Bought a Winchester single barrel 12 guage that someone had cut the barrel to 18". Whole gun weighed about 4 pounds. Fired a #4 buckshot in 3" magnum. Dazed--the snap-on forearm was in my left hand detached. Looked to see if any body parts were missing !!!
I think it's a close run between a Benelli SBE with 3.5" shells and a buddy's 350 grain .45-70 handloads in a Marlin 1895. My .416 Rigby is preferable to both of those.
Also forgot about the Widley .44 Automag. Don't know how much of it was actual recoil and how much was the back corners of the frame feeling like razor blades when the thing went off, but the experience pretty much sucked.
Russian built 12ga. Coach gun. Rabbit ear hammers and double triggers. Shot some slugs, to see how it line up, they were brutal. While hunting swampers, I kept it loaded with high base #4 baby mags. I would carry it with my right hand gripped over the hammers. When a I kicked up a rabbit, I'd bring the gun up, cocking both barrels in the same motion. One time, just as the hard plastic butt plate reached my shoulder..........I touched off both barrels. It decapitated the rabbit, at about 15yds. and I'm pretty sure my right shoulder blade over-lapped my spine, by a good 3 inches.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: For I carry a .308 and not a .270
Have not had the pleasure to play with to many truly big bores but I give consideration to my 45-70 Marlin cowboy model loaded with 500gr cast bullets. From the bench almost to painful to tolerate and even while standing will all but spin you around. I bought 250 of these bullets and think I still have about 235.
My dad and I also loaded some 500gr Hornady jrn to max and fired them from his Browning B-78 in 45-70. With it's steel cresant butt plate, it brings a tear to the eye.
Next would be 3" 12ga #4' shells from my H&K FP-6 shotgun, not quite as unpleasant as the 45-70 loads but they nip at the heals of it.
As far as handguns go, I have fired 45-70 and 454 cassull revolvers and found them to be far more tolerable than my Ruger SBH fireing near max 300gr bullets. Between the grip and the squared off back of the trigger guard,they are just to painful without my p.a.s.t shooting glove.
Toughest for me is my 1994 Mod. 70 Safari Express in .416 Rem. Mag. off the bench. Even with the PAST recoil shield, a dozen shots is all I can keep concentration on.
I once had my 7-1/4 lb. over/under 12 ga. double fire with 3-1/4, 1-1/8 field loads on an overhead passing shot on a crow. Basically, my collarbone and the top point of my shoulder took the recoil of that 2-1/4 oz, 6-1/2 dram double-load, and completely unexpected. It REALLY shocked me!
I've shot some pretty salty single shot 12 gauges with magnum loads, and that was off-hand, of course. There is a lot of difference in perceived recoil, between shooting off-hand or from a low bench rest position.
The one that actually hurt the most was an old Stevens 7mm Magnum, fired from a very poor bench rest set-up. I have fired .300 Win Mag from a Tikka that was nothing compared to that old Stevens, pain-wise.
I had a Ruger .300 winchester mag. at one time that I didn't really like the recoil on. Had a couple of .44 mag. handguns,too I really didn't like the recoil.
Come to think of it, my Yugo 24/47 8MM Mauser with that steel butt-plate does talk back a bit when wearing a T-shirt and bench shooting in the Summertime, especially if I didn't strap on my recoil pad.
I agree, those ultra lightweight revolvers really suck for any amount of fun shooting in the .357 or .44 magnum class. My nephew had one in .357 and even .38 spl +P lost it's fun after a few cylinder fulls. My .357 reloads were no fun and a cylinder full was about all anyone could stand.
What gets me if it ain't fer CCW, why would anyone want one just to keep in the nightstand? They sold a lot for HD/SD, but I'll venture to bet that mostly they stay right there and are not practiced with/fired enough at the range like they should be.
I do understand the carried a lot, fired little concept, but we used to say that about S&W model 13s/19s in .357, which with the hottest loads are far more pleasurable to shoot than them space-age metal featherweights.
