Upgrade short action or buy long action

[Millwood21]

Contemplating buying another rifle in the near future. Not sure what way to go. I hunt mostly whitetails in Georgia but try to make a trip every year or two out west but have only archery hunted so far. I currently have a Remington 700 7mm08 with a vx2 3x9-40 and a browning 308 A bolt with a vx3 4.5x14-50 I got passed down from my dad when he passed. Considering buying a long action rifle or buying a better scope for my 7mm08. Planning to hunt elk and mule deer with the rifle. Shot range depending on location and other variables. Wondering what’s y’all’s thoughts on an all around rifle or one to add to my current selections or upgrades to make to what I currently have.

 

[Ducks N' Bucks]

A good scope is worth its weight in gold IMO. I persoally would look at an upgraded scope regardless of it you get a new rifle or not. I bought a 28 nosler and put a Nightforce scope on it. I am very happy with that combo.

 

[Rob5589]

Your 7/08 is plenty capable. I vote for new scope.

 

[Millwood21]

Your 7/08 is plenty capable. I vote for new scope.

A good scope is worth its weight in gold IMO. I persoally would look at an upgraded scope regardless of it you get a new rifle or not. I bought a 28 nosler and put a Nightforce scope on it. I am very happy with that combo.

What scope or scopes would you recommend.
Was leaning toward adding a vx5 to it one day possibly so may just do that and save my money on a new rifle. But just not sure what scope would be ideal for this rifle.

 

[Rob5589]

I am really liking my Trijicons; 3-9x40 and 2.5-15x42. Also used a 4-16x50 which was also great. SWFA is a solid choice as is Nightforce.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

Luckily, you're in the home if the best rifle scope performance info on the web.

Rifle Scope Field Evaluations

rokslide.com

 

[Rich M]

New scope for 7mm-08. The 308 is fine the way it is.

Shoot em both enough to know exactly where the bullet will hit out to 400 and go shoot you an elk or mule deer.

 

[Ernie]

Contemplating buying another rifle in the near future. Not sure what way to go. I hunt mostly whitetails in Georgia but try to make a trip every year or two out west but have only archery hunted so far. I currently have a Remington 700 7mm08 with a vx2 3x9-40 and a browning 308 A bolt with a vx3 4.5x14-50 I got passed down from my dad when he passed. Considering buying a long action rifle or buying a better scope for my 7mm08. Planning to hunt elk and mule deer with the rifle. Shot range depending on location and other variables. Wondering what’s y’all’s thoughts on an all around rifle or one to add to my current selections or upgrades to make to what I currently have.

Budget for your scope?
Magnification range you are considering?
Typical max distance for hunting beg game?

I like the VX 5HD 3-15x44. Choose the reticle that you prefer.
I have recently picked up a Trij recently, but have not had the opportunity to use it yet

 

[Millwood21]

Luckily, you're in the home if the best rifle scope performance info on the web.

Rifle Scope Field Evaluations

rokslide.com

That’s for adding that link!

Budget for your scope?
Magnification range you are considering?
Typical max distance for hunting beg game?

I like the VX 5HD 3-15x44. Choose the reticle that you prefer.
I have recently picked up a Trij recently, but have not had the opportunity to use it yet

I’d be willing to spend 1000-1500 possibly. Less if I could find a good used one here. If it’s worth it to add to my current rifle. Which seems the 7 08 will be fine.
I guess out to around 400 yards distance wise if the 7 08 is capable of that with a good optic.

 

[Ernie]

That’s for adding that link!


I’d be willing to spend 1000-1500 possibly. Less if I could find a good used one here. If it’s worth it to add to my current rifle. Which seems the 7 08 will be fine.
I guess out to around 400 yards distance wise if the 7 08 is capable of that with a good optic.

7-08 will work quite nicely for you.
Max distance for big game hunting?
In what way do you like to adjust for shooting further out?

