7mm-08 to .243 or .308?

[deerkiller]

That is why I like the .243 with reduced recoil loads for target shooting and then hunting with a 95 grain Hornady. I can tell you first hand the problems that come with starting a kid off with something that kicks too hard. Takes a while to get them straightned back out.

I hear ya loud and clear and THAT is where the 6.5 CM shines (but not with Hornady bullets IMO)
surprising a "kid" with a heavier load after he or she learns to shoot a given load ain't the way to go either, been there and done that, he didn't like it one bit and he's a tough kid

 

[30338]

If it shoots great as is and I had two young kids coming up, it would be an easy decision. Go setup a Firearms Trust, buy one centerfire suppressor(TBAC UL7 for example) and one rimfire suppressor and thread it for that. Your kids will love shooting, you'll protect their hearing and you won't be getting rid of a perfectly good barrel for no reason.

 

[backcountry_hunter]

as far as barrel companies go, anyone I've ever known and most I've read about that have re-barreled a kimber did so with a pac-nor.

 

[deerkiller]

as far as barrel companies go, anyone I've ever known and most I've read about that have re-barreled a kimber did so with a pac-nor.

pacnor is an outstanding outfit, being in Oregon I've used them many times and not had a single regret ever

 

[MikeDaily]

I’m not a huge fan of my .243 win. It’s killed every deer it’s shot at since 1971 but the last four I shot had very weak blood trails. I’ve tried multiple bullet and it’s often the same issue. Sometimes the bullet doesn’t even exit and I didn’t hit a shoulder...


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[MattB]

why would a .308 launching 125 Accubonds be any more abusive under recoil than a 7mm-08 sending 120's or 140's ?? and I chuckle in disbelief every time I read about a "real kicker" and then read that there hasn't been a Limbsaver recoil pad put on it …..

I think the comparison is you can get 80-85 gr .243 loads which will kick less than a 125 gr .308.

 

[hayesplow]

Have you considered the 25.06? I don't have one I have a .243. the 25.06 is definitely a step up ballistically and ammo for it is everywhere

 

[howl]

308 based cartridges aren't low recoil. They're lighter with 120gr bullets but not low. Low is 20 or 30 grains powder and 120gr or less bullets. So the daughters part is out the window as a reason for rebarrel.

I don't really see how any of the non -308 cartridges which fit in there are different enough to merit a barrel job. .260 is best but 7mm08 is close enough.

Keep the 7mm08 and buy the girls a Grendel.
This means you get a whole new gun!

 

[hayesplow]

I'm not one to help select a caliber. I just say buy one of each. Fudge it!

Do yourself a favor, if you want to plink/ target and will be shooting round after round, do not get a thin/ factory barrel anything. If it's only for hunting than no big deal. But you mention long range shooting which to me means more than one or two successive shots. Hot thin factory barrels are the detrimental.

.243 not first choice for a grand but I have done it with mine. I have no experience with a .260. Own a bunch of .308's but you don't need one since you have an 06.

Maybe research the .25-06?

 

[Lawnboi]

Not meant to sound argumentative but I personally wouldn’t put any new shooter behind a 308 based anything kimber lightweight for a starter rifle. Those guns are light, difficult to manage with even 308 recoil. Heck I had a 308 kimber that I sold, that thing thumped harder than my 10 pound 300, even without a brake. I’d bet even a 243 in a 7 pound gun is going to be punishing, my tikka 243 pushing 9lbs is at my wifes peak for recoil.

Brake works wonders but make sure you double up the hearing protection on the kids. Something you may or may not be interested in

Personally I’d look into getting a different gun, rather than rebarreling to something he same as what you have. Or put a fatter barrel on but that comes with a possibly new stock and a whole bunch more money and work

 

[MattB]

Have you considered the 25.06? I don't have one I have a .243. the 25.06 is definitely a step up ballistically and ammo for it is everywhere

You can't change a short action into a long action by changing the barrel.

 

[wildwilderness]

I say .243 win. My kids love it- I have 19” barrel on it and a 12” LOP . Laminate stock. Very easy for them to handle. I reload so they shoot 80-85gr (85tsx has worked well, will try a Hammer this year) bullets with mild recoil. I even use it when sitting a deer blind. Not set up for Long Range but you have the 280 for that.

 

[hayesplow]

no real wrong answers...if I had to pick just one I guess I'd go with the .243 simply because of the ammo. But really, you can't go wrong with either .243 or .260 for a mid size cartridge.

