Author Topic: Major Dilemma! Help Me Decide (Read 865 times)

SR James · « **on:** December 29, 2004, 12:05:28 PM »

I'm ready to buy my new deer rifle but can't decide between my two finalists. They are a M70 Featherweight in 6.5x55 and a M700 CDL in 7mm-08. I really like both rifles. I have a M700 Classic in '06 I really like so I'm familiar with the Remington but the Featherweight is a really nice rifle also. I already have a sporterized Swedish Mauser in 6.5. Love the cartridge but there are some things about the rifle I don't like. Hence the desire for something else. I handload and am already set up for the 6.5. The M700 CDL is a little cheaper than the Featherweight but any savings would be spent on buying dies, brass, etc. to reload the 7mm-08. The two cartridges are very close ballistically and I like the rifles equally. I suppose I could try to find a Featherweight in 7mm-08 but there's not any available locally and both the other two are. The rifle would be used for deer hunting and general shooting. Fresh perspectives would be appreciated.

Buckfever · « **Reply #1 on:** December 29, 2004, 12:38:32 PM »

However, featherweight has a special feel to it. I vote for the Magic of the 6.5-55. If you already have the dies. Both these weapons and calibers are top notch, it is just a matter of opinion!!! Buckfever

huntsman · « **Reply #2 on:** December 29, 2004, 01:32:54 PM »

.264 bullets range from 85 gr SD of .18 deliverable in the 6.5x55 at above 3300 fps to the 160 gr SD of .33 deliverable in the 6.5x55 at above 2500 fps.

.284 bullets range from 100 gr SD of .18 deliverable in the 7-08 at above 3100 fps to the 175 gr SD of .32 deliverable in the 7-08 at above 2500 fps.

The 7-08 offers 200 to 300 more ft-lbs of energy (depending on bullet weight) than the 6.5x55 with the 15 extra grains of bullet. It recoils about zero to 1.5 pounds stiffer (depending on bullet weight; more difference at heavier weights) than the 6.5x55 with the 15 extra grains of bullet. The 6.5x55 has a slightly flatter trajectory with the 15 grain lighter bullets.

If you need the extra energy of the 7-08 for larger game, I would go that way. If not, or if smaller game at longer ranges were in the mix, I would stay with the 6.5x55. It's hard to beat either cartridge for medium game, but throwing heavier game (bear, elk, moose, etc.) into the equation tips the scales to the 7-08. On the other hand throwing smaller game ('yotes, antelope, 'chucks, etc.) into the equation tips the scales slightly in favor of the 6.5.

pastorp · « **Reply #3 on:** December 29, 2004, 03:51:02 PM »

I would stay with the 6.5. Better sectional density with all bullet weights, = greater penetration=better blood trail. There is a reason those swedes use it on moose, It works. Regards Byron

Graybeard · « **Reply #4 on:** December 30, 2004, 02:15:33 AM »

Nothing wrong with either rifle but let me offer you a perspective I think too many over look. That is familarity with your rifle. ALL of the rifles I use to hunt with have the exact same safety position and function. Mine are mostly Remingtons. But if I get another the safety operates same. This way I never have to THINK when the time to shoot comes. There is a vast difference in the Remington you now have and the Winchester in this regard.

Plus Winchester is owned by the French government. Do you really wanna put money in the pockets of the frogs? I don't.

anweis · « **Reply #5 on:** December 30, 2004, 04:41:54 AM »

yeah, and General Motors, whose products you so eagerly buy because they are American made, imports more engines from China than it exports there (and it assembles more vehicles in Mexico than in US). And a good deal of the factories that make those engines are owned or co-owned by the Chinese Army, which is currently one of the largest, if not the largest, owner of industry in China. They also own the optical factories making the $50 scopes you put on your rifles. But also the lenses that go in your $400 scopes. Guess what they do with their profits!
Owned by the French government as it is, Winchester never skips paying their corporate taxes. Which is not to say about many of the American corporations, including GMC.

Greybeard · « **Reply #6 on:** December 30, 2004, 06:12:46 AM »

Quote

yeah, and General Motors, whose products you so eagerly buy because they are American made

Clearly you don't know me very well. :eek: The last GMC product I owned was in 1983. So don't point that finger my way. :roll:

Personally I'd rather funnel money China's way that to France. If we have an enemy in today's world outside of the Muslim world it's France. I have a real personal hang up about France after their recent position in relation to the US.

Quote

They also own the optical factories making the $50 scopes you put on your rifles.

Again you don't know me very well. :eek: Average price of the scopes on my guns is above $300. Most well above.

Next time save the scattergun for birds and use a more precision gun for your shots here.

Bart Solo · « **Reply #7 on:** December 30, 2004, 06:36:08 AM »

Graybeard

You made a great point about making sure all of your rifles function very much alike.

Then you took a shot at France.

What have the French done other than take a position against the war in Iraq (which many, many Americans also are against) to earn your off hand disapproval?

Frankly, I am more concerned about the Chinese Army sweat shops, who are continually taking our jobs and selling us trading trinkets, than I am with French companies, who at least pay their workers a decent wage and provide first world benefits. We can compete with the French, but I am not sure we can compete with Chinese "slave" labor. Anyway neither country is our "enemy" right now.

