Light recoiling round

[300zx_tt]

Hey all, Recently bought a tikka ctr in 6.5 creedmoor and absolutely love it. My wife came shooting with me this past weekend and the gun just wasn’t comfortable for her to shoot, partially because of the recoil and partially because I set the rifle up to fit me, not her. I’m 6’5” and my wife is 5’2” so she’s on the smaller side. I’m looking for a lighter weight rifle and light recoiling caliber that I can get for her so she can come shoot on days I do under 400-500 yards as She has expressed zero interest in shooting any further.


So with all that being said I want to get her into at least shooting 400 yards, my main concern is caliber choice... she thinks the 6.5 has a little too much recoil for her, that might have been because she felt awkward using my rifle but I’d like something a little softer for her... maybe a .223 or .22 creedmoor? Not sure what direction to go with it.
Once I narrow down the caliber I want to go with then I’ll start looking into specific makes and models

anybody else get their significant other their own setup?

 

[sea2summit]

4’8” 12 yo shot 98 rounds at her last PRS match no issues. Maybe try resetting the rifle to her size and add a brake? 6.5 C is not a heavy recoiling round. .243 series would be the next best if you want good 400 yard splash, .223 will get you there but you won’t be getting great reactions off strap targets IMHO (I like loud “clangs” and movement of the steel when I schmack it).

 

[Nikon147]

Check out 6mm ARC. I normally wouldn't recommend it for a bolt gun because you can get better performance with the same projectile with 6mm Creedmoor, but if you're specifically looking for lighter recoil in a small package, it's a neat little round.

I have a gas gun in 6ARC, and in that form (AR15 Pattern), it's got similar recoil to 223/556, but performs well out to 700-800 (or further). If you're only looking for 500 max you'll get good ballistics of the 6mm projectiles, and won't need the extra range of the full power 6mm rounds.

 

[Clark]

My 30-30 [150 gr 2400 fps] kicks a lot harder than my 338 Win mag [250 gr 2500 fps].
The threshold of pain is ~20 psi at the shoulder.
The differences are:
1) recoil pad compliance
2) recoil pad area in shoulder contact
3) rifle + scope weight

 

[Krob95]

If you plan on loading, 6BR. If not reloading, a 6cm should be a little more tame.

 

[FatBoy]

6BR for 100-1000
223rem for 100-600

 

[Kickin45]

It’s not the round, it’s the rifle.
She doesn't like your setup and doesn’t fit your rifle.
Build the same rifle, but built for her. Add a comp or even suppressor and add some weight to the stock. And maybe a Limb Saver for her.
If you both shoot 6.5cm, that’s less ammo hunting, round development, chance of her loading wrong ammo etc etc.

 

[sboone]

Howa maked a mini action in 6.5 grendel. Can grab a barreled action off brownells pretty reasonable and sink it into a chassis then a decent scope or even just a LPVO for <600yds. Cheap light, and should be an easy shooter

 

[fdkay]

Howa mini action chassis in 6.5 grendel

 

[Pvt.Donut]

The difference for my wife was suppressed or not. She vastly prefers shooting with a suppressor. It wasn't so much the recoil of the cartridge but the overall noise and concussion that she didn't enjoy.

 

[BuckeyePrecision]

223 is a great round for that range. Inexpensive to reload for and light recoil. That is what I have been shooting lately, but every time my gf comes out with me she commandeers it and I end up shooting my CM. Out to 600 it shows plenty of splash for misses and provides a good reaction on the plate with 75 gr. pills.

 

[brianf]

6br

light recoiling

extraordinary out to 600

can shoot tiny groups in close

can hunt with it

there are a plethora of bullet choices

still a 308 bolt face so its just a barrel change if she wants something bigger in the future

308 magazines with a new follower for just a few bucks

if you get lazy you can buy laupa loaded ammo which is as good or better than most people can handload

plus it looks cool lol

 

[Halfnutz]

For factory ammo .223, .224 Valkyrie, or 6CM that fits her.

 

[sheepdog697]

4/500 yards you could easily do with .223. Also, a heavier rifle would tame the recoil better if she’s just shooting prone.

 

[E. Bryant]

Another vote here for .223 Rem.

