Question about recoil

[William Davis]

I seldom shoot a rifle off a bench but when I do use a very high front rest and “muzzle and elbow hold. Put my left hand on the rest rifle in my hand same way as if shooting offhand. Buttplate in the shoulder pocket elbows on the bench. Wear my old small bore prone coat with padded elbows.

Worst prone or bench recoilier I shoot is a Trapdoor with full power 500 gr bullets. Lot of drop to the stock and a Cresent buttplate. It’s OK muzzle and elbow.

However rifles zero different off a hard rest. More they recoil more off the zero will be bench to offhand. Best zero same position you plan to use hunting or in competition. Shoot a group from position calculate center of impact and make adjustments from center of impact. When I Shot a lot of small bore prone we never tested or adjusted bench rest, always sling and coat prone just like in competition. Considerable difference in zeros, considerable meaning scoring rings on a very small bulls eye target. Inches not much.

If the shooting will be from a stand with a rest zero from a hard rest. Other wise center up a group. It’s more pattern than pinpoint. 375 I bet will shoot 3 or 4 minutes low offhand vs bench. 30/06 sporter it’s at least 2 moa different

William

[TxHuntermn]

My big Game gun is a Model 70, Super Grade in .416 Rem. I had the original 24" pipe whacked to 21" with good set of express sights installed, and Talley quick release bases and rings, holding a 1X5X30MM Kahles. The express sights are regulated for 400 Grain Barnes Bonze solids and 400 Grain Sledghammers, the scope is set for a 300 grain Barnes X load to shoot 2" high at 100yds. I don't shoot the gun off of the bench often, but I can tell you this. The difference in 100 grains of metal is like the difference between a 243 and a 300 mag! When I practice with this gun I alternate between shooting sticks, offhand and bracing against a tree with the 400 gr. loads out to 100yds, to simulate dangerous game situations...I do the same with the lighter loads, at farther distances. but throw some prone position rounds out to 300yds...

I use the same method basically that William describes in his post of sighting in for center of group, as I'm a hunter, not a target shooter. I had a PH in Botswana one time that "made" me shoot from a rest at 100 yards to check zero...My rifle was almost three inches high, and an inch right...put three that would fit inside a quarter....he was digging around for something to change my scope, when I asked him to let me shoot offhand, shot four about as quick as I could, two cut the bullseye, 1 was an inch low and left, one was an inch high and right. He put his screwdriver back in the truck..

[Mike Franzen]

I’m late to the party concerning the recoil of a 375 H&H Magnum. Have you seen the cartridge? Trust me, the first time you bust a cap you will know that ain’t no 12 gauge. I wouldn’t take my first shot from the bench either. Guys get used to shooting them and bigger calibers but it takes a dedication to develop the tolerance. Please have someone video your first shot and put it on you tube so we can watch it. Good luck.

[Bill Anderson]

One more time, "buy a Caldwell lead sled" for the bench and don't worry about the special techniques & tricks to shoot heavy recoil guns or staying up all night dreading your first trigger squeeze.

https://www.sportsmansguide.com/prod...ugg_q=caldwell

or eBay ... https://www.ebay.com/itm/Caldwell-Le...AAAOSwskha6I-f

Bill

[Bindlestiff]

Look on ebay, lots of them for less $$$$

[Beaver Bob]

I agree with everyone of these posts, there is much knowledge here. but this is a post about the 375 H & H, go ahead and get the gun and watch how you shoot it.. and like it was said there are lighter loads.. my preference is the 30-06 and 12 guage with lighter loads.. makes shooting more fun for me..

[Southpaw]

Unless your built like Barney Fyffe then shooting that 375 should not be too bad as long as shooting a handful of shots. If you need to shoot more than that definitely get or borrow a lead sled to sight it in. Felt recoil is cumulative and just target shooting can cause a development of a flinch, then your just working against yourself. Most rifle I have ever shot is 30-06 with 180 grain and even just target shooting with that after about 7 or 8 shots, you really have to focus. Right now the only rifle I have is 270 WSM. It only kicks about like a 20 gauge but man that gun shoots flat.

BTW you definitely, for posterity, need to film you shooting it. Btw I am pretty certain that .375 will kick less than the nitro express gun seen below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Yj4IL0Q754

[Mike Poindexter]

FWIW, perceived recoil depends on the individual gun as well as the individual shooter and the cartridge ballistics. Some guns kick harder than others with the same cartridge. Weight, balance, stock shape, etc. I would shoot the gun in question before buying it. If that is not possible, buy it only if you want to flip it if you don't like the recoil. I shoot a .338 Win mag with 250's regularly for elk, but the first time I shot a friend's .375 H&H bolt action I handed it back and said "Thanks but no thanks."

[Big D]

I have to think that shooting off a Lead Sled will change the point of impact versus a conventional mount

[Bill Anderson]

Originally Posted by John Dallas

I have to think that shooting off a Lead Sled will change the point of impact versus a conventional mount

From experience of many shots, no, it does not. Groups will most likely be tighter also, with no flinching/anticipation of the recoil that is coming.

Bill