Finally took the 7mm-08 plunge!

yorgi

yorgi

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After much procastination I finally commited to buying my first 7mm-08 chambered rifle yesterday.

My big game hunting up until recently consisted mostly of moose trips to N. Ontario, my principal rifle on these treks was a lefty Tikka in 300 WM. Nice gun, but I could do without the weight, recoil and long barrel length.

I was looking for a nice handy LH, carbine length bolt action in an effective SA calibre. Kind of like a poor lefthanded man's Model 7... What I ended up bringing home is a Remington M700 SPS Youth in 7mm-08. Remington (on their website) is advertising the new SPS Compact with a 24" barrel, I was afraid that this would become their new standard, so I acted fast...

This particular model has a reduced LOP, about an inch shorter that their standard SPS. Great thing about this model is that it comes with stock shims to extend the LOP by 1", first thing I did when I got home was to install them!

Other than Google Images, I do not know what a 7mm-08 cartridge looks like... I better learn fast however because I plan on saving the brass from my first two factory boxes of ammo, in order to start reloading for it.

Heard so many positive reviews on the effectiveness of the 7mm-08, can't wait to make the trip to the range!
 
I love my 7mm-08! It's becoming a much more popular and accepted caliber, but make sure you bring your own ammunition and have a good supply of it ready. More often than not when I ask for it at a store, the clerk will have a look on his face like he's never heard of it before... so far.

In my opinion, anything a 150gr 270win bullet can do, a 160gr 7mm-08 can do better, and with less recoil. The only game I've taken with mine so far are deer with 140gr, but the performance is devastating for them, and as I said, very light kicking. Have fun!

I'm really looking forward to this caliber being more commonly stocked and in more bullet weights, but for a reloader it's great.
 
It is a .308 Win case necked down to accept a 7mm bullet.

140 gr bullets seem to be it's favorite in a factory rifle.

Try the Remington Accutip in 140 grain, 2800+ ft/sec and fairly accurate for a factory load, although a bit thin jacketed. Also Federal has partitions, bonded and some Barnes offerings in the premium area.

If re-loading, the world is your oyster on this one.
 
Thanks for all the important tips guys.
Seems to me that the concensus is a 140 gr. bullet for deer. I've used the Nosler Accubond in the past for my 300 WM to good effect, has anyone used this same type bullet for their 7-08 loads?
 
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yorgi said:
Thanks for all the important tips guys.
Seems to me that the concensus is a 140 gr. bullet for deer. I've used the Nosler Accubond in the past for my 300 WM to good effect, has anyone used this same type bullet for their 7-08 loads?
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YES!! My daughter shoots the 7-08 in a Rem Model 7, and uses 140 grain Accubonds, exclusively, for deer, moose, sheep..... for everything!! Usually one shot, one kill. Great cartridge, great bullet. Enjoy.
Gord:)
 
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MuleyStalker said:
YES!! My daughter shoots the 7-08 in a Rem Model 7, ...Gord:)
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pinkmoon said:
Just got one a few weeks ago for my daughter. ...
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"7mm-08, the official daughter caliber" :)

I must say that my choice wasn't completely random, I take my daughter shooting as well. She`s progressed enough with her basic shooting skills using a Savage .22 semi that I now trust her to start off using the new 7-08.

I guess all that's left now for me is to trade the SUV for a Miata...LOL.
 
I have a 7MM-08 in a Browning A-Bolt.In my opinion it's the best for the tpye of hunting I do.Since I have burrsititis in my shoulders.the lighter recoil I can handle.I'm thinking I've had the rifle not too long after that caliber became available in the Browning.I'm sure U'll enjoy it.
 
Redlich said:
I love my 7mm-08! It's becoming a much more popular and accepted caliber, but make sure you bring your own ammunition and have a good supply of it ready. More often than not when I ask for it at a store, the clerk will have a look on his face like he's never heard of it before... so far...... I'm really looking forward to this caliber being more commonly stocked and in more bullet weights, but for a reloader it's great.
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I have found this too. Picked up my 7mm-08 and went looking for ammo. both hunting stores in town had none, and the guy at the one place had to ask again on the cartridge name and check again, as if he didn't know what it was. I was shocked since it is chambered in sooooooooooooo many factory guns these days. marlin xs7, browning x-bolt, model 70 featherweight, m77 hawkeye, rem 700...the list goes on. Come to think of it, I can't think of any major manufactures that don't make a factory gun in 7mm-08, so I have no idea how it isn't highly stocked. I'm not concerned because I reload, but it's nice to pick up a cheap box of ammo to plink at the range before you get all the reloading supplies aquired
 
I had my first 7-08 in about 1992, So far no problems with factory ammo although never a great selection, but I have been reloading it for a bit now, so it is even easier.

It seems there is a surge of these short action efficient cartridges being built on custom platforms and many buying factory for hunting rigs. The .260's , 7-08 , 338Fed, 6.5 x (insert size) 7 x ( insert size ) etc....

But it does seem that the manufactures aren't noticing what they should. You see more long action hard hitters for sale on this site than you do these other smaller chambered rifles, meaning that folks are keeping and buying these non traditional rifles.

IMO opinion they are kinda missing the boat a bit but, there is little we can do, even some match grade ammo for these would be a great seller.I saw ONE brand of match grade ammo for 7-08 in all my searching.

I guess that our reassurance is that the ones who own them likely will never part with them and continue buying the ammo and components for them. Can't see them dying off but they are chambering less and less in these calibers.
 
