Does a semi-auto reduce recoil?

Question

I am thinking if getting a BAR in 338 win mag and putting a recoil pad on it. How will the "kick" be? I have shot bolt-action 7mags with no probs. Oh, how much does it reduce recoil? Thanks.

Answer 1

The energy that goes into cycling the semi-auto action is energy that does NOT go into your shoulder.  So, yes, the action does reduce recoil.... a little bit.  

Adding a recoil pad might help, but it also increases the length of your stock.  Make sure the gun fits or your accuracy will suffer.

Someone suggested a muzzle brake.  A quality brake, installed by a knowledgeable gunsmith, can make a PROFOUND difference in recoil.  

Answer 2

The recoil will be around a 7mm with a stock butt pad. But Limbsaver makes great gun butts, barrel de-rosonator, and chest pad. If you put them all together you will have the recoil of around a .308. You can also get ammo called managed recoil by Remmington.  

Answer 3

Slightly.

Answer 4

Not always. Sometimes a semi auto kicks the same amount. Try an earlier Benelli inertia action. I have, and I prefer a pump action shotgun to that thing.

Answer 5

If you want to reduce your recoil by 50% buy a Limbsaver Brand recoil pad.* They are made for rifle or shotgun.*

Answer 6

The semi-auto action reduces the felt recoil a little bit. The butt pad helps a little but if you want recoil reduction you will have to install a muzzle brake. I have two VAIS muzzle brakes installed on a 375 H&H Mag and a 416 Rem Mag. It turns them into cream puffs.

The new muzzle brakes do not increase the noise level like the old ones did.

Around 1980 I had a Kleingunther Compensator installed on a 7mm Rem Mag and it was wicked loud. It was loud because it diverted gas back to the shooter dampening recoil. The new ones like VAIS use baffles to reduce the recoil. My 375 kicks like a little 308.

Answer 7

And your ? is? What will you be shouting at?!*

Answer 8

May I add to the merriment by commenting that my impression is that 2/3 of the recoil disappears going from a bolt action to a semiauto? As an Engineer, I explain this by the shock pulse being spread out in time, greatly lowering the efficiency of transfer of the energy to one's shoulder. May I further point out that a good reloading manual may enable a bolt action 338 user to arrange duplications of the 35 Remington ballistics for the deer woods, and mimic 8mm Mauser loads for elk, saving the shoulder bruisers for that Alaskan Brown bear hunt! But one may not download for a semi-auto this far without using a lighter recoil spring, or the action won't cycle properly. Regards, Larry.

Answer 9

A .338 Winchester Magnum is considered a shoulder-bruiser.  According to Chuck Hawk's recoil table it produces 33.1 lbs. of recoil with the 250 grain bullet.  It should be slightly less out of an auto-loader but the recoil will still be there even with a recoil pad.  I don't consider that excessive recoil, its like a heavy 20 gauge shell but if you think its too much why don't you get a .30-06 or .308 instead?  

H

Answer 10

semi-autos will reduce recoil, but only a little bit.  It will be more than a bolt action 7mm rem mag, but not a huge amount more.