Getting Ladies Used To Recoil

[Excessexpress]

As has been stated above, recoil sensitivity is not gender specific, nor is recoil addiction.

Fit is critical and be prepared to invest in the increasingly wide range of firearms tailored specifically to the needs of women.

One word of caution though, going down this road will not reduce jewellery, kitchen or automotive expenses.....

 

[rookhawk]

I have a question for you hunters who’s wife’s shoot heavier recoiling calibers or you ladies who shoot heavy recoiling rifles. My daughter is into hunting and is currently 16 but when I get around to making my first trip to Africa she will most likely accompany me. She shoots a 6.5 creedmoor and a .243 right now hunting here as it’s plenty large for the whitetails and hogs. What is the best way to get her into shooting heavier recoilers before the trip. I have plenty of time as it will most likely be 2022 at least but I want her to be comfortable and not develop a flinch either. I grew up hunting with a 300 Win Mag as a first rifle because it was all we had available and while it was rather hard recoiler to start with I adapted and overcame it but I don’t want her scared of the rifle or the recoil either. I was thinking letting her shoot my 12ga with staggering loads of recoil to see where her comfort levels lie as she currently has shot high brass game loads as probably the hardest recoiling round. Thinking if she can work her way up comfortably with shotgun rounds may be the easiest and most economical way to get her into a little larger rifle before we get her one. What is everyone’s thoughts on how to accomplish this? Thanks in advance for your replies.

Not sure you need her to change her ways. For most of Africa a .243 or 6.5 with some discipline on waiting for a broadside shot should be great.

Moving past that, she needs a custom rifle which most men are unwilling to concede. Women must have the stock cast with toe out so they don’t get recoil poking them in the breast. Women also need more drop at comb because they have longer necks than men.

So beyond light recoiling guns that don’t fit her perfectly but are mild enough she doesn’t care, you’re moving on up into heavier recoiling guns that require a custom build. The list would be 7x57, 7x64, 318, 9.5x57, 9.3x74, 375, 450-400, .404 etc. All guns with mild recoil for their efficacy on game, but still requiring a proper stock build for a woman.

If you’re not hunting eland, giraffe, or buffalo I’d suggest you call it good with what you have now.

 

[BeeMaa]

@mark-hunter

I just checked the Weatherby website.
Mark V Camilla is only available up to 6.5mm.
I found a few on GB available in 280AI.
Nothing in .30 caliber or above.
Pretty sad really.

 

[Whacker]

@mark-hunter

I just checked the Weatherby website.
Mark V Camilla is only available up to 6.5mm.
I found a few on GB available in 280AI.
Nothing in .30 caliber or above.
Pretty sad really.

Yes I was looking at that earlier as well...however savage does make the lady hunter in a 30.06.

 

[rookhawk]

@mark-hunter

I just checked the Weatherby website.
Mark V Camilla is only available up to 6.5mm.
I found a few on GB available in 280AI.
Nothing in .30 caliber or above.
Pretty sad really.

Add to that the Camilla and the Savage Lady Hunter both only address women’s long neck and shorter LOP, not the key requirement of casting the toe out so as to avoid getting punched in the breast.

 

[BeeMaa]

Add to that the Camilla and the Savage Lady Hunter both only address women’s long neck and shorter LOP, not the key requirement of casting the toe out so as to avoid getting punched in the breast.

That's why my #1 suggestion is a custom stock.
From a professional stock maker who knows how to fit it properly.

Mrs BeeMaa was fortunate to have a very good fit with the Intuition.
And I just checked, there is cast-off on the toe of the stock.
I don't know how much, but it is clearly visible to the naked eye.

 

[Tra3]

That's why my #1 suggestion is a custom stock.
From a professional stock maker who knows how to fit it properly.

Mrs BeeMaa was fortunate to have a very good fit with the Intuition.
And I just checked, there is cast-off on the toe of the stock.
I don't know how much, but it is clearly visible to the naked eye.

Can you post a picture of the cast off?

 

[BeeMaa]

Not easy to take a picture of this.
Cameras don't like to focus at multiple distances.
Even with the buttstock blurry, the toe-out is obvious.

 

[Tra3]

I learn something new every day! Thanks for posting.

 

[steve white]

I usually just chide them...something like, "ah, you're just like your mother--you can't take a punch!"

 

[TXhunter65]

.308 with a suppressor, the animals will never know what hit them and your daughter will never feel the rifle hit her. Short of that I agree with what most have said there's nothing wrong with a 6.5 for most plains game. There's also nothing wrong with a 7mm-08 either...took my kudu with one and have known hunters who took eland with them. I took my eland with a .308.

 

[WAB]

If you are looking for a small step up in recoil with a significant improvement in heavy, high sectional density bullet capability, a 7x57 or .280 Remington shooting 175 gr A-Frames would have a lot more punch inside 300.

 

[mark-hunter]

@BeeMaa
I took weatherby Camilla for ladies, just because of good drawing with explanation as an example, and the stock really look femine.
There are many other options for female shooters today

For example, Sauer 101 Artemis, another rifle for ladies. Caliber up to 9.3x62.
Or, fixing a female type of stock, to standard rifle, such as Boyds stocks, etc
See below screenshots.

