Deer, Elk, Moose Griz 7-08

sealhunter

sealhunter

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Hey there

I have moved into some new territory and am looking for some advice.
New territory is a bolt action big game rifle. I have always used lever actions but have purchased a 7-08 bolt.

I am quite uneducated in most big game cartridges that are not 30/30 Win, 45/70 gov, 450 marlin etc. I have had a few cheaper 7mm mags and 300 mags pass through my hands for a few shots here and there.

I typically hunt deer, bear, elk and moose. Quite often this hunting is in the mountains and foothills and I have come accross grizzlies numerous times.

What are your thoughts on the 7-08 for my hunting situations.

The configuration was just the ideal brush gun, ...
More ideal than my 45/70 450 or 30/30? (it even makes me a little sick in the stomach to think about it) Well nothing will ever compare to "my" 30/30, but on the advice of my ghey friends I am trying new things

:D:D:D:D
 
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Look at you being all retro and trying new things. You chose a great calibre. Very much at home in the deer and elk woods. I never got to try mine on bear or moose so I can't speak of any experience there. Just about as potent as the .308 but super light recoil. I shoot Winchester 140 GR Supreme ballistic tips through mine and wouldn't be scared to level off on a moose or black bear with mine, grizzly.....#### pants and hope it'll hit it's mark. Don't worry though I'm sure there will be lots of good advise flowing here shortly. Keep that good ole 30-30 handy for medicinal reasons.
 
the 7-08 would not be my first choice for grizzly but I have carried it and will continue to do so for deer, black bear, moose and elk. I use a 140 gr Nosler accubond in mine
 
My 12 year old son carries a T3 in 7-08 and likes it very much. He's taken 2 bears and 1 mulie with it. Shooting milder loaded Accubonds with Varget they all dropped where they stood.

Not sure I'd go for Grizz on purpose, but if it's what your carrying at the time, make them count!
 
The 7x57 has been working on game for a looong time, no reason the 7-08 won't do it.

Wouldn't be my first pick for HUNTING grizzly, but for defense it's abotu as good as any other cartridge in it's range.
 
I don't mind it being a poor choice as I am not dedicated to using it for all my hunting. I am planning on picking up a couple new rifles and want to know how they will fit in to my hunting scheme. the 7mm-08 was just one that I could not pass on. It will be one that gets passed on down someday.

I am looking some others, but am finding it very difficult to stray from lever actions and open sights. I would ultimately like a decent short rifle, open sights, similar to the battue or the ,hmmm, Model 6 (?) Remington of years ago.

I don't want 30 06 .308 .270 or similar. I do not want 300 magnums,
I was quite impressed with a guide 350 rem mag that proved a tad heavy.
I really like the 325 short mag but have never seen one with sights.
338 Federal is a pass as well.

350 yrds and less, realatively flat, Moose Elk and Bear...

hmmmm.
 
If you are throwing grizz in the mix and want a 350-yard flat shooting rifle, I don't see how you can get around adding one of the 300 mags into the mix. 7mm08 will get it done but if you are serious about the big stuff and want something with that type of range, I'm not sure how you can overlook the .300 Win, WSM, WBY or what have you. The .325WSM or even the .338 are good choices too but I'm not certain I'd want open sights on a 350 yard gun??:confused:
 
sheephunter said:
If you are throwing grizz in the mix and want a 350-yard flat shooting rifle, I don't see how you can get around adding one of the 300 mags into the mix. 7mm08 will get it done but if you are serious about the big stuff and want something with that type of range, I'm not sure how you can overlook the .300 Win, WSM, WBY or what have you. The .325WSM or even the .338 are good choices too but I'm not certain I'd want open sights on a 350 yard gun??:confused:
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My typical setup is see thru mounts or quick release mounts.
350 yrds would be extended range on deer, 250 and less for Elk, Moose and Bear.

Grizzly in the mix is defensive purposes, so basically 50 yrds or less.

I do not like guns that do not have open sights when I am in Griz territory as I prefer a little bit higher magnification scopes which are not great for quick aquisition within 50 yrds. My rifle sights are always zeroed on 50 yrds and I need think no more about it.

