Reply With QuoteMine is strictly a hunting rifle so keep that in mind. I would go with something in the 22"-24" range with 140gr slugs. It has done everything I have needed. I'm getting close to 2950 fps with the 140's. Mine is a 1in 9 twist
I'm looking for another fix for my addiction of changing barrels. Looking into 7m-08. What say you. Twist,,,lenght,,,weight of pills etc.........give me all details
Mine is strictly a hunting rifle so keep that in mind. I would go with something in the 22"-24" range with 140gr slugs. It has done everything I have needed. I'm getting close to 2950 fps with the 140's. Mine is a 1in 9 twist
140 for hunting light skinned game ( 41*-42gr R15) 1:9
168 for target (45*-47 IM4350) 1:9
Once you acquire the necessary "stuff" its just a bunch of stuff to get mixed up with .308.
Basically an identical cartridge in my opinion. Sold my 7-08 years ago and dont miss it. On the bright side it was another lesson in throwing all the graphs, numbers, internet experts and gunwriter garbage out the window and discovering for myself that there isn't a hill of beans difference between it and .308 Winchester in the real world.
That's my experience, Your mileage may vary.
A good wife and a steady job has ruined many a great hunter.
I would go with the 308 rather than a 7mm-08. Have built rifles for both cartridges. Actually I would go with neither of the two if I just wanted something in a new barrel. I would choose something "sexy" like a 6.5x284, 6BRA, Dasher or a 280AI. Course since I don't shoot "pills" or "slugs" in my rifles I could be wrong.
For what it's worth I have both the 308 and 7mm08. I believe the recoil is significantly less on the 7mm08. Of course that's just my perception!!
I'll throw out a couple of more thoughts.
If you really want to do a 7-08 and since the only real difference between 7-08 and .308 is going to be realized way way out there, maybe go with a typical long range/varmint type setup using a long barrel 26"+ for velocity sake, and long bullets. I would speculate a 1-9" would be appropriate for longer heavy bullets 140gr+.
There may be better choices to go long but 7-08 would work and be something just a little different (in name anyway) than the .308 varmint rigs.
Just don't get .308 and your 7-08 cartridges anywhere near each other as they look nearly identical. In my opinion the 7-08 hasn't got the giddy up I look for in a long range cartridge and doesn't really do anything better or worse than many others and is kinda a middle of the pack sorta choice. I'm sure there are lots of other opinions out there.
Good luck and have fun with it.
A good wife and a steady job has ruined many a great hunter.
I love the 7-08, and have several. If I was dead set on a short action for long range I wouldn't consider anything larger than 6mm or 6.5mm cartridges. IMO, 6 and 6.5 mm are the most efficient choices for short action, because they can still get adequate velocity from a short action cartridge. I'm not saying you cannot shoot long range with a 7-08 or 308. The 6mm and 6.5mm cartridges will just do it better. I think 7mm and 308 start to shine in longer actions.
If you're looking to scratch an itch, I'd suggest a 260 AI or 243 AI in a fast twist barrel to handle long, heavy bullets.
Put that 260AI on a long action with a good barrel and it should be a hummer.I'd suggest a 260 AI or 243 AI in a fast twist barrel to handle long, heavy bullets.
Currently running 308,6mm 243, 260 remington. ....all long range. Like them all as well, but frankly getting used to the lesser recoil and great accuracy from the 6 and 6.5. I still love my heavies in my 308 but I'm no dummy. You can't beat the 6, or 6.5,s. I won't have to tool up "if" I go 7m08.
less recoil than .308 and it's one of my favorite hunting rounds for white tail. 139 gr. has done it's job for me on various shot locations using bonded bullets. i'm thinking about re-barreling an old 110 30-06 in either 7-08 or 6.5 creedmoor for this year's deer rifle. i've got two actions so i may do one in each.
Sounds like a fit for the 280 or 284Originally Posted by feisthunter
7mm-08 in a 24” stainless Shaw bbl with a 9.5 twist I think. It rocks 140s.
IMHO the 7-08 is a great round, the best of all might be the 260 rem or its AI brother....6.5 CM also good.
Buy what you want! Don’t let the folks sway your opinion if it’s what you want.
