Hunting & Fishing Less Kick

[eleaf]

I'm looking to get in to a lightweight hunting rig for tramping around the grasslands of Wyoming next season. I've pretty much decided on getting the Rem 700 Mountain LSS, ditching the stock, and putting it in a B&C Alaskan Ti (or Alaskan II), but I'm not sure which caliber I should go after.

I'm on all manner of blood thinners so I bruise very easily and am wondering which round would offer the least amount of kick.

My other consideration is the ability to take down anything from an elk on down.

Unfortunately the Mountain LSS is only offered in LA calibers (though I have read that there were a couple of special productions of .308 - which I would absolutely prefer - .243 and .260 Rem, all of which, however, seem to be made of unobtanium).

Chamberings:
270 Win
30-06
7mm-08
280 Rem

Fortunately, this is a hunting rig, so I don't plan on firing it that much (enough to zero, get some dope, and kill animals) which mitigates the fact that I generally HATE LA rifles because they bruise me all to hell.

I *think* that the .270 will be the "lightest" of those calibers, but I'm not terribly sure.

Any help would be great.

 

[Guest]

Re: Less Kick

If u want a 308, then get the 7-08 basically same thing.

 

[jroberts]

Re: Less Kick

7mm-08 has way less recoil than a 270

 

[jeeptrash]

Re: Less Kick

7mm-08 and a muzzle brake and all will be well.

 

[kellogg2185]

Re: Less Kick

You probably know about these already, but they are cheap, and you don't have to alter your rifle. They do change up your length of pull however, if that matters. Made my .300 WSM considerably more comfortable. Just my .02.

http://www.limbsaver.com/2010/products/firearms/recoil_pads/index.php

 

[eleaf]

Re: Less Kick

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kellogg</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You probably know about these already, but they are cheap, and you don't have to alter your rifle. They do change up your length of pull however, if that matters. Made my .300 WSM considerably more comfortable. Just my .02.

http://www.limbsaver.com/2010/products/firearms/recoil_pads/index.php </div></div>

I'm not personally bothered by the recoil itself. It doesn't hurt.

It's just that I bruise so easily. You can flick me and I'll be black and blue.

It seems to me that getting at the source (the recoil itself) is better than trying to mitigate it (I.e., it's better to have less recoil, than to tame more recoil).

 

[eleaf]

Re: Less Kick

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: coythtr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If u want a 308, then get the 7-08 basically same thing. </div></div>

Thanks.

I saw all of the other calibers listed (270, ought6, etc) and just assumed that the 7mm-08 would fall right in that category. And I don't know about you, but I HATE shooting the 270 (a friend has a Ruger in 270 that beats me to hell)

Thanks for puttin' me straight.

If it's anything close to the .308, it's absolutely the one I want.

 

[eleaf]

Re: Less Kick

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Viper 762</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Muzzle Brake? I have one on a project rifle that shoots 7.62x54r and the Shrewd MB takes the recoil all the way down to about the same recoil of a .223. </div></div>

I use a brake on my 6.5 Grendel and the recoil is that of a .223 or less (it's a big burly precision AR). They work wonders.

I don't plan on having any work done to the gun (at least not initially), so threading for a brake really isn't an immediate option.

 

[Fred_C_Dobbs]

Re: Less Kick

1. Felt recoil is inversely proportional to rifle weight. That is, a 20-lb rifle kicks half as hard as a 10-lb rifle firing the same round.

2. A suppressor or a decent muzzle brake will take another 25-50% out of recoil, but you're shooting neighbors won't bitch and moan about the added noise/blast from a suppressor.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Less Kick

For LA and an '06 case capacity, the .270 and .280 appear to me to be most efficient.

Commercial .270 ammo is a lot more practical/available than .280, while the .280 has more/better .284 bullets for the handloader.

Honestly, there's no good reason to turn down the 30-'06; and owning a Garand makes the chambering oh so much the more attractive.

Up against the others, the 7mm-08 is adequate and respectable, but can only uniquely offer reduced recoil. In all other aspects it's second rate by this comparison.

To my mind, with recoil you get out what you put in. Muzzle energy is pretty directly related to recoil. With a .30-'06-like case capacity, bullets heavier than 150gr are probably unnecessary until one starts to really pile on the yardage, which I refrain from doing.