So, any more questions and suggestions?
 
sealhunter said:
My typical setup is see thru mounts or quick release mounts.
350 yrds would be extended range on deer, 250 and less for Elk, Moose and Bear.

Grizzly in the mix is defensive purposes, so basically 50 yrds or less.

I do not like guns that do not have open sights when I am in Griz territory as I prefer a little bit higher magnification scopes which are not great for quick aquisition within 50 yrds. My rifle sights are always zeroed on 50 yrds and I need think no more about it.

So, any more questions and suggestions?
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Why the high magnification scope on a big game rifle that will see sub 350 yard useage? Personally I've always despised see-through mounts but if they work for you, I guess it's an option but a poor one I think and as for quick detach, it doesn't do you much good in grizz country.

Of the calibres you've shown an interest in, the .325 WSM would seem to be the best choice. I'd throw a 3-9 or something similar on it and not be overly concerned about old Ephram.........it seems to me you are worrying way too much about something that has longer odds than being struck by lightning and sacrificing a set up that will better suit your longer range needs......but what the heck do I know....
 
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sheephunter said:
Why the high magnification scope on a big game rifle that will see sub 350 yard useage? Personally I've always despised see-through mounts but if they work for you, I guess it's an option but a poor one I think and as for quick detach, it doesn't do you much good in grizz country.

Of the calibres you've shown an interest in, the .325 WSM would seem to be the best choice. I'd throw a 3-9 or something similar on it and not be overly concerned about old Ephram.........it seems to me you are worrying way too much about something that has longer odds than being struck by lightning and sacrificing a set up that will better suit your longer range needs......but what the heck do I know....
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I just like the higher magnifications I guess, but even on 3 power, I don't like looking for moving animals within 50 yrds through a scope,

As for Quick release. I often go through several types of terrain and periodically will take off or mount the scope. For example when walking through 6 ft willows, I have my scope in my pack. When I break out the other side and am half way down a meadow and see an elk at 250 yrds, I simply mount the scope.

Perhaps "quick mount" would make it easier for you to get the advantage I get in this setup

See thru mounts, I like em. Best setup in the world, nope... but for me they work just fine, but I prefer quick release scopes.

As for lightning and bears. I suspect I have seen almost as many bears as I have lightning. As for the probability of being struck. I know personally three people who have been attacked by Grizzly bear in the are I hunt and two who were attacked by black bears.

I have stood on many occasion at 70 yards with a Griz that could not be seen until you were that close, as the brush was so thick,

It may be likely that nothing will ever happen, but that's just me...
If I am in an area that has the risk, I am prepared accordingly,
whether that is in Avalanche country and I have my beacon,
or the fact that I carry 150 yrds of rope in my truck with a float attatched.

You may feel I want to compromise, but I feel loosening up on "my" requirements for the rifle setup is a compromise.

Obviously I like the open sights and scope combinations, so that's a lost point, however I am not dead set on what calibres to rule out.
I am looking at a 340 Weatherby Mag that is in a nice setup.
 
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As for Quick release. I often go through several types of terrain and periodically will take off or mount the scope. For example when walking through 6 ft willows, I have my scope in my pack. When I break out the other side and am half way down a meadow and see an elk at 250 yrds, I simply mount the scope.
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All I can say is wow..........:eek::eek:

Personally, I never worry about it too much but if that makes you feel safe, who am I to argue. Sounds to me like you are looking for a bear defence gun that can occasionally be used for long-range hunting......it seems a big compromise to me.........maybe a 375 Ruger?

Perhaps "quick mount" would make it easier for you to get the advantage I get in this setup
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Personally I don't see any advantage......A variable scope with a low power at the bottom is all that I need thanks and as the rifle is usually strapped on my backpack anyhow.........I never really think about it too much. It all comes down to your comfort level in the outdoors. I spend most of the season in close proximity to old Ephram and I don't bother him and he doesn't bother me. If you feel the need for a transformer gun to make you feel safe out there, then by all means that's what you should have.
 
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sheephunter said:
All I can say is wow..........:eek::eek:

Personally, I never worry about it too much but if that makes you feel safe, who am I to argue. Sounds to me like you are looking for a bear defence gun that can occasionally be used for long-range hunting......it seems a big compromise to me.........maybe a 375 Ruger?



