7mm-08 Remington Seven for all around mountain rifle

[westsloper]

I'm considering moving on from my 30-06 Tikka for something a little more mild mannered. I've thought about going lighter in caliber or heavier in rifle weight (or both). One rifle I've been looking at is the Remington Seven in either 260 Remington or, more likely, 7mm-08. The 20 inch barrel could be handy, and at the same weight as my Tikka (about 6.5 lbs), recoil should be easier to handle.

I'm not interested in going lighter, and have also thought about getting a 7mm-08 in the standard 700, which will weigh a little bit more and have a longer barrel. Seems like a heavier rifle in 7mm-08 could be a sweet shooter that I can really get comfortable shooting.

Anyone use the Remington Seven or a similar 20-inch barreled short action rifle for all around hunting? I don't shoot animals past 300 yards. I am new to big game hunting and am currently trying to fill a deer tag, but elk hunting is in the cards as well, maybe next season.

 

[ianpadron]

I have a Savage LWH in 6.5 Creedmoor. 20" pipe.

Very similar to the Remington you're looking at, just a smidge lighter.

I think you'll be happy.

I too have a Tikka in .06 and agree that it is less than fun to shoot for any length of time lol.

I've busted 6" rocks out to 500 yards no problem with the Savage and it had no problem dumping a bear at 300 off my pack or a muley buck at 170 off-hand. 20" barrel short actions are the shizzz

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[mcseal2]

For inside 300 yards I think it would be great. A simple scope like a Leupold 2.5-8x would be lightweight and plenty of glass for that range. Either with a 140 or 150gr tough bonded bullet like the Accubond or Swift Scirocco 2, or a 130 to 140gr E Tip, Barnes, or other metal bullet would handle a broadside elk at 300 yards. I'd be picky on shot angle on elk with either, but be very comfortable with them on a broadside shot.

My next rifle will likely be a 6.5 Creedmoor with a 20-22" barrel. I read an article recently showing that the 6.5 Creed actually lost velocity with a barrel past 21". It had burned the powder by then and the increased drag was slowing the bullet at least in their test rifle. The idea of full efficiency from a 21" barrel intrigues me after years of packing a 23.5" 300 win or a 25" 264 win mag. It has me looking at the Barret Fieldcraft pretty hard.

 

[realunlucky]

Have you looked into a Tikka compact in 7/08?

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[Mattt]

I have made the same transition in the last few years. Do t even own a long action now except for a garand. Remmy mountain rifle in 7mm08, 140 gr accubonds and 140 partitions shoot exactly the same in mine and with the partition I don't hesitate out to 400 on anything including elk. Haven't used the accubond on elk so can't say for sure there. Tried a nosler in same caliber, very accurate, nothing I could complain about other than the remmy just feels better. Sold the nosler. I run a 3.5/10/40 vx3. The smaller scope mentioned earlier may be better but this is my old man gun as I am not the guy I used to be.the extra magnification helps me a lot. If I had found a model 7 first I'm confident I would have the same results

 

[2Stamp]

Another to consider, if you haven't looked at them, is Bergara. I just picked up a 7mm-08 in their B14 Ridge. (I actually traded it from the same model in 6.5 CM.) It's 7.4 lbs I believe, 22" barrel (at least mine is), and threaded if you want/ are in the suppressor game.

Bergara uses an action based on the Rem 700, so scope bases and Rem 700 stocks also fit. Their B-14 hunter is the similar, just a little lighter profile barrel is main difference. They come in around 7 lbs.

This is my third Bergara. I have a Hunter in 30-06 as well. I also wanted a short action so this 7mm-08 fits in between my 25-06 and 30-06. It's at least another option to look at.

 

[Silvereagle50]

I did the same thing about 10 years ago. Had been shooting a Rem 700 in 30-06 for 30 years previously. Wanted something a little more handy and a little less recoil. Found a 7mm-08 in a Rem 700 Mtn rifle (very similar to the Mod 7 as far as weight, barrel length, etc.) I absolutely love that rifle. I picked up some Hornady Superformance ammo (has the 139gr sst bullets). For whitetail deer, I think it is the absolute best caliber out there. Very little recoil.
I think you would love that Model 7 in the 7-08. Buy without hesitation.
btw, I picked up a 260 in a mod 7 stainless last year. Really like it, but love my 7-08 more. probably because i have history with it. Plus the 7-08 beats the 260 in all the numbers. I"ve picked up some of Hornady's Performance Hunter ammo to try in the 7-08 now. They run the 150gr eldx bullets and I would think that would be an awesome bullet for moving up to elk size game.

