Author Topic: Which 7mm-08 Rifle To Buy? (Read 1139 times)

SR James · « **on:** December 15, 2004, 03:38:09 AM »

I'm looking to buy a 7mm-08 for deer hunting. I've found that a lot of the rifles in this caliber have lighter weight, slimmer, often shorter barrels than "standard" configuration. Since I like to shoot my guns all year, not just during hunting season, I'm concerned that the "lightweights" may walk shots after a few rounds. I'm leaning toward a M700 CDL but Iim curious about the performance of the Rem. Mountain rifle, M7, etc. Any thoughts on the lighter weight barrels vs. the standard rifles for general shooting? I'm also open to suggestions other than Remington.

John R. · « **Reply #1 on:** December 15, 2004, 03:48:40 AM »

I have the Model 700 Mtn. rifle with a 22" bbl. It is a pleasure to carry and shoots exceptionally well. I'm sure the CDL is also a fine rifle just a little heavier. Either one will serve you well.

Grubbs · « **Reply #2 on:** December 15, 2004, 04:15:18 AM »

Tikka t-3 or Tikka whitetail (if you can still find one somehwere) is my personal choice.

HuntingGuy · « **Reply #3 on:** December 15, 2004, 04:30:26 AM »

KIMBER 84M MONTANA.. Will be buying one in 7mm-08 in February. They use some of the best synthetic material I have seen, and is pretty light! Around 800 price wise, but well worth it in my opinion.. Good luck with your choice!

mountainview · « **Reply #4 on:** December 15, 2004, 05:24:08 AM »

I pack a 7-08 Savage 10 with a synthetic stock in the woods and it is positively delightful to carry around. It has what I perceive to be a lighter barrel than other makes and models, hence the ease of carrying around all day. But as with anything else, there are tradeoffs. The light weight equates to faster barrel heating when I am at the range testing new loads though this is normally not an issue in the woods.

I never really had a problem with walking shots since I let the barrel cool down between groups but have seen other shoots chase shots around the target with hot barrels. One thing to be aware of is that the shorty barrels tend to pull in the muzzle blast closer to the shooter and also to shooters at adjacent benches at the range. This is why I prefer to stick to a 22 inch min barrel on my firearms.

SR James · « **Reply #5 on:** December 15, 2004, 08:40:56 AM »

The Kimber is more than I'm looking to spend. The T3 is a possibility I'd not considered. Any other suggestions? I'm open to input.

wild willy · « **Reply #6 on:** December 15, 2004, 08:54:09 AM »

Tikka whitetail short action t3 is a long action blocked off for myself in a short case rather have whitetail

HuntingGuy · « **Reply #7 on:** December 15, 2004, 09:31:25 AM »

The T3 is a fine rifle. I have some experience with their synthetic stocks but not the wood. Their stocks are very light and the action very smooth. The T3 also has a detatchable magazine which can come in handy while hunting (Its -10 degrees out, you get into your stand, it is easier to pop in the already loaded magazine to the bottom than load individual rounds) BUT the disadvantage which can be prevented, bring more than one to camp with you.. If you lose it, your stuck to a single round :wink: The Tikka is a well rounded rifle in my opinion, I have one in 338 and don't think I would hesitate to purchase another. Good luck

Bart Solo · « **Reply #8 on:** December 15, 2004, 09:31:35 AM »

Given that a Sako barrel seem to have explode lately, I am not so sure I am interested in either Tikka or Sako, at least until after the explosion is explained and it is demonstrated that the exploded barriel was an aberation and the problem has been fixed.

Grubbs · « **Reply #9 on:** December 15, 2004, 11:30:07 AM »

Ron Byers....If you've read anything at all about this Sako/Tikka problem you would have know it is an isolated incident, traced to a small allotment of steel used for the barrels (a metallurgy problem) that was corrected immediately by recall and a recall hotline. Sako still produces the finest mass-produced rifles available today in my opinion. Remington, Winchester, Browning, etc pale in comparison to the Tikka line in many ways.

Sask_Hunter · « **Reply #10 on:** December 15, 2004, 01:35:05 PM »

a 700adl dropped in to a ti stock or the stailess laminate mountain rifle. the mt. rifle is a mean looking shooting rig. i dont think you can go wrong with any rifle out there.

hellacatcher · « **Reply #11 on:** December 15, 2004, 03:31:50 PM »

I have a rem 700 ADL I really like also would think the New England would be good. :-D

tripod · « **Reply #12 on:** December 15, 2004, 04:11:17 PM »

Hi, Have three Tikka's bought this year. These guns have changed my hunting/shooting for the better. Can't say enough good about them. Don't have to spend money or down time experimenting to get good groups. Many better features stock. I prefer the wood/blue. Nothing wrong with the stainless. And yes I called the hotline with my serial numbers and it's fine.

De41mag · « **Reply #13 on:** December 15, 2004, 05:17:14 PM »

SR James;

I've had a Model 7FS Remington since 1989, with a 18-1/2" barrel. It will shoot MOA with the right load and thats five shots without a cooling peroid between the five shots. And it is the best deer round I've ever used. Also I've used a reduced load for it that shoots MOA using SR-4759 and a Sierra 120gr. spitzer, and the barrel does not seem to heat up shot after shot. I think the 7mm-08 shines using a short barrel and a lighter bullet over the standard 140gr. factory load.
Good luck on your choice.

Dennis