 

[Tbuckus]

why would a .308 launching 125 Accubonds be any more abusive under recoil than a 7mm-08 sending 120's or 140's ?? and I chuckle in disbelief every time I read about a "real kicker" and then read that there hasn't been a Limbsaver recoil pad put on it …..

Absolutely on the recoil pad comment.

The difference I see with the .308 vs 7mm-08 vs .243 is this;
The .308 with light grain bullets will be similar to the others regarding recoil, but I feel the 7mm-08 when loaded to its max potential is a better cartridge.
The .243 is a great youth cartridge, but you are limited on heavier grain bullets compared to the others.
The 7mm-08 with Remington’s reduced recoil loads are great for kids. I used them for a couple of my kids first couple hunts and practice. I could have reloaded similar ones myself but just went the easy route and reloaded for better hunting loads.
I know you can shoot heavier grain bullets from a .30 vs 7mm, but I’ve been impressed so far with what myself and my kids have killed with a 140 gr. 7mm bullet so far.

 

[204guy]

As long as you're happy with how your 7-08 is shooting 30338's idea of suppressing is the best idea posted so far. Cut your 7-08 back to 17-18" thread 9/16-24 if you can. Otherwise 1/2-28 works also. If you havent shot suppressed it's quite shocking how much they reduce recoil and how much less percieved recoil due to the lack of concussion.

If you're dead set on throwing money at a rebarrel I'd vote 22-250 or 6 creed. Then I'd still thread and suppress it for your girls.



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[deerkiller]

Absolutely on the recoil pad comment.

The difference I see with the .308 vs 7mm-08 vs .243 is this;
The .308 with light grain bullets will be similar to the others regarding recoil, but I feel the 7mm-08 when loaded to its max potential is a better cartridge.
The .243 is a great youth cartridge, but you are limited on heavier grain bullets compared to the others.
The 7mm-08 with Remington’s reduced recoil loads are great for kids. I used them for a couple of my kids first couple hunts and practice. I could have reloaded similar ones myself but just went the easy route and reloaded for better hunting loads.
I know you can shoot heavier grain bullets from a .30 vs 7mm, but I’ve been impressed so far with what myself and my kids have killed with a 140 gr. 7mm bullet so far.

I wasn't touting the .308 over the 7mm/08, (which I think to be the superior of the two) .30 is a good bore size but .284 projectiles just seem to get the job done with less recoil, grain for grain
and this comment is in the context of "Midwest hunting"

 

[Oldffemt]

As long as you're happy with how your 7-08 is shooting 30338's idea of suppressing is the best idea posted so far. Cut your 7-08 back to 17-18" thread 9/16-24 if you can. Otherwise 1/2-28 works also. If you havent shot suppressed it's quite shocking how much they reduce recoil and how much less percieved recoil due to the lack of concussion.

If you're dead set on throwing money at a rebarrel I'd vote 22-250 or 6 creed. Then I'd still thread and suppress it for your girls.

This. A suppressor really takes the bite out of a rifle shot for a new/young shooter. While you’re at it, get a good rimfire suppressor too. Your kids will love shooting if it’s not scary.

 

[wentright]

To my the 7mm-08 is about the prefect round for midwest hunt but a .260 would be just as good. I have a 6.5-284 so about the same thing

 

[desertcj]

I have both a .243 and a 7mm-08. I like them both, but for long range the .243 wins hands down! A 6mm Creedmoor would be the same. 105gr-110gr bullets at 3000fps are long range medicine and a 25-06 is definitely not a step up. It has a bigger gas tank but the crummy bullets only gives it "10mpg" compared to the high BC 6mm bullets that are getting "20mpg". Get it? My vote would be for a 24" 1 in 8 twist Bartlien, 3B contour, 5R rifling, have it spiral fluted if you're trying to keep it light. 6 Creedmoor or .243, whichever floats your boat.

 

[deerkiller]

I have both a .243 and a 7mm-08. I like them both, but for long range the .243 wins hands down! A 6mm Creedmoor would be the same. 105gr-110gr bullets at 3000fps are long range medicine and a 25-06 is definitely not a step up. It has a bigger gas tank but the crummy bullets only gives it "10mpg" compared to the high BC 6mm bullets that are getting "20mpg". Get it? My vote would be for a 24" 1 in 8 twist Bartlien, 3B contour, 5R rifling, have it spiral fluted if you're trying to keep it light. 6 Creedmoor or .243, whichever floats your boat.

are you driving them or shooting them ?