Need Opinions/Experiences On 7MM-08

[wtxbadger]

I am thinking about buying a 7MM-08 and wanted to learn more from anyone that has one and how it has performed for them hunting and target shooting.

wtxbadger

[quickdtoo]

A popular topic lately!!

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,133161.msg1098502464.html#msg1098502464

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,132986.msg1098501086.html#msg1098501086

[wtxbadger]

Thanks Tim. I have always wanted a 7MM-08 and the reviews on it from the 80's were good, but have not read much from people that have hunted/shot with it long term.

wtxbadger

[thejanitor]

wtxbadger - I have the 7-08 in a handi and love it. I shot three deer with it two years ago. I have been a .270 shooter for years but this one is a very nice mild gun to shoot. I wouldn't hesitate to buy this gun again! Good luck! Brent

[Cat Whisperer]

My 7-08 is in a Ruger #3 custom.

Aside from the rifle the 7mm has one of the WIDEST range of available bullets and gives a wide range of loading capabilities.  The 7-08 is in the same energy range as the 7x57 - long respected for it's capabilities in hunting as well.

And, if you're on-the-cheap (like most of us) brass is easy to reform from 308 or 7.62 Nato.

[ROZA745]

 I'VE SHOT THE 7-08 FOR 20 YRS., I PERSONALLY THINK IT'S THE PERFECT CAL. FOR THE LOWER 48 FOR HUNTING, MINE AND MY WIFES HAVE KILLED MANY LARGE KANS. DEER, I EVEN USE MINE FOR P.D. SHOOTING, LOAD THE 100 GR. HORN. H.P. W/ A STIFF LOAD OF RL-15 OR H- VARGET AND YOU CAN'T GO WRONG. FOR LARGE DEER, RL-15 AND BARNES X IN ANY VARIENT WILL DO WHAT YOU WANT.  THE 7-08 IS NOT PARTICULAR WHAT IT IS FED, MANY POWDERS WORK JUST FINE.  YOU CAN SQUEEZE OUT SOME PRETTY IMPRESSIVE NUMBERS ON THE CHRONOGRAPH, FOR A SHORT CASE, KEEP IN MIND, ALL THE LOADING BOOKS ARE PRETTY CONSERVATIVE ON THEIR MAX. LOADS, JUST WATCH FOR PRESSURE SIGNS, I HAVE 3 DIFFERENT 08'S, THEY ALL PREFER RL-15 W/ THE 120-140 GR. BULLETS, ALTHO VV-140 OR VV-150 ARE GREAT ALSO, VV POWDER IS PRICEY THO, I HAVE GOTTEN THE BEST ACCURACY W/ FED 215 PRIMERS, IF YOU DON'T HANDLOAD, FACTORY WILL DO FINE.  MANY OF MY HUNTING FRIENDS HAVE CONVERTED TO 7-08'S OVER THE YEARS, IT'S INHERENTLY ACCURATE, A PLEASURE TO SHOOT, AND YOUR WIFE & KIDS CAN HANDLE THE RECOIL AND NOISE.   YOU CAN'T GO WRONG!     ROSIE

[wtxbadger]

Thanks for the feedback. Guess it's time to head down and order one, and pick up a set of dies, brass, and decide what bullets to try first.

[Graybeard]

I bought one of the early Remington Model 7s in 7-08 not long after Remington introduced the round and the rifle. We still have that rifle here at the house it is now my wife's primary hunting rifle and the stock has been cut to fit her 4' 11" frame.

I hunted extensively with that rifle for years before my oldest son began using it on a hunt for exotics in TX and then it was passed to my wife later. All three of us have hunted with it over the years since taking a great many animals ranging from squirrel to white tail deer to exotics and even a feral goat that came by my stand high on a mountain in the CWMA one cold day.

The rifle has NEVER missed and NEVER required a second shot for either of the three of us on any animal it's ever been fired at. I consider the 7-08 to be as ideal a round for deer hunting as exists. Most of the animals have been taken with the standard Remington 140 grain factory load but for the last few years we've switched to Hornady Light Mag ammo using the 139 BTSP. I've never used anything that has been more effective on deer.

[wtxbadger]

Thanks for the insight on your experience with the 7-08 Graybeard. I ordered two rifles chambered for it today. A Handi for myself and a Stevens 200 for my son-in-law who is currently on active duty in the Persian Gulf on a cruiser. My daughter wanted to surprise him with a deer rifle for his birthday and his preferences lean towards bolt actions.

I am looking forward to seeing how they shoot for the both of us.

wtxbadger

[EVOC ONE]

Thanks for the insight on your experience with the 7-08 Graybeard. I ordered two rifles chambered for it today. A Handi for myself and a Stevens 200 for my son-in-law who is currently on active duty in the Persian Gulf on a cruiser. My daughter wanted to surprise him with a deer rifle for his birthday and his preferences lean towards bolt actions.

I am looking forward to seeing how they shoot for the both of us.

wtxbadger

I have the same two rifles! 

I've only shot factory 140's through the Handi and have yet to shoot the Stevens.  The Handi shoots consistant 1 1/2"  3 shots at 100 yards with Winchester Power Points. 

The rifle is enjoyable to shoot, but the cost of the ammo is expensive, so I'll be do a bit of reloading beginning real soon.