Greg

 

[cracker4418]

Re: Less Kick

The 7.08 is the most underrated caliber out. 7.08 kicks lighter than all the calibers listed and is just a pleasure to shoot. I personally use and love my 243. No matter what any one says the 243 will disbatch any critter you are planning to take on your hunt here in beautiful(windy as F%ck)

wyoming.

 

[eleaf]

Re: Less Kick

I did a BUNCH of reading last night on the 7mm-08 and came to a firm conclusion that this was the way to go given the caliber choices. It will take any game in North America except for big brown bear (which I have NO interest in hunting anyways), and has the recoil of a .243 give or take. Given those two factors, it is DEFINITELY the right choice for me.

Rifle, stock, brass and dies have been purchased. I'll get bullets locally.

This is going to be a VERY light rig which isn't really conducive to recoil reduction, but being comfortable for walking for hours on end in the plains is a more important facet than ultimate comfort for the very few shots I'll take with this rifle.

Many thanks to the brain trust.

Without your input straightening me out, I would have assumed the 7mm-08 to be another LA cartridge that I really didn't want to shoot. Now I know, and you know what GI Joe says about that.

 

[mdesign]

Re: Less Kick

7-08 is a very good choice as it does a lot of things very well with lower recoil. You won't be disappointed.

 

[eleaf]

Re: Less Kick

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mdesign</div><div class="ubbcode-body">7-08 is a very good choice as it does a lot of things very well with lower recoil. You won't be disappointed. </div></div>

Glad to hear it!

Thanks.

 

[bachelorjack]

Re: Less Kick

Look at the Kimber Montana's. The stock doesn't seem to transfer as much recoil energy to the shooter as pretty much everything else I've tried. It's weird, but definitely noticeable. Especially in an ultra lite rig.

I built a .243ai off a .243 Montana. Shooting MAX loads it kicked less than a .223 700.

Food for thought.

 

[B.B.A.]

Re: Less Kick

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Chamberings:
270 Win
30-06
7mm-08
280 Rem

</div></div>

Only caliber on your list with slightly more kick would be the 30-06. I would go with the 308w it's a great caliber with little recoil. Here in sweden a lot of hunters are using the 6,5x55 wich is pretty simular to the 270win

 

[patriotoutlaw]

Re: Less Kick

7mm-08 = necked down .308. Very accurate and light recoil. Of the listed calibers, that would be my choice, as well.

 

[FARGO]

Re: Less Kick

Look at the .25-06 also.... very comparable to the 7mm-08...

 

[BALLISTIC]

Re: Less Kick

25-06 for a LA.

 

[gitrdone44]

Re: Less Kick

I have a shoulder that the Dr's say i need fixed i keep putting it off, so when remington first came out with the titaniums i bought 1 in 7-08 and it has some kick when shooting in a t-shirt off a bench but with a coat on in winter its ok i like the 7-08.

 

[keith jones]

Re: Less Kick

I agree the 7-08 is a great choice. Low recoil and very accurate it is my main hunting weapon for the game i hunt. You can look at chuckhawks recoil chart that might help. I am not saying its exactly right but close enough to give you confidence in what you choose.

 

[Tunanut]

Re: Less Kick

My 12 year old handles his Kimber Montana 7mm-08 with ease. Works mighty good too.

 

[eleaf]

Re: Less Kick

Purchased a 7mm-08 Remington 700 LSS (Laminate Stainless Steel).

The first thing I did was chuck the stock (well, not chuck, but remove) in favor of a B&C Alaskan II (I don't like factory stocks for the most part) to make it as light a hunting rifle as possible for walking the WY plains looking after pronghorn and mule deer.

Haven't brought it to the range yet, but will get it out in the next day or two.

Thanks for the tip on the 7mm-08. I simply assumed it was just another LA monster like the others that would kick the hell out of me.

Will report back after the range.

 

[eleaf]

Re: Less Kick

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tunanut</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My 12 year old handles his Kimber Montana 7mm-08 with ease. Works mighty good too. </div></div>

Great.

I'm using a rifle suitable for a 12 year old girl!! LOL!! That makes me feel like a man.

 

[sandwarrior]

Re: Less Kick

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: eleaf</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tunanut</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My 12 year old handles his Kimber Montana 7mm-08 with ease. Works mighty good too. </div></div>

Great.

I'm using a rifle suitable for a 12 year old girl!! LOL!! That makes me feel like a man.

</div></div>

Yeah, a rifle that a 12 year old girl could easily shoot at 1k if she were coached right. I've got one that I launch 180 Bergers at close to 2700 fps at. It kicks less when using 140's.