 

[spife7980]

If you load, the 22 creed is a bad ass round.

If you dont then 223.





Id figure out what it is exactly that she doesnt like. For me kick doesnt matter. Its the boom that does me in. Thats why I never shoot with a brake, its a can or bare muzzle.

If it really is the kick then hand her a 3006 and then hand the creed back to her.

 

[Texasflyer]

I have a savage model 842, in .222 that almost every woman i have ever brought to shoot has fallen in love with. I dont even shoot it much since i got the .243, i prefer the bullet weight selection for it more.

 

[kthomas]

I built a 6BRA for the wife.

She loves it, but I think she would like a centerfire .22 even more. If she ever burns this barrel out, I would consider rebarreling it in 22BRA for her. In the mean time I may just load up really mild rounds for her rifle to shoot. She's funny in that she wants her rifles to recoil as softly as possible, but wants her handguns to have a lot of recoil.

 

[300zx_tt]

If you load, the 22 creed is a bad ass round.

If you dont then 223.





Id figure out what it is exactly that she doesnt like. For me kick doesnt matter. Its the boom that does me in. Thats why I never shoot with a brake, its a can or bare muzzle.

If it really is the kick then hand her a 3006 and then hand the creed back to her.

She said to me that her chin/cheek hurt, and she couldn’t get the gun on her shoulder with enough eye relief. She has shorter arms so what I honestly believe happened is she didn’t have a cheek weld on it and was hovering her head. And she had didn’t have it firmly in her shoulder, because it wouldn’t work with her eye relief. Her perceived recoil was probably similar a 30-06/.270 something along those lines. Her first 2-3 shots looked like the jostled her pretty good. I had her adjust a few things and it looked better but she was still uncomfortable, and I could tell. She’s stubborn and she has made her mind up about a 6.5 which is why I’m looking for other options...

I do reload a little, still new to it but I’d reload her ammo for sure. I’ll look into some of the cartridges posted, if not for her, for me

I use Lapua small primer brass so if I could keep the same primers cci450 and br-4 that would be awesome since I have 2,500-3,000 of them

 

[spife7980]

She said to me that her chin/cheek hurt, and she couldn’t get the gun on her shoulder with enough eye relief. She has shorter arms so what I honestly believe happened is she didn’t have a cheek weld on it and was hovering her head. And she had didn’t have it firmly in her shoulder, because it wouldn’t work with her eye relief. Her perceived recoil was probably similar a 30-06/.270 something along those lines. Her first 2-3 shots looked like the jostled her pretty good. I had her adjust a few things and it looked better but she was still uncomfortable, and I could tell. She’s stubborn and she has made her mind up about a 6.5 which is why I’m looking for other options...

I do reload a little, still new to it but I’d reload her ammo for sure. I’ll look into some of the cartridges posted, if not for her, for me

I use Lapua small primer brass so if I could keep the same primers cci450 and br-4 that would be awesome since I have 2,500-3,000 of them

You can get small primer variations in most anything that will get mentioned here. My 22 creed is small primer alpha. My 223 is small primer lapua. My dasher is small primer lapua. Any of those she would be sure to like as far as recoil goes.

I would be tempted to go with a chassis that allows for lots of adjustment. As some of them only go down to 12.5" collapsed, which seems crazy short to me but Im not short, you may want to look into an older style chassis that uses an ar buffer tube, especially a 6 position buffer tube. Something like the luth ar adjustable buttstock where you could really slide it up and shorten it for her.

You want her to be able to get it into her shoulder with her short arms which will help lots with the recoil perception, remove the running start, so a short length of pull is nice. Then you want the adjustable cheek piece so that she can get her head up but supported. But removing the length of pull issues will help with the cheek/chin unsupported slapping as well.

 

[st1650]

Honestly maybe even consider a 22lr RimX/Voodoo in a stock that fits her perfectly. My wife absolutely loves shooting "her" RimX.

 

[Dead Eye Dick]

It’s not the round, it’s the rifle.
She doesn't like your setup and doesn’t fit your rifle.
Build the same rifle, but built for her. Add a comp or even suppressor and add some weight to the stock. And maybe a Limb Saver for her.
If you both shoot 6.5cm, that’s less ammo hunting, round development, chance of her loading wrong ammo etc etc.