Personally I don't see any advantage......A variable scope with a low power at the bottom is all that I need thanks and as the rifle is usually strapped on my backpack anyhow.........I never really think about it too much. It all comes down to your comfort level in the outdoors. I spend most of the season in close proximity to old Ephram and I don't bother him and he doesn't bother me. If you feel the need for a transformer gun to make you feel safe out there, then by all means that's what you should have.
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Ahhhh, the variance among hunters and their equipment.

I was advised on this setup by a hunter/guide who used it himself on a 375 H&H that had irons and he added a quick release scope in 2.5-10x I think.
I first tried the setup 12 years ago and have found it effective for my hunting style.

I don't see the compromise in wanting an iron sighted rifle that can shoot to 350 yrds, what exactly is it that I am compromising?
 
sealhunter said:
Ahhhh, the variance among hunters and their equipment.

I was advised on this setup by a hunter/guide who used it himself on a 375 H&H that had irons and he added a quick release scope in 2.5-10x I think.
I first tried the setup 12 years ago and have found it effective for my hunting style.

I don't see the compromise in wanting an iron sighted rifle that can shoot to 350 yrds, what exactly is it that I am compromising?
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Mounting a scope that high (see through mounts) has never appealed to me....especially on a longer-range rifle like you are describing and taking a scope on and off as you are walking across the foothills just seems crazy when a low-power scope does the job just fine for me.......
 
Hi I have carried a 280 Remington in the Dawson Creek area and hunted with a big Swan Hills griz always around. Some may ask how and the answer would be because his tracks were over mine many times.
Never felt bad about the caliber just had to break down bones.
Thanks
Don
 
sheephunter said:
Mounting a scope that high (see through mounts) has never appealed to me....especially on a longer-range rifle like you are describing and taking a scope on and off as you are walking across the foothills just seems crazy when a low-power scope does the job just fine for me.......
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Preferences I guess. I have a scope in my side pouch, rifle on my shoulder.
No scope til I see the animal I want to shoot.
Again, it;s that I do not like finding moving animals within 50 yrds with a scope, no matter the magnification.

Were you hunting this year Don?

I have hunted a fair bit around Dawson Creek, in the Swan hills, and back toward Pouce Coupe. Just at the BC border past Elmworth about 8 mile south of the hiway has always been a great place for Elk
 
dcan said:
Hi I have carried a 280 Remington in the Dawson Creek area and hunted with a big Swan Hills griz always around. Some may ask how and the answer would be because his tracks were over mine many times.
Never felt bad about the caliber just had to break down bones.
Thanks
Don
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Aren't the Swan Hills and Dawson Creek a long ways apart?
 
Preferences I guess. I have a scope in my side pouch, rifle on my shoulder.
No scope til I see the animal I want to shoot.
Again, it;s that I do not like finding moving animals within 50 yrds with a scope, no matter the magnification.
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Yup for sure....my preference is to focus all my efforts on hunting and not things that go bump in the night. I must admit though, that I've spent far more time behind a scope than open sights and am very comfortable with moving game at close range. Last black bear that took a run at me dropped at less than 10 yards and that was with a fixed 6X. It's all what you're comfortable with I guess. I like to keep things simple and not be fussing trying to get a scope mounted on a rifle when I happen to find an elk in grizz country. Even when I was dealing with problem bears, I always used a scope. Still think you should look at a 375 Ruger......

I've hunted with a great number of mountain guides over the years and I've never heard one suggest see-through mounts or quick-detach mounts but I have seen quite a few carry an open-sight 45/70. I always thought it was because it was more compact and it was only a back-up gun....still seems a huge compromise to me for a hunting rifle where you might run into a bad bear......but as you say, each to their own........
 
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sheephunter said:
Mounting a scope that high (see through mounts) has never appealed to me....especially on a longer-range rifle like you are describing and taking a scope on and off as you are walking across the foothills just seems crazy when a low-power scope does the job just fine for me.......
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X2

See through rings are too high for proper cheek contact to the stock. They seem the worst of both worlds.

I would never think to pop the scope on and off, even when I have used QD rings...Seems liek over complicating your life.:runaway:
 
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