Due to some retina problems, I must consider recoil when choosing guns I shoot.

I am considering getting a guide gun. Would someone please give me an idea of what the recoil is like. As comparison - how would (factory 300s) compare to say an Ithaca Deerslayer firing slugs?

TIA

jm

Recoil Energy of 27 foot pounds, and Recoil Velocity of 16 fps.this was calculated using a 300gr bullet and around 50gr powder and about 2000 fps.
I would not think a guidegun would be your best choice for reduced recoil
Aim small hit small. RAMbo.

I'd suggest something else, to be honest!

Have fired one guide gun with factory loads, it wasn't as bad as my pump shotgun with slugs.... but you only have two eyes, there are lots of guns to choose from....

If you really must have a big bore, I'd find the heaviest model they make, put a nice thick recoil pad on it, and stick with light (factory) loads.

If the doctor mentions the words 'retina detachment' to me, everything bigger than the .30-06 is going to go!

there was one of the gun writers who had a detached retina, it was repaired fortunatly. But now he does not shoot anything larger than a 243, and I beleive it has a brake on it.
I agree with MikeG, if the Doc says anything about detached retinas, I will go down to the 308 with a brake on it!
When someone names the writer mentioned above, I am going to feel awful foolish for not being able to call his name. :(
Halfbreed

John Wooters?

A couple of old-timers I knew had retinas that couldn't be re-attached. That was several years ago, but I'd be careful. Guess that comes from having only one good eye and one that's about 50% and unfixable.


Bye
Jack

I can compare my Guide Gun to several guns but not an Ithaca slug gun.

My Guide Gun is the ported version.

Heed the advice of those before me with regards to retina sensitivity.

To answer your question; shooting factory ammo in the 405 grain Remington factory load class was no worse felt recoil than my 30-30 with hot hand loads. It was not near as heavy as my Saure 202 7mm Rem Mag or 300 Win Mag. It is noticibly more than my Ruger #1V 25-06 120 grain Federal factory ammo. It is on par with Winchester 3" 00 buckshot through my Ithaca Model 37 Classic.

I think you would be fine with the 300 or Remington 405 grn factory load. The Remington stuff is very low pressure (meant for old trapdoor rifles) and recoil is slow, not sharp. Its more of a "push" than a punch. Within 100 yards, it will still be deadly on deer or elk in my opinion.
All the best,
Brian

Muzzle brake and good recoil pads an absolute must.

I take an anti-coagalent so I tend to bruise easily.

I only suffer from a bruise...you could lose an eye.

If you have the money and you can look around....find a 99 Savage or a BLR in .358 Win. Get a muzzle break and load it with with 250 grn bullets. Factory loads are around 2250 fps and 2800 foot/lbs energy.

A 444 Marlin with the 300 grn Hornady XTP. But use a muzzle brake.

Due to some retina problems, I must consider recoil when choosing guns I shoot.

I am considering getting a guide gun. Would someone please give me an idea of what the recoil is like. As comparison - how would (factory 300s) compare to say an Ithaca Deerslayer firing slugs?

TIA

jm

If you had a ported gun you might not have to worry much about recoil when firing factory loads - just your ears. I'm not a doctor of course, but I still would think this a bit sketchy.

If all you really want is a lever gun, there are some lever action slug shotguns out there, and a variety of low recoil loads.
I'd still talk to a doctor though, and probably one who shoots if you can.
Take care man,
JH