 

[Oom Kobus]

I have a question for you hunters who’s wife’s shoot heavier recoiling calibers or you ladies who shoot heavy recoiling rifles. My daughter is into hunting and is currently 16 but when I get around to making my first trip to Africa she will most likely accompany me. She shoots a 6.5 creedmoor and a .243 right now hunting here as it’s plenty large for the whitetails and hogs. What is the best way to get her into shooting heavier recoilers before the trip. I have plenty of time as it will most likely be 2022 at least but I want her to be comfortable and not develop a flinch either. I grew up hunting with a 300 Win Mag as a first rifle because it was all we had available and while it was rather hard recoiler to start with I adapted and overcame it but I don’t want her scared of the rifle or the recoil either. I was thinking letting her shoot my 12ga with staggering loads of recoil to see where her comfort levels lie as she currently has shot high brass game loads as probably the hardest recoiling round. Thinking if she can work her way up comfortably with shotgun rounds may be the easiest and most economical way to get her into a little larger rifle before we get her one. What is everyone’s thoughts on how to accomplish this? Thanks in advance for your replies.

I agree with WAB.
Have .375 H&H mag fitted with a Tailor made straight stock, recoil reducer in the stock and quality recoil pad.
Fit a low variable scope with long Eye-relief.
Do a lot of dry firing over the sticks at home.
Start with 200 grainers at 2150 ft/s, standing over the sticks
I like to start at 25 m with a large target to enhance confidence.
Load 2 dummies plus 1 load. Do not over do. If she is happy with two repeats, praise her and return in 2 days time.
Repeat the exercise mixing the dummies and the load.
Enjoy

 

[BeeMaa]

@BeeMaa
I took weatherby Camilla for ladies, just because of good drawing with explanation as an example, and the stock really look femine.
There are many other options for female shooters today

For example, Sauer 101 Artemis, another rifle for ladies. Caliber up to 9.3x62.
Or, fixing a female type of stock, to standard rifle, such as Boyds stocks, etc
See below screenshots.

I understand, you were using it as an example.
My comment wasn't meant as a criticism against you at all.
More of a "what the hell" to Weatherby.

The Sauer 101 Artemis is a beautiful rifle.
If I were looking for a rifle for Mrs. BeeMaa....
But she's in love with her R8 and has no eyes for others.

There was something very familiar about the Artemis.
So I did a side by side comparison with it and the R8 Intuition.
They look very similar in profile from the wrist of the stock forward.
The lone exception is the raised cheek on the Blaser.
And as @rookhawk stated, the cast out of the toe is not visible.
Seeing as Sauer and Blaser fall under L&O Holdings...
Not out of the question that they could be using similar stock patterns.

 

[BeeMaa]

Another picture of the R8 Intuition.
Bore axis vs stock angle I believe is called cast.

 

[mikecatt13]

Have an efficient muzzle break put on the 300 WM. Add a recoil reducer in the stock if possible. The hunting party will need ear protection but a good brake truly does amazing things theres no reason a 300WM needs to hurt at all an cost should be relatively low.

As other have said though the gun needs to fit and just have generally good ergonomics. A poor fitting 6.5CM might hit harder than a well fit 300.

 

[BeeMaa]

Have an efficient muzzle break put on the 300 WM. Add a recoil reducer in the stock if possible. The hunting party will need ear protection but a good brake truly does amazing things theres no reason a 300WM needs to hurt at all an cost should be relatively low.

As other have said though the gun needs to fit and just have generally good ergonomics. A poor fitting 6.5CM might hit harder than a well fit 300.

Careful...you just said the magic words "muzzle break".

Personally, I'm not a fan but I do believe they have a place.
Currently their place is not on any of my rifles.
300WM ammo in reduced power loads is another option.

 

[Whacker]

I think the 300WM is a good caliber for a reloader as well...sure I can play with some rounds and drop the velocity to 2650 or so with a 150 grain and be in 06 territory and work up from there. I was really looking at some custom stocks after some guys mentioned that and I will likely go that route and get her a nice custom stock to fit her. I really don’t like muzzle breaks...I don’t have any on any of my guns. I had the barrel threaded and put one on the 300 Ultra Mag once only to take it back off after a box of ammo. Funny though cause that gun is one of the cheaper Remington 700 models with a composite stock and is definitely the hardest recoiling rifle I own. It is twice as bad as my .375 H&H in felt recoil...but I’d still rather it be that than have that brake on lol. While I’m at it might as well look into a custom stock for it too

 

[mikecatt13]

Careful...you just said the magic words "muzzle break".

Personally, I'm not a fan but I do believe they have a place.
Currently their place is not on any of my rifles.
300WM ammo in reduced power loads is another option.

Damn auto correct lol. It's not like brake isnt an actual word, yet it still does it. Gotta love smart phones

The only downside is the noise, although it can be quite significant. A porrly designed one can cause dust issues prone, but a well designed one isnt a problem when it comes to that.

My wife has no problem with her R8 in 300WM, and I only use a brake on my 338LM (mostly because it came with one, I actually like shooting stuff with recoil lol) and my competition guns.

But for someone that struggles with recoil, if a larger caliber was only an ACCURATE option with a brake to mitigate recoil and therefore flinch, I'd add one in a heartbeat.