Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 7-08AI or 284 win

Bob, I'll concede it's a "$475 stock"... that's what a Bansner costs painted and it's a better stock than a Bansner, and lighter.

I also prefer the 84's ergos over any McMillan but that's a personal thing.

I've had a couple Ti's and, while I'm likely a little hard on them, it's still a relatively decent, although cheaply made, stock... for me I dislike the thickness of the grip, but it's that way because it doesn't have a mono-coupe, laid shell, but is chopped glass and requires the additional thickness for strength.

Mark makes a good point, however, that the Ti's channel can be opened-up with no harm, while opening a Kimber MT channel would be a lousy idea.

Ok, $475.00 then! and it does have great ergo's.

Well crap, you guys are "making" me want to go
pull my 6.5x284 barrel off my Ti and stick on
the 284 Win barrel. Just to prove whatever.

Anybody have any cheap 284 win dies?

Although I've been a 284 shoot for a long time and have a number of rifles so chambered, I think that if you're looking for the highest .277/.284 performance in a short bolt action, the cartridges to consider are the 270 WSM, 7mm SAUM, and 7mm WSM. I think that the Cabela's in LaVista, NE, has a couple of Kimber Montanas in 270 WSM on sale for around $900.

All of my 284s are hanger queens since I started shooting the 270 WSM and 7mm SAUM.

Jeff

Speed difference between the two calibers in a hunting situation isn't going to make any difference. With the current shortage of components, I would go with the 7/08AI. You can make the brass from 243, 260 or 308, 284 brass could be hard to find.Rick.

plain 7-08 save the extra die money for more brass or bullets.


Mike

I've got 7-08's in both a Montana and a Ti clad Mountain Guide (mountain contour barrel), and I really like them both.

The Kimber gets the nod for me, but the horse race is not a blow out. I like the trimmer handle and the features of the Kimber which have already been mentioned. I think the Kimber trigger is better as well, and nothing I have ever used soaks up recoil like a Montana stock - no McMillan I've used - nothing. Recoil on the 7-08 M700 in the Ti is nothing, though - it probably needs the heaviest bullets or something bigger for that to be much of an issue. I think the Ti stocks do a good job on recoil, as well, and I like the way they handle.

All that said, I'm real satisfied with both rifles and happy hunting either one. I justify the duplication several ways - one being boys coming up who will use it or confiscate my Kimber, and I can't have that! Also, I hope to work up loads which both like and keep it easy and simple when we hunt together.

I don't think you can go wrong either way, and I get that extra little sense of satisfaction from having a couple of bargain lightweights that shoot lights out and handle great for less than half of what I might easily have spent on something as good, so I grin a little extra on that account every time I play with either the 243 or 7-08 Mountain Guides.

I have a sneaking suspicion Dober feels the same way about his Ti wrapped around a 700 youth rifle. I'm kicking myself for not cobbling one of those together when Wal-Mart was closing out the old ADL's for $300 - could have done one in 243 and had a dandy for $450.

And, FWIW, I'd go 7-08AI - that's what will happen to my Montana when I shoot out the factory barrel, but I'm not in any hurry.

DJ

Thanks for the input guys! Deceided to go with the plain old 7-08 to start. Never hunted anything but an -06. Wnat to run either 120 TSX or 120 NBT's..

Now take it easy on me here.. I ain't no gackster or loonie(yet).. But if I eventually go 7-08 AI and kill for several years, could the same rifle get punched to a 284win??

Greenhorn here so like I said take it easy.. Might not be a loonie but I am a killer!!

Yes, the rifle could be easily reamed to 284 Win, but the smith will want to take some of off the back a bit first.

If your rifle will shoot the 120TTSX's, and I am betting it will, you will have an excellent combo there.

284

Std 7-08 works just fine. The 284 and 7-08AI are only going to be 50-100fps more - all things being equal. If one needs more speed then step up in case size, build a SAUM, WSM, 280 or 7RM.

And with components in short supply these days, why fire-form for an AI?

MtnHtr

I have givin the Saum some thought but not much. 25 years in the field with one gun. -06 has done it all with ease. Just want a lighter package and been thinking 7mm for a long time.

Thinking I'll like the 7-08. Thanks guys

What rifle are you getting?

Good call. It's a killer that just gets it done. IMHO, If you want light done right, the Kimber's got your name on it. You'll forget the extra cost (and even a little 'smithing if it's necessary) once you hunt it and begin many years of enjoying it.

DJ

Not tough to make me happy. Could very well be the last rifle I buy.

My Montana 7-08 is certainly the last one I would ever sell.

I could be very happy hunting with this rifle from now on - and with today's bullets, there's very little on this continent (or any other for that matter) which I couldn't hunt pretty effectively, if it was all I had.

DJ

Whats your bullet choice in the 7mm-08

Factory Fusion 140's have shot crazy good and done great on whitetails. I haven't worked up a more accurate load, but they've worked so well that I haven't tried much.

It will be almost impossible to get better accuracy, but I'll ultimately run 120 TSX's and duplicate 270 ballistics, and will probably run 120 V-Max or Speer or BT's for cheaper plinking. Be nice if the Speer or BT's will shoot, since they are plenty good hunting bullets.

If I need more, a 140 TSX should be poison on elk, moose and even bears, and there are lots of good heavier 7's if needed; however, I'm not sure any of them are much better than the 120 TSX's or TTSX's.

DJ

Great discussion, but why compromise with either? Get a real mtn. cartridge - go 6.5-284. The best of all worlds!