7mm08 struggles

[NorskUlv]

Looking for some opinions. I am looking to acquire a 7mm-08 to set up as a lightweight/economical backpacking rig. Trouble I am having is left handed options are pretty limited, though to be fair that can be said for most calibers but I digress, anyhow on to the dilemma. I am a fan of the Tikka's but have always ran them in stainless steel for easy/low maintenance since I am out for 7-10 days at a time. Tikka for whatever reason doesn't make a SS 7mm-08 in a left handed action. So doing some research the only option I have found for a LH 7mm-08 with a stainless barrel is the savage 110 storm. Tikka does however make a LH 7mm-08 in their hunter model with the blued barrel. Like I said, I've never ran a blued barrel and none of my close circle has either so I am not sure what maintenance looks like when out in the backcountry for days at a time. I have read several comments on how much better the fit/finish of the Tikka's are from savage but have never owned one myself. Going to the LGS is less than helpful as they don't carry the hunter model nor the storm model in store.

So I am turning to this group for your combined experiences. In your opinions, does it make more sense to stick with stainless and run with the savage action or is the blued nothing to worry about as long as I do proper maintenance when I get back? Will I be disappointed with the savage after having become used the tikka quality? Any other left handed options anyone is aware of out there in 7mm-08 that can be had stainless outside of a custom build? Trying to stay under $1500 on the rifle but can stretch it if the rifle warrants it.

 

[CJF]

I would go with blued Tikka. I have a couple and haven't had rust issues with them. One has been cerakoted. If there are issues after the hunt then get it coated.

No comparison between the tikka and savage action

 

[NorskUlv]

I would go with blued Tikka. I have a couple and haven't had rust issues with them. One has been cerakoted. If there are issues after the hunt then get it coated.

No comparison between the tikka and savage action

Do you take yours out multi-day? If so, what kind of maintenance is required out in the backwoods? I am out in Colorado so typically dry and fair weathered but as with most mountains we can get the random overnight snow load or sudden rains which could potentially leave the rifle exposed to the elements as I utilize bivy/tarp setups. It would be "covered" but still fairly exposed. Reading online says a daily wipe down is sufficient but I would prefer to hear others opinions on if that really is all that is required.

 

[steelheadmike]

A rusted out Tikka will still feel better than a Savage.

 

[CJF]

Never had one out multi day, but I also haven't dried and wiped it down after day hunts...just put it back in the truck. Haven't had an issue.

 

[NorskUlv]

A rusted out Tikka will still feel better than a Savage.

But will it shoot better lol. That's my concern, and correct me if I am wrong, but the inside of a blued barrel is just bare carbon steel with no protective coating likely just oiled correct? I'm not really looking to spend on a new rifle to have the barrel rust out internally where I can't notice and then need to be replaced in two seasons.

 

[dct73]

Do you really want to be bothered to wipe down and oil your rig after a long day in the field?

 

[wind gypsy]

Try to find a stainless take-off 7/08 barrel from a righty. Find a stainless short action left handed tikka in a chambering someone will want. Sell your barrel and go forth with your new "custom" lefty 7/08.

 

[NorskUlv]

Do you really want to be bothered to wipe down and oil your rig after a long day in the field?

No lol not at all, I mean there are some days where I'm hiking until dark and the last thing I want to think about is rifle maintenance. That is why I am trying to figure out if going with the blued is going to bite me in the ass

 

[NorskUlv]

Try to find a stainless take-off 7/08 barrel from a righty. Find a stainless short action left handed tikka in a chambering someone will want. Sell your barrel and go forth with your new "custom" lefty 7/08.

The savage's are that much worse than the tikka that its worth it to go through the trouble? In that case I guess I could just buy a left handed lite in like .308 and just go get a pre-fit barrel made in 7mm-08 then have the option of either caliber. Though a 308 and a 7mm-08 feels a little redundant...

 

[wind gypsy]

The savage's are that much worse than the tikka that its worth it to go through the trouble? In that case I guess I could just buy a left handed lite in like .308 and just go get a pre-fit barrel made in 7mm-08 then have the option of either caliber. Though a 308 and a 7mm-08 feels a little redundant...

Prefit = $600-$1k+
Factory Takeoff = $100.
Paying a smith to do it if you dont want to try to get on the list for the tikka barrel swap tools - Maybe $100?
You said economical and a takeoff barrel is much more economical.

Plenty of hunters do just fine with savages and are not limited by them. I wouldn't buy one but that doesn't mean it likely wouldn't work fine.

 

[SouthernCharm]

Going through the same dilemma, want a 7mm08 or 280ai. I am thinking of getting the T3x Roughtech in 6.5 to replace my right handed one. Shoot it for a while, then put a new barrel on it. I’m going to try and shoot left handed bolt, I’ve been shooting a right hand bolt my whole life and now with prefit barrels, it’s time to give it a whirl.

 

[zdc1775]

I've hunted with blued guns quite a bit including several multi days hunts and in my experience you won't need to do any real maintenance in the field. For most normal usage just wipe down the steel with a cloth that is moistened with your preferred gun oil. If it happens to get really wet while your out in the field just dry it off and disassemble when you get home and give it a good cleaning and oil wipe down. If you are going somewhere that you know for sure it's going to be wet most of the time, disassemble it and give it a light coat of pure carnauba wax (this is actually what I normally default to regardless of the situation but it is over kill 90% of the time).

 

[NorskUlv]

Prefit = $600-$1k+
Factory Takeoff = $100.
Paying a smith to do it if you dont want to try to get on the list for the tikka barrel swap tools - Maybe $100?
You said economical and a takeoff barrel is much more economical.

Plenty of hunters do just fine with savages and are not limited by them. I wouldn't buy one but that doesn't mean it likely wouldn't work fine.

Didn't realize a factory take-off could be had so cheaply. Where does one source these? Just WTS sections on sites like these?

 

[Spoonbill]

Unknown munitions, jaoutdoors, ebay are places to look for tikka takeoff barrels

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Didn't realize a factory take-off could be had so cheaply. Where does one source these? Just WTS sections on sites like these?

Here, ebay, etc.

You mentioned 308 above, I'd suggest a 6.5creed or 1:8 243 as more popular barrels you could sell off vs 308.

 

[LeftyWilbury]

i don't spend days at a time living in the field, but i wouldn't hesitate to take my blued hunter tikkas out. nor would i hesitate to take out my savage.

i just don't take out the savage anymore since i have tikkas.
if it's raining or snowing there's tape on the end of the barrel. other than that, i just make sure to take it out of the case when i get home if it's been wet.

i might wipe it down and dry it out with more attention to detail...if i dropped it in the ocean.

 

[ReddingArcher]

If you do end up wanting to buy a 7-08 barrel, I’m having my 08 rebarreled right now to 243. I should have it back soon and I’ll be selling that barrel.

 

[NorskUlv]

If you do end up wanting to buy a 7-08 barrel, I’m having my 08 rebarreled right now to 243. I should have it back soon and I’ll be selling that barrel.

As long as there are no issues with it I would absolutely love to purchase that barrel from you!

 

[NorskUlv]

Appreciate all the help and insight here fellas. Never even crossed my mind to get a factory barrel from someone doing a swap. Seems like the simplest solution to this problem. Thank you all!