|
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,748
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,748 |
How far are you shooting? As long as you're not looking for a 600yd rifle the 338 Fed in a Montana is a nice rifle. If a 243 hole is adequate, a 7mm hole better, a 338 hole would be better still by my way of thinking. A 7-08 would be cool too, or a 308.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 22,738
Campfire Ranger
|
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 22,738 |
I lent a buddy my .243 so his son could go on his first deer hunt. long story short his kid shot a big buck and now he would like to buy the gun for him. I never bloodied it so I told him I thought it would be better for him to have it than me. I'm pretty sure I will buy a Montana with the proceeds but I'm not sure what caliber. I'm thinking .243 or 7mm08. I'm a little apprehensive about the .243 as it was a perfect top of the heart lung hit and it went 50 yards without a blood trail at all. I know it still resulted in a dead deer but what about shots that aren't quite perfect. I'm interested in feedback from those of you with multiple .243 kills. (my load was a Barnes 85 grain at 3200fps). I used to shoot a 7mm rem mag so I have no doubt a 7mm08 will do very well. Of the two cartridges, I'd definitely opt for the 7mm08. We don't know if you intend to go out west or if elk is in your future. If it is, the '08 will be your ticket to success. Having said that, if I was limited to the 84M Montana, I'd also take a very hard look at the .308. Good luck.
My home is the "sanctuary residence" for my firearms.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 461
Campfire Member
|
|
OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 461 |
I already have the elk thing covered with several other rifles so this rifle would never make that trip. Another thing I was thining about is how the handling of the 84 classic and 84M Montana compare with the 84L Monatana. I'm loving the slick handling of the 84L Montana but can't help but wonder about the even lighter short actions. Seems like the 30-06 in 84L Montana and 7mm08 in 84M Montana would make a great pair. Although part of me likes the idea of a classic in 7mm08 for sunny weather and the 06 Montana for everything else.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,135
Campfire Tracker
|
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,135 |
I lent a buddy my .243 so his son could go on his first deer hunt. long story short his kid shot a big buck and now he would like to buy the gun for him. I never bloodied it so I told him I thought it would be better for him to have it than me. I'm pretty sure I will buy a Montana with the proceeds but I'm not sure what caliber. I'm thinking .243 or 7mm08. I'm a little apprehensive about the .243 as it was a perfect top of the heart lung hit and it went 50 yards without a blood trail at all. I know it still resulted in a dead deer but what about shots that aren't quite perfect. I'm interested in feedback from those of you with multiple .243 kills. (my load was a Barnes 85 grain at 3200fps). I used to shoot a 7mm rem mag so I have no doubt a 7mm08 will do very well. A Montana 7-08 is about as good as it gets in my book. If you don't load, a 308 might edge it out. The 243 is plenty for deer with the right bullet, and is capable of versatility deluxe. For varmints, it's faster and flatter than a 22-250 with the light stuff and kills like something with lots more recoil with the right 80-100 grain bullets. Fact is, you'll need a 223 Montana to go with whatever you decide on, so you might as well save any energy you might spend resisting that need...grin. Honestly, caliber/cartridge isn't that critical. The platform (especially of the 84M) is so outstanding that you'll like whatever cartridge you're shooting - and the first one has a way of opening the safe door to a couple more. DJ
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 461
Campfire Member
|
|
OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 461 |
and the first one has a way of opening the safe door to a couple more.
DJ I know I'm already fighting the urge and the 7mm08(or.243) is calling.
Last edited by Bigbuck_12; 11/14/11.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,735
Campfire Outfitter
|
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,735 |
Too many good choices! I'd love one in 308 or 7-08. Since you said you already have a bigger rifle for larger game I can't see any of the choices being a bad one.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 46,750
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 46,750 |
It is on my list as well. I'll get a .223 rem, .243 win, or a .257 roberts.
Camp is where you make it.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 48,411
Campfire 'Bwana
|
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 48,411 |
Proudly representing oil companies, defense contractors, and firearms manufacturers since 1980. Because merchants of death need lawyers, too.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 343
Campfire Member
|
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 343 |
I am very happy with my .7-08. Next will probably be a 280ai if I can save that much....
Roll Tide Roll, now lets go hunting!!!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,135
Campfire Tracker
|
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,135 |
and the first one has a way of opening the safe door to a couple more.
DJ I know I'm already fighting the urge and the 7mm08(or.243) is calling. Resistance has proven futile, at least for me...but they're a pretty good investment, especially if you buy them used like I have. Good shooters come along for sale by Good Guys on the 'Fire often enough to keep my extra spending money from burning a hole in my pocket...grin. DJ
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 32,312
Campfire 'Bwana
|
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 32,312 |
The CENTER will hold.
Reality, Patriotism,Trump: you can only pick two
FÜCK PUTIN!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,734
Campfire Tracker
|
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,734 |
My kids shoot a .243 without a problem, ok I shoot a .257 still no problem. Just took 2 deer with it.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 461
Campfire Member
|
|
OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 461 |
I think I'll order a 7mm08. When I get a .243 again it will be in a "more" varmint setup. Perhaps a tikka or marlin x gun. Thanks for all of your feed back.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 11
New Member
|
|
New Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 11 |
I waited about 6 months looking for a 7-08 montana, then purchased a 308 montana because that was all I could find. I have not hunted it yet but range results are promising. Our deer season opens next week and I hope to break it in.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 61,130
Campfire Kahuna
|
|
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 61,130 |
.243, .223(punched AI), .22-250...
In that order.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 961
Campfire Regular
|
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 961 |
Sorry,I drank the Sako-Aid.My opinion may be biased.
bh444
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 17,527
Campfire Ranger
|
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 17,527 |
Is Kimber making 7/08 Montana's again? I thought they were discontinued too.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,314
Campfire Tracker
|
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,314 |
They're making them (7-08's) and shipping Classic's as we speak!
I enjoy handguns and I really like shotguns,...but I love rifles!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 461
Campfire Member
|
|
OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 461 |
I already got a bead on a classic 7mm08 but think I'll wait for a Montana. Every wood gun I buy looks like crap after one season.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 379
Campfire Member
|
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 379 |
12 GAUGE....... OR MAYBE .410 ??
Just sayin.....
Here, hold my beer and watch this!
|
|
|
|
|
596 members (06hunter59, 1234, 1beaver_shooter, 10gaugemag, 17CalFan, 12344mag, 66 invisible),
2,577
guests, and
1,132
robots. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,194,472
Posts18,529,377
Members74,033
| |
Most Online11,491
Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|