I agree on the lack of ammo. I reload but wanted to get a few boxes of factory ammo and then reuse the brass..But I could not find any in the stores. I decided to put up a WTB add for 7mm-08 brass in the EE and before long I had a lot of brass

This thread below discribes how I decided on the 7mm-08 for my daughter...thanks to some helpfull suggestions from fourm members
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=559702
 
yorgi said:
"7mm-08, the official daughter caliber" :)
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Not just daughters, my wife uses a 7-08 for moose and deer hunting :D Technically I guess she is still a daughter.

I reload 140 accubonds and SSTs in her gun. It is a Marlin youth model XS7. I like shooting it in the late season when I am bundled up for the cold. It really is a pleasure to shoot.
 
yorgi said:
"7mm-08, the official daughter caliber" :)
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HEY!! It's also for smart men! Why deal with extra recoil when you don't have to? I don't mind recoil, but i'm sensible enough to admit that I prefer a gun with less whenever I can get away with it. I don't have to compensate for anything by using a magnum while hunting deer :p
 
I find it funny, the guy will say "yeah got my wife a 7-08, 243, etc........ so she can hunt deer, moose, whatever with me" Then later on you find out that she is as successful on the same hunts while the husband/boyfriend dropped his with his trusty 338 Super Whiz Mag.

Tell me then, who is compensating and who is the better marksman using a smaller caliber??? ;)








StevieK said:
HEY!! It's also for smart men! Why deal with extra recoil when you don't have to? I don't mind recoil, but i'm sensible enough to admit that I prefer a gun with less whenever I can get away with it. I don't have to compensate for anything by using a magnum while hunting deer :p
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I love my 7mm-08, yes i reload.
Went @ wholesalesports this morning,
Asked the guy, what he have in stock ( ammo ) for a 338 Win Mag.
He answer me - Whats that caliber ?, never heard of it, probably have none of it in stock right now.
Very annoying when i can see them on the shelve from where i'm standing....
BTW i was there to grab my new ( pistol ) 45 acp,
-They called me, because it was ready for pick-up. ( Order completed and paperwork)
They asked me to bring my ATT.
-Once there ( 60 minutes drive ), and 30 minutes of waiting and finalize the order , i was heading for the cashier then:
The salesman asked me where was my locking device/
-As far as i'm concerned, the pistol is lock ( trigger/slide ) in the carrying case, why do i need more?
- He tell me thats the way it is, and refused to let me go without a lock on the carrying case, even if everything was perfect ( ATT....)
-He should tell me that when he called me this morning?
-He offered me to buy a case with the appropriate locking device and a padlock for 40$
-I already have plenty of those in my place, and as i'm at 100km*2=200 km.
Conclusion, No 338 WinMag, and i tell them to put the &?? pîstol deep somewhere very specific.
Store/saleman are not bible.
 
eclipse71 said:
I love my 7mm-08, yes i reload.
Went @ wholesalesports this morning,
Asked the guy, what he have in stock ( ammo ) for a 338 Win Mag.
He answer me - Whats that caliber ?, never heard of it, probably have none of it in stock right now.
"They asked me to bring my ATT."
-Once there ( 60 minutes drive ), and 30 minutes of waiting and finalize the order , i was heading for the cashier then:
The salesman asked me where was my locking device/
-As far as i'm concerned, the pistol is lock ( trigger/slide ) in the carrying case, why do i need more?
-I already have plenty of those in my place, and as i'm at 100km*2=200 km.
Conclusion, No 338 WinMag, and i tell them to put the &?? pîstol deep somewhere very specific.
Store/saleman are not bible.
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While it may seem that the salesman was ignorant of the 338 Win Mag, he wasn't regarding the law transporting restricted firearms.
It is your legal obligation to transport them correctly.
 
I went to WSS when I first got my 7mm-8. They had remington 7mm-08.
Barnes TSX in 120 and 140,..and Nosler partitions,..

3 weeks later, most of iy was gone and did not get restocked for a few months.

If ou don't reload, buy what you can when you see it.
 
eclipse71 said:
I love my 7mm-08, yes i reload.
Went @ wholesalesports this morning,
Asked the guy, what he have in stock ( ammo ) for a 338 Win Mag.
He answer me - Whats that caliber ?, never heard of it, probably have none of it in stock right now.
Very annoying when i can see them on the shelve from where i'm standing....
BTW i was there to grab my new ( pistol ) 45 acp,
-They called me, because it was ready for pick-up. ( Order completed and paperwork)
They asked me to bring my ATT.
-Once there ( 60 minutes drive ), and 30 minutes of waiting and finalize the order , i was heading for the cashier then:
The salesman asked me where was my locking device/
-As far as i'm concerned, the pistol is lock ( trigger/slide ) in the carrying case, why do i need more?
- He tell me thats the way it is, and refused to let me go without a lock on the carrying case, even if everything was perfect ( ATT....)
-He should tell me that when he called me this morning?
-He offered me to buy a case with the appropriate locking device and a padlock for 40$
-I already have plenty of those in my place, and as i'm at 100km*2=200 km.
Conclusion, No 338 WinMag, and i tell them to put the &?? pîstol deep somewhere very specific.
Store/saleman are not bible.
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A lock is required to be on the case and the gun of any restricted in transport. The salesperson was right and you were in the wrong. He might have saved you from losing all your guns because of a silly mistake.

Remember that Canadian firearms legislation is far from common sense. You may expect something to work a certain way, but eight times out of ten it won't, because some bureaucrat with zero comprehension of firearms made up the rules by notion. Remember even after you get a permit, a range membership, an ATT for every place you take it, and lock it three ways, that the Liberals and NDP are still trying to ban it and take it from you.
 
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