Author Topic: Building it backwards.... (Burris/Weatherby/7mm-08) (Read 575 times)

Quadzillabill · « **on:** October 27, 2003, 02:55:49 AM »

I stumbled across a great deal on a used Burris Signature 4-16 AO matte scope over the weekend and picked it up. It was sitting on a custom M70 rifle that was selling for over $1000, but they only wanted $150 for the glass, so I took it.

Now I'm not sure what to put it on. I've been eyeing a Weatherby Mark V Accumark lightweight rifle in 7mm-08. Wonderful piece of craftsmanship, and it seems like it would be a great whitetail round (which is the majority of my big game hunting). I'd like to take the gun on a big game western hunt for Elk in the next couple of years, and wonder if its enough when using a quality bullet.

It would be a sizeable investment for the gun, so I'd like to know what experiences people have had with the Accumark lightweight, and any and all feedback on the range of shooting that the 7mm-08 is appropriate for would be appreciated.

Zachary · « **Reply #1 on:** October 27, 2003, 04:03:05 AM »

I can't give you much experience on the Weatherby Lightweight, but I can on the 7mm-08.

The 7-08 is an EXCELLENT whitetail round. The 7-08 is short action, has light recoil, and has great accuracy that it inherits from its .308 cased brother. Loaded with premium 140 grain bullets (which is the norm for this round) the 7-08 is perfectly suited for whitetail and mule deer out to about 250 yards or even a bit more.

I love the 7-08 so much that I own 2 rifles so chambered. One is a Remington BDL SS DM with a Leupold Vari-X III 4.5x-14x-50mm Illuminated (with the standard 1" tube), and the other is a Sako 75 Stainless Synthetic with a Leupold Vari-X III 3.5x-10x-50mm Illuminated (with the new 30mm tube).

Simply put, the 7-08 is my FAVORITE deer round!

Zachary

Graybeard · « **Reply #2 on:** October 27, 2003, 04:21:40 AM »

Why in the world would you want to put such a huge heavy varmint scope on a compact lightweight rifle for deer hunting?

I think the rifle would be an excellent choice for what you'll be doing with it. The scope? Well sorry but I'd sell it and buy a lighter and more compact scope more appropriate for the chore.

GB

Quadzillabill · « **Reply #3 on:** October 27, 2003, 05:04:30 AM »

Quote from: Graybeard

Why in the world would you want to put such a huge heavy varmint scope on a compact lightweight rifle for deer hunting?

I think the rifle would be an excellent choice for what you'll be doing with it. The scope? Well sorry but I'd sell it and buy a lighter and more compact scope more appropriate for the chore.

GB

Well, I think you're right. I'm holding it and its a load. I am really trying to kill two birds with one stone, since I really want that rifle and have the scope. It was one a very heavy barreled and stocked custom gun that probably weighed 12 pounds and looked right at home there.

I should probably just buy a .22-250 (or some other long range caliber) rifle barrel for the encore and put it on that, and then get a more appropriate scope for the Mark V. Maybe a 2.5-8 Vari-XIII or something of the same genre?

How about the viability of the 7mm-08 on game larger than deer? Can it usefully be loaded to make it suitable for other game in general?

gunnut69 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 27, 2003, 05:58:29 AM »

The 7mm-08 is a great round, nearly the same ballistically the same as a 7x57 loaded to normal standard pressures(the edge goes slightly to the 7x57 in power). With premium bullets it would indeed handle elk but it is a bit light. Nonresident hunters with limited time to hunt and game that's under a lot more hunting pressure can be elusive. For the 'only shot I was offered' situations I would opt for a 7mm Mag. The recoil is nearly the same as the 30-06 with a bit flatter trajectory and better retained energy figures. The 7-08 while a great whitetail round is straining a bit with animals that may weigh 800 pounds or so. Add in the possiblity of extended ranges and the calculation tilts toward the 7Mag..

Graybeard · « **Reply #5 on:** October 27, 2003, 10:22:47 AM »

If the 7-08 was all I had I'd certainly not hesitate to take it for black bear or elk. For deer and antelope it is a super choice. I'd likely use my .30-06 if looking for an elk but if I didn't have it I'd not feel uncomfortable with the '08. I'm not one who feels a must have a magnum or that I must shoot at 400 yards or more either.

Most folks consider the 7 MM Rem. Mag and excellent choice for elk and many of them think they can do fine with it out to or past 400 yards. The 7-08 will do anything it will do about 100 yards closer to the gun. A premium 150-160 grain bullet would be my choice for it on game larger than deer.

GB