Short 7mm-08 length, 18"?

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Got my can finally and have been enjoying that on some rifles, other than length. Very tempted to shorten up a 7mm-08 I have, knocking it back to 18" would make it similar to its current length w/ 3 port brake on it (for the kiddos but sure fun to shoot as an adult ). Any words of wisdom from those that have walking this path in terms of +/- length?

Yes I reload btw.

I have a 280AI (24" barrel iirc) that can step up to the plate to throw 7mm faster when needed. Along with other options in different calibers.

 

[walk2112]

I’ve had similar thoughts lately. No data at 18”, although I’ve seen some on here somewhere :-/ maybe @Pharmseller had posted something. As I recall 150 ELDx with big game and magnum primers was a pretty impressive and efficient load combo.

20” tikka I’ve handled is pretty darn accurate and balances nicely in a VG2 with a AB Raptor6+reflex screwed on, 18” would only be handier I imagine!

Some other potentially helpful data points though to extrapolate from (load at your own risk, etc):

20” Tikka gets comfortably 2760+ fps with 48 gr of 6.5 StaBall, Win LRP, Lapua brass, 150 ELDx

22” Model 70 ftw gets right around 2820fps w/ same load, loaded to 2.82ish COAL

I’ve heard praise for H4350 and Big Game, when going short w/ 7-08 too, 6.5 StaBall might kinda blow fireballs down range

 

[sierracharlie338]

For a kiddo gun that they prob won’t be shooting game past 300 that 18 inch barrel will be a solid choice. Since you handload you be able to get the most out of it. I ran an 18 inch 308 plus can for years. Very handy set up.

 

[left hunter]

I run a 19.5 inch barrel on my 7mm-08 and definitely like it with a suppressor. I would imagine 18 would be even handier.

I still get 2750 fps with a below book max load of big game and the 150 eldx. I would assume cutting to 18 inches would still get you 2700 fps which would make it affective quite a bit further that 300 yards.

 

[grfox92]

Since you reload. Look up load data with 6.5 Stabal and IMR 8208 XBR. Even with your barrel chopped, you will have velocity for out to 600+ yards.

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[TxLite]

Staball 6.5 gets stupid velocities in my 22” 7-08. I ran 168 berger over 2700 with it.

If I was going to an 18”, I’d likely try that with a 162 eldm. Should be good for a long ways out.

Also a big fan of the 150 tgk in mine.

 

[JGRaider]

No problem at all killing animals up through aoudad with my 18" McWhorter 7-08, suppressed.....120 BT's @2920, 140 AB's at 2700. Longest deer kill so far is 498 yards, mature whitetail buck.

 

[JRS3]

No problem at all killing animals up through aoudad with my 18" McWhorter 7-08, suppressed.....120 BT's @2920, 140 AB's at 2700. Longest deer kill so far is 498 yards, mature whitetail buck.

I would like to see a pic of the McWhorter if you have it. I like their rifles and have been considering a similar build idea.

 

[grfox92]

Staball 6.5 gets stupid velocities in my 22” 7-08. I ran 168 berger over 2700 with it.

If I was going to an 18”, I’d likely try that with a 162 eldm. Should be good for a long ways out.

Also a big fan of the 150 tgk in mine.

A 7mm08 with 162gr eldm, max load of 6.5 Staball if I remember correctly is only 80fps slower then a max load of H1000 in 7mm RM.

That max load of 6.5 Staball hits 1800fps at 750 yards.

I just deducted 100fps in JBM to account for an 18" barrel and that load is still hitting 1800fps at 650 yards.

I never knew you could get range like that out of a medium caliber short action round. I'm just waiting on Murdochs to get 6.5 SB back in stock so I can try it on my 7mm08.

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[TxLite]

A 7mm08 with 162gr eldm, max load of 6.5 Staball if I remember correctly is only 80fps slower then a max load of H1000 in 7mm RM.

That max load of 6.5 Staball hits 1800fps at 750 yards.

I just deducted 100fps in JBM to account for an 18" barrel and that load is still hitting 1800fps at 650 yards.

I never knew you could get range like that out of a medium caliber short action round. I'm just waiting on Murdochs to get 6.5 SB back in stock so I can try it on my 7mm08.

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From hodgdon-

 

[JGRaider]

I would like to see a pic of the McWhorter if you have it. I like their rifles and have been considering a similar build idea.

Rem 700 action, Hart barrel, Jewell trigger, detachable mag. I really, really like it. The YHM Resonator K works fantastic as well.

 

[JRS3]

Awesome and thanks!……thats one of my favorite McM stocks too.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

I started a different thread after this one after thinking about it for a bit (and always wanting to chase those greener pastures ). I'm leaving the 7-08 barrel as is, I ordered a 19" 284WIN barrel though.

Thinking of ordering a tikka barrel: 7-08, 284, 7-08AI, 7SAW?????

I have tikka 7-08 that I wanted shortened up to ~18" for a suppressor and wanted 5/8" shouldered threads (where they add a collar on) which will run $200-250 to have done. Or I could jump on preferred barrels black friday deal and just order a fresh prefit barrel already threaded in the length I...

rokslide.com

 

[dkime]

First rifle I bought my wife was a savage UL storm in 7-08, granted that’s a 20” barrel but the velocity was very surprising at 20” with 150 eldxs. She’s only had a sample size of 1 with her first mule deer buck, I would have absolutely zero concerns going to 18”


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[Elite]

First rifle I bought my wife was a savage UL storm in 7-08, granted that’s a 20” barrel but the velocity was very surprising at 20” with 150 eldxs. She’s only had a sample size of 1 with her first mule deer buck, I would have absolutely zero concerns going to 18”


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I have the same rifle. What velocity were you seeing? Handloads or factory?

 

[WeiserBucks]

A 7mm08 with 162gr eldm, max load of 6.5 Staball if I remember correctly is only 80fps slower then a max load of H1000 in 7mm RM.

Is this from person experience or from a reloading manual?

 

[grfox92]

Is this from person experience or from a reloading manual?

Hogdon load data. I noted if I remember correctly because I didn't look it up before posting, but I was shocked by how close it was.

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[WeiserBucks]

Hogdon load data. I noted if I remember correctly because I didn't look it up before posting, but I was shocked by how close it was.

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Interesting data, I'd be shocked if it was that close but I don't load for 7/08.

 

[grfox92]

Interesting data, I'd be shocked if it was that close but I don't load for 7/08.

Load with H1000 is for 7mm RM max load is 2905fps.

Load with Staball is for 7mm08 max load is 2821fps.

84 fps slower with 22.2gr less powder.

For the record. This is just load data, but I have talked to guys on here that introduced me to those loads and they are proven. IMR 8208 XBR also makes a screaming load for 7mm08.

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[WeiserBucks]

Load with H1000 is for 7mm RM max load is 2905fps.

Load with Staball is for 7mm08 max load is 2821fps.

84 fps slower with 22.2gr less powder.

For the record. This is just load data, but I have talked to guys on here that introduced me to those loads and they are proven. IMR 8208 XBR also makes a screaming load for 7mm08.

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I can't speak to the 7/08 data but the 7 RM data is 100% bogus. My 24" 7 RM makes 2925 fps with H1000 and 180s for accuracy, zero pressure until 3000 fps but doesn't shoot as well there. I'm on my 4th barrel with the exact same load and get 6+ firings on Norma brass so it's pretty well vetted at this point.