Thread: "Karhu" A.K.A "Finnish Bear" 30-06 load developement

Originally Posted by csmiffy

Bit surprised it's such a beast.
It wouldn't be a lightweight I'd imagine and from the pics from the first few posts the recoil pad looks OK.
I'm not a recoil lover but neither do I want it but I do suppose I can handle it from all the heavy shotgun loads I used to use.
I did have some moments with the 8x57 couple of years back. 185gr doing up over 2600fps from packet but can't remember exactly.
Relatively light czech mauser with 23 1/2" stepped barrel and no recoil pad.
Shoulder wasn't annihilated but after a dozen or so I thought a couple of packets worth would've been interesting.
Shortened it enough to fit a good slip on pad and one of those velcro stock riser ammo holder thingies to get the eye in line with the scope.
Massive difference. Less kick and not any cheek smacking although I don't remember a sore cheek the first time.
Way more comfy second time around.
I would've thought a heavyish old school wooden Euro with 150s and a good recoil pad shouldn't be that bad but hey I'm not the one shooting it

I didn't find it too bad with 178gn pills, the longer barrel meant it wasn't to blasty either, but I'm a big dude at 6'8 and 115kgs, technique definitely plays into it.
You'll come to terms with it once you find your groove.