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38-55 recoiled LESS than 30-30. The 30-30 recoil VERY SIMILAR to 7.62x39 from AK. It is also much easier and cheaper to find than 38-55. So, if you want less recoil, then go with 38-55 but prepare to pay significantly more. If you are really concerned about recoil, look at .357 mag or .44 mag instead. They are very soft shooting. I hope this helps

Amir, an actual shooter's testimony : I shot Silhouette for years with a 30-30. Told myself if I ever got my Grand Slam that I was going to quit silhouette 'cause I was sick of the abrupt whack of the 30-30 recoil. Then I got a 38-55. SO much more pleasant to shoot. Extremely accurate. More trajectory than the 30-30, but that's why LR sights are adjustable, and we spend time on the range acquiring sight settings. Plus, you can throw 250-300+ grains of lead with a 38-55, for situations that targets must fall down to be scored as hits (I've seen LOADS of 30-30 rounds shatter on impact, and leave rams standing at 200 yards). 38-55 wins out nostalgia wise too; it was developed as a BP cartridge, 30-30 was for smokeless right from the get-go.