Choosing a caliber for my new mountian rifle

[chuck nelson]

So what you're saying is that they don't offer the 270wsm in the 84M then?

8400 is about a pound heavier isn't it?

Nope, and it is. But that little tiny action based around the .308 family of cartridges is why it's a pound lighter.
But I understand where your coming from. I'd be happy to see either with a left handed bolt.

 

[jamiejaf]

What mountains?

 

[rem338win]

I voted .257 Bob. I think that a 115gr Partition or TSX at 2900fps will hurt a bear well enough as the others to leave you alone. And it'll kill everything up to caribou just fine. I heard somewhere that a lady with Double Diamond regularly kills moose with hers, but that can't be true. It's not a magnum, and ladies can't shoot, right?

 

[bcsteve]

I would go with the .260 Rem but from the posted choices, 7-08 Rem.

 

[JasonYuke]

7mm for me, and for good reasons, B.C sayes it all down range.

 

[senior]

Show me the ballistics where a 7-08 is any kind of improvement over the 308?



OK Flame suit on

 

[Gatehouse]

7-08 and 120or 140gr TSX bullets and go nuts.

 

[Levi Garrett]

Show me the ballistics where a 7-08 is any kind of improvement over the 308?



OK Flame suit on

longer bullet for the same weight, BC Excellent. The 7mm08 has been the choice for Iron chicken shooters even before it became a factory round. Not much else to say on that eh
Stick a 162g AMAX in that 7-08 and it spanks the 308 in every category

 

[senior]

longer bullet for the same weight, BC Excellent. The 7mm08 has been the choice for Iron chicken shooters even before it became a factory round. Not much else to say on that eh
Stick a 162g AMAX in that 7-08 and it spanks the 308 in every category

My manuals show 162gn sp bullets coming out of a 7-08 at approx 2600fps for downrange ballistics of 1600fp energy at 300yds & 9" low if zero'd at 200, while a 308 spits a 165gn at approx 2700fps for downrange ballistics of 1536fp energy at 300yds & 9" low if zero'd at 200yds.
Fine.. slight edge to the 7mm BUT at 100yds the 7mm has 2125fp energy compared to the 308s 2237fp energy. Edge to the 308

Looks to me like the ballistic are pretty much equal, no animal will feel the diff at any range, yet the larger the bore the less we have to depend on bullet performance..edge 308

 

[JasonYuke]

Ya senior but why not compare some VLD bergers! or High B.C bullets, not saying its better, just a better B.C not a better cartridge, never said that.

Than you will see a diffence with a B.C into the high .6s and its only minor they run neck and neck.

But your right its a close one lol and I own one in a 308 for that reason to through a bit heavier bullet. My personal favorite is infact a 308 with 165s for deer hunting in a non magnum, and your right I have not heard a deer say in matters at any range.

Regards

 

[blargon]

.308 - 175gr - 2720fps.
.308 - 165gr - 2775fps.
.308 - 140gr - 3025fps


.7-08 - 175gr - 2550fps.
.7-08 - 160gr - 2700fps.
.7-08 - 140gr - 2870fps.

What was the advantage again, I can't see it??

 

[Levi Garrett]

.308 - 175gr - 2720fps,

.7-08 - 175gr - 2550fps.

Any idea why that is? hows about powder eh Gotta not try and find a reason to make the .308 shine, its proven, their is just better out there
The fat will slow, and the lean will continue to be mean

 

[blargon]

Any idea why that is? hows about powder eh Gotta not try and find a reason to make the .308 shine, its proven, their is just better out there
The fat will slow, and the lean will continue to be mean

Those are all Hodgdon's fastest max loads...

 

[Levi Garrett]

Those are all Hodgdon's fastest max loads...

Not type, but Volume eh
We could say lets compare the .308 to 7mil mag, lots a room in that tank

 

[B.Ruddick]

I've looked at the 84M Montana also, loved it, and I would get the 7mm-08, but if it came in 280 I'd be all over it.

 

[jurban]

I've looked at the 84M Montana also, loved it, and I would get the 7mm-08, but if it came in 280 I'd be all over it.

I too agree about the 280 but the only problem with the kimber long actions is that you gain a pound and to me on this gun I will be carrying it for hours and I want a really light gun for a good price which the Kimber 84M seems to be my best value for lightest gun that doesn't cut the barrel down to cut weight.

 

[JasonYuke]

I do not think anyone is disputing the numbers, Its just the fact the 7mm for longer ranges has a better bullet design to get it there and retain more energy over distance.
It is really hard to beat the 6.5s and 7mms in that department, no matter what speed you push them at.
one can not out kill the other or as a matter of speaking one can not out shoot the other, they are both proven cartridges.

 

[BigUglyMan]

If it were me I'd go with the 7mm-08. Fun to try it out.

 

[Amphibious]

The 7-08 and .308 choices make the most sense to me. the 257bob is full of class though...

I'd go with the .308 personally, but mainly because it is so practical and efficient. it's very boring, and will give you little excuse to ever "upgrade".

 

[senior]

Ya senior but why not compare some VLD bergers! or High B.C bullets, not saying its better, just a better B.C not a better cartridge, never said that.

Than you will see a diffence with a B.C into the high .6s and its only minor they run neck and neck.

But your right its a close one lol and I own one in a 308 for that reason to through a bit heavier bullet. My personal favorite is infact a 308 with 165s for deer hunting in a non magnum, and your right I have not heard a deer say in matters at any range.

Regards

Aw but it's a hunting gun, keep the bullets the same & the 308 still shines.
A 308 will spit 180 hunting bullets the same speed as the 7mm-08 will 165s.
It has more energy when it gets to 300yds too
How many shoot game further than that, what's the advantage of the 7mm again
The heavier the bullet you load into the 7mm the more it intrudes into powder space. If your planning to shoot lots of little bullets the 7mm shines otherwise it's as Amphi says "practical and efficient. it's very boring" & does the job!