I tend to agree. Its the gun, not the round.

The worst kicking rifle in our collection is Brenda’s little .243. Fits me like a fire ant mound. Brenda likes it and has used it successfully in hunts. For me, Much Less Pleasant to shoot than my .35 Whelen with full power, auto-get-em loads. (Or for that matter the .416 Ruger I had the pleasure to try out, or the Ruger #1 in 45-70 that everyone was so scared off.)

My advice, stay away from very light rifles. They may be easy to tote, but being toted is not the ultimate use for which a rifle was intended. It can and will make ”light recoiling” rounds a bit more than expected.

A good brake, some weight and a stock or chassis that fits, plus having a very competent professional help with the fitting, will make all the difference in the world. Shoot lighter bullets and starting loads.

And when you get to this point, Don’t, I repeat, Don’t tell her she is shooting the exact same round you are. Its all in the mind.

Final added thought. Don’t skimp on her rifle. Get her the best. In the end it is by far the least expensive part of shooting. She will appreciate the thought, appreciate the good shooting and She Will Want to Go Shooting more and more. And that’s the point. (Getting to shoot more and more)

 

[Frank Green]

I have a local guy going thru the same thing with his wife. Says the 6.5CM is too heavy on the recoil. Gun is for deer hunting.

I told him instead of loading 140gr bullets go get some 107 and 120gr 6.5 bullets. Load them at the low accuracy node (he's a bench shooter mostly) and have her shoot the gun again and see how it goes. If she likes those then go from there. If that doesn't work still....drop to a 6mm.

 

[30338]

Going with an 8 pound 6x45 shooting 95s at 2500 ish. Should be pleasant.

 

[Ledzep]

223, 22 BR, 6ARC, 6 BR, 6 Dasher, 6GT

 

[Vodoun daVinci]

Yeah, perceived recoil is always subjective. A gun fitted to the individual will help a lot. I'd go with .223 and add a muzzle brake and a little weight to the stock/chassis until she learns and can handle a little more recoil.

VooDoo

 

[TurboTrout]

223 wylde is perfect for out to 500, and cheaper than the other options, reload or buy 223rem (556 if you have to) at nearly anywhere that sells ammo once the Covid hysteria ends.

If I’m shooting inside of 500 my go to is my JP in 223 wylde, 18” Med with a JP brake, recoil is laughable, but don’t forget your ear protection.

0-500 223
500-1000 308 (or in your case 6.5)
1000+ I’d go 338

 

[rhsc]

Since EVERYONE knows the 6.5Cr is already a GIRL'S caliber, ( Sorry! couldn't resist. ) first try adjusting your rifle to fit her properly, encourage her to shoot it again and see what she says. If that's still too much for her, then .223 or the Howa 6.5 Grendel mentioned earlier. Especially those two calibers if you already have an AR chambered for either of them. I like to keep my ammo inventory as uncomplicated as possible.

Good luck and let us know what you find works out best!

 

[hereinaz]

For range and fun shooting at those ranges, I couldn't see building anything but a .22 cal like a rem, rem improved, wylde, valkyrie, PPC, or BR if you hand load. If she ever decided to hunt with it, use 77 gr tipped Match Kings. After looking at this thread, I am ready to use tipped match kings out of my 6 bra for hunting if the Berger's don't work out. There is absolutely no reason to add any more recoil to a fun gun, IMO.

.223 for bear, mountain goat, deer, elk, and moose.

DON'T HAVE TIME TO READ 176 PAGES? HERE'S THE CHEAT SHEET. “Bullets matter more than headstamps.” “Spent primers offer the supreme tutorial”. I’ve read it here and elsewhere online. It got my attention. I started digging and asking questions and listened. The 77gr TMK delivered by a .223...

www.rokslide.com

 

[TurboTrout]

Edit

0-100 22LR
100-500 223 wylde
500–1k 308/6.5
1k+ 338

For range and fun shooting at those ranges, I couldn't see building anything but a .22 cal like a rem, rem improved, wylde, valkyrie, PPC, or BR if you hand load. If she ever decided to hunt with it, use 77 gr tipped Match Kings. After looking at this thread, I am ready to use tipped match kings out of my 6 bra for hunting if the Berger's don't work out. There is absolutely no reason to add any more recoil to a fun gun, IMO.

