Author Topic: Remington 700ADL 7Mag at the range left with a headache (Read 1241 times)

jmckinley · « **on:** November 13, 2006, 02:27:22 AM »

Took my new 7 Mag to the range yesterday took 15 shots to sight it in all the groups 4 went around an inch and I left with a splitting headache. My 06, 6.5X55, 22-250 and 25-06 never have done that one before. The recoil is nothing but the snap of the rifle is what I think started my head to pound. I have been thinking of a brake , but the noise is a factor, I think I may trade this in and look for another rifle. Has anyone else had this occur and any solutions?

?? Jess

myarmor · « **Reply #1 on:** November 13, 2006, 03:39:23 AM »

Perhaps a stupid question, but did you wear ear protection?

-Aaron

Zachary · « **Reply #2 on:** November 13, 2006, 03:42:53 AM »

If you have shot an '06 with no problems, then your splitting headache did not come from the 7mag. The 2 cartridges have similar recoil. Yes, the 7mag may be more with certain weights, but not much noticeably more.

As for a brake, I own several rifles with brakes, and I am now firmly against them. If you don't wear hearing protection when you shoot, then you will definately get a splitting headache afterwards. Heck, your ears would ring for a couple of days.

Yea, at the range, we wear hearing protection and the reduction in recoil is great. However, when you are in the field, you don't wear hearing protection (at least I usually don't). When I shot my rifle with the brake, my ears were in pain. So, now when I shoot guns with brakes while hunting, I HAVE to wear hearing protection. However, if I shoot non-braked guns, then I don't need hearing protection.

Yes, I know that prolonged shooting can damage my hearing, but I am talking about ONE shot at a deer, hog, etc. ONE shot from a non-braked gun is not going to damage my ears. Plus, I NEED and WANT to hear what's going on around me.

Don't get a muzzle brake.

Zachary

jmckinley · « **Reply #3 on:** November 13, 2006, 04:31:09 AM »

Quote from: Zachary on November 13, 2006, 03:42:53 AM

If you have shot an '06 with no problems, then your splitting headache did not come from the 7mag. The 2 cartridges have similar recoil. Yes, the 7mag may be more with certain weights, but not much noticeably more.

As for a brake, I own several rifles with brakes, and I am now firmly against them. If you don't wear hearing protection when you shoot, then you will definately get a splitting headache afterwards. Heck, your ears would ring for a couple of days.

Yea, at the range, we wear hearing protection and the reduction in recoil is great. However, when you are in the field, you don't wear hearing protection (at least I usually don't). When I shot my rifle with the brake, my ears were in pain. So, now when I shoot guns with brakes while hunting, I HAVE to wear hearing protection. However, if I shoot non-braked guns, then I don't need hearing protection.

Yes, I know that prolonged shooting can damage my hearing, but I am talking about ONE shot at a deer, hog, etc. ONE shot from a non-braked gun is not going to damage my ears. Plus, I NEED and WANT to hear what's going on around me.

Don't get a muzzle brake.

Zachary

I always wear hearing protection at the rnge and I must agree that I hav never worn hearing protection in the field(rifle) I do when hunting dove just because of the volume. The 7Mag is a quicker recoil than the 06 and the barrel jump in significanlty shaper than my 06. I've had several concussions from football in my younger days (at 56+ not so much now)

but I still don't like to be jarred. I am switching to a wood stock and I hope that will dampen the recoil somewhat. I agree on the brake to darn lound and I have significant loss in my left ear so I don't need to lose anymore. I'll give it another try when my stock arrives and see how it goes. Jess

Siskiyou · « **Reply #4 on:** November 13, 2006, 05:57:14 AM »

One of these days medical science will discover the 7Mag. After my first trip to the range with a new 7Mag, I immediately made an appointment to see my dentist. He examined my teeth and told me I did not have any problems. I told him after shooting at the range the my lower right jaw was aching. He took on of those nasty metal hook things and probed around a rear tooth. After I came down of the ceiling he told me that I had a bad cavity back there and it looked like I needed a crown.

A costly trip to the dentist, but the up side was the problem was taken care of before hunting season.

I also replaced the Ruger red butt plate with a real recoil pad.

I have owned an 06 and I believe there is a difference in the recoil pulse.

I find the .270 more to my liking, but it even wears a recoil pad.

jmckinley · « **Reply #5 on:** November 13, 2006, 07:10:51 AM »

Quote from: Siskiyou on November 13, 2006, 05:57:14 AM

One of these days medical science will discover the 7Mag. After my first trip to the range with a new 7Mag, I immediately made an appointment to see my dentist. He examined my teeth and told me I did not have any problems. I told him after shooting at the range the my lower right jaw was aching. He took on of those nasty metal hook things and probed around a rear tooth. After I came down of the ceiling he told me that I had a bad cavity back there and it looked like I needed a crown.

