Which brand 7mm-08?

[SuperstitionCoues]

I am looking to add a 7mm-08 to my collection.  These days, who is the preferred maker?  Ruger? Remington? Or someone else?

[kyelkhunter3006]

How much money do you want to spend?  Keeping it on the cheap?  Stevens 200 (same as a Savage) is about as low as the price goes, and it's still a quality piece.  Same with the Mossberg ATR or 4x4, but I don't remember if they come in 7mm-08.  In the $400-$600 range, I'd look at CZ, Savage, Howa, Tikka, and the Weatherby Vanguard (same action as the Howa).  The new Rugers are supposed to be nice too.  In the over $700 range, as far I am concerned, it's either a Kimber, a Sako, or a Weatherby Mark 5. 

I have not been impressed at all with the last 4 Remington's I've had.  Matter of fact, I don't have any of them at this time.  They were all sold/traded off for something else.

Lots of people love the Tikka T3, the ones I had were ok.  Very smooth with a good trigger, but I just couldn't warm up to them.

I'd looked at the CZ's, Kimbers, and Sako's before, but never owned them, so I can't tell you much about them.  I did really like the Kimber's that I've handled, but haven't broke down and bought one yet.  But the time is coming.

I've had several Savages and they have all been shooters, as have the Howa's and Weatherby's I've owned.  I'd probably take a Howa, or one of the Weatherby's over any other right now.  I've bought two Weatherby Vanguard Varmint Specials in the last month.  I haven't shot them yet, but the feel, fit, and finish is great.  I'm looking forward to getting scopes on them and hitting the range.

[BNoz01]

I've got a Weatherby Ultra lightweight Mark 5 in 7-08.  It's my favorate big game rifle (right now).

However, I had to handload to get it to shoot close to what I call acceptable (1 moa).  I think this is due to the famous Weatherby freebore.  My handloads seat the bullets way past specs and they still don't touch the rifling.  But they do put two rounds just inside 1 moa.

I've got two loads for the rifle.  One is a 140 Ballistic Tip, and the other is a 140 Partition.  Both use the same die settings so switching between the two loads while reloading only requires a different amount of powder.  And, both loads shoot to the same point at 100 yards.

B. Noz.

[beemanbeme]

It's always a laugh to read someone low rate Remingtons quality and then suggest buying a Savage.  Best buy in a 7-08  is a Remington model 7 or a Remington CDL or a Remington Mountain rifle. Whichever one feels the best to you.  They also have a model 7 coming out of the custom shop with a full mannlicher stock (in 7-08) that will make you drool........ until you see the price.

[SuperstitionCoues]

It's always a laugh to read someone low rate Remingtons quality and then suggest buying a Savage.  Best buy in a 7-08  is a Remington model 7 or a Remington CDL or a Remington Mountain rifle. Whichever one feels the best to you.  They also have a model 7 coming out of the custom shop with a full mannlicher stock (in 7-08) that will make you drool........ until you see the price.

Remingtons are $200 higher than other models according to Davidsons.  Best buy?

[deerman12]

I have a remington model 7 and a ruger frontier in 7mm08.  Both are very accurate(less than 1/2 inch with my handloads.  If I could only have one it would be the remington.

[kudzu]

I've had great luck with rem, ruger, stevens 200. They are all great guns in their own right.
Find the one that fits you the best (price & feel) and let the fun began.

[kyelkhunter3006]

It's always a laugh to read someone low rate Remingtons quality and then suggest buying a Savage.  Best buy in a 7-08  is a Remington model 7 or a Remington CDL or a Remington Mountain rifle. Whichever one feels the best to you.  They also have a model 7 coming out of the custom shop with a full mannlicher stock (in 7-08) that will make you drool........ until you see the price.

Ha ha ha.  Only a die-hard Remington fan calls any of their rifles a best buy.  I will admit that I have had several Remington's that have shot very well with certain loads.  I've had more that wouldn't shoot worth a darn.  Every Savage I've had (6 I think) have been MOA or better with several factory loads.  None of the Remington's I've had did that, and if I'm not mistaken, I've had 8 M700's, one 7400 (actually a 1.5MOA rifle), and a Model Seven.  I do think that the Remington's handle better, and are much better looking than the Savage.  I love all of the Model Sevens.  That new Model Seven XCR (is that right?) with the fluted barrel and camo stock is SWEET.  I might try one. 

But for value vs $$$, Remington is dead last.  $800-$900 for a CDL with the stainless fluted barrel with also get you a Kimber 84 Longmaster or Montana if you hit the right dealer.  And we all know that there is no comparison between a Remington and a Kimber.

[Zachary]

I have a 7mm-08 in a Remington BDL SS, Sako 75 SS, and Tikka WH SS.  All are shooters.  The Sako and Tikka have higher quality than the Remington, but I still love my Remington.

The only bad thing about the newer tikkas (the T3s) is that, even though the 7mm-08 is a short action, ALL of the T3s have a long action.

You may also want to look and see if CZ chambers their guns in 7mm-08.  If they do, then I would take a long hard look at it.

Zachary

[longwinters]

I bought a Rem CDL with a Zeiss Conquest 3x9 for $700.00 last year.  The set up was one year old.  1st Rem bolt I have ever had and it shoots almost everything under MOA with several loads under .5. 

For the money I spent I think it was a great buy.  But I prefer my Sakos overall.

Long

[kudzu]

I can't believe Zachary used the words "bad thing" and "Tikka" in the same sentence!!! LOL

[warf73]

Got a Remington Youth for my son just before Christmas for $380.
Keep your eyes open you could get a nice rig if your not in a hurry.

Warf

[257 roberts]

I have a Ruger MKII stainless in 708 wiyh a 20" barrel, love it!!!