It's only true if it's on this forum where opinions are facts and facts are opinions
Words of wisdom from Big Chief: Flush twice, it's a long way to the Mess Hall
I'd rather have my sister work in a whorehouse than own another Taurus!
Definitely my 45-70 with a cast 405gr pill moving at 2000fps. I had just put together the load and didn't have time to try it out before the SE shoot. I took 50 rounds up and only three were fired. I put the first one over the chronograph from the bench and it almost brought tears. I took the next one standing and Joe was the only one brave enough to try a shot. And it wasn't even a max load. It was so hot at Jerry's last summer that I think the hot ammo jacked the pressures up a bit. The manual called for around 1800fps out of a guide gun with that load and I had my 1895CB with a 24" barrel. Standing up or on one knee and shooting from sticks is not bad at all but I'll never shoot that load from a bench again.
Mossberg 500 12 ga. with 24" smoothbore slug barrel, 3" slugs. My experience there has led me to never even CONSIDER buying 3" slugs for ANY purpose whatsoever. If I can't do it with 2 3/4", I'm willing to say it can't be done.
Even the 416 Rigby Ruger No. 1 I had a chance to shoot later didn't rock my world like the 'Berg did; granted, the owner had cooked up some "tame-ish" loads for the Rigby, but still it had some rise to the muzzle.
Have to say I wouldn't want to tackle either off a bench, though.
I see so many posts about the Marlin Guide Gun in .45-70 or other similar calibers, but so much of that is the (possible lack of) recoil pad and/or porting. I've got a Marlin Guide Gun in .45-70, but with a good recoil pad, and it's ported, and it kicks no worse than my .308 (Varmint barrel).
I'd have to say that the worst thing I've shot to date is an old 12 Ga. pump with 3" slugs. Bought two boxes of shells.... shot one box, let a couple friends shoot the rest, and eventually sold that for a semi-auto. As with whoever it was above who said it first "If it can't be done with 2 3/4" shells, I'm willing to say it can't be done." :tooth:
Oh yeah... a buddy's .44 mag with *rough* grips shooting near max loads was pretty damn painful too. One cylinder full and my right hand felt like half the skin had been ripped off. My own S&W .44 shooting the same stuff (smooth grips) wasn't NEARLY as bad.
Luis
Wielding the Hammer of Thor first requires you to lift and carry the Hammer of Thor. - Bigslug
I see so many posts about the Marlin Guide Gun in .45-70 or other similar calibers, but so much of that is the (possible lack of) recoil pad and/or porting. I've got a Marlin Guide Gun in .45-70, but with a good recoil pad, and it's ported, and it kicks no worse than my .308 (Varmint barrel).
Luis
There's a huge variance in 45-70 loads depending on the gun they are intended for. The loads intended for older trap doors are much milder than the stuff intended for more modern guns. The greater majority of factory loadings are intended to be safe in older trap doors for liability's sake. The hotter 45-70 loadings are bumping light .458win mag energies.
The hardest kicking rifle I've shot was a buddies .375 H&H. It really wasn't that bad but it's the biggest kicker I've shot so far. I do have a couple of buddies who accidently left the ramrod in their .50 black powders and had some dandy bruises to remind them never to do that again.
12 gauge with 3 inch magnum slugs hands down. I have been hunting with a shotgun for many years and am well used to shooting with a lot of recoil, but when I shot a buddy's gun with some 3 inch slugs as opposed to the normal 2 3/4"... never again. They weren't even enjoyable to shoot they smack you so hard
Worst pistol recoil would have to have been my friends .500 S&W revolver with 4" barrel. :silly::silly: The recoil and backblast from the ported barrel would make you wish for a much longer and heavier barrel. Brutal on the wrist in recoil.