Roger that. Reason I'm looking I into a 7m08 is I'd like to preferably go light on the pills. Already have a 6mm.....6.5mm. Love them both. I've become more inclined to shot those as opposed of my 308 1-10 twist shooting heavy 175SMK. As much as I hate to admit, the older I get the more I appreciate the lesser recoil from the 6,s
A pound of H4895 and some 125 or 130gr bullets may be just what you're looking for.(125gr NBTs and TTSX have worked well for me) H4895 can be loaded safely down to 60% of a max charge in most any caliber but definitely .308 specifically and anything in between the 60% reduction and a max charge is safe allowing you to tune the recoil, muzzle blast, and velocity to fit your needs. This powder has made the "what caliber for kids, ladies, and recoil sensitive shooters a mute point. There is a good bit of published reduced recoil data out there using it.
I started doing a few reduced loads in .308 for the grandkids nieces and nephews and got to where I love to shoot em myself. The kids (Ages 6-10) will go through 50 rounds of .308 and beg for more (Please Pop Please) with a big grin on their faces. I have found they have plenty of thump for deer as well when loaded to around 2400FPS with recoil that feels like a .243 or less. Might want to shoot someone elses 7-08 side by side your .308 before dropping coin on one. I wish someone had saved me the learning curve (time and money) before I jumped in to 7-08 instead of being persuaded by the "hype".
Now if you just want something different than the tourists then more power to ya.
More than one way to skin a cat. Have a good time with whatever you choose
A good wife and a steady job has ruined many a great hunter.
BHJ is doing his darndest to talk you out of the 7mm08. Eddie, You like long range and the 7mm 08 can do well with the right projectile. I think you will be happy at your elevation in the spot you shoot in El Paso.
Lolo Roger that. Just trying to catch ever ones past and present experience with that caliber. I know your right. I know it'll do well for distance shooting, just trying to find info on twist for a 26". I'm already shooting 107,s on my 6mm. 130 and 142 on my 6.5. Really enjoy both. Sure like to find something between t he 107 and 130gr. For the 7m08
I'm not sure I understand why you would want to use 7mm bullets under 130 grains when you already have a 6.5. Most 7mm rifles and bullets are designed for 140 grains and higher.
Visit any bullet manufacturer's website and compare a 120 grain 6.5mm bullet to a 120 grain 7mm bullet. The 6.5 has a much better B.C.
IMO, you should built the 7-08 with 140 grain plus bullets in mind.
According to the original post, his main interest is changing barrels.
So what difference does it really make what cartridge he chooses?
If he's not happy, he has a good reason to do it again.
Glad you pointed that out. OP IS interested in a new barrel. He also asked for cartridge and details. So, I gave some details on the cartridge he was interested compared to a cartridge he already has.
Am I not answering his request for details? I guess it doesn't matter, because if he picks a barrel that doesn't make him happy he can always get another, right? He can just randomly pick a barrel, twist rate and caliber until he gets one that makes him happy?
150-168 grain bullets for LR
target shooting
1:8.5-1:9 twist
I would offer that even though it is more expensive to get started the 284 is a serious long range cartridge in 7mm. the recoil is manageable. The velocities exceed the 7-08 enabling the use of 160 - 175 grain projectiles...maybe higher. If single loading is not an issue, look that direction. If not the 7mm 08 is awesome for LR accuracy and hunting lighter game.
Well he seems to have considerable experience, I have a feeling he pretty much knew the answers.
Maybe we should first clarify at least our own definition of long range and a purpose, before choosing a cartridge, bullet weight etc.
A 7/08 would be very popular at long range sillouette matches because of the muscle needed to knock over the bigger targets at the longer distances. A 260 will be popular also, but only with the heavy bullets.
roger that.........there isn't a lot of lighter pills to choose from for the 7mm for long range target otherwise Id of already pulled the trigger on a 26"..1-10 twist from criterion
higher bc doesn't always equate to better and consistent accuracy. I don't want to have to tool up for a barrel change either. Im sucking every bit of life from my 308 cartridge go gauges lololo
Actually a higher BC number, dosent necessarily equate to better anything. Higher velocity with a lower BC bullet can cause it to equal or out perform one having a higher BC. Powder creates the pressure which causes velocity, and the velocity controls the (actual) BC.
Research will show the number on the box is connected to a velocity number, increase the velocity and the number improves and vice versa. Certainly having both is desirable.
One advantage to the 26" would be it could later be rechambered to a 280 or even a 7 rem mag.
But id personally be picking a 9 twist for that. lol
I have been wanting to re-barrel my 7mm-08 with the Shaw bbl. I couldn't decide between the 9.5 twist and 8 twist. Glad to see your post. I will move ahead with getting the Shaw bbl. I am going with the 7mm-08 AI.
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