Sorry, I won't say another word about anything but guns and hunting.

Greybeard · « **Reply #8 on:** December 30, 2004, 06:50:02 AM »

Yup yer right. Of late I do seem to be taking a lot of swipes at France. It's not just their position on the war in Iraq either. It's pretty much every thing they as a country do these days. They are very much anti US it seems to me. That's my opinion. You are just as entitled to your own and who's to say which of ours is more correct? Not me. I have mine and you have yours.

The comments following my quotes of anweis comments were made because I felt he was directing them to me and was ascripting to me traits which I do not possess. For sure I'm not a GMC supporter. Rightly or wrongly on my part I'm more anti France than I am anti China. Not to say I like China, just am more anti France.

Your politican views are as welcome at GBO as anyone's to include my own. Don't expect all to agree with me or me with them. As long as we're nice about it and don't make personal attacks or call each other names we can all post all we like regarding political views. Heck I've even been known to let dumocraps post here on occasion. :-D

Never assume that just because I don't agree with you on an issue that it means you have to agree with me or not post. Not true. We can argue it to the point we just agree to disagree or whatever. But it don't mean you can't post your views even when I strongly disagree with you.

anweis · « **Reply #9 on:** December 30, 2004, 07:50:52 AM »

Once upon a time there was a country which supported the American Revolution, a country where democracy and freedom where values before America even existed. A country on whose ideal ("Liberte, egalite, fraternite") America was founded (whether you admit it or not). Now, being individualistic as you are, you left "fraternite" out of it, and that's why you still don't have universal medical coverage, free higher education, and more social programs.
This country was never America's enemy, and it will never be, because by en large, the two countries share the same values. This country, its politicians or its citizens, do not hate America. They only hate unnecessary wars love the right to freely express opinions. So, they did not support the war. They prefer to wage peace, not war.

Once upon a time there was an eastern country deeply rooted in the Middle Ages. Almost overnight, in about 40 years, this country reached a fantastic industrialization, to the point that it wanted to become dominant and use more resources and disregard other peoples values. It took a very long and painful war all over a great sea to teach this country a lesson.

Now, can you see any parallel between the eastern country of a few decades ago and one of today?

You clearly can figure what i am talking about.
I'd rather co-exist with many opinions, people who understand my values, 500 kinds of cheese, 1000 kinds of wine, and 400 kinds of sausage, than with stinking rice and no elbow room.

victorcharlie · « **Reply #10 on:** December 30, 2004, 08:58:47 AM »

Quote from: anweis

This country was never America's enemy, and it will never be, because by en large, the two countries share the same values.

I don't think France shares my values.....

Now, can you see any parallel between the eastern country of a few decades ago and one of today?

Sorry No I don't see any parallel

You clearly can figure what i am talking about.

I don't have a clue what your talking about. If your not with us, your against us.......

HogFan · « **Reply #11 on:** December 30, 2004, 09:53:36 AM »

I will say that at this point in my life, I am not to fond of the French either. Have you been to France lately? There is plenty of anti-Americanism running the streets of France. That is fine, we bailed their asses out twice already, and if history repeats itself, we will do it again.

Yes, the French helped us defeat the British, but not so much to help us, but because they were enemies with England at the time. The French were more concerned about seeing the English defeated than they were seeing America win the war.

Now fast forward a few hundred years to present day war in Iraq. The French didn't want us to go into war with Iraq, because they knew darn good and well we would uncover the Oil for Food scam they were in with Saddam. The same goes for Germany and Russia. Humm, the three biggest protesters of the war, are now caught up in a billion dollar scam!

HogFan

Bart Solo · « **Reply #12 on:** December 30, 2004, 10:28:21 AM »

While they, for their own reasons, didn't want us in Iraq, you have to give the French credit. They have stood by us shoulder to shoulder in Afganistan and the rest of the war on terror. Nuff said.

Graybeard did make a wonderful point. It is much better to have rifles that feel the same than to have a bunch of rifles with safeties in different places and triggers with different pulls etc. For that reason I suggest SRJames buy the Remington.

Graybeard · « **Reply #13 on:** December 30, 2004, 12:35:53 PM »

BTW I went to the gunstore today to pick up my old model 77 Ruger with the tang safety that I ordered in from a TX gunstore. While there I also bought one of those Brownings. A 20 ga. O/U Sporting Clays gun. :eek: :eek:

Whoa, before ya go thinking I don't do what I say it was used so the French get nothing from me buying it. :lol: No GB money went to France. :-D

SR James · « **Reply #14 on:** December 30, 2004, 01:36:29 PM »

Geez, guys. All I did was ask a little question about a couple of rifles and I damn near started WWIII. Or is is IV? I've lost count.

For the record, I don't trust France OR China. And in case anyone is still interested, I've decided on the Win. Featherweight in 6.5. (Sorry Graybeard. If Remington made the CDL in 6.5.....).

But it will have to wait. I got a call this morning that my father (89 and still living on his own!) fell and is hospitalized, so I'm off to Missouri (I live in Okla.) My sister is already there.
Maybe the rifle will still be there when I get back. If not, that's the way it goes. This is more important. So thanks for the advice and Happy New Year!