.223 for bear, mountain goat, deer, elk, and moose.

DON'T HAVE TIME TO READ 176 PAGES? HERE'S THE CHEAT SHEET. “Bullets matter more than headstamps.” “Spent primers offer the supreme tutorial”. I’ve read it here and elsewhere online. It got my attention. I started digging and asking questions and listened. The 77gr TMK delivered by a .223...

www.rokslide.com

Fort Scott spun brass rounds work well on deer BTW

 

[260284]

My factory Tikka Varmint in 223 is a lot of fun out to 800 and beyond with the 75gr ELDM at 3000 fps. Put it in any stock or chassis so it fits better and uses AICS magazines and you will have two rifles with the same bolt throw and triggers.

 

[TurboTrout]

My factory Tikka Varmint in 223 is a lot of fun out to 800 and beyond with the 75gr ELDM at 3000 fps. Put it in any stock or chassis so it fits better and uses AICS magazines and you will have two rifles with the same bolt throw and triggers.

Wonder what the time before a new barrel would be sending 75gr at 3k?

That’s pretty heavy and quick for a 223 no?

 

[fdkay]

Wonder what the time before a new barrel would be sending 75gr at 3k?

That’s pretty heavy and quick for a 223 no?

Plenty of room to seat the bullet far out, certainly wouldn't fit in an AR mag.

 

[CerebralDistortion]

And out comes the cartridge geeks...

Let her attend a rifle beginners course.
Get her a rifle that fits (and let her choose it).
Get a can.

The 6.5CM is not a heavy recoiling round, especially not in a CTR (try a 308 in a 20" light), but the stock stock is really crap for prone for a beginner.

Going for a lighter round will not do her or you any favours. Especially if she gets bitten.

And most importantly: Explain to her how much it means to you for her to share shooting with you...

 

[BoilerUP]

Brake for your current rifle, or a 6BR.

 

[kthomas]

And out comes the cartridge geeks...

Let her attend a rifle beginners course.
Get her a rifle that fits (and let her choose it).
Get a can.

The 6.5CM is not a heavy recoiling round, especially not in a CTR (try a 308 in a 20" light), but the stock stock is really crap for prone for a beginner.

Going for a lighter round will not do her or you any favours. Especially if she gets bitten.

And most importantly: Explain to her how much it means to you for her to share shooting with you...

While I agree with everything you state, and I think professional training is the absolute single best money you can spend on this sport, if she's already mentally given up on the cartridge, it's not going to get any better going forward.

Recoil can be one of the best teachers, it highlights and illuminate our flaws as shooters. I'm a big advocate of using a .308 for a training rifle over a .223, but if someone is pretty recoil sensitive, it can also be a barrier.

One of the quickest ways for me to get my wife to hate shooting is to have her shoot my .308. Yes, I can spend thousands on getting her professional training, but she just wants to shoot to have fun. A heavier recoiling rifle is not at all conducive to that.

 

[kthomas]

Brake for your current rifle, or a 6BR.

Or better yet a suppressor if you can.

My wife won't shoot unsuppressed now. Brakes come with the cost of added concussion to the shooter, which some people are sensitive to and find obnoxious.

 

[hereinaz]

And out comes the cartridge geeks...

Let her attend a rifle beginners course.
Get her a rifle that fits (and let her choose it).
Get a can.

The 6.5CM is not a heavy recoiling round, especially not in a CTR (try a 308 in a 20" light), but the stock stock is really crap for prone for a beginner.

Going for a lighter round will not do her or you any favours. Especially if she gets bitten.

And most importantly: Explain to her how much it means to you for her to share shooting with you...

I agree with the idea that people get wrapped around the axle with cartridge choice for long range as if from .223 to .308 are unworthy. The vast majority of shooting is inside 500 and 600, for most shooters. Especially if she says she wants a lighter recoiling round and won't shoot past 500. Recoil is relative, and while the stock is something that will improve felt recoil, maybe she really does want the really reduced recoil.

Kinda doesn't make sense when you also say to let her pick the rifle.

