Wifes 7mm-08.

[jmad_81]

I bought my wife a 7mm-08 a while ago so she could have her own rifle and I could get my 270 WSM back. It was a remingotn 700 mountain. Has a 22" very skinny barrel and is very light. I have to admit that I might not of thought that one through ( or was thinking about myself using it). When working loads up for it after two shots the barrel is pretty dang hot, and she thinks it kicks more than the 270 WSM. I really like the 7mm-08 round, but I'm thinking that I should of gotten her a bit heavier gun. Can I make this one heavier with out really throwing off the balance, or should I just look for a different rifle? I know I could throw a different stock on it but then I'm still facing the super skinny barrel "problem".

You guy have any suggestions on a good rifle chambered in a 7mm-08 in the 7 to 8 pound range? Or any other Ideas?

 

[DrMike]

Just to verify, this is the brown laminate stock and not the custom KS?

I'm surprised at your description of the barrel being "hot" with just two shots. The Mountain Rifle is a great design and the calibre does not burn a great amount of powder. You should be able to get three shots without excessive heat. Some people have complained about felt recoil in this design, however. I'm surprised, however, that your wife considers it to be a heavier recoil than your 270 WSM. I would be concerned at losing balance with any change to the stock and/or barrel.

Are you shooting a heavier bullet than you did in the 270 WSM? What rifle is the 270 WSM? If you are shooting a 140/145 in the Mountain Rifle verses a 130 in the 270 WSM, it could account for the felt recoil difference.

On the whole, I would be inclined to trade in the Mountain Rifle for something she wants, or let her keep the WSM and you buy yourself another. At least, that is my $0.02.

 

[bullet]

I bought my wife a 7mm-08 a while ago so she could have her own rifle and I could get my 270 WSM back. It was a remingotn 700 mountain. Has a 22" very skinny barrel and is very light. I have to admit that I might not of thought that one through ( or was thinking about myself using it). When working loads up for it after two shots the barrel is pretty dang hot, and she thinks it kicks more than the 270 WSM. I really like the 7mm-08 round, but I'm thinking that I should of gotten her a bit heavier gun. Can I make this one heavier with out really throwing off the balance, or should I just look for a different rifle? I know I could throw a different stock on it but then I'm still facing the super skinny barrel "problem".

You guy have any suggestions on a good rifle chambered in a 7mm-08 in the 7 to 8 pound range? Or any other Ideas?

It will heat up if you do not let the rifle cool down between three shot groups to almost cold or completely cold. I had a 7mm08 and it would heat up if you do not also allow at least two or three minutes between rounds. You fire them one after another under a min apart and it will get hot. Being thin barrel it will also cool quicker if you will let it. There is nothing wrong with a super skinny barrel a #1 contour. My Mark V Custom 06 had one and it would heat up quick but also cool down quick.

 

[JDMAG]

I cant speak to the mountain rifle, but if you are looking for a different rifle in 7MM-08, I like the Stevens 200 I bought for my daughter. It's light and I don't see any heat problems after 3 rounds fired consecutively. I'm using 120 BT's with 46 grains of Varget. and getting decent groups. The recoil doesn't seem to be too bad to me.

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

Personally, I'm not a fan of skinny light barrels, for all the reasons you just described. I'd trade if for a more substantial rifle, probably in the same calibler.

 

[jmad_81]

Dr. Mike- In the 270 WSM she was shooting some factory 130 Gr. BT and some mild (58 gr. 4350) 140 AB. In the 7mm-08 she was shooting 120 Gr. BT over 48 Gr. of 4350. The stock that is on it is a black synthetic youth. When I bought it new it had a black/W some grey specks synthetic. It did shoot better with that stock. I'm just trying to decide if I should go through the hassel of bedding it and doing all the work to it if she thinks it is still going to kick to hard. That is why I was asking about a bit heavier gun, or adding weight to this one. I put a bi pod on it for a little extra weight but it makes the gun front heavy and she doesn't like that.

Bullet- I was shooting three shot groups and then setting it aside and shooting a five shot group with my AR, then walking out to the targets for a closer inspection and to kill time. When I cam back the barrel had cooled off, they do seem to cool off quick. When I say hot after two shots I mean that is feels fairly warm on the hand, and after three it would not burn you but was still hotter than I would like for only three shots from a round that size.