A costly trip to the dentist, but the up side was the problem was taken care of before hunting season.

I also replaced the Ruger red butt plate with a real recoil pad.

I have owned an 06 and I believe there is a difference in the recoil pulse.
I find the .270 more to my liking, but it even wears a recoil pad.

Boy do I agree with that. In fact I am trading the big 7 for a 270 after work today. It is the recoil pluse that causes the pain from the big 7. Jess

Brithunter · « **Reply #6 on:** November 13, 2006, 07:27:26 AM »

Gentlemen just a little word of advice:-

If a noise is enough to hurt then it's much more than enough to damage your hearing permently. I suggest you consult an Hearing expert for the proffessional low down

Hmm cannot remember if I have ever shot a 7mm Rem Mag

know I nearly brought Parker-Hale M81 Classic in 7mm RM but got a Ruger No1B in .300 Win Mag instead as it had a Leupold Vari X 111 2.5-8 scope on it already and the price was very close on both rifles sooooo...................

I actually wish I had brought the P-H M81 now

the Ruger has been gone for a few years now.

nasem · « **Reply #7 on:** November 13, 2006, 07:46:59 AM »

my brother has the SAME exact problem. Everytime he goes to the range and shoots his 7mm mag in winchester 70, he gets a head ache after 15 to 20 rounds. I know for darn sure its not the recoil, he shoots my 30-06 with no problems at all. It might be the noise level. the 7 mag is a bit louder than the '06 and he wears those little ear plugs that (IMO) don't plug anything. He likes them more than the big ear muffs.

Questor · « **Reply #8 on:** November 13, 2006, 07:58:22 AM »

I have used those foam plugs and they don't help much even with 22LR. I tried them with centerfire ammo for one shot only and then insisted I always have muffs along instead. I've never gotten a headache from shooting, even with the 270, which is similar to the 7mm mag, or with a 375H&H, which has more recoil.

jvs · « **Reply #9 on:** November 13, 2006, 11:45:39 AM »

I think it may come down to one of these:

I shoot at a range that has a roof over the Benches. Some of those high powered Mags can really send off some blast concussion under that roof when shot.

And you may have been kicked real hard once or twice, and if you didn't have a proper grip (as in being one with your rifle) your head and neck could have snapped a little. Does the rifle fit you?

Finally, the gun may not have anything at all to do with the headache. You could have been getting a cold or something that just started at the range.

One thing is for sure, if you don't get a headache from a .30-06, you shouldn't get one from a 7mm Mag.

Duckbill · « **Reply #10 on:** November 13, 2006, 01:09:31 PM »

My experience has been the opposite. My 7MAG has more of a "push" type recoil where both my '06 rifles have a "sharp" crack style recoil. I am more apt to get a headache from the '06 than the big 7. One thing you might try is getting a different stock. If you're using the synthetic version of the ADL, there are two things working against you. One is the narrow butt and the other is the light, hollow design. You might try a new stock with a good recoil pad.

GeoW · « **Reply #11 on:** November 13, 2006, 01:51:15 PM »

Quote from: jmckinley on November 13, 2006, 02:27:22 AM

Has anyone else had this occur and any solutions??? Jess

280 Rem is an excellent solution.

GeoW

Siskiyou · « **Reply #12 on:** November 13, 2006, 03:11:44 PM »

There are a number of ways to reduce the felt recoil and muzzle blast.

1. I use foam ear plugs along with ear muff hearing protection.

2. I built a simple rest for the forearm and back of the stock from 2x6 material and carpeting. This takes up a little recoil and provides a steady rest.

3. I was firing 175 grain loads. Switching to 140 grain loads has bennfits and the rifle shots flatter then the .270 Win.

4. When shooting from a bench I drap a rifle case over my shoulder to spread the recoil.

5. And as I mentioned earlier in my case a good recoil pad made a difference.

6. Make sure you do not need dental work before firing.

I have kept the 7 Mag around because it can toss a heavier bullet then the .270. But the 7MM is not my goto rifle. I also know that shooting from the bench increases felt recoil. I use a 12 guage shotgun all the time, but I do not shot it from the bench.

jmckinley · « **Reply #13 on:** November 13, 2006, 03:59:14 PM »

Gentlemen that 7mag is outa here. I traded it today on a Remington 1917 Enfield Custom in 06 and will never look back. I started to buy this rifle first on now it's in the gun safe. I'll stick with the 06 on elk and my 6.5X55 on deer and goats like wise with my 25-06. If it won't drop with the 06 then it can keep walkin. Jess

victorcharlie · « **Reply #14 on:** November 13, 2006, 10:45:47 PM »

Quote from: jmckinley on November 13, 2006, 03:59:14 PM

Gentlemen that 7mag is outa here. I traded it today on a Remington 1917 Enfield Custom in 06 and will never look back. I started to buy this rifle first on now it's in the gun safe. I'll stick with the 06 on elk and my 6.5X55 on deer and goats like wise with my 25-06. If it won't drop with the 06 then it can keep walkin. Jess

You reached the same conclusion that I did 30 years ago.