Worst rifles were a Mod 70 Win. in .458 shooting 500 grain bullets, and a .460 Weatherby Mag rifle shooting same 500 grain bullets. Fired the .458 twice and the .460 once. If a couple of rifles ever needed efficient brakes, those two were prime candidates. I, and my right eye, are extremely grateful that neither had a scope on them. :rotflmao:
“I refuse to answer that question on the grounds that I don't know the answer” ― Douglas Adams
All kidding aside, I can't think of anything I've ever shot that would make anyone's top 10 list. I've shot a couple of 7mags, and don't consider the recoil from them excessive. I can say the same for my 338x284. Those and a 12 gauge shotgun are about the meanest firearms I've ever shot.
Jerry
Gun control laws make about as much sense as taking ex-lax to cure a cough.
You SOLD Six-Gun you .458 WM????!!!! You bum!!! I need to see pics of the rifle again. Just to see how much I hate him now.
I sold him the one with the bolt on the wrong side. I kept my model 70 Winchester 458 Mag. That Remington was the most gorgeous rifle I ever owned. I tried but I just couldn't shoot it left handed to save my soul.
Just look at the flowers Lizzie, just look at the flowers.
Definitely my 45-70 with a cast 405gr pill moving at 2000fps. I had just put together the load and didn't have time to try it out before the SE shoot. I took 50 rounds up and only three were fired. I put the first one over the chronograph from the bench and it almost brought tears. I took the next one standing and Joe was the only one brave enough to try a shot.
That one is up there on my list as well. That thing is a beast! And pretty. (I want one).
My RUM, before I put the Limbsaver on it, with the the 200gr Partition factory loads, is up there too. YIKES!
Knitepoet's 50 with the tenderizer butt plate was pretty unpleasant, too.
One that really sticks in my mind, a Mossberg 835 with 3.5" max goose loads. I loaded three up, shot one, handed it back, said no thanks. The guy asked me if I wanted to buy it. CHEAP. He'd won it in a raffle, was taking any offer.
I must be a glutton for punishment, two of my guns are on this list, and I've shot two others!
My 458 Lott with some panty-waist 400 gr barnes original bullets over a stiff charge of IMR 3031, broke my dang heart. It kicked hard and fast!! By comparison, the 720gr cast bullets from the same rifle still kick hard, but not with the speed of the 400 grainers! IIRC the 400 grain load was somewhere above 2500 fps. I eventually shot those rounds up, but I haven't loaded more!!! LOL!
Pistol: S&W .44 mag
Rifle: Remington 710 7mm mag - it's actually way worse than the 50s to me
Shotgun: NEF 10g with 3.5in slugs. Actually I seriously hate that gun and will probably never shoot it again lol
Replies
^^^THIS^^^
And the scandium S&W .357's do indeed hurt.
"Nothing is safe from stupid." - Zee
"Nothing is safe from stupid." - Zee
I will fear no evil: For I carry a .308 and not a .270
My dad and I also loaded some 500gr Hornady jrn to max and fired them from his Browning B-78 in 45-70. With it's steel cresant butt plate, it brings a tear to the eye.
Next would be 3" 12ga #4' shells from my H&K FP-6 shotgun, not quite as unpleasant as the 45-70 loads but they nip at the heals of it.
As far as handguns go, I have fired 45-70 and 454 cassull revolvers and found them to be far more tolerable than my Ruger SBH fireing near max 300gr bullets. Between the grip and the squared off back of the trigger guard,they are just to painful without my p.a.s.t shooting glove.
Sako
I once had my 7-1/4 lb. over/under 12 ga. double fire with 3-1/4, 1-1/8 field loads on an overhead passing shot on a crow. Basically, my collarbone and the top point of my shoulder took the recoil of that 2-1/4 oz, 6-1/2 dram double-load, and completely unexpected. It REALLY shocked me!
The one that actually hurt the most was an old Stevens 7mm Magnum, fired from a very poor bench rest set-up. I have fired .300 Win Mag from a Tikka that was nothing compared to that old Stevens, pain-wise.