JDMAG- the recoil doesn't bother be eaither at all, it is pretty pleasent to shoot. I saw the pics you posted looks good, I'll load up some with the 46 gr. of varget and try them and see what happens.

Antelope_Sniper- After having this gun I'm not to sure I'm a fan of them either. If I can't get things under control enough for the lil lady with this one I'll be looking for a bit heavier one. Looks like some good Remmys on gun broker.

Thanks guys

 

[DrMike]

Since you put a bi-pod on it, and the extra weight didn't make a significant difference, it would indicate that stock design is a major contributor to felt recoil, in which case, the rifle might benefit from a new stock. The 120 BT verses the 130 BT and/or the 140 AB would indicate that it is not measured recoil that is a problem, but rather felt recoil which is a function of stock design. The heating of the barrel still seems excessive. I shoot a fair number of featherweights, and all handle multiple rounds with aplomb. The mountain rifle should not heat up that much. It just seems that you would be better served with another rifle. Fortunately, there are a number of excellent designs that should address the issue.

 

[jmad_81]

I loaded up some 5 more rounds with 43Gr. varget at lunch. I'll take the temp gun up when I shoot this evening and record the barrel temp after every shot. Was going to to with the 46 gr. but noticed that the nosler book has 45 as the max ( if I remember correctly.), so I just wnet with their most accurate reccomendations.

 

[Big Squeeze]

I bought my wife a 7mm-08 a while ago so she could have her own rifle and I could get my 270 WSM back. It was a remingotn 700 mountain. Has a 22" very skinny barrel and is very light. I have to admit that I might not of thought that one through ( or was thinking about myself using it). When working loads up for it after two shots the barrel is pretty dang hot, and she thinks it kicks more than the 270 WSM. I really like the 7mm-08 round, but I'm thinking that I should of gotten her a bit heavier gun. Can I make this one heavier with out really throwing off the balance, or should I just look for a different rifle? I know I could throw a different stock on it but then I'm still facing the super skinny barrel "problem".

You guy have any suggestions on a good rifle chambered in a 7mm-08 in the 7 to 8 pound range? Or any other Ideas?

...............jmad,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Take a look at this short audio/video at,,,,"shootingtimes.com",,,,,,,,see video section. Scroll down a little and click "view all"..........Then click on "accuracy tips" towards the upper right corner.......Then find the video,,,,"Accuracy in Rifle Barrels" with Craig Boddington. He talks about some mis-conceptions, barrel types and the barrel heat as well.

For your thinner barrel, you should allow about 2-3 minutes between shots with the bolt open. Another little trick is to use a damp but well wrung out rag or small towel and drape it over the barrel in between your shots.

A little technique to curtail recoil that I use when shooting my 375, is to rest the palm of your non-trigger hand on top of the scope with some downward pressure on the scope while the elbow rests on the bench. That will reduce the kickback. Doing this has not affected my group sizings.

I would keep your lightweight Rem 7/08. On the hunts you can carry a rifle around for hours. Depending on the terrain, every added lb in weight does make a difference.

I`d rather have a lighter rifle in the field as a better trade off and maybe alter my bench shooting technique to reduce the felt recoil.

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

B_S, remember, this is his wife's rifle.
I can't imagine trying to take my wife's rifle away from her after everyshot, and hanging a wet rag on it, and telling her to sit there for 3 minutes while it cools. Since I like it when my wife comes shooting with me, I want to make the experience as smooth and seamless as possible for her. That means providing her with a rifle she doesn't need to think about. It needs to be accurate, flat shooting, hard hitting, with low felt recoil. It also means a rifle she can shoot at her pace, not the other way around. It need to be pretty (read woodstock), so she can show it off to her friends, rock solid, and have as few moving parts and adjustments as possible.
Easiest way to ruin a woman on shooting is to give her a fussy gun. By keeping things simple for her, and eliminating the variables, she will a lot more fun and shoot with you more often.

