Looking for info & opinions

[Steve_M444ss (Steve Sims)]

I’m considering a Weatherby Backcountry 2.0 in 338 WBY RPM. Wondering about recoil. 5.4 lb + 1.2 lb for scope + 17oz for silencer, so 7.7 lb. I don’t have (so far as I know) the ability to try it before I buy it, so my closest personal experience is recoil from a 7.5 lb Marlin 444, with which I have no issue.
I’m not particularly concerned about recoil except, of course, that I don’t want to get beaten up by a rifle such that I don’t want to practice with it & won’t be proficient with it (again, my only point of comparison is the 444 Marlin). And I certainly don’t want to plunk down much $$$ only to be unpleasantly surprised.
I’ve been told silencers reduce felt recoil up to 40%. If true, then I’m def not concerned, but… “Up to”…?
I can calculate felt recoil stats w/o silencer (subject to claims that Peak 44 stock & butt pad reduce felt recoil), but I don’t have personal experience to know if the 40% redux silencer claim is true.

By the way, 338 WBY RPM @ 18" bbl is comparable to 30-06 in velocity (338 185gr TTSX @ 2860fps vs 30-06 180gr TTSX @ 2750fps), but with greater energy & diameter.

So here’s the info I’m looking for: For high caliber/high energy cartridges (if not this particular pkg), can anyone verify or deny the “up to 40%” claim? Subjectively (or objectively if you have data), what do you think is a realistic expectation for felt recoil reduction from a silencer?

Also by the way, I don’t think this is the “best” option or that I “need” it for any particular application; I just think it would be nifty to have one. If I do get one and other than range practice, my only use for this rifle would be on black bear in my home state of GA or on Zebra, Warthogs, Oryx & such in Africa.
So… any additional commentary or opinions are certainly welcome.

[GridTracker (Larry Dolyniuk)]

I have never shot a .338 Weatherby RPM.

I have shot the 7MM PRC with a silencer and without a silencer and there is some recoil reduction - but I cannot truly say its 40%. Another positive reason to use the silencer is that it reduces noise which helps in overall control of the weapon; contributing to “perceived” recoil reduction.

I have shot the 30.06 and .270 and recoil in these cartridges depends heavily on bullet weight. A 30.06 220gr bullet out of the same rifle as a 185gr. bullet produces far more recoil making its presence felt.

I use an Apollo Muzzle break on my .308 and it really does reduce recoil significantly but with the muzzle break you have intense noise increase.

I have shot the RUGER N0. 1 in .375 H&H Magnum with 270gr. bullets and I loved this cartridge. One would think it would kick like a stubborn mule but to me it didn’t. The recoil impulse was way different than my 30.06 and I attributed this to the type and amount of powder used in making the cartridge.

The Springfield 30.06 produces an average of 21.4ftlbs recoil with 13 fps recoil velocity

The 7MM PRC produces an average of 25ftlbs recoil with 13.4fps recoil velocity

The 375 H&H produces an average of 38ftlbs recoil with 15.4 fps recoil velocity.

I have never shot a .338 Weatherby RPM but in comparison on paper your chart stats show it produces an average of 31ftlbs of recoil with 16fps recoil velocity.

This cartridge is close to the 375 H&H Magnum in recoil punch. I would definitely shoot the rifle in .338 WBY RPM before purchasing it. I would also consider ammunition cost. The bigger the bullet the more cost. I have seen some magnum bullets going for $9 each - that makes for an expensive day at the range.

Your question “what do you think is a realistic expectation for felt recoil reduction from a silencer?” A silencer makes a huge difference - how much will depend on the make and model of the silencer. The bullet you are shooting at the time and how good you feel about the rifle you are shooting. The more comfortable you are with your rifle the more reduction in “perceived” recoil you will feel.

I guess what I mean is if you like the rifle and how it “kicks” without a silencer you will absolutely love how it feels with a silencer.

If you do decide to get a .338 Weatherby RPM I would be interested in hearing about how much you do or don’t like it.

I do recommend a silencer for what ever you purchase.

Good luck in your hunt for that perfect rifle.

[cchilds (Carter Childs)]

Stock design also makes a huge difference.

While I love an older, 1960s or before era model model 70, when you get one of those and it doesn’t have any type of a recoil pad other than a piece of metal and shoot it in 270, or 30-06, man it’s uncomfortable