7mm-08 Handi

[hilltop4200]

Het guys.I am thinking if getting a 7mm-08 handi and was wondering what your opinions were.Not just the cartridge,but the rifle as well.How is the accuracy,action strenth,etc.I used to own a 25-06 ultra,so I do know a little about them.I just would like to see more opinions on the handi rifle in general.I did like the one I owned,but that has been awhile.How is H/R customer service also?Thanks in advance.

[Mac11700]

While I don't own a 7-08 Handi...I have owned several bolt guns in the caliber...It is indeed a fine all around cartridge...Now..my opinion on the Handi's are they are the best value for the buck for a single shot going...Easy to operate...pretty durn accurate for the most part..fairly easy for the hobiest to fix if they aren't..and we have some of the best folks in the world right here at GBO that will help you getting them shooting straight...if you have a problem with them...If we can't...then the fine folks at NEF will get it going for you...What's not to luv about them ehh?

Mac

[wsjones]

I bought one last winter, in 7-08, and have been completely satisfied.  I added an aftermarket stock and forearm as a winter project after reading lots of helpful hints here and it turned out well.  The trigger on mine is very good and the rifle shoots 139gr Hornady Interlocks very well.  I hunted whitetails with it this season but shot nothing so I can't comment firsthand on performance, but there are plenty of folks who have killed plenty of things with the same load.

I like both the rifle and caliber.  Very gentle on the shooter for a relatively ligt weight set-up.  I recommend you try to find a retailer who has at least a couple in stock and who'll let you compare trigger pulls, fit, etc.

Good luck with your decision.  -WSJ

[Mac11700]

wsjones:

Your stock set turned out very nice..

Mac

[bigjeepman]

wsjones ....

Mac11700 said it perfectly .... that is nice. Thanks ... now you got me to thinking .....

[Pennsyman]

Jeepers!! Great looking stock......are the details on how it came to be in this forum somewhere??

[wsjones]

Gee, thanks for the compliments on the stock.

The butt stock and forearm came from Gunstocks Inc (see add above) as semi-finished.  This was my first aftermarket stock project and the most ambitious finishing job I've tried (and this was a kitchen table project by a real amateur!), but I was happy with the results.  I bedded the stock and butt stock per instructions & suggestions in the FAQ section of this forum.  It was also my first stab at steel bedding something too, so there was a lot of trial and error learning going on.

It took a lot of time and hand-sanding and steel wooling but I wasn't in a hurry, which is the joy of a winter project here in western NY - you get a lot of winter to project in.  Since nobody laughed at it, here's a photo of the right side and of the varmint forearm I also did but didn't use because it just didn't fit the 7-08 light rifle concept.  At some point I may try to come up with a longer barreled varmint caliber to use with it.

-WSJ

[Tackleberry]

I hate the fact hat I'm a lefty, cause it doesn't look like Gunstocks Inc. carries those in Left handed mode..  a very nice stock..

[handirifle]

Hilltop
Nice work on that stock.  Did you sand the wood to be flush with the metal or is it slightly larger, like factory?

[wsjones]

Just slightly higher or "proud" (I learned that word and now get a chance to use it - thanks!).  As I understand it, the wood should be finished just a bit higher than the adjacent metal to allow for future finish maintenance or refinishing (there's probably another real gunsmith or stockmaker phrase for that but I haven't learned it yet).  -WSJ