Lighter 7mm Remington magnum rounds

[Quilbilly]

I am not really a rifle guy but I am learning. I recently got a .22lr with a scope for some cheap plinking and practice and a Remington 700SPS in 7mm Rem. Mag. with a Leupold 4-12X40MM for hunting. I am getting pretty good with the .22 but the 7mm is a lot of gun for me. I was trying to sight it in this weekend and I am just not used to the kick so it was pretty hard. Does anyone make a 7mm Mag. round that is loaded a little weaker so I can get used to it? Can this be done with handloads? Any info would be appreciated.

 

[rcmodel]

Factory ammo:
http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/centerfire/managed-Recoil.asp

Handloads:
http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/Youth Loads.pdf

rc

 

[BK]

It can certainly be achieved with handloads. You might try and find an old Lyman manual that has loads designed for lead cast bullets.

If you are going to use the lighter loads to sight in the rifle, it won't shoot to the same POI as a full charge load.

And of course, you may look into a lighter kicking rifle. It could prove to make you a more accurate shooter.

 

[Quilbilly]

I am definitely going to try those managed recoil loads. Thanks for the info. I know the lighter loads will not have the same POI but it would still be nice to practice with. I would have gotten a rifle chambered in a lighter round but I got a good deal on this one so it will have to do for now. Does anyone have recommendations on a recoil pads? I was thinking that a good one of those may help as well.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Reminton R3 pad works for me, but I have a .308, not a 7mm. If you can add weight (like a new stock) to your rifle, that would help too.

 

[627PCFan]

Id recommend shooting the rifle standing, and still see if the recoil is too much. Bench shooting is much harder on the shooter.

 

[BK]

Check out a LimbSaver too.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

rcmodel nailed it. There may be other reduced loads besides remington (winchester?).

 

[hardluk1]

Use the limbsaver pad,best of the bunch by far. If you have no recoil pad now you may need to shorten your stock the thickness of the pad or more. If lenght is good screw the pad on . If it over hangs go to any shoe repair shop, they can grind and polish the edges of the replacement pad. When bench rest shooting your rifle you could also fold up a hand towel and place between your stock and shoulder. It would seem for me i always end up cutting my stocks about an 1' just because of all the winter cloths i wear so the rifle comes to my shoulder with out hanging up on clothing. The difference between light wieght bullets and heavy will make a small difference in felt recoil and the wieght of your rifle can make that number go up. Just something you need to work through . Don't shot laying down ,they all kick harder in that position. When hunting you will never feel the recoil. And if you have to shoot light loads to enjoy the rifle trade it for a 7-08 or some like that. It will still do the same job out to 350 yards or so.I have never shot more than 20 rounds at a time in my 7mm and that took most of the day. It does take a while to get use to recoil. Hang in there.

 

[ClayinAR]

I used 120 gr. Sierra Spitzer for about 40 years, nothing ever ran away from it.
Mild recoil. Only shot white tails with it but should be good for almost everything. You didn't say what you would be hunting; might be a little short for grizzlies.