7mm-08, kimber, tikka, Mt. Rifle Rem or ?

[Buckfever]

Guys I got it bad.  I am thinking about getting a 7mm-08.  Please tell me what you think about the brand you have.  Accuracy, ease of use, recoil, and how it looks.  I am old school and like blued and Walnut.  Thought about Tikka but I don't like long actions if I am going to do this.  A clip would be great for the walk and stand hunts where we move from truck to the next spot.  Yes, Greybeard I believe that they make it easier for the road hunters I would  promise you that won't happen with our group.
I guess accuracy out of the box and how it hunts are the two most Important.  By the way a guy wouldn't get like this if it wasn't so long between hunting seasons! Thanks  Buckfever

[TennesseeNuc]

Buckfever,
Several years ago I owned a Rem. Mtn. rifle and had no complaints with it.
This was prior to the detachable magazine models that are available now.  The mtn. rifle shot OK.  I glass bedded it and free-floated the barrel and it shot great.  For some reason or another I traded it off. :?
I got a Kimber a short while ago.  It is factory glass and pillar bedded.  It shoots sub-MOA with factory ammo.  Quality is topnotch.  Although I haven't hunted with it yet, I'm sure I can carry it all day without noticing it.
I haven't had any experience with a Tikka, but I wouldn't think twice about picking either a mtn rifle or a Kimber.
Best,
TnNuc

[Warthog]

I have a Model 7 SS in 7mm-08.  It has become my primary deer weapon.  It is available in wood/blue.  It was extremely accurate out of the box and I didn't even bother to adjust the trigger.  The trigger is a bit stout on pull, but it's clean and crisp without any creep whatsoever.  Fully loaded and scoped it weighs right at 7 pounds.  It also has the 20" barrel, so between the light weight and short barrel, it's a sweet carry around gun.  Recoil is extremely manageable, but I believe perceived recoil is in the shoulder of the beholder, so you're better off trying to shoot whatever you want to buy.  I agree with you about the Tikka.  Man, that action is slick, but why would you want a short action bullet in a long action gun?  I sure like the looks of the 700 Mountain, but I'm a little leary of that long whippy barrel.  Anyway, my two cents and good luck.

[longwinters]

My youngest son has a 7m-08 in the Rem 700LSS Mtn Rifle.  It is very nice to carry and with a trigger job that was done before it was ever shot it shoots MOA.  I also think Tikka rifles are always a very good bet.  Have one in 243 and really like it.

long

[Zachary]

If you want a short action for this short action cartridge, then yes, the Tikka won't flip the bill because it has a standard long action.

As far as your other two choices go, you really can't go wrong with either the Remington Mountain or the Kimber.  Keep in mind that the Kimber is lighter, and is of much higher quality than the Remington, but both will probably shoot about the same, and, keep in mind that the Kimber is going to be noticeably more.

Zachary

[Buckfever]

How much of a problem is a long action instead of a short action?  Does the T3 Hunter have the long action?  Am I concerned about a non-issue? I also like the Kimber but wonder if it worth the money.  The Tikka hunter and the Kimber look very nice to me.  I admit it I am old school.  I figure I look at the gun in cabinet 95% 0f the year.   Thanks  Buckfever

[Zachary]

To me, it's not that big of a deal.  As you put it, it's kinda a "non issue."  For others, it's important.  It does seem kinda weird to have a standard action for a small action cartridge, but - oh well.  Most people like the T3s and they are very accurate out of the box.

I guess the best thing to do is look at a T3.  I know that some dealers in Texas allow you to test shoot certain rifles.  Is there any such thing in your neck of the woods?  I guess only then will YOU be certain if it truly is a non-issue.

Other than that, I really like my Tikkas, and I have a new T3 Stainless on the way (actually, it's waiting at the FFL).  It's a .300WSM.

Zachary

[vernonp]

The quality of the Kimber is far above the other rifles you mentioned. I think for what you are getting the price is a bargain. Where I live I can buy the 84M from 750. and the 8400 from775. I would bet they are more accurate than the others. They are very light weight with a stock design that works better for me than any other I have seen. I expect the price to go up before long. Just a feeling, seems too good to be true for long.  vernonp

[hunter991]

you may need to take out a loan for the kimber rifles.. i bought a Savage and it's accurate. Not the prettiest but it will take deer like a $2000 rifle. I am quite happy with the savage in 7mm08.. my top deer gun now.

[PA-Joe]

Winchester featherweight.

[Big Paulie]

I was also looking at those beautiful new Kimber model 84s,  but a question came to mind.  What happens to the out-of-the-box accuracy when that beautiful lightweight walnut stock gets really soaking wet?  Does anyone have any practical experience with this?  Pouring rain is a very common thing in the South during a fall or winter deer hunt.

Thanks for all replies, Big Paulie

[razmuz]

If you want a 7M-08 you might look at the new Remington CDL.  Not a light weight, but it does have a 24 inch barrel, which is good.  Before I'd pay big bucks for a Kimper I'd buy three Rem ADL's and keep the best shooter and trade off the other two.  I promise you that one out of three ADL's will out shoot anything out there.

[dbuck]

Buckfever,

I have a Remington 700 BDL SS 7-08 that I have had for several years that I love and wouldn't part with for the world, its my go to rifle for deer.  It has taken two large deers in Wyoming at 413 & 426 yards and drop them right now.  I pick up a new Remington CDL the other day at Gander Mountain and it was a very nice rifle, workmanship look very nice, came an inch of buying it, but already had a Weatherby 30-06 which I also love.  Not to many people on this forum talk about Weatherby's, but they make a very nice rifle in their Mark X and Vanguard series, Mark X being the higher price rifle.  I have a Vanguard that I really love also, shoots 3/4" groups at 100 yards (4 shots) with my reloads.

dbuck