Recoil in the 7mm-08 Compact?

[OregonBoy]

I've been looking at the M77 Compact in 7mm-08 as a possible first gun for my kid brother, as well as a brush gun for myself, but I'm concerned about the recoil from such a light gun being too hard on him. The most recoil he can handle is about 30-30 level stuff, although he does enjoy shooting mild loads from my hunting buddy's antique 50-70 rolling-block. The reason I'm  looking at this chambering, by the way, is that it's the minimum cartridge available in the Compact that I feel suitable for elk, which is the big game species to hunt around our parts. Would the recoil from this gun be too harsh for him? If so, we could get him a heavier gun, in which case I'd simply buy a Compact in the more robust .308 for myself  :wink: .

[PA-Joe]

Another option is the Rem Model 7. If you reload you can soft load the 7mm08 and still get 30-30 preformance levels. Then work up the charge each year.

[ScoutMan]

Recoil is about 80% mental. If this youngster has not been "programmed" into thinking that this is a lot of recoil, then it will  not be. In all reality, it is negligible.

When he shoots it from the bench for the first time, make sure that he has good ear and eye protection. Bring a a bath towel to soften the recoil, and let him shoot it.

Above all, keep your mouth shut and don't comment on the recoil. See what his reaction is . You'll be suprised!!

[mikej]

I've got a Compact in .260 and it isn't so much the recoil, even with 160 gr bullets, as it is the muzzle blast, which out of a 16 1/4" barrel is pretty loud. The velocity loss is pretty substantial as well. I bought this rifle for my wife, and she didn't mind the recoil, but hated the blast. You might consider the Ultra Light in .257 Roberts,  7mm Mauser, or 6.5x55 Mauser if they are still offered. The latter is too light for elk, but very light in recoil, while the other two are reasonable in recoil, but have killed animals up to the size of moose and various species of African antelope over the last 100+ years. Plus the Ultra Light has a 20" barrel, and gives more velocity and less muzzle blast than the Compact.

[mikej]

Just checked the Ruger web site, and they offer the .257 Roberts in the M77 Ultra Light with 20" barrel, and all three, i.e. .257 Rob'ts, 7mm Mauser and 6.5x55 in the standard M77 Mk II with a 22" barrel, if you're interested.

[K2]

Recoil for a hunting gun is not that much of issue as you carry it much more than you shoot it.  How long before he is no longer a "kid" brother?  If he can't handle the recoil of a 7-08 is he really ready to go after Elk, or would he be better off sticking with smaller game for a few more years?  The smaller the caliber the better the hunter needs to be, though a lousy shot from a super magnum is no replacement for decent markmanship either.  Personally I won't hunt with folks that cannot hit a paper plate offhand  and limit their shots to the distance they can do that at. (for some folks this might limit them to about 20 feet  :-D ) Give him a few more years and lots of bricks of .22's to practice with  :wink:

I've been looking at the M77 Compact in 7mm-08 as a possible first gun for my kid brother, as well as a brush gun for myself, but I'm concerned about the recoil from such a light gun being too hard on him. The most recoil he can handle is about 30-30 level stuff, although he does enjoy shooting mild loads from my hunting buddy's antique 50-70 rolling-block. The reason I'm  looking at this chambering, by the way, is that it's the minimum cartridge available in the Compact that I feel suitable for elk, which is the big game species to hunt around our parts. Would the recoil from this gun be too harsh for him? If so, we could get him a heavier gun, in which case I'd simply buy a Compact in the more robust .308 for myself  :wink: .