Chopping a 7mm08

[JGRaider]

I have a kickass McWhorter custom 7-08 that' shoots waaaay better than I can with various loads and bullets. The older I get though, the more I'm loving shooting suppressed. It currently has a 24" Hart barrel, and wondering if chopping it to 18 or 20" or so would be a stupid idea because, as mentioned, it shoots so good as is. I have a suppressor for it ready to go.

 

[mt100gr.]

CHOP IT!! Same boat here - my short, threaded rifles are getting all the attention lately! And I am curious, with a good supply of .284 bullets on hand and no 7mm in the line up anymore, what an -08 can do with an 18" (or even 16.5") barrel? What powder?

 

[Blackdog317]

I'm considering an 18" barrel on a 7-08 for all the same reasons. If you decide to do it, please report back with an update on the process and performance.

That would be an awesome rig!

 

[JGRaider]

I primarily use Nosler 140gr accubonds, sometimes partitions, and a lot of 120 ballistic tips. Even though I hunt primarily open country, I'm not what you'd call a diehard LR hunter as usually I can get within 400 yards or so, and more often under 300. My 140's run 2820fps and the BT's 3075fps. I have Big Game, Varget, 4451, RL16, H4350, and RL17 available. Not sure how much velocity I'll lose, but guessing about 100fps.

 

[Mlutz]

I get right at 2600 fps with a 20in barrel, 150gr ELD-X, and 40gr of Varget. I could probably get more but its happy there. I have tried H4350 and IMR4064 and wasnt happy with the velocity.

 

[JGRaider]

Finished product, wearing a YHM Resonator K

 

[willtim]

Nice. My 7mm-08 wears a 20 inch Proof Sendero Light.

 

[Wrangler13]

How do you like the resonator K? Quite enough to not need ear pro while hunting?

 

[JGRaider]

Definitely no need for protection while hunting. The guy next to me at the range yesterday commented on how quiet it is and I agree.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Finished product, wearing a YHM Resonator K

View attachment 466284

Looks sharp, and handy. Did they do a 1/2x28 or 5/8x24 thread pitch?

 

[JGRaider]

1/2x28 so I got the 5/8 adaptor to finish mounting it up. Since the barrel is fluted, they felt like they needed to go 1/2x28 for an adequate shoulder for the suppressor mount.

 

[Breddoch]

Results: Cutting a 7mm-08 Barrel From 26" to 20"

In my opinion, there's not enough threads with data from cutting down barrels! I cut down my 26" 7mm-08 barrel to 20". I tested 7 loads before and after and wanted to share the data. Bullets and powders were picked based on what I have on hand. ***Disclaimer, all loads were max in my rifle and...

www.longrangehunting.com

There is some good info here on velocity in a 20” 7mm-08

 

[rootacres]

Id say chop it. You just may want to chrono everything again and make sure you pair the velocity and bullet with the ranges you plan on shooting.