Thread: My 9.3x62...

I'm not sure you're quite understanding the point some of us are trying to make - it's not a smartarse "pussy shooter" thing it's just the dynamics of the big guns and how the stock design can make or break them (or more correctly you).

The first thing I saw with that stock configuration on your rifle is that the stock looks to be proportioned for iron sights which are on top of the barrel about 45mm or so lower. This means that the bore line (or center line of the recoil forces) is above the line of the butt stock. This means two things, 1) your hold on the rifle when sighting through a scope is not 'natural' and you aren't in the best position to fully control and absorb the recoil into your bone structure and 2) the rifle is naturally going to rotate upwards which is going to make the felt recoil feel worse than it actually is.

The suggestion for a Limbsaver or the like isn't due to the current recoil pad being stuffed, the Limbsavers (and similar from other makers) have an element in them that helps control the upwards rotation and transfers it more into a straight line rearwards push which doesn't feel as bad because you have more muscle groups employed in soaking the hit up. The same point about the cheek riser, a more solid and repeatable upright position will mean the recoil is less upwards and more rearwards. You can't do much more than that with the design of the handle as it looks to be configured for iron sights first and scope second. I don't think more weight will make any difference to your recoil experience, as it will not prevent the upwards rotation under recoil that you have noted and this is what is making the thing feel so vicious. OK for a few shots standing, but anything else just hurts.

Weatherby rifles are renowned for this, as well as some of the Sako Bavarian-type stocks with the beautiful but deadly hogsback curved butt design. Modern sporting bolt actions are a heap straighter in comparison, this is for good reason as they are usually a lot lighter than 8.5Lb and they'd just be brutal with that curved stock design.