Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles What 7mm-08 to buy?

Looking to buy a new (or used) 7mm-08 with a budget of $1000 for the rifle only. Part of me says to build a custom and spend a little more money, but the finances simply aren't there right now.
I'm not a big fan of Tikka's, and I know many will recommend.
Here is basically what I want: 6.25-6.75 lb +/- rifle only, at least a 20" barrel, preferably 22", 3/4 - 1 moa consistently with a variety of bullets. I know I'm asking a lot.....

Gun will be used primarily for whitetails, but may (hopefully) go out west for mule deer and elk. My whitetail hunting terrain varies wildly from thick, river-bottom hardwoods to wide open ag fields and pastures, so 400+ yard shots are available at times and have been done routinely.

I do handload if that matters. Also open to other caliber suggestions, but I'm pretty well set on a 7-08 as it will do anything that needs doing for me and I have dies and a variety of bullets and a couple hundred pieces of brass on hand. A 6.5 mm of some flavor does intrigue me (6.5 PRC or 6.5-06, etc., or even a Creedmoor..... :/), so feel free to try and convince me that another caliber is better.

I'm sure recommendations will be all over, so let them fly.

Thanks in advance.

I'd go with Bergara if it was me. The B-14 Hunter might fit into your weight criteria. I know my B-14 Timber is heavier than that.

My bad. they don't offer 7mm-08 but they do offer 6.5 Creed. http://www.bergarausa.com/bergara_b-14_series_hunter_rifle.php

Faux Ti....

I just took delivery of a Model 70 EW in 7mm08. I believe this would meet all of your criteria. I haven’t even mounted the scope yet, but fit and finish and balance are both excellent. I’m really looking forward to using this gun.

If you can find one, an older Remington 700 Mountain rifle with the floor plate would fit your requirements. They were about the best hunting rifles Remington ever made in my opinion.

Or lop a SS ADL to 20"....hell, now that I think about it, I'd rather have that than a Faux

I like 16 bores idea , but I would like a 22 tube and a HS stock keeping it ADL. Tally lightweight rims and based and a nice 2 to 7 scope. I have a LVSF in 7 08 set up that way and really like it. But it is a little heavier than specified.

You should be able to find a a used (non-threaded barrel) Kimber Montana 84m 7mm-08 for under a grand.

Try to find a used Christensen Arms Mesa or spend just a little more and get a new one. It literally checks off every one of your boxes plus has a lot of other features.

5 or 6 digit classic featherweight.

My favorite 7mm-08 was a Remington Seven stainless. It remains a good choice. Other options would be a 700 SPS youth .. replace the stock. Or a 700 SPS Stainless and shorten the barrel / replace the stock.

Simplest might be a Kimber 84M "hunter".

Tom

Been thinking about the same thing. Couple years ago I took a Walmart youth .243 ADL put on a regular stock, adjusted the trigger and had a 20" barrel 7.5# budget mountain rifle that shot very well. Thinking about doing the same thing only in 7-08. Would have to go with a SPS instead of the ADL, but still should be able to do it for around $500. Just add a nice VX1 and it would be a deer/elk killing machine. The other thing I have been thinking is getting one of the Sportsman's Warehouse ADL's and having the barrel cut off. Would be in the $500 neighborhood also - depending on what cutting the barrel would cost and if you could get a few $ for the scope. Those 20" barrels are very handy in the Eberlestock scabbard.

I like to think if if were me, that I would be looking at a new model 70 featherweight
or a kimber classic select. There's also the browning x bolt which I don't think you can
go wrong with.

In any case let us know what you decide.

Buy a stainless 700, sps adl, used if you can. Pick up a Mc Edge fill. Will be about the right weight with a little forward balance. Comfortable to carry and comfortable to shoot.

You can still find the HOWA 1500 ceracoated rifles at Sportsman's warehouse in 7-08, and then shop around for a take-off Alpine stock, and you'll still have money left over. Like $300 left over.

Save up your money and buy a used custom 7mm08. Especially if Oregonmuley sells one!

I agree with this and put it in the Ti stock. I have 3 700 mtn rifles in 280, 260 and 7mm08. One is a walnut stock and has the best feel and balance. Another is laminate and the width is right but a tad heavier than the walnut. The last is a bell & Carlson stock and it is too chunky in the grip. The Ti stock is slimmer and would fit the bill.

I bought a 700 SS, had it cut to 22”, bedded in a McM Hunters Edge, Timney, Talley’s and a Leupold 2.5-8. Weighs 6# 12oz empty. Oh, Kampfeld fluted my bolt, Fosnaugh did the rest. Shoots sub-MOA with 120 gr NBT handloads.

I've handled a Mesa at my local shop and I really like it. Seems to fit me well and feels well made.