Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 7mm-08 Question

I hunt out of a pop-up about half of deer season, my 7mm-08 has a 24 " barrel, it does not work well in that small space, would i regret having it cut down to 20 or 21" or should i just look for a model 7 and use it when i hunt out of the pop up.

Get an Encore, because it doesn't have an action to speak of it's super short even with a 24" barrel.

I've got one in 7-08 and I love it.

Spot

I have a Remington Mountain Rifle that started out life with a 22" bbl. It has since been lopped back to 20", and deer flop just as dead with the shorter length as they did when it had the longer barrel. You will give up a little speed, but in my opinion, none of the "mojo" of that great little cartridge.

That being said, the only thing better than one rifle in the rack chambered for the 7/08 is two. If you need an excuse to buy another rifle, then by all means disregard my first paragraph.

CT

Only you will know if you'll regret bobbing the barrel back to 20" or 21". I know I would regret it.

I have a 22" and a 24" barreled 7-08. Most loads average around 100 fps difference between the two....

Chop it down to 22", have it re-crowned with a recessed 11 degree target crown, and never look back ... more than likely, the consistency and accuracy of the rifle will increase, as will your affinity to that rifle ... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Does the rifle balance well and handle nicely now? If so, I would leave it alone, balance and handling is more important than velocity for hunting (in my opinion).

what's a popup? is that a blind? or a smallish camper?

