7/08 Recoil

[Cron]

I'm sure a lot of you are sick of these threads but I have a good reason for asking. I have rheumatoid arthritis and need something that doesn't hit me as hard as a 30/06. I've pretty well decided on a 7/08 as far as ballistics are concerned. The only references I have are the '06 and the .243. The .243 is pretty tolerable over 20 or 30 rounds. I know it's subjective, but you think I can handle 7/08 recoil?

 

[Ol` Joe]

The 7-08 is closer to the 308 in recoil then to the 243, 40 gr more bullet weight makes a difference.
If you don`t have to have one of the two cartridges you list I`d look at the 6.5x55 or 260 Rem. Both are lower yet then the 7-08 in recoil and will do a better job on larger deer then the 243. They also will be capable of deer size game with lighter bullets (120 gr) in factory ammo, and if you reload there are 100 gr Partitions or Hornadies that will put them in the 243 recoil range.

 

[Jimmy Newman]

I shoot a 7mm-08 as my main rifle, but I shoot some of the heavier factory loads available (Hornady light magnum, 139gr SST at 3000fps and 2777ft-lbs). This load is actually faster with more energy than Hornady's standard 140gr .270 Win load. I also shoot it out of a pretty lightweight rifle. With this load (which is all I have shot in years out of the rifle), it absolutely kicks less than the 30-06 that I occasionally shoot (albeit with another pretty heavy load, Hornady light magnum, 165gr SST, 3015fps, 3330 ft-lbs).

It does kick significantly more than my friend's .243, though (he has a very similar rifle to mine). The loads I shoot are probably closer in recoil to the 30-06 than to the .243.

I'm a big proponent of the 7mm-08, but I wouldn't recommend that you get a super-light rifle, and I wouldn't recommend you shoot the Hornady light magnum loads. Problem is, there's so much room for subjectivity (as you mentioned) that it's hard to say if you'd be comfortable shooting it.

If you do end up with a 7mm-08 rifle and don't like the standard loads, there is a Remington reduced recoil load (140gr, 2300fps) that I suspect would be very pleasant to shoot. It starts to drop pretty quickly after 250 yards but I bet it would be fine for deer out that far.

 

[GunTech]

My wife, who's rather small, shoots a 7mm-08 Model 7. With 140s, it has a pretty good recoil, much closer to 308.

I second the notion of the 260 Remington or 6.5x55 Swede. Do you know anyone who owns a 7mm-08 that you can try?

 

[Bodo]

I have a 7mm/08 a 308 and a 243 the 243 has lees recoil.and with 90 to 100 grain loads you can kill any deer.

 

[michael_aos]

I'd 2nd the 260 Remington. It's an amazing cartridge and plenty for deer.

Mike

 

[Cron]

It never thought about the .260. I'd guess with heaver bullets the BC would be better than a .243. I'll check it out.
Thanks to all who replied.

Ron

 

[gezzer]

7mm-08 plus a good recoil pad (Sorba-coil) will be pleasant to shoot. This is from a fellow sufferer of RA.