7mm mag question
 

As I said in an earlier post, I have been looking at getting a rifle. I have been mostly considering .243 or 22-250 rifles. Like I said before I saw this really nice stainless steel browning A bolt with the BOSS system for 500 something (upper end). Which seems like a good price to me, but I really haven't researched it much.

I didn't really want a gun that big, but realistically how much recoil would this really have. Especially considering it has the ported BOSS on it. I have never shot one so I don't have a clue. I understand that recoil is subjective, just looking for opinions from those that have shot them.

Would it be worse than 30-06, remington inline with 350 grn bullets and 110 grns of Tripple Seven FFFG powder or my slug gun shooting modern sabots, or 3 inch mag turkey loads?

I mean my slug gun darn near knocks me off the chair when I pull the trigger, but I don't have any trouble shooting it.

I figure with this gun I could pretty much kill anything on this landmass if I wanted to, from woodchucks to Moose. I saw a 140 grn polymer tipped bullet that I bet would disintegrate a woodchuck at any distance I could hit. I really don't plan on hunting anything bigger than deer though to be honest, I can't even use it on deer where I live.

Should I just stick to the two smaller cartridges?

Paul

RE: 7mm mag question
 

The recoil of a 7mmremmag is actually quite similar to that of a 30-06 in a similar rifle.As the former owner of a BOSS equipped,A-bolt in 7mmremmag,I can say for sure that I will never own another.The boss does reduce recoil significantly,however the tradeoff is an increase in noise so extreme,that a single shot without hearing protection can cause permanent damage to your hearing.Secondly,the BOSS on my rifle kept coming loose which resulted in a change of the point of impact.Thirdly,BOSS equipped rifles have shorter barrels,to compensate for the length of the BOSS,which results in lower velocity than a non BOSS equipped rifle.
On the positive side,I do prefer the 7mmremmag over the 30-06.
As for the A-bolt rifle,I hated the over designed magazine system as well as the trigger which could not be adjusted below 4 pounds.Also,for some reason the a-bolt design seems to make recoil feel harsher without the BOSS than other rifles in the same chambering.

RE: 7mm mag question
 

In that case, stick to the two smaller cartridges.

RE: 7mm mag question
 

Ialso agree! Sold my A-bolt in .338 Mag with BOSSafter a trip to Colorado..

RE: 7mm mag question
 

I got back from the range just 10 minutes ago. This time out I took my .243 and my .30-'06. With my coat on, the kick of the .243 was barely noticeable. The '06, though,took some solid concentration to squeeeeeeeze my shots off, & it took me off the sight picture with each shot. It's a shootable rig, but the .243 is borderline effortless.

No doubt about it! The 7mm RM will take anything on the continent, and most of them with considerable ease. With the right bullet, you could watch the woodchucksvaporize into a pink mist.

In this case, yes, you probably should stick with the smaller cartridges. You'll find .243 ammo almost everywhere, & for a reasonably low price. Factory ammo choices are bountiful, and you'll be able to develop good shooting habits without fearing scope-eye or a sore shoulder.

A 7mm Rem Mag will have more expensive ammo., & the kick will be something you'll have to deal with. It's certainly manageable, but it's there nonetheless.

Think of it like this: have you ever seen the housewife who tools around the suburbs in her Yukon Denali, all by herself? She'd be equally well served by a Civic, but she thinks the extra upfront cost, extra fuel cost, extra tire cost, extra insurance cost, reduced turning radius, and reduced visibility are worth it. To each their own!

FC

RE: 7mm mag question
 

I just thought the A bolt would be the better gun for not much more money than the Howa in the same shop. I figured I could deal with the recoil or find a way to manage it. I never seem to notice recoil in the field shooting at game.

Sounds like I was wrong though so far. I have no doubt in my mind a .243 or a 22-250 would not blow a woodchuck apart as well. Pieces are pieces, I don't guess it matters how small they are;).

For the price of the used A bolt I could get some pretty decent new bolt guns from different makers.

Paul

RE: 7mm mag question
 

The local gun shop here has a Ruger M77 Hawkeye in 7mm Mag for $525 regualr price and has Tikka T3 Hunters in for $508 regualr price. I just got a Tikka and love it.

RE: 7mm mag question
 

More opinions on the a bolt at the link below.

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthr...gonew/1#UNREAD

By the way,a friend has owned a tikka t-3 in 25-06,and is very pleased with it,having taken several deer and coyotes. It may be something that would work well for you as well.

RE: 7mm mag question
 

<<<<<<<<<<<<&l t;< great round


i only carry one rifle, a 7mag... i mostly hunt deer, but am planning to hunt bear and elk in the future... its a great all-around cartridge... as for the a-bolt, never used one so can't comment... but will say this, if you're debating about a 7mag and a 243, split the difference and get a 270 and call it a day...