Recoil Reducer

[laowho]

Hi Guys,

My wife is definitely willing to shoot too, and even wants to try her dad's ball and powder. I know that won't be enuf and am hopin for the time being we can start her on the 45-70 w/o havin to get a 40-65. I know--perfect opportunity to get another rifle, but these initial outlays have us reelin a little. Recoil is her only real concern. Do any of the recoil suppressors work well enuf, or are there better options? Thanks, Doug

[Mike]

Doug, One quick option is to just buy a box of lighter .45 caliber bullets for her to try. While they would probably not show long range accuracy, some of the 300 or 350 grain cast bullets fired at 1200 to 1300 fps should be quite nice. In other words, you could almost duplicate the shooting of a .40/65 recoil-wise. Shoot sharp, Mike

[Kurt]

I had Shiloh build a #1 .45-70 rifle for my Daughter. At first I was going to make it a .40-65 but I wanted the .45 for personal reasons. I had Shiloh put a Mercury tube in the buttstock to take some of the recoil off and still keep the rifle under 12.2#
The rifle came in at 12.1# with sights. The felt recoil is less then my Browning BPCR .40-65. It all worked out great.

[Don McDowell]

Load some 405 gr bullets, the recoil should be low enough for her to handle, if she's used to shooting anything with recoil at all.

[laowho]

Thanks Guys,

Yes, I have the 124s @ 385gr but honestly, she complains that 10 years ago she didn't like the recoil of a 9mm she was taking lessons with, and I'm like...well? So I'm starting her off with the Win 94 and some 125 gr w/ Trail Boss and will work her thru that rifle. But yes Kurt, I specifically had the mercury device in mind. Just came across it new to me last week, but didn't realize it went inside and, well, whether it's sumthin I'd attempt. And I've since seen other things on the market. Figured I'd ask here first before I start researchin. Just received the rifle today and oh my--I've never seen such wood to metal fitting before, in anything. And I'll take pics and post them Mike. Thanks, Doug

[Fogman01]

Have you thought of a detachable leather recoil boot? Several out there use a velco tab to keep it on so they are easily transferred rifle to rifle. Cut up some Dr Scholl's foot pads and stuff in it and she will not even feel the recoil. You wife could try the rifle or rifles she is interested in and see if see likes them... then you could go the more permanent route with the mercury tube or, if she is hooked, buy her a 40-65.

[laowho]

Thx Fogman,

After readin all the reviews I got her the Kick Killer lace-up and added some Rite-Aid heel gel pads, just as you say. It fits the 45-70 too so everything's as you say, and she feels not a thing, but the Snidely Whiplash in me hopes she'll transition so fully that we add a 45-90. I dunno. This rifle and form of shooting has me seriously conflicted. Cheers, Doug

[Caprock]

The Shooters Friend pad works well.

[laowho]

Well Caprock, I'd admittedly forgotten about the separate pads, and may need this once it gets warmer and she doesn't have the cushioning of other layers. Anything I can do to get her to fully transition over to the 45-70 and convince her that the next necessary step is the 45-90. Thx for the reminder.

[H-Marlin]

Since you have Trail Boss on hand your problem is easy. Measure how much Trail Boss is needed to come to the base of the bullet and use any load from that down to 70% of that max and get her shooting. A friend of mine has a son who couldn't handle the recoil of the 45-70 and he used a Trail Boss load and the young lad did well with it. If I remember right he shot a 25 at Quigley with the Trail Boss. Link is to Hodgdon's Trail Boss data page.

http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/Trail-Boss-Re...%20R_P.pdf