7mm-08 rcoil

[sinocs]

I cannot find anybody locally that has one of these for my son to try out. Can someone give a comparison of the recoil of a 7mm-08 to a 20 gauge deer slug?

I'm want to get him a a 7mm-08, but don't know if I need to spend the extra $100 for the adjustable muzzle break that they claim reduces recoil by 30%. Any imput would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[shepdogwv]

I highly doubt that you'll need the muzzle break, but I have never shot 20 gauge slugs before. It is an excellent round, and I'm really happy with mine.

[starhunter21]

I would not worry about the break, if he can handle a 20 gauge slug. I was out with my nephew this weekend, his first time out. He was shooting a 2506 which should recoil similar to the 7mm08. I shot it a couple of times and it was quite mild. He shot my 300 WSM without a problem. The biggest issue would be to get a gun that fits him well. If he struggles to handle the rifle cause it does not fit him, the recoil will be amplified a bit. Also, buy a bunch of cheap ammo, nail some apples to a board and let him practice.

BTW: I have an 11-87 in a 20 gauge w/ a rifled barrel shooting 273gr. sabots. I think it kicks harder than my 300WSM.

[sinocs]

Thanks for theresponses. He has no problem with the 20 ga. slugs, he has killed deer with it since he was 7 and he is 11 now. He is a very good shot, I just didn't want to knock him and have him be afraid of it. I want something he can practice with and be consistant without the worry of developing a flinch.

We were at the gun store today and he handeled three youth guns, remington, savage and weatherby. The remington was the lightest with a shorter barrel. the weatherby was way heavy, the savage priced right. So any imput on the remington 20"vs. the savage 22"?

[stalkingbear]

My daughter has gotten every single deer she's shot with a featherweight 7mm08 I built her on a remington action all with 1 shot instant clean kills and has no problem whatsoever and she's now only 14 years old. In my opinion it's possibly THE best deer cartridge ever no matter how big/small or young/old you are. In fact,since then as I cannot pry it away from her,I'm going to build 1 for myself (featherweight) to add to the2 7mm08s I already have.

[kirby375]

Any kid that can handle slug recoil ( 20 and 12 aren't that much different) shouldn't have a problem with any high power up to the mags. I live in Iowa where we have to hunt with slugs for the most part, and it's good training for handling recoil. As was mentioned above, get a rifle that fits, chances are you won't be able to keep him away from it.

Good Huntin'

[JeffS]

If he shoots a 20 gauge slug he can handle the 7mm-08 easy. My buddies son is 11 and shoots every gun we have except a couple and he is not very big. His personal gun is a .308 though he shoots a 7mm mag quite abit as well. As long as you don't start them out on a large caliber right away they handle it pretty well usually. He has been shooting since he was around 5 though.

[cjwink]

Also check out the Ruger Compact. Really short easy to handle rifle.

[338hunter]

I have eight year old twins, boy & girl. I just bought them the Savage youth W/Muzzle break in 7mm-08. The muzzle break can be switched on or off. Compaired to a 20ga slug gun its like shootinga 22mag. I take them out to the range one at a time. I started them out with a pellet rifle .177, then went to the .22 rifle, now they are using the 7mm-08 w/muzzle break open. When they are a little older I will close it, to reduce the noise. Right now I just want them to become confident in their ability to hit what they aim at.

[bronko22000]

If he can handle the 20 ga slug he can easily handle the 7-08. Where are you at? I have the 7-08 both with and without the muzzlebrake. I can tell you that the 7-08 with the muzzlebrake (Savage 11FYCAK, youth model) is a joy to shoot. To me it seems to shoot like a .223. This rifle you can open or close the muzzlebrake.