled bag that fitts over the but of your gun that reduces felt recoil. I think I rember them being called a sissy bag. made for guys that shoot elephant  guns.This looks like it adds about 2" to your gun. good luck.DR.

[Major E A Sterner]

Presidio, you may also want to try this.
set the rifle butt down on the floor, look at the angle of the barrel to the floor. it should be about 90 degrees, if it isn't close, you may want to trim the stock, cuttin a thin wedge off until you get the 90 degree angle. Then try it again. it should help decrease the amount of felt recoil.
Hope this helps

[litl rooster]

My 30-30 when I fisrt bought it seemed to kick my tail. So much that I couldn't hit anything with it. I did 2 things 1st I re taught myself to hold it properly. Then I changed types of ammo I am now using...170grain gas checked loads for Hunting and 150 lead cowboy loads. With factory sites,at a hundred yards. I can now shoot a hundred rounds off and never feel it.

[Mustang Gregg]

I reckon MAJ Sterner has it correct on butt-to-barrel angle. 
As does St Geo on changing rifle-to-shoulder position.  Gotta be consistent!!

Brownells sells cheap leather (actually FAKE) lace-on recoil pad for long guns in 3 or 4 sizes.
Got one fer the wife's 12 ga SxS.  She liked it, so we put 'em on all o' the SASS rifles too, to prevent slippage & cut felt recoil.
They are fairly inexpensive & look somewhat "period".

I recollect they are made by an outfit called Bauer(?).

Mustang Gregg

[Laredo Crockett]

Pard, I would have a 1'' Limbsaver recoil pad installed and cover it with a lace up gizzie. These things are great for absorbing recoil. If that ain't enough you surely could drill a couple of holes and add some weight. Only thing is that adding weight changes the balance of the gun significantly-which is why I suggest starting with a good recoil pad[note that all recoil pads definitely ain't the same when it comes to absorbing recoil].  It would likely help to add some weight to the barrel end, but a half pound of lead sinkers taped to the magazine tube ain't gonna accrue you no style points.

                                   crockett