There is no way I’m gonna buy that rifle. It is gonna beat my shoulder to death! Heard that before? Yes, it is a common lament. Going into a purchase, the buyer should have an idea of what is tolerable and what is not for deer hunting. Most rifles for deer hunting weigh in 6 to 7 lb class w/o scope and larger calibers up to 8 and 9 pounds. I think 7 to 8 pounds is ideal for a typical hunter to carry in the deer woods. A scope will add just a pound.
Shooting a prospective rifle at a bench rest is not the real way to gauge tolerance of recoil. If you have an opportunity to test a rifle at the range for hunting, shoot it in a standing position at shorter ranges of say 25 to 50 yards. If you want to bench rest it, ok but get a shoulder pad or a jacket to absorb some energy. Better yet get a Simms SVL Simms Vibration Laboratory slip-on pad or a Pachmayr Decelerator or similar slip on pad that will cut recoil in half and make your shooting a much more pleasant experience. The bench rest locks your shoulder into the rifle with little ability for your body to sway and absorb the recoil.
A recoil calculator is helpful in seeing the recoil of your perspective caliber purchase. http://www.shooterscalculator.com/recoil-calculator.php
I shoot an African 375 Ruger full power load 260 grain head traveling at 2650 fps with a Pachmayr decelerator pad, standing and in my t-shirt. No Problem! Not only does the pad reduce felt recoil by 50% but your vertical body will sway with the recoil and absorb even more. At the bench I use a decelerator or Simms pad too. This is a level of intelligent shooting that anyone can do! You just have to understand that and make it happen each time you shoot. Your conscious brain wants to shoot but your sub-conscious protective brain is ready to flinch if the recoil is severe and painful. By practice you can teach your sub-conscious brain to trust the conscious side by adding protective pads etc. Years ago I had a flinch but it has been gone for years because I understand and protect my shoulder all the time.
So go ahead and buy a adequate rifle that has a measured amount of recoil but get the recoil reducing pads with it and train your brain.
Good Shooting!
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