 

[Big Squeeze]

B_S, remember, this is his wife's rifle.
I can't imagine trying to take my wife's rifle away from her after everyshot, and hanging a wet rag on it, and telling her to sit there for 3 minutes while it cools. Since I like it when my wife comes shooting with me, I want to make the experience as smooth and seamless as possible for her. That means providing her with a rifle she doesn't need to think about. It needs to be accurate, flat shooting, hard hitting, with low felt recoil. It also means a rifle she can shoot at her pace, not the other way around. It need to be pretty (read woodstock), so she can show it off to her friends, rock solid, and have as few moving parts and adjustments as possible.
Easiest way to ruin a woman on shooting is to give her a fussy gun. By keeping things simple for her, and eliminating the variables, she will a lot more fun and shoot with you more often.

............You don`t take it away from her! Instead, hubby needs to explain barrel physiology including barrel heat, how heat affects the accuracy, along with using a little patience at the bench. If she wants better accuracy, she`ll be more patient and there all all kinds of ways to reduce felt recoil.

If she doesn`t want to listen, then fine. Blast away!! Or! She can use her own money and go get her own rifle.............. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[DrMike]

In light of your responses, it really looks like you need to trade the rifle in for another rifle. If she doesn't enjoy shooting the rifle, she will avoid it. If it doesn't give you accurate groups, the enjoyment will be absent in any case. I would avoid the Model 7, as the smaller action does not seem as accurate as the 700 action in my estimate, and felt recoil with a Model 7 can be greater than with a Model 700. The Savage/Stevens or the Winchester Featherweight may be just the ticket. I've had good success with both at various times. The Browning X-bolt Hunter may be a good rifle to look at. Since the Mountain Rifle you have is in good shape, you should get a good trade-in on it. It is a bummer, for sure.

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

So how would that sound?

"Sorry Honey you don't like the light barreled piece of junk I bought for you. I know it's not very much fun. If you don't like it you can go buy your own......I'll be sleeping Where? :shock: For How long?? :shock: :shock: And I can put this rifle where? :shock: Which direction? :shock: :shock: "

The alternative conversation could be, "Hey Honey, go ahead and shoot 3 shots.

8) 8) 8)
Good job Sweetie.....Now about those venison steaks you offered to cook :wink:

When my wife shot the above group there was no cooling between shots. No explaining barrel philosophy or harmonics, or load data, just which target to shoot, and what a great job she did.

 

[DrMike]

Hoo, boy. Some shooting! You didn't even have to store the rifle in some obscure location that made it difficult to retrieve. She was happy. And I'll bet the steaks were superb.

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

She cooks better then she shoots!! :grin: :grin:

 

[JDMAG]

She cooks better then she shoots!! :grin: :grin:

So do I :roll:

 

[DrMike]

Now, JDMAG, those groups are minute-of-whitetail out to as far as you should reasonably shoot. However, all this talk about eating is making me hungry. Think I'll go cook up some bison.

 

[jmad_81]

Thanks for all the input guys. I'm going to try to get this one to shoot with out dumping a bunch of money into it. My wife is the type of girl that makes fun of people like us and how involved we get. She just wants a gun that shoots, doesn't really care how fast or what bullets. She just wants to point it at something and them tell everybody how she outshot me. I'll bed it and put a recoil pad on it and see what happens.

I did have a bit of a promissing load last night with some varget. The clean bore shot was about four inches low, and then the next four made a pretty square box a little ofer an inch and a quarter. I shot three and let it cool then shot the last two. So I took it home cleaned it really well and loaded up three rounds in half grain increments from 43 gr. to 45 gr. Now all I have to do is wait for the sand storms to stop and I'll give it another whirl. I'm not completely giving up yet.

 

[DrMike]

Nothing wrong with inch and a quarter groups. That'll kill any game out to way the heck and gone.

 

[Scott Spencer]

My wife had never shot a rifle, or a full-size gun of any type, until last fall. She gets behind my son's Win Mod 70 .270 and proceeds to shoot a 1.27" group at 200 yds with it!!!

She can out shoot me all day long and it sux! :grin:
Nah, I'm really glad she can shoot so well. Now if I could just get her to shoot an animal with it and go hunting with me.