 

[TurboTrout]

Also why burn up 308/6.5 on 400yrds and under? Seems a much better and less $$ for 223

Its like shooting 223 at 50-100 in a PRS style of shooting? Why not just 22LR

 

[260284]

Wonder what the time before a new barrel would be sending 75gr at 3k?

That’s pretty heavy and quick for a 223 no?

I am using H4895, NAMMO brass, CCI450s and they are 2.49" COAL using MDT magazines. Definately not AR length loads. The barrel has over 2500 rounds on it so far. Still shoots great.

 

[runningbear]

If she is open to it, how about a nice AR? I have a Mk12ish build from Compass Lake engineering. The recoil is almost non existent, and it's nice and light. A 20-22 inch bull barrel would fit the bill nicely. Mine is an 18" barrel, and I can hit half silhouette sized steel at 700 yards with good loads. You can build a nice AR that doesn't cost as much as a Compass Lake, and still be plenty accurate.Too bad you're not in the Pittsburgh area, or I'd let you try mine out. Hope this helps!

 

[fdkay]

I'm not sure the .223 is the right answer here. It takes skill to hit targets at 500 with a .223 in a decent crosswind.
A slightly heavier (or faster) payload would be more forgiving and would likely result in more hits, plus be capable at longer ranges or a goid choice for hunting.
I really think the .224 or 6.5 grendel would be good options. Getting her own rifle, that is set up for her is really important.
Of course, buying anything right now is a non-starter.

 

[CK1.0]

What does your CTR weigh? Weight soaks up A LOT of recoil, that's probably all you need.

Get a chassis with adjustable length-of-pull and cheek-piece, then add some weights: at ~20lbs she'll be able to shoot 6.5CM all day.

For something smaller, build a .223 trainer if we ever see .223 ammo and/or components ever again... easier to find unicorns than small rifle primers these days.

 

[Halfnutz]

XLR chassis with the shorter youth size tube and toss in the mercury recoil reducer or at least the weight kit. Lots of adjustment although not toolless.

 

[TurboTrout]

I'm not sure the .223 is the right answer here. It takes skill to hit targets at 500 with a .223 in a decent crosswind.
A slightly heavier (or faster) payload would be more forgiving and would likely result in more hits, plus be capable at longer ranges or a goid choice for hunting.
I really think the .224 or 6.5 grendel would be good options. Getting her own rifle, that is set up for her is really important.
Of course, buying anything right now is a non-starter.

If you’re shooting steel most any of the higher end 18”+ guns shouldn’t have much trouble to 500, my JP doesn’t.

Hunting wise, as long as the law allows, 223 is plenty for most deer, hog, etc that people hunt, you don’t need a 300win mag to take out a great Diane sized deer from a tree stand <100yrds away.
I noticed lots of the hunters in my old neck of the woods looked down on me hunting deer with my 223, I would always reply “well if a box of ammo lasts you a few years, guess you need a ton of energy, have you considered upgrading to a 14.5mm, to be a ethical hunter and all”

 

[GrumpyOleFart]

Recently purchased a GRS Bifrost for my Tikka Super Varmint 6.5 Creedmoor.
I have no idea where the relatively mild recoil has gone.
It's only a crisp"tap" to the shoulder now.
Just configuring a chassis/stock to her needs, will go a long way to eliminating her discomfort.

 

[Steel head]

A 223 set up for heavies or a 6BR with a bit of weight shoot like 22LR rifles but with a lot more performance.

 

[C-grunt]

I was shooting a 700P .223 in a M40 style stock last weekend. 26 inch fairly heavy profile barrel in a nice wood stock, that thing recoiled about as much as an AR15. It made me really want a 223 bolt gun.

 

[Aftermath]

I am 100% with post #7.

 

[Oldmauser]

Ctr is a relatively light gun. It has also a terrible non-adjustable factory stock.
You have 2 options:
1. Put a brake/surpressor on the CTR.
2. Put it in a chassis/grs adjustable stock.
3. Shoot lighter and slower loads.

If not, then:
1. Go witha heavy barrel 223 bolt gun or AR (it's a matter of personal preference). The bolt gun will be more accurate, however I don't know what level of accuracy are you expecting at 500yrds.
2. Again, put a brake/surpressor on it.
3. Shoot.