7MM WSM question

4

40XB

Inactive
I have a 7MM WSM in a Browning A-Bolt. I've always wanted a 7MM, and was seduced by the wood, the prettiest I've ever seen in a factory gun.

The gun is light, and loaded up to factory specs, it is frankly snotty to shoot. I have shot a 338 Mag in a model 70 for many (many) years, and I finally Magna-ported it. It is OK to shoot, although I wouldn't run 20 rounds through it for fun.

I thought the 7MM would be more fun, but it just isn't. I'm a big boy, and can handle it, but I'd like to enjoy it more. For perspective, I consider a 30-06 fun to shoot.

My options seem to be:

1: Get it Magnaported.

2: Get another recoil reducing system.

3: (Gasp!) - load down.

4: Quit whining and learn to live with it.

The Magna porting option would likely make the already noisy report even worse, leading me down the rabbit hole of hearing protection for hunting. I have spent countless hours online looking for that solution. I already use it for target/sighting in, of course.

What do you guys think?
 
Have you thought about putting a muzzle brake on it?

I don't like brakes personally but I do know they work. I shot a friends 50 cal AR 50, and it was mild to shoot recoil wise because of the brake, but the blast wants to knock my ear muffs off.

On the 7mm WSM it wouldn't be that bad but still unpleasent to the guy next to you. It would reduce the recoil quite a bit.

A suppresser would be better but they arn't legal for hunting in most places, plus they are a lot more expensive then a brake.

A brake would be much cheaper then another rifle.

I'm a wimp in my old age when it comes to recoil. I hunt with a Model 70 either in 257 Roberts or 270 Winchester. Both are Featherweights because I'm also a wimp when it comes to packing a heavy rifle while hunting.
 
Nothing wrong with the round, sounds like a poor match of the rifle and the chambering. In a normal weight gun the 7 WSM shouldn't recoil that bad, but it sounds like the Browning is just too light for you, or doesn't fit you well.

I don't like any of the options except #4. Or if you truly don't enjoy shooting the rifle, sell it and find something that fits you better.
 
If you're shooting for fun, what's wrong with downloading a bit? I got a .338 Win Mag a couple years ago, and made peace with that beast. So when I took the old 7 mm Rem Mag out last week and dusted off some old 154 grain Hornadys, I figured it would be tame by comparison. Wrong. I am pretty tolerant of recoil (now), but I got a reminder that a big case full of powder is going to provide some thump. Sure, the .338 kicks more on paper, but the perception isn't all that different. When I lent my bother the gun for an elk hunt, I loaded some 120's with a moderate charge of Reloder 22 so that he could get used to it. Those were pussycats, but very accurate and fun to shoot. If you are working up a new elk load, grin and bear it. But if you want to enjoy yourself at the range, or bust some coyotes, load some light bullets a few hundred fps below max and go to it.
 
I have an A Bolt in 300 Win Mag and you are right, it's "snotty" to shoot. The answer I came up with is to practice with reduced loads and hunt with full power loads. I am not a fan of muzzle breaks for two reasons: I shoot at a public range and everyone suffers when someone shows up shooting a rifle with a muzzle break and my hunting partners do not wear hearing protection while hunting.
 
I'd likely change butt pads to something like the Limbsaver or equivalent.

If it's strictly a bench rest problem, I'd interpose a small sandbag between the butt pad and shoulder. Or make some sort of shoulder pad to spread the recoil impact over a larger area.

There's no law that says every load must be max. I've shot hundreds of plinker loads through my '06, just to work on eye-finger coordination without any recoil problem. Most any cheap bullet and 2400 powder always worked just fine.
 
it sounds like the Browning is just too light for you, or doesn't fit you well
Click to expand...
I will agree with this. While the Japanese make a beautiful rifle, they seem to know little about stock design and shape because civilians in Japan generally do not shoot firearms.

I am typically not a fan of MagnaPorting a rifle or adding a brake, it adds too much noise and blast. I would recommend adding some weight to the forend by mixing lead or tungsten shot and epoxy and casting the weight into the amply inletted forend. You could probably get by with a fairly minimal weight additon, maybe 6-8 oz. Or you could add a mercury recoil reducer to the hollow buttstock.
 
40XB, Limbsaver makes what they call the Protective Pad (around $30 from Midway).

It is a shoulder pad that you slip your arm thru and buckle around you chest. Less than 1/2 inch thick. Works to take the sting out of shooting light guns/heavy loads without the bulk and only shows if you wear it outside slothes or only with a T-shirt.

At age 63 I'm just more sensitive to recoil than I used to be but with this I can still shoot my 7mm Rem Mag without the pain.

Good Luck/Be Safe/Have Fun!

NRA Life Member
 
The other responses have your options covered so I'll just add a comment about hearing protection while hunting....

You really, really, really, really should be wearing hearing protection any time you might be firing a gun.

One shot can and has caused permanent damage/ringing. Ask me how I know.:(

The market is positively awash with electronic protection options that actually IMPROVE your hearing while hunting, ranging from fair quality, $30 or less units up to exceptional quality and hundreds of dollars. There really are no more excuses.

I have a pair of Caldwell electronic muffs that I paid like $27 for in a pinch one day. I have to say that they are shockingly good for that price. They're not awesome but the price/performance ratio is outstanding.

Most any set you find in the $75-$125 range should be more than acceptable.
 
Check out flex tech stocks. I have one on my TV Encore 12 gauge rifled slug gun. Takes close to 40% of the recoil away. No muzzle brake or porting noise. I was amazed. Not sure if they have one for your rifle or not but it is a common brand.
 
Take a look at the Ken Rucker recoil reduction systems. They ain't cheap, but they sure work well on hard kicking guns.

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I've got some bad news for you, I shoot a 7mm Mag Savage (wood grain) and my fathers 270 WSM Browning BAR kicks worse than my gun has EVER kicked! You might want to consider getting a recoil pad, it's certainly cheaper than a new gun! 7mm is such an awesome caliber to get rid of, I would keep it if you can. 7mm caliber bullets have the highest ballistic coefficient of any analogous bullet (even 308 except at weights >200gr). It's hard to beat the accuracy of a 7mag :)

If you decide to keep it, you should look into the limbsaver or even better (in my opinion) the PAST recoil pads that fit over your shoulder. You can wear it under your shirt if you care about what others think...

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/699899/past-super-mag-plus-recoil-pad-shield-ambidextrous
 
If you don't like the caliber I would trade it off or have a gunsmith put in a recoil absorber. Ensure the proper length of pull.
 
A 280 rem, 284 Win or 7-08 are all 7mm's which could take most North American game.

I shoot a 300 WSM, but in a 13 lb gun.
 
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