Wookie Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 I was out shooting with the club at the weekend and my .17HMR was getting a little outclassed by the people shooting their .308s and .223s. Ok, so I beat a lot of them in the comp, but at 200m on an open range, it's not the ideal choice for targets. I got thinking about buying a ful bore rifle again, and on of the options presented to me was the chance of a recently re-barrelled 7mm 08 Rem that one of the club members was getting rid of. I know nothing about the calibre apart from what I have found on the internet, so I was wondering if anyone on PW had one, had shot one, or just generally knew anything about them. Apparently they have better long range ballistics than the .308 (more speed/energy at the longer ranges due to the better BC) and so I would be able to use it for the 600+m shoots that seem to be coming up a lot, as well as for game if I can get land for it. Any advice or opinions gratefully received. At the rate some people on here go through rifles (*cough* Mungler) someone must have used one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyb Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 (edited) The big question.... Will you be reloading or not? If so - 7mm-08 is fine If not - 308Win Edited September 5, 2011 by garyb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 The question is, is Garyb actually a long lost grandchild of Harnser's? As for the 7-08, I have never had one but that is exactly what I would buy if I ever felt the need for a bigger calibre. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wookie Posted September 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 The package I have been offered does come with a lot of reloading bits and pieces, so I will be reloading (eventually). Given that it will be used for target shooting mainly, I'm not too concerned about the number of rounds I put through it as this is likely to be low, but I do want to have something that will shoot accurately out to 1000m (or more). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperfection Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 Howdy Wooks. 308 is always going to be the logical choice and will shoot accurately at Barton roads 1200mtr firing point.Plus rifles are ten a penny,ammunition is plentiful and not too badly priced either. ps.Had any ramblers/dog walkers try to cross the range yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wookie Posted September 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 Heh! Had a bunch try and get across yesterday, but they turned back when they heard the 45/70 booming down from the 200m line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 (edited) The question is, is Garyb actually a long lost grandchild of Harnser's? As for the 7-08, I have never had one but that is exactly what I would buy if I ever felt the need for a bigger calibre. If it was made compulsory for every shooter to own a .308 winchester ,then there would be very few for sale second hand as nobody would want to get rid of theirs . Harnser . Edited September 5, 2011 by Harnser Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperfection Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 They had a dog running around the range a few months back! :blink: Whats the furthest you've gone to at Barton? A while back i was at 600mtrs which is everso slightly challenging when you're shooting with open sights and a spotting scope which barely reaches 300mtrs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wookie Posted September 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 A couple of months back I did 1000m with a borrowed .308 with a PM2 on top. Very nice, and managed to get a 10"-ish group all told (only with a handful of rounds fired though). Yesterday was only 200m, two comps. I'll have to wait for another day and rely on charity before I get to shoot past 300m with my own rifle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperfection Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 Then you've anwswered your own question-308 it is! A 10" group at that distance is good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_R Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 I admit to being biased, as I am having a semi-custom 7mm-08 built right now. 7mm-08 has better BC at longer range than a .308, and softer shooting. Barrel life just as good. I am happy to reload, so that's no problem. If you wanted to enter certain competitions/classes, the 7mm-08 might not fit so do check depending on chosen discipline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 I owned one for quite a few years BK now has it - dont buy it for targets get a 308 more available ammo, BC advantage is only with 140 7mm V 150 .308. hunting bullets to generalise a bit. The .308 is cerainly what i should buy for targets unless you want to compete in open class f class. or serious bench rest when there are better choices or want to consistantly place in tactical sniper matches again better choices Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wookie Posted September 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 Well, as far as comps go, it is only within my club (at the moment), so that's not a problem. Ammunition would be handloads and I would be getting most of the things I need with the rifle (dies etc), but I agree that _everyone_ has .308 in stock. It does seem expensive though. Ok, so more background. Most of the shoots I do seem to be between 200 and 600m, with probably one in three being out to 1000m. I can't keep relying on mates for a rifle to shoot at those ranges (even if they don't mind), and whilst a .308 does appeal, having something a little different that I could use on the continent for game as well as game here would be nice. I guess I need to talk to my FEO about that though. It really seems like the only issues are ammunition (availability) and some possible limits in comps. Other than that, they look to b almost the same in terms of shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 Any advice or opinions gratefully received. At the rate some people on here go through rifles (*cough* Mungler) someone must have used one! I couldn't think of a better bloke to pick on! Takes the heat off of me for a while! I've not long bought a 7-08. It seems a nice round but that's about all I can tell you really. It doesn't seem to recoil as badly as the .308's I've used but apart from that I'm completely new to it. I think that iof you like something different then go for it. If you'd rather be able to walk into any shop in the country and pick up ammo for it then the .308 wins over virtually any other large calibre. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_R Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 Thinking further, if I was going to buy a rifle for nothing but target work I doubt I would get either a 7mm or a .308. One of the 6.5mm variants would be more likely to appeal to me. However, the fact I want to shoot deer, and maybe wild boar at some time, as well as have fun on range days etc. led me to the 7mm-08. After mulling it over a while I tried a mate's and liked it, so decided to take the plunge. What do you know about the 7mm-08 you have seen for sale? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wookie Posted September 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 John, It's a Tikka, but one that has been re-barrelled with a heavy-weight match barrel. I've asked for photos and info on total shots fired, shots fired through the new barrel etc, but have not had anything back yet. When I do I will but them up here for picking over. The chap that owns it does look after his kit though, so I have hopes for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wookie Posted September 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2011 Right, just heard back from the chap who currently owns it. It's a roughly four year old Tikka Continental varmint (formerly in 22-250), with a walnut stock, but was re-barrelled with to 7mm08 heavy match barrel two years ago. Since then, it's had about 400 rounds put through it of development loads. The barrel is threaded and currently has a muzzle break on it. Pictures to follow, but if anyone has opinions so far, please shout out... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.