[lilabner]

I suggest you handle all the rifles you can get your hands on to see how they fit. Work the bolt and pull the trigger. Compare specifications like weight and barrel length. If the way the rifle looks is important, rate them on that. ( Rugers are the prettiest, I think). I have made three recent purchases - a Savage 16 stainless, a Weatherby Vanguard stainless and a Tikka T3 Hunter. All  three are first rate shooters. They have a reputation for accuracy. The Savage and Tikka shot tight groups out of the box and had good triggers. The Weatherby got a Timney trigger but nothing else.  Many shooters buy a rifle, then replace the stock and glass bed. Then they replace the trigger and may have the action trued. This increases the cost of the rifle considerably.

[Zachary]

I can't believe Zachary used the words "bad thing" and "Tikka" in the same sentence!!! LOL

Yea, I thought that some of you would get a kick out of that.  It's true though - a long action receiver for short action cartridges is silly.  Yea, it's a bad thing in my book.

However, with Tikkas, the pros greatly outweigh the cons.

Zachary

[Graybeard]

The ORIGINAL is still the standard to beat, Remington Model 7. All the rest are just imitators.

[jhm]

I understand the question, however maybe you just need to find a rifle YOU like and get it in the 7mm08 Cal. buy the rifle in the caliber you want not the caliber in a rifle everyone else likes.  JIM

[kyelkhunter3006]

I understand the question, however maybe you just need to find a rifle YOU like and get it in the 7mm08 Cal. buy the rifle in the caliber you want not the caliber in a rifle everyone else likes.  JIM

Probably the best advice you are going to get, IMHO.   

[rugerfan01]

I understand the question, however maybe you just need to find a rifle YOU like and get it in the 7mm08 Cal. buy the rifle in the caliber you want not the caliber in a rifle everyone else likes.  JIM

Probably the best advice you are going to get, IMHO.  

+1

[Tikkabuck]

  Ah 7mm-08 ,probaly my favorite cartrige right now and for awhile. I have them in a Tikka, Remington and a custom.  I lean strongly toward the Tikka . My custom is picky about loads ,my Remy needed a crown and trigger job right off the bat,the Tikka came out of the box shooting great with several loads,120's,140's and 154's.

[Lead Poison]

Buy a Ruger M-77 MK/II stainless/synthetic in 7mm-08. I bought one for my son and it is awesome; accurate, strong and reliable.

[saltydog]

Why a 7 mm 08 rather than a 260 REM ? - just thinking out loud - I would get the Remington or a Vanguard.

[SuperstitionCoues]

I have been really impressed by my 7mm WSM, and want something similar, but not as powerful. 

See my other post yesterday.  I ordered a Ruger Hawkeye in 7mm -08 yesterday.

[1marty]

I looked at the Tika in a 7-08 and I just didn't understand why they made a long action for a short action cartridge; I've always bought remingtons and I bought a 700SPS in a 7-08; mounted a nikon 2X7 32 Monarch. I've taken 2 deer over the last 2 years and the bullet placement was just where I was aiming.

[Ahab]

I have a Ruger MKII stainless in 708 wiyh a 20" barrel, love it!!!

Yah, me too. It's got the the new LC6 trigger. Sweet and light.I put a Zeiss Conquest 3x9 on it.

[Minnesota1]

I would go with the Tikka.  I just think you get the most bang for your buck.  You can find great deals on them on gunbroker.  Sometimes you have to wait a while but they come up.  They are accurate out of the box and they have an awesome adjustable trigger pull that breaks clean everytime!  Also, I believe there is not an action in any rifle as smooth as the tikka's.  There might be in guns that cost a lot more than the tikka's but their bolt actions are second to none for smoothness.

Best of Luck.

Bob

[SuperstitionCoues]

I am looking to add a 7mm-08 to my collection.  These days, who is the preferred maker?  Ruger? Remington? Or someone else?

After getting a good look at the Ruger, I can answer my own question on this one... It will be a Browning!!!

[kenjs1]

Try a Browning or a Tikka.  CZ doesn't make one.

[Daniel]

Picked up a Ruger Hawkeye All Weather in 7mm-08 this past weekend at Sportsman's Warehouse. I bought it primarily for my son to use during deer season, but I'm looking forward to shootin' it myself some too.

The trigger is an improvement over the Mark II for sure. It's pretty crisp and breaks at about 4 lbs. In the past I'd automatically replace a Ruger trigger with a Timney, but this one's not too bad at all. Just needs to be lightened some. The action, though not as smooth as some of my other rifles, is much better than my last Ruger. The bolt has a matte finish, which no doubt contributes to it not being as smooth as it could be. Not sure how I like the looks of a bolt that's fully matted, but maybe it'll grow on me. Overall, though, I'm pretty impressed with the fit & finish of this rifle and this is coming from someone who dotes mainly on Sakos and pre-'64 model 70s.

My son shouldered this rifle and a Remington Model 7 and liked the way this one felt better, so that's what I bought him. I had already determined that whatever rifle I bought him, it was going to be chambered in 7mm-08. 

[SuperstitionCoues]

The deed has been done -
 
On July 22nd, I found a walnut stocked Ruger Hawkeye at the local Sportsmans Warehouse.  It was in great, brand new condition (as it should be), I liked the grain pattern in the stock and the clean break of the trigger.  Looked it over thoroughly, liked what I saw, loved how it shouldered,  and it came home with me (along with a bag of those candy orange wedges they selll at the register- my sweet tooth can't get enough of those ).

After I get it set up with a Nikon Monarch 3*9, it should be potent medicine for Az. Strip Muleys.  It can keep my 7mm WSM company.