Recoil of the 7mm Remington Magnum

[ASG]

Hello everyone,
I would like to know what is the recoil like for the 7mm Rem. Mag. when compared to the .308 Win. If you have two identical Remington 700's (one in .308, one in 7mm) would the recoil be similar?

Thanks in advance,

ASG

[Art Eatman]

The recoil of the 7mm Maggie is noticeably greater.

For comparison, the .308 launches a 150-grain bullet at 2,800 ft/sec, generally. The 7mm, for that weight bullet, gives a muzzle velocity of some 3,100 ft/sec.

Ten percent is not a whole bunch, but it's noticeable.

Art

[Jaywalker]

Download a simple recoil calculator at http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=91715. It requires weight of the bullet, the powder, and the rifle, and the bullet velocity.

Jaywalker

[slick slidestop]

Well lets put it this way.......You wont really want to shoot a hundred rounds at the range.

I have shot many many rifles over 30 years or so of shooting (started REAL young) so I'm no recoil sissy, but it can be punishing after a day at the range.

Mine has a recoil pad on the 700 BDL furniture, and after about 20 rounds at the bench, I can feel it. Shoot it 20 rounds per day for 3 days with normal shirt on, And you will be shopping for a shoulder BAG :eek:

Mine is for Hunting, so recoil isn't an issue. If I were buying a Bench rest gun, I'd get the 308 instead.

[MLC]

I honestly don't think the recoil on a 7mag is all that bad.
I usally shoot my friends rifle, kimber mauser 98 sporter with a
26"? barrel and butler creek stock. I've shot 60 rounds in an afternoon with no appreciable discomfort. Perhaps it is because I don't shoot the super heavy ones, 165? as a max. The recol on my enfield 1917 enfield sporter, with a steel buttplate, in '06 is more irritating. Shotgun slugs are my least favorite. Can anyone tell me how much worse 300's are than 7 mags?

[trapshooter]

I'm gonna backup what others have said. 7MM mag is not too bad, recoil-wise, but if I was going to shoot it all day, I would use a sissy-bag. Same for the .300WM, and the 30-'06. .308 kick is less, but can still be 'tiring depending on how many rounds you fire over a short period of time.

The weight of the rifle has an effect also. Heavier = less felt recoil, in same caliber/cartridge combination.

In short, I think recoil is a combination of gun/cartridge/perception. The more you shoot, the less you notice.

[LevelHead]

The 7mm Rem Mag is a belted magnum. That should give some indication (the .300 WM is a belted mag too).

I've owned multiple .308s and one 7mm mag (A Sako).

The 7mm is much stiffer in the recoil dept. However, I only have a "problem" with it when shooting prone. If I'm wearing a jacket or sweater, the recoil doesn't bother me at all. Of course I'm a recoil junkie, so "bother" is a relative term. :)

I've not shot a .300 WM, but understand the recoil to be more than the 7mm, which makes sense - it's a bigger bullet after all.

I have noticed that if my upper body is not in shape, the 7mm causes me to shake after a couple of boxes. The .308 never does this to me.

HTH,

[Zorro]

About the same as a 30-06.

Get a Decelerator Recoil pad for yours if it bugs you too much.

Only in a sub 7 pound rifle is it really annoying.

[rugerfreak]

My 7mm mag with scope--mounts---and rifle weighs 10 lbs 3 oz-----one sweet shooter------its just not a good rifle for carrying around all day.

[Tol]

I have never shot identical rifles in those calibers so I am not truly answering your question. Forgive me if I tell you something you already know.

There is a tremendous difference between the recoil in different rifles. Though not necessarily between different calibers. One of the guys I hunt with has a new BDL in 7mm Mag. It is an absolute pussycat to shoot. I can honestly say that I have sat down with 5 boxes wearing a t-shirt and had NO problems and no sore shoulder. Another guy I hunt with has a Ruger chambered in .270. That thing makes me blow snot bubbles! Every round I shoot I say "unhh.....jesus....gawd". Wearing a light jacket will buy me part of a box before I am flinching pretty badly.

Make sure you get a rifle that you're happy shooting or it is a waste of money and a pretty cruel thing to take hunting as you won't hit a thing.

On the other hand, if you are planning to shoot a ton, think about a gun/caliber that is a little more suited to bench rest shooting.

On the third hand, 7mm Mag is a great round!!!
I happen to have an extra seating die for 7mm Mag if you end up buying one let me know and I'll let you have it for next to nothing.

Good luck, Have fun, and don't take my opinions too seriously.
Tol

[JIH]

It's not too bad. Just hold the rilfe a couple of inches from your shoulder, and it will make it better.

;) (I am kidding. Do not do this.)

Actually, it's not as bad as a .300 WIN MAG, but it's not someting you want to shoot all day unless you have a heavy rifle, a good shooting jacket, or a thick buttpad... a combination of two or three is even better. Just go easy at first and don't shoot a bunch on your first day. You're less likely to want to keep shooting it if it hurts you.