I agree, those ultra lightweight revolvers really suck for any amount of fun shooting in the .357 or .44 magnum class. My nephew had one in .357 and even .38 spl +P lost it's fun after a few cylinder fulls. My .357 reloads were no fun and a cylinder full was about all anyone could stand.
What gets me if it ain't fer CCW, why would anyone want one just to keep in the nightstand? They sold a lot for HD/SD, but I'll venture to bet that mostly they stay right there and are not practiced with/fired enough at the range like they should be.
I do understand the carried a lot, fired little concept, but we used to say that about S&W model 13s/19s in .357, which with the hottest loads are far more pleasurable to shoot than them space-age metal featherweights.
Words of wisdom from Big Chief: Flush twice, it's a long way to the Mess Hall
I'd rather have my sister work in a whorehouse than own another Taurus!
Even the 416 Rigby Ruger No. 1 I had a chance to shoot later didn't rock my world like the 'Berg did; granted, the owner had cooked up some "tame-ish" loads for the Rigby, but still it had some rise to the muzzle.
Have to say I wouldn't want to tackle either off a bench, though.
I'd have to say that the worst thing I've shot to date is an old 12 Ga. pump with 3" slugs. Bought two boxes of shells.... shot one box, let a couple friends shoot the rest, and eventually sold that for a semi-auto. As with whoever it was above who said it first "If it can't be done with 2 3/4" shells, I'm willing to say it can't be done." :tooth:
Oh yeah... a buddy's .44 mag with *rough* grips shooting near max loads was pretty damn painful too. One cylinder full and my right hand felt like half the skin had been ripped off. My own S&W .44 shooting the same stuff (smooth grips) wasn't NEARLY as bad.
Luis
There's a huge variance in 45-70 loads depending on the gun they are intended for. The loads intended for older trap doors are much milder than the stuff intended for more modern guns. The greater majority of factory loadings are intended to be safe in older trap doors for liability's sake. The hotter 45-70 loadings are bumping light .458win mag energies.
Worst rifles were a Mod 70 Win. in .458 shooting 500 grain bullets, and a .460 Weatherby Mag rifle shooting same 500 grain bullets. Fired the .458 twice and the .460 once. If a couple of rifles ever needed efficient brakes, those two were prime candidates. I, and my right eye, are extremely grateful that neither had a scope on them. :rotflmao:
― Douglas Adams
All kidding aside, I can't think of anything I've ever shot that would make anyone's top 10 list. I've shot a couple of 7mags, and don't consider the recoil from them excessive. I can say the same for my 338x284. Those and a 12 gauge shotgun are about the meanest firearms I've ever shot.
Gun control laws make about as much sense as taking ex-lax to cure a cough.
I sold him the one with the bolt on the wrong side. I kept my model 70 Winchester 458 Mag. That Remington was the most gorgeous rifle I ever owned. I tried but I just couldn't shoot it left handed to save my soul.
I totally agree with this one.Nice to carry,but awful to shoot.
That one is up there on my list as well. That thing is a beast! And pretty. (I want one).
My RUM, before I put the Limbsaver on it, with the the 200gr Partition factory loads, is up there too. YIKES!
Knitepoet's 50 with the tenderizer butt plate was pretty unpleasant, too.
One that really sticks in my mind, a Mossberg 835 with 3.5" max goose loads. I loaded three up, shot one, handed it back, said no thanks. The guy asked me if I wanted to buy it. CHEAP. He'd won it in a raffle, was taking any offer.
I must be a glutton for punishment, two of my guns are on this list, and I've shot two others!
Son that's somebody with nothing to do with his time but keep me in trouble with mom.
Not all that bad but it is the hardest recoiling rifle I have.
And most steel butted Mil. Surps from a bench....ie. Mosin M38-44, Swiss K-31.
Rifle: Remington 710 7mm mag - it's actually way worse than the 50s to me
Shotgun: NEF 10g with 3.5in slugs. Actually I seriously hate that gun and will probably never shoot it again lol