 

[N2TRKYS]

A Leupold VX3 3.5-10x40 would easily get you to 400 yards and is a fine scope. I’ve had one on my Model Seven for years and love it.

 

[wind gypsy]

I'd agree that a 7/08 or 308 will be sufficient for the types of shots 99% of hunters have business taking. They are also more apt to allow hunters the reps to build proficiency because they aren't as unpleasant to shoot, dont cost as much to shoot, and most would spend way less time waiting for barrels to cool in fear of burning them out and more time denting primers compared to bigger cartridges.

All my hunting rifles wear SWFA 3-9s or Bushnell elite tactical LRHS/LRTS line scopes. If you wanted to go that direction it's likely you'd want to get one used on the classifieds. I'm intrigued by the trijicon credo line as an additional option but have no experience with them.

 

[Millwood21]

I checked out the NF on here a few minutes ago. Always heard good things about them every where you go. Only thing I seen is they say the reticle is thin at low mag. Most all my shots are going to be less than 100 yards at home in thicker steep country. But I want to be able to stretch that distance far as possible within reason when needed.

 

[Ernie]

I checked out the NF on here a few minutes ago. Always heard good things about them every where you go. Only thing I seen is they say the reticle is thin at low mag. Most all my shots are going to be less than 100 yards at home in thicker steep country. But I want to be able to stretch that distance far as possible within reason when needed.

How far would you like to stretch things out?

 

[Rob5589]

I checked out the NF on here a few minutes ago. Always heard good things about them every where you go. Only thing I seen is they say the reticle is thin at low mag. Most all my shots are going to be less than 100 yards at home in thicker steep country. But I want to be able to stretch that distance far as possible within reason when needed.

That was likely in reference to a FFP scope, just FYI.

 

[Millwood21]

How far would you like to stretch things out?

Far as possible with the 7 08 but within reason. 4-500 yards. But within reason of shooting ethically. That’s probably getting out to the max range with that round also. I think.

That was likely in reference to a FFP scope, just FYI.

You’re probably right. Im new to the scope stuff and there is endless options stuff is way above my head. Why I asked here because I’m not really sure what I need to be looking at. Every scope I’ve ever owned has the dip on the bag for mag and that’s it! Big learning curve here. Bout to go down the rabbit hole of scopes.

 

[Ernie]

Far as possible with the 7 08 but within reason. 4-500 yards. But within reason of shooting ethically. That’s probably getting out to the max range with that round also. I think.

You’re probably right. Im new to the scope stuff and there is endless options stuff is way above my head. Why I asked here because I’m not really sure what I need to be looking at. Every scope I’ve ever owned has the dip on the bag for mag and that’s it! Big learning curve here. Bout to go down the rabbit hole of scopes.

Do you have anyone near you that shoots at midrange distances? 600 yards.

 

[Ernie]

Far as possible with the 7 08 but within reason. 4-500 yards. But within reason of shooting ethically. That’s probably getting out to the max range with that round also. I think.

You’re probably right. Im new to the scope stuff and there is endless options stuff is way above my head. Why I asked here because I’m not really sure what I need to be looking at. Every scope I’ve ever owned has the dip on the bag for mag and that’s it! Big learning curve here. Bout to go down the rabbit hole of scopes.

Email me at ernieemily at yahoo dot com
I would be glad to help you, if you so desire.
I shoot at distance on a regular basis

 

[Millwood21]

Do you have anyone near you that shoots at midrange distances? 600 yards.

One guy does. I’ve shot with him two or three times out to 800-900 yards. Not with my hunting rifles tho! Haha. I’ll shoot you an email or pm on here shortly.

 

[Ernie]

I can't PM yet, as I am new here.
I am not new to shooting distance though.
Same user name on the longrangehunting forum. I typically post more in the Specialty Handgun Hunting Section. On the Accurate Shooter forum I am SEB-USA, since I am that guy for SEB products. On 24hrcampfire (primarily the long range hunting section), I still use my original user name xphunter ... I hunt with XP-100's!