Upgrade Rifle or Optics first?

[Ellison]

Been hunting with a Model 7 7mm08 and it has been great, but I have the bug to go to a Traverse in 300 win. On the other side of it, I have a pair of Maven C3 10x42s and a pair of older SLC 15x56s. No spotter.
Most on my hunting has been local in the Cascades in the past. Looking into exploring out into some of the neighboring states for critters.
Just looking into some advice on "what would you do?" There is so much more to a good experience hunting and I get that. Just want to stick to rifles and optics on this one.

 

[sndmn11]

Optic

 

[Ellison]

I'm leaning toward adding a spotter to the mix. Or are you referring to upgrading the C3s?

 

[BeastOfTheTrees]

Tough one I’m getting my .300 Wby rebedded and threaded then getting a long range optic

 

[Mosby]

I can live without a spotter most of the time and certainly could make due with the 15x binocs and a tripod.
A good pair of 10x42 and an accurate rifle goes along way on its own.

I would opt for the 300 Win mag with a quality scope. That and the 7-08 would cover you for most everything in the lower 48.

 

[mreddig]

Depends on how much you want to glass and how far you want to shoot.

 

[Marble]

For the cascades that 7-08 would be great for the deer sized game. If it shoots I wouldn't bother messing with it or getting the 300.

Having good optics is a game changer. If you have the coin get a spotter.

 

[Yukon Cornelius]

I can live without a spotter most of the time and certainly could make due with the 15x binocs and a tripod.
A good pair of 10x42 and an accurate rifle goes along way on its own.

I would opt for the 300 Win mag with a quality scope. That and the 7-08 would cover you for most everything in the lower 48.

that would cover him with anything around the world.

 

[sndmn11]

I'm leaning toward adding a spotter to the mix. Or are you referring to upgrading the C3s?

I'm saying your rifle is absolutely adequate inside 500yards for anything huntable in the lower 48. I wouldn't consider replacing it unless I wanted to shoot farther or hunt elsewhere.
I would buy new 10x binos, get a phone skope for the 15x so you can use your phone to zoom, and not worry for a spotter until you run into a situation where it is needed two years in a row. You can do a whole lot of lookin with high power binos and a zoomed in phone.

 

[WCB]

Your gun is adequate for 99% of anything you are probably going to hunt any where in the world. Only exception is obviously dangerous game in Africa and Brown Bears....(realistically it will kill the bears just no outfitter would allow you to use it.) As mentioned above unless you want to shoot "long range" on larger game or something of that nature I see no need for a new gun. However, having a couple different options is allows nice especially having a back up gun.

On the same note for 99% of hunting a spotting scope is not even close to being required and the 15x will cover what you need unless you are trying to score inches at distance or find growth rings.

I would go with the firearm as it isn't really an upgrade as much as a second option and maybe a dedicated elk gun for neighboring states? I'm taking your post as you have only one hunting rifle.

 

[archp625]

what scope do you have on your 7mm-08?

 

[Ndbowhunter]

There isn’t anything this side of Eland I’d feel undergunnee with a 7mm-08 and a swfa 6x

I’d personally upgrade the mavens.

 

[LightFoot]

I'd look at Binos/rangefinder & scope with ballistic-style reticle or turret (if you dont have that already)

Rifle is fine.

>>>----JAKE----->

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

A model 7 in 7mm-08 is a great all purpose rifle in my opinion. It also sounds like you are set up pretty well on glass. If it were me I'd switch to a 12x50 bino and then add a spotter depending on the hunt. Make sure you glass on a nice tripod as well. 12x50's on a tripod can absolutely pick apart country.

 

[TREE ‘EM]

Glass upgrades. If you can’t see it, you can’t kill it.
If you know your 7/08 inside and out, you’ll have no advantage with a 300

 

[thinhorn_AK]

For the hunting I like to do, I figured it was important to get good optics. The first sheep hunt I ever went on, I thought 15x binos and a tripod would suffice....it sucked. Now I like to keep my 8x42s on my chest and have a good spotter in case I want to take a closer look. I think for the hunting I do here in AK, a scope is probably the least important piece of optics in my kit but I still like to have quality scopes on my rifles.

 

[Don_Parsons]

If your rifle is shooting good, maybe think about doing the optic,,, if optic is good do the rifle...

If they need up grading that is,,, I hunt with a simple 308 Winchester,,, good enough for my needs... up close and personal including reaching out there and beyond...

One thing I like is putting in more time hunting and less spending since I end up working more hours to pay for something that is all ready working...

Your call,,, good luck finding what will work for you,,, thats what really counts...

Don

 

[Ellison]

what scope do you have on your 7mm-08?

It has the Leupold freedom 3-9x. I reload for it and it's a 1moa rifle. Been very happy with it.

 

[archp625]

It has the Leupold freedom 3-9x. I reload for it and it's a 1moa rifle. Been very happy with it.

I would keep your gun and upgrade the optics on your gun. That's a pretty bottom of the line scope compared to your other optics.

 

[Ellison]

Llets hear some suggestions.