[HandyRake]

So I am looking at a new rifle, 7mm mag to be exact. Have it narrowed down to a brand, but two different guns.

One is a "super Lite", on is just a "Lite".

There will definitely be more kick with the "super lite", but my question is this:

With it being so light, if I added a scope and bipod, does that weight help the kick/shot placement? Or is it the actual gun weight that would do that.

Does that make sense? Or am I over thinking it? Thanks guys!

 

[Berto]

THe added weight will help, but it sorta defeats the purpose of buying a lite or ultra light to begin with. It won't help with shot placement.
If you want a lightweight packable rifle, maybe skip the bipod and consider a shorter action instead of the 7mmMag.

 

[HandyRake]

THe added weight will help, but it sorta defeats the purpose of buying a lite or ultra light to begin with. It won't help with shot placement.
If you want a lightweight packable rifle, maybe skip the bipod and consider a shorter action instead of the 7mmMag.

I guess it wouldn't really be a "pack" gun. Although it could be if I took the bipod off. I do like that it could be that light.

I guess I see getting the lightest gun I can, so that when I have the bipod and scope on there it still isn't as heavy as a normal wooden stock gun.

 

[AK_Stick]

A bipod will help you shoot better, if you have the place to use it. It isn't going to help with recoil.

A scope will help with recoil a little, (bases rings, and scope weight) but not much.

The 7mm, has a light, but snappy recoil impulse that bothers me more than bigger slower calibers like 375 and 338.

But the biggest two things you can do to affect recoil, and not add a bunch of weight, get a good muzzle brake, and/or get a good recoil pad.

For a hunting gun that won't be shot a whole lot (talking hundreds of rounds a year) a brake can really tame recoil, and make a gun more plesant to shoot.

I do not like shooting my 300 WSM without the brake installed. To the point of I bought other rifles, because it hurt, and caused me to flinch. (and this from a guy who owns multiple big bore african rifle caliber guns). With the brake on it, its a ***** cat, and I love hunting/shooting it because its light enough to go to the field without much effort, accurate as hell, and now kicks less than my 30-06.

 

[Zombie Steve]

Anything below about 7 pounds that ends with magnum is going to suck to shoot. Skip the bipod and learn to shoot off your backpack. Bipods just make the gun feel weird to shoulder. YMMV .


I did shoot a 300 mag last week that had a very effective muzzle break. Loud as all get out, but it bucked less than my .30-06. It was also a fairly big stick and had a recoil pad, where my BDL just has the hard butt plate.

 

[Berto]

I guess it wouldn't really be a "pack" gun. Although it could be if I took the bipod off. I do like that it could be that light.

I guess I see getting the lightest gun I can, so that when I have the bipod and scope on there it still isn't as heavy as a normal wooden stock gun.

It's like anything else, it will really come down to what you want from the rifle and how you plan to use it.
If you want the lighter weight rifle so that the added accessories will still keep the gun a reasonable weight, that's fair enough.

I'm projecting my own tastes here, but if weight were a concern to me, and I stalk my prey vs using a stand or hawking the draws or watering holes, I'd want a uncomplicated rifle with good capability out to 300yrds or so- meaning I'd use a short action chambering, sporter weight barrel and a mid power variable scope.
If I'm wanting more reach and stand-hunting, then a heavier round, longer action/ heavy bbl and higher powered scope with a bipod might be more appropriate- I hump it to my location, set up camp and wait for my critter to show up.
It sounds like you kinda want both, so light weight is good, 7-mag will reach decently and you'll likely have a med weight at least bbl, 24 or 26". The bipods might be nice, but so is a backpack.:supergrin:

 

[HandyRake]

Thanks for all the info guys! Hadnt thought about installing a muzzle brake, I will have to look into it. But you are right, Berto, I want a little bit of everything with the gun! I do more walking than most hunters these days, but not a ton. Sitting and waiting also has its place.

AK, I am curious as to why you say the bipod wont help with recoil but a scope will. Both are adding weight. Is it were the weight is at on the gun?

 

[AK_Stick]

They may, but the amount of recoil they affect is miniscule. Same with the scope, rings and bases for all but the heaviest of scopes.

 

[Brucev]

So I am looking at a new rifle, 7mm mag to be exact. Have it narrowed down to a brand, but two different guns.

One is a "super Lite", on is just a "Lite".

There will definitely be more kick with the "super lite", but my question is this:

With it being so light, if I added a scope and bipod, does that weight help the kick/shot placement? Or is it the actual gun weight that would do that.

Does that make sense? Or am I over thinking it? Thanks guys!