 

[N2TRKYS]

I have 3 Model Seven SS rifles(7 SAUM with 22” barrel, 7-08, and 308 both with 20” barrels). I love them all. All have Leupold VX3i 3.5-10x40 scopes sitting in Talley lightweight rings/bases.
To me, they’re the perfect hunting rifle.

 

[Mike 338]

7-08 sounds great. Could be a bit sedate for big critters but fine for most.

 

[Mannsbuick]

I have 3 Model Seven SS rifles(7 SAUM with 22” barrel, 7-08, and 308 both with 20” barrels). I love them all. All have Leupold VX3i 3.5-10x40 scopes sitting in Talley lightweight rings/bases.
To me, they’re the perfect hunting rifle.

What type bullets for whitetail deer AND elk are you using w/ 7-08 and 308 with 20" barrels?

 

[Mannsbuick]

7-08 sounds great. Could be a bit sedate for big critters but fine for most.

what do you use or recommend for the "big critters"?

 

[danarnold]

I,'d been using a 7mag for many years, switched to a 300wsm tikka and really wasn't thrilled....got a tikka light 7-08 and an very impressed.
took my first mulie @210 yards with a 20 yard recovery/ nosler ad 140g trophy grade and slapping coyotes at similar distance.
minimal recoil and fun to shoot

 

[N2TRKYS]

What type bullets for whitetail deer AND elk are you using w/ 7-08 and 308 with 20" barrels?

I shot 3 whitetail bucks last year with the 7-08 using 120 grain NBTs and was very impressed with the performance. I'll be using 140 grain Partitions/Accubonds for elk next time I go.

I've got my 308 setup with 165 grain Partitions/Accubonds for deer and elk sized animals.

Either cartridge using these bullets will kill an elk.

 

[Mike 338]

what do you use or recommend for the "big critters"?

Well, the OP wanted to throttle back a bit but for a all arounder, I like calibers that at least start with a 3. Reason being, it isn't just killing them but I'd prefer to increase my odds of anchoring them close to where they were shot. 30 calibers have a bullet for virtually any scenario you can think of. I've been using a 30-06 lately, which is extremely versatile and the one just before the magnums so it'll have enough steam for most situations/ranges your likely to encounter but a 300 WSM is probably better. It's personal preference and again, the OP wanted to dial it back a bit and that's cool. My opinion may change a little as people have claimed to be seeing grizzly's and their tracks in central Idaho.

 

[Silvereagle50]

If i was hunting anywhere i may run into a grizzly, I wouldn't be caught with anything less than a 300 something or the other.

 

[deadwolf]

For inside 300 yards I think it would be great. A simple scope like a Leupold 2.5-8x would be lightweight and plenty of glass for that range. Either with a 140 or 150gr tough bonded bullet like the Accubond or Swift Scirocco 2, or a 130 to 140gr E Tip, Barnes, or other metal bullet would handle a broadside elk at 300 yards. I'd be picky on shot angle on elk with either, but be very comfortable with them on a broadside shot.

My next rifle will likely be a 6.5 Creedmoor with a 20-22" barrel. I read an article recently showing that the 6.5 Creed actually lost velocity with a barrel past 21". It had burned the powder by then and the increased drag was slowing the bullet at least in their test rifle. The idea of full efficiency from a 21" barrel intrigues me after years of packing a 23.5" 300 win or a 25" 264 win mag. It has me looking at the Barret Fieldcraft pretty hard.

Same thing happens with the ol’ 308 win, TACOPS wrote an article in which they cut a 308 barrel down from 26 to 16, they lost no velocity until they got under 20”

SWAT Article BARREL LENGTH

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[Ridge Ghost]

Before you ditch the Tikka I have to ask- have you tried swapping out the recoil pad for a Limbsaver? I did on my T3x 7RM, and it made the recoil much more manageable.

 

[xrangerx]

Just to throw another option out there. Have you checked out the kimber hunter? I’ve got one in 308 and it’s a dandy. 2.5-8 vx3i on it with a #4 reticle. I found mine for $599 and am happy I grabbed it

 

[coyotecreek]

I sold my lightweight 270 and bought a Bergara B-14 Hunter in 7mm-08 and added a Maven RS.2 scope. Awesome setup for the price. Very mild recoil, and driving tacks. I found Nosler Trophy Bond 140 gn Accubonds on sale locally for $25 a box and bought all 12 that they had! I'm much more confident in my shooting with a heavier and lighter recoiling rifle. Be sure to take a look at the Bergara rifles.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Before you ditch the Tikka I have to ask- have you tried swapping out the recoil pad for a Limbsaver? I did on my T3x 7RM, and it made the recoil much more manageable.

This. A nice recoil pad makes a difference on a rifle if the stock one is stiff. Big difference on my 280AI going from a 1/4" hard rubber to a pachmeyer decelerator pad.