Author Topic: 7-08 rifle advice  (Read 2755 times)

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Offline nrifenbark

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7-08 rifle advice
« on: July 06, 2005, 04:24:04 PM »
I've been thinking about a hunting rifle in 7-08 and wonder what rifles people might recommend.  I'd like maybe a 22 inch barrel so as to get the most out of that cartridge.  My son has a Rem Model 7 that is a tack driver but the gun is so light, and the barrel is so short, that it just doesn't fit me.  I have a .300 Win Mag in a Sako Hunter that is awesome and I've been thinking that a 7-08 in a Sako would be a good choice.  But I also wonder about Ruger, Weatherby, and others.  Gotta say that I don't like the Remington action too much regardless of the fact that it seems to work well (bolt always seems wobbly to me, whereas the Weatherby, for instance, is great).  I have not purchased a rifle in so many years that I am not familiar with what is out there now a days so a little feedback would be appreciated.  Buy the way, I will handload for the 7-08 [Dillon 550B press].

Online Graybeard

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7-08 rifle advice
« Reply #1 on: July 06, 2005, 04:28:21 PM »
Take a look at the Remington Model 700 LSS Mtn. Rifle. I have one in 7-08 in addition to .260 Rem. and .30-06. I've talked several folks on here into buying them in 7-08 mostly but the other chamberings also. Don't think anyone yet has been disappointed.

I use the Hornady Light Mags in mine for hunting and it shoots them well under MOA and they really work on game.


Bill aka the Graybeard
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I am not a lawyer and do not give legal advice.

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Offline Gregory

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7-08 rifle advice
« Reply #2 on: July 06, 2005, 04:34:19 PM »





Savage 11FL
Greg

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the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
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Offline HuntingGuy

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7-08 rifle advice
« Reply #3 on: July 06, 2005, 05:12:31 PM »
Nice group there, Greg.  May have to buy a Savage one of these years  :-D
HuntingGuy
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Offline De41mag

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7-08 rifle advice
« Reply #4 on: July 06, 2005, 05:29:51 PM »
Well I have to agree w/ Greybeard.

The 7mm-08 is probably the best all around cartridge I've ever used.
From pariare dogs to deer you can't beat a 7mm-08.
Man, I seen a Ruger in a 22inch barrel at the local gun shop, a No. 1 in stainless and wood stocks. It was a work of art. I came sooo close to buying that rifle, but I ended buying an AR-15 Varmiter. But that Ruger No. 1 still sticks in my mind.
I think You WILL be happy with whatever rifle you choose as long as it is in a 7mm-08.
Good Luck!

Dennis  :D

Offline Slamfire

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7-08 rifle advice
« Reply #5 on: July 06, 2005, 07:36:36 PM »
The Rugers and Winchester Classic  Featherweights are handsome rifles, and certainly shoot well. It is hard to find a more accurate rifle than the Savage unless you pay an awful lot of money. What kind of budget would you prefer?
Bold talk from a one eyed fat man.

Offline nrifenbark

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7-08 rifle advice
« Reply #6 on: July 07, 2005, 04:31:15 AM »
Up to about $1500.  Plus scope.

Offline PA-Joe

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« Reply #7 on: July 07, 2005, 04:57:27 AM »
Winchester Featherweight, Rem Mtn, Rem Model 7 or Savage.

Offline Dave in WV

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7-08 rifle advice
« Reply #8 on: July 07, 2005, 05:51:21 AM »
I've got a Rem 7600 7mm-08. It came from Grice in PA and has laminated stocks. It is a honey.
Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others; it is the only means
--Albert Einstein

Offline firstshot

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7-08 rifle advice
« Reply #9 on: July 07, 2005, 02:16:19 PM »
I'm one of the ones that Greaybeard influenced.......and glad he did!!!

Rem 700 Mtn LSS 7MM-08 - - - - Looks Good!


And shoots good too! :lol:


Regardless of the gun you end up with, you'll love the 7MM-08!!!

firstshot
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Make your first shot count!
Life is too short to hunt with an ugly gun !!

Offline Slamfire

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7-08 rifle advice
« Reply #10 on: July 07, 2005, 05:20:32 PM »
Quote from: nrifenbark
Up to about $1500.  Plus scope.

You won't be needin' my advice then I'm not familar with rifles in that price range.  :D
Bold talk from a one eyed fat man.

Offline Handwerk

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7mm-08
« Reply #11 on: July 07, 2005, 05:41:55 PM »
all I can say is go with a tikka. Have 3, one of which is that caliber, love the thing. Make sure you look a tikka over before you decide.

Offline smk

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7-08 rifle advice
« Reply #12 on: July 08, 2005, 06:40:17 AM »
If I had the budget you have for this rifle, I would without a doubt get the Sako. If I had less money I would get the Tikka. I use an out of the box Tikka 7-08 for high power silhouette and it gives great accuracy out to the 500 meter rams.

Offline Grubbs

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7-08 rifle advice
« Reply #13 on: July 08, 2005, 11:12:03 AM »
Ditto to what Handwerk and smk said.  I have two t-3's (7-08, 7mag) and a Tikka whitetail (7mag) and they all shoot 1/2" all day with factory ammo.

