Does anybody know how hard a 8 mm Rem Mag kicks. I also was wondering how much of a effect a muzzle break would have on this caliber of a rifle.

It kicks pretty hard,depending on the stock design more than a 7mmSTW but not as bad as an Ultra Mag. A muzzle break would certainly make it more comfortable,(probably equivalent to a 30-06)however you will than have to deal with a longer barrel length which would probably be close to 26" maybe even longer.
I'd suggest a good recoil pad instead and a gunstock designed to manage the recoil of the larger magnums.

mooseslayer3,

The 8mm Remington is about inline, recoil wise, with a 300 Weatherby.

Their are a couple of ways of reducing recoil.

1) Increase the weight of the rifle.

2) Improve the recoil pad.

3) Improve the stock design (e.g. larger butt plate surface & etc)

4) Use mercury recoil reducers.

5) Use a spring loaded butt stock

6) Use a 'quiet' muzzle brake.

You can any of the above or all of the above to reduce recoil.

If recoil is a real issue and the rifle is already in your possession, do 3 of the above...

I'd replace the recoil pad with a high quality pad.

Have a high quality 'smith put a muzzle brake on the gun. Personally, I like the Vais brakes.

Drill a hole in the butt stock, from the middle of the butt pad toward the pistol grip, and use a mercury recoil reducer.

You'll think that you are shooting a 25-06 after those mods.

SA

PS. Do you own this rifle yet?

Here's a link to a site with the recoil power of most rifles, I think the 8mm Mag's on it,
[link]http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm[/link]

Hope this helps,



Cory

I like Chuck's Website but that chart is tough because in many instances, it is an apples to oranges comparison...

Using a Recoil Calculator is the easiest way.

We will say that all rifles weigh 9 lbs for sake of comparison.

8mm Remington Magnum

180 grain bullet @ 3025 using 80 grains of powder = 32 ft-lbs and a rifle velocity of 15 fps
220 grain bullet @ 2875 using 78 grains of powder = 36 ft-lbs and a rifle velocity of 16 fps

300 Weatherby Mag

180 grain bullet @ 3100 using 83 grains of powder = 35 ft-lbs and a rifle velocity of 16 fps
220 grain bullet @ 2850 using 84 grains of powder = 38 ft-lbs and a rifle velocity of 16 fps

338 Win Mag

250 grain bullet @ 2650 using 76 grains of powder = 36 ft-lbs and a rifle velocity of 16 fps


Just for grins and giggles, here is the recoil numbers for an old ultra light arms 338 win mag, 6.25 lbs scoped, that I owned...

338 Win Mag

250 grain bullet @ 2650 using 76 grains of powder = 52 ft-lbs and a rifle velocity of 23 fps

Or how about a 10 lbs 460 Weatherby...

460 Weatherby Mag

500 grain bullet @ 2530 using 116 grains of powder = 100 ft-lbs and a rifle velocity of 25 fps

thanks guys that information was very helpfull, I was wondering if I should sell my 30-06 and buy a 8mm rem mag for an all purpose hunting rifle.It would make me feel alot more comfortable since iam almost always in grizzly bear country. But on the other hand Iam thinking it might be to big for some deer.

The 8mm Rem Mag would be a great bear country rifle. The only problem is finding a rifle chambered for it and finding ammo. It probably would be just a TAD big for deer, but if it was a long range deer gun, then you'd be fine. Also, great to see another Canadian on here

I would look at the 338 Win mag or any of the strong .300's.Like stated above ammo is tough to come by the for the 8mm Rem.You might also want to try the new 325 WSM it is a 8mm dia. caliber I think,if I'm wrong I'm sure someone will correct me.
BBJ

It is an 8mm as well... They named it 325 to get away from the 8mm stigma.

The 8mm Remington Mag, in theory, is one of the best cartridges ever developed.

It is a true western hutning gun...

Problem has always been BULLETS. Most guys handload but not many make their own bullets. The bullet selection sucks. Maybe with the 325 being out, the bullet selection will be better.

However, let me put it this way, if I bought a 325 or an 8mm mag... I'd find out what bullets shot well out of my gun then buy 500 of them and store them for a rainy day.

SA

I dont have anything to add EXCEPT .... EVERY guy I know ,to a man, who owns a 8mm rem mag says its their favorite gun they've ever had. Pretty good track record if you ask me. If you hand load, like they said before find a good load and buy 500 or a 1000 bullets and a few hundred brass.