Duckbill · « **Reply #15 on:** November 14, 2006, 01:33:38 AM »

Jess,
If the 6.5 X 55 and the 25-06 are good shooters, you have little reason to shoot the 7MAG anyway. Regardless, you have to shoot a gun that feels good to you. I'm sure you made the right choice.

jmckinley · « **Reply #16 on:** November 14, 2006, 02:05:42 AM »

Quote from: Duckbill on November 14, 2006, 01:33:38 AM

Jess,
If the 6.5 X 55 and the 25-06 are good shooters, you have little reason to shoot the 7MAG anyway. Regardless, you have to shoot a gun that feels good to you. I'm sure you made the right choice.

Duckbill my swede will shoot 1/2" groups if I can hold that steady(most acccurate rifle I own) and my 25-06 will shoot an inch or under so I'd say they're shooters even if I'm not.

Jess

Questor · « **Reply #17 on:** November 14, 2006, 05:55:26 AM »

I looked at the 7mm Remington Magnum and was amazed by the size of the brass. It seemed to hold a lot more powder than the 270 or 280, but without a lot of extra velocity. Maybe the bigger kaboom from all that powder is what caused the concussion problem.

gdolby · « **Reply #18 on:** November 16, 2006, 10:14:52 PM »

I had this problem and a muzzle brake for range time and a sleeve for hunting solved it. I wouldn't take nothing for it now but the first time at the range and 30 rounds I would have given it away. Good Hunting..Bill

gunnut69 · « **Reply #19 on:** November 17, 2006, 04:56:35 AM »

The 7mag and 30-06 recoil in nearly the same amount with any difference being to small to notice but!! you are comparing 2 different rifles!!! The rifle transmitted the shock to you. Obviously the 7mag didn't fit well or had some other problem that caused it to pain you.. Rifle design is always a compromise and some are not good compromises! When I was a lot younger an old friend of mine who was a gunsmith asked if I would help sight in a bunch of 30-30 carbines. He had added scopes to them and they needed shooting. There were about 30 some or so. At the range I declined the use of a 'sissy' bag(shot bag filled with sand) as the 30-30 is a really mild kicker. Most rifles were zeroed with 4-5 shots and at the end my houlder was hurt worse than anytime in my entire life. He laughed a bit and pointed out that a granite boulder can be made into dust with a ball peen hammer and enough blows.. Recoil IS cumulative! Still rifle/stock design has a lot to do with 'felt' recoil and that's what we're discussing here.. right??

jmckinley · « **Reply #20 on:** November 17, 2006, 05:13:14 AM »

Quote from: gunnut69 on November 17, 2006, 04:56:35 AM

The 7mag and 30-06 recoil in nearly the same amount with any difference being to small to notice but!! you are comparing 2 different rifles!!! The rifle transmitted the shock to you. Obviously the 7mag didn't fit well or had some other problem that caused it to pain you.. Rifle design is always a compromise and some are not good compromises! When I was a lot younger an old friend of mine who was a gunsmith asked if I would help sight in a bunch of 30-30 carbines. He had added scopes to them and they needed shooting. There were about 30 some or so. At the range I declined the use of a 'sissy' bag(shot bag filled with sand) as the 30-30 is a really mild kicker. Most rifles were zeroed with 4-5 shots and at the end my houlder was hurt worse than anytime in my entire life. He laughed a bit and pointed out that a granite boulder can be made into dust with a ball peen hammer and enough blows.. Recoil IS cumulative! Still rifle/stock design has a lot to do with 'felt' recoil and that's what we're discussing here.. right??

I agree with you to a point, first I have the same rifle in 06 and it doesn't do that to me. It's not the recoil at all but the snap recoil velocity that is the problem here not recoil. The recoil is the same but the snap or velocity is greater to"ME" than any 06 I have shot except a 6 1/2# Parker Hale I had for a time. MY Enfield is an example of a 300 Win that is comfortable to shoot. It weighs 12.9 pounds. Yet, I agree that stock fit and design can lessen the effects of recoil and muzzle jump. Jess

dw06 · « **Reply #21 on:** November 17, 2006, 02:35:57 PM »

Quote from: jmckinley on November 17, 2006, 05:13:14 AM

It's not the recoil at all but the snap recoil velocity that is the problem here not recoil.

Quote

I know what you mean,I have a 308 that recoil feels more to me than my 06s,how could this be?Well I'll tell ya,my 06s are starndard weight and barrel length,the 308 is a carbine and weighs almost 2-2.5lbs less.The recoil isn't brutal but it has a snap to it that after a couple rounds gets you're attention.