The big 7 is a great big game hunting round. Select a rifle/stock design that manages recoil by a straight line comb, etc. A good quality recoil pad will help. For scopes, I'd suggest Leupold. A fixed power will be ever so slightly lighter. A variable power will be slightly heavier, but will be more flexible if you anticipate hunting in a variety of terrain and cover. A bi-pod will help for long shots. With care you can get the weight down to a manageable 7-7.5 lbs. Do consider that if you use a shorter than normal barrel, you will see velocity drop to the point that the Rem. 7mm offers little practical field advantage. Ultra-Light offers some excellent designs that will address your concerns/needs. Just a suggestion... but once you've bought your rifle, handload yourself some less than full-power practice loads. Spend time at the range familiarizing yourself with the trigger, etc. Unless you are experienced in shooting hard kicking rifles, do not spend a lot of time shooting the high-performance ammunition that you will use for hunting. Concentrate on learning to use your rifle well out to 200 yds. For in reality, the vast majority of big game hunting takes place at no more than 200 yds. Do practice with your selected hunting load. When you do such practice, use a PAST recoil pad on your shoulder. Also use both ear muffs and ear plugs as much of what affects people in recoil is the effect of muzzle blast. Good hunting! Cheers!

 

[Travclem]

A lite gun will suck to sight in, but nothing sucks to shoot when there's a trophy in the crosshairs. I'd rather take a 1/2 second ass whoopin from recoil than pack around a 12lb rifle for a week.

 

[Mr Wasabi]

A lite gun will suck to sight in, but nothing sucks to shoot when there's a trophy in the crosshairs. I'd rather take a 1/2 second ass whoopin from recoil than pack around a 12lb rifle for a week.

Yep, I totally agree with this.

 

[rem2429]

I have a messed up finger where a lightweight 7 mag with mounted bipod recoiled and smashed it between the bipod and a log I was using as a rest.
Beware the bipod, and beware the scope. They may help some, but they can be sharp in a heavy kicking gun. I now shoot off a backpack. I get better accuracy and don't have to carry a bipod around.

 

[kaifs]

I hope you are considering Sako A7 in 7mm as one of your 'choices'

 

[HandyRake]

I hope you are considering Sako A7 in 7mm as one of your 'choices'

Wish I could, but right now, i cant afford a gun that is that much. So I bumped it down a notch and am looking at the Tikka line.

 

[Travclem]

I have a messed up finger where a lightweight 7 mag with mounted bipod recoiled and smashed it between the bipod and a log I was using as a rest.
Beware the bipod, and beware the scope. They may help some, but they can be sharp in a heavy kicking gun. I now shoot off a backpack. I get better accuracy and don't have to carry a bipod around.

I did that with a 7mm RUM on the rearview mirror of my pickup.

 

[Teecher45]

Wish I could, but right now, i cant afford a gun that is that much. So I bumped it down a notch and am looking at the Tikka line.

Go with your instinct,Tikka T3 is a great rifle. My father owns a T3 light in .338. Great gun to carry up and over the mountains, not bad to shoot, and is an overall great gun.

 

[RWBlue]

So I am looking at a new rifle, 7mm mag to be exact. Have it narrowed down to a brand, but two different guns.

One is a "super Lite", on is just a "Lite".

There will definitely be more kick with the "super lite", but my question is this:

With it being so light, if I added a scope and bipod, does that weight help the kick/shot placement? Or is it the actual gun weight that would do that.

Does that make sense? Or am I over thinking it? Thanks guys!

Simple physics, it is the total weight of the package. If you hang a 50# bag of flour to the gun, that will reduce the felt recoil.

Some other things to consider.
I love packing my Styer scout and should not shoot that much when I am actually hunting, but boy it wears on me at the range. They make a shoulder pad. I have considered it, but decided to just live with it.

Recoil and shot placement should not be related, but flinch and shot placement are.

Assuming the cartridge is the same the recoil is the same, but the felt recoil is based on the weight of the rifle and stock design and....

 

[HandyRake]

Thanks for the input guys! I think I am going to get the T3 superlight that is only available at Sportsmens Wearhouse. All it is is a T3 Lite with a fluted barrel. Being just a bit lighter is worth it to me. I should be able to deal with the range recoil.

 

[AK_Stick]

A lite gun will suck to sight in, but nothing sucks to shoot when there's a trophy in the crosshairs. I'd rather take a 1/2 second ass whoopin from recoil than pack around a 12lb rifle for a week.

Depends on how much you shoot I guess.


I shoot about 100-250 rounds through my hunting rifle during the off season. And on a good season I'll shoot between 8-20 rounds.

I'll carry a slightly heavier gun, that I'm not afraid of, than a light, hard kicking magnum.

 

[Mr Wasabi]

Those Superlight T3's sound nice. I wish I could find one local to SW Florida and in 7mm-08. I guess they only made them in .270, 30-06 and 300WM for Cabela's and Sportsmen's Warehouse.