Offline nrifenbark

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7-08 rifle advice
« Reply #14 on: July 08, 2005, 02:00:30 PM »
Thanks for the replies.  I read somewhere that the Sakos and the Tikkas use the very same barrel and that speaks well of the Tikka.
An old friend of mine contacted me with the following: "I took that barrel off that Sako [7-08] and made it into a .257 Ack. Imp. just for something different, but I think the 7-08 is a great cartridge.  Sakos are very good, I think that the older ones (like your 300) are better than the newer ones.  If you can find a good Remington action, I have a Shilen stainless steel barrel that has about 2500 rounds through it that I will give you.  Rifling is still very sharp, I used it Silhouette shooting and shot very light loads through it.  You should get another 2000 easy.  It shot the 139 Hornady and the 162 very well.  I tied the Wyoming State record and was only off 4 targets from the national record with it.  I have been shooting High Power rifle lately, quite a challenge shooting a .223 at 600 yards with open sights.  Sunday we have a 1000 yard match and I am going to shoot my M1A in .308, this will be my first 1000 yard match so it should be interesting."
I am wondering if I can buy just the Sako or Tikka action and slap that barrel on it.  Stock it and I'd be in business.  I'll look into it.

Offline kyhunter308

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7-08 rifle advice
« Reply #15 on: July 09, 2005, 05:25:17 AM »
tikka,or savage will be the most accurate i would say...

Offline Lawdog

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7-08 rifle advice
« Reply #16 on: July 09, 2005, 08:41:44 AM »
Quote from: nrifenbark
Up to about $1500.  Plus scope.


Forget the rest and purchase a Sako 75 Deluxe Hunter in 7mm-08.  Top it off with a Burris or Leupold scope and never worry again.  Of course if you want to have some money left over to purchase reloading supplies then get an accurate rifle - Savage in the model of your choice[/i].  Lawdog
 :D
Gary aka Lawdog is now deceased. He passed away on Jan. 12, 2006. RIP Lawdog. We miss you.

Offline jim21

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7-08 rifle advice
« Reply #17 on: April 27, 2006, 06:23:03 PM »
Why not try out a Howa 1500 in 7-08cal..The guns got some great reviews. 8)
I'm not in VietNam anymore,so get someone else to walk point.('69-'70)

Offline glshop20

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7-08 rifle advice
« Reply #18 on: June 02, 2006, 02:37:51 PM »
I agree with Handwerk.  I have a Tikka Continental Varmenter in .308.  It will consistently keep five shots under 2" at 300 yds. off a bag.  On a few days when everything was right(moon, stars, weather, ME) it has done even better.  Got the same thing in 22-250 and got the same results.  I have seen guys with high priced CUSTOM rifles that did not do much better.  Most rifles will do pretty well at 100yds.  The test is when you start shooting longer distances.

Offline 257 roberts

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7-08 rifle advice
« Reply #19 on: June 02, 2006, 04:16:39 PM »
I have a Ruger 77 MKII stainless/syn. in 7mm08 with a Bushnell 3200 Elite 3x9, 3lbs trigger and could not ask for more :wink: its a shooter.

Offline Slamfire

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7-08 rifle advice
« Reply #20 on: June 02, 2006, 08:02:09 PM »
The little bit of velocity you'd lose from an 18" or 20" barrel won't affect the killing power of this cartridge. Unlike the ultra velocity cartridges, they kill by the bullet's delayed expansion upon strikin' game. The bullet actually penetrates BEFORE it expands, sheddin' energy in the vitals and not on the surface. Of course, there isn't anything wrong with 22" or even 24" barrels as long as you like the weight and balance.  :wink:
Bold talk from a one eyed fat man.

Offline g8r

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7-08 rifle advice
« Reply #21 on: June 04, 2006, 01:00:55 PM »
Browning A-bolt (pick your favorite configuration) or a Rem. 700 Mountain are both great choices. For some reason the Brownings really shoot the .284 calibers (7-08,.280,7mag) incredibly well, at least the ones I've shot or been around.
Good luck !

Offline encore4me

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7-08 rifle advice
« Reply #22 on: June 06, 2006, 08:57:22 AM »

Offline jnclement

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7-08 rifle advice
« Reply #23 on: June 23, 2006, 08:45:29 AM »
Quote from: jim21
Why not try out a Howa 1500 in 7-08cal..The guns got some great reviews. 8)


I've got the Howa youth model in 7mm08. Put a Limbsaver on it, it's about a 1/2" short compared to the regular model. The shorter lenght sure is handy in brush, and in a blind. I shot a mule deer with it at 287 yards, and it just died, without mentioning anything about lower velocity from the short barrel.

Of course.....for $1500, I'd get two or three sub-MOA guns with scopes.

Offline Zachary

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7-08 rifle advice
« Reply #24 on: June 24, 2006, 03:53:27 AM »
I similarly suggest the Kimber.  If the Kimber is too small/light for you, then stick with your Sakos and get a Sako 75 in the 7mm-08.

Many of you will be surprised that I did not recommend the Tikka.  Actually, I do.  The only thing is that, given his max price of $1,500, might as well recommend the $1,000+ kimber and Sako.  Why?  The Tikka, although an awesome gun in its own right, I am not a huge fan of having a one-size-fits-all mentality.  The Kimber and Sako, however, are true short action receiver lengths, so that's why I recommend them over the Tikka.

Now, if the price range were in the $500 to $600 range, and if it were a standard long action cartrdige, then I would get, and recommend, the Tikka.  

Zachary