Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 7mm-08 for sheep & Elk...rifle choice in the balance?

I first have to be very clear that I am officially crazy and I should be content with the current inventory of rifles that I already own.

However, I am looking to fill a void in the arsenal when it comes to "a light weight" rifle for some back country hunts (sheep/elk specifically). By definition of lightweight, I'm looking for something scoped under 7ish lbs.

I really like the 7mm-08 for deer sized critters but I am really looking at the abilities of this caliber for elk and possible long range shots on sheep? Should I step up to the 7mm WSM.

I need to first make my decision on caliber and then the rifle is next. As you are well aware, Kimber offers the 7mm-08 in the 84M Montana and the 7mm WSM in the 8400. Which to choose?

I've placed a call into my smith for some words of wisdom and usually a good reality check. Weight wise, it will be tough for any smith to really show a significant weight loss compared to the Montana, Rem TI, and Browning TI. So what is to be gained by spending the extra $$$$ for a custom rifle, little bit of accuracy? Possibly a 6.5 WSM?

Looking to bounce some ideas of you folks.

I have custom rifles in both calibers you have mentioned - sort of... My 7mm-08 is Improved but also weighs 6.5Lbs scoped. It is shooting 140 Accubonds just over 3000 fos and I wouldn't think twice about shootinf Elk with it even though I built it as a Sheep/deer rifle.

I really like my 6.5 WSM but to get as light as you want you'd have to keep the barrel prety short and i think that would be a huge detriment to the 6.5 WSM - mine is a 26" fluted tube on a 700 action and McMillan classic stock and scoped it is around 8.5lbs.

The 7mm-08AI is a 22" Lilja on a 700 short action and a Bansner sheep hunter stock and is shooting the AB's consistently around .55 or so. So would the 7mm-08 in its stock config do the job for Elk? I think so. The AI is just a bit more in the same package.

personal experience with the 8400mont in 7wsm. it shoots a mile, well 7/10 of a mile to be exact. flat flat flat. if you smoke cohibas and shoot less than 298 yards, get the 7/08. either carries like a dream for miles.

seems to me that many guys end up buying both in the montana. I know I want to.

I would get the 7wizzum in the "big sky" first, and if that doesn't satisfy the itch, get the 7-08 in the "little sky"
I have the 'big sky' in a 270wsm and love it. I would like to add a lil sky in 308 or (probably) 7-08 sometime.

IMHO,the Whizzum Montana is a better machine,than the .473" versions.

You get more magbox and very nice throat geometry..................

I'd start with the WSM......

For my taste the Remington Ti was the best choice. Three positon safeties and controlled feed doesn't rank high on my selection criteria.

IMHO a magnum is never the best choice for a lightweight rifle. The extra performance does not offset the extra weight, therefore, it is my thinking a .284 Win. in a short action rifle makes for the lightest rifle - I won't argue there being any difference between a 7mm/08 improved and the .284 Win.

If you are willing to trade off some weight for more performance than the 7mm WSM has to be considered high on the list.

I've shot 7 or 8 elk with 140 gr. X bullets and ever bullet has performed flawlessly. I only have one recovered bullet. Shooting completely through both shoulder is my most common shot. Shot my cow elk this year at 266 yds using the 120 TSX, 3222 fps, and blew complete through both front shoulders.

Boise, ever shot a Kimber MT in any WSM?

If you ever do I suspect you'll change your mind...

Brad I have never shot a Kimber - period - let alone one in a WSM.

I do own a Remington 700 Ti that was rebarrelled to a .25 WSM and it has the making of a great rifle. Recoil is very manageable, I weigh 153 lbs. I haven't weighed the rifle yet but it should be in the 6 1/4 - 6 3/8 range with scope and rings.

My brother complains about the recoil level of my 700 Ti in .284 Win. Says it is like his 06 FWT model 70.

Boise, I shoot a 300 WSM in the Montana... 180 Noslers at 2,960. It's amazingly easy to shoot. Phenomenal stock design. It's one of those rare things that actually exceeds its hype. I can sit at the bench and fire as many full-house rounds as I care to in a t-shirt, no problem. On the other hand, my 1lb heavier 30-06 will begin to get my attention after ten rounds or so!

Brad, I searched hard for a Kimber before I went down the 700 Ti path. There just weren't any available at that time. Since then I've handled the Kimber with the shad belly stock and did not care for that rifle at all. Their Super America is what appears in my dreams.

Glad to hear your 300 WSM works so very well. I'll remember to share your findings when others ask about rifle choices. 180 Noslers @ 2960 is very impressive - shame you're not shooting X's <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

The Perch Belly didn't turn me on either but scoped, loaded and with sling the whole rifle weigh's just under 7 lb's 3 oz's... I go used to the looks of it real fast after hauling it up and down mountains this fall... pretty is as pretty does (grins).

I sure like my Montana 270wsm. The recoil seems like more of a "muzzle jump" than a straight back kick. Makes me wonder what the 325 would be like! I might have to find out, me thinks... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

340, I think that's a good way to describe it...

Thank you kindly for the reply. I've owned a 8400 in 7 WSM and absolutely hated the rifle. The trigger needed adjusted (you could hear the chatter in the stock when the trigger was pulled) but the worst part it wouldn't shoot for $hit. 2 1/2" @ 100 was the best I could do. I actually sent the rifle back to Kimber. It was found to have a bad crown but I never shot the rifle when it came back...down the road. Kinda kicking myself but that was the way things ended.

I'm not sure I want to take a chance with another kimber. I'm sure I just had the minority when it came to a bad rig. The Friday afternoon or Monday morning training rifle.

Don't know the difference between loaded and with a sling but my 700 Ti tips the scales at 5.95 lbs with scope. That seems to be significantly lighter than 7 lbs 3 oz. I'll carry a scale home this evening and weigh it as "carried". I''m also interested in what the 25 WSM weighs.

Glad your happy with the rifle. She's pumping lots more energy than mine.

Hey Brad what are ya pushin' for powder in the Whizzum?

Mtn, H4350 / 64.0 gr's. The Hdy 180 and Nosler 180 go into the exact same group which is always a happy event. Groups are consistantly in the .8's. It absolutely dotes on the 180 Accubond but I'm not really keen on that bullet. It didn't do well with the 165 or 168 TSX (1.25 - 1.5" average) but I'm going to try the 180 TSX as the rifle seems to have a preference for the 180's (which isn't a bad thing!).

Bosie, I hear more and more about the wonderful stock design on the Kimber. I have talked with people who shoot both the 300wsm and the 325wsm in the kimber and they can't beleive how manageable the recoil is for such a light rifle.

Huntem, if range is your biggest concern than the 7wsm is the way to go for you. If you get the 7-08 you probably won't quit wondering about the range on a 7wsm. I feel that the 7-08 out past 400 is still one tough "sum bitch"!!

CD

FWIW:

I have spent buckets 'O time and considerable money too on custom UL rifles. With the stuff that is available now, I would probably not do custom again if either the Ti or the Kimber were available in the cartridge that I chose.

Re: A 7-08 for your caliber choice.........the balistically identical 7x57 has effectively slain everything that runs crawls or creeps in North America. Of course that was befor the internet issued kevlar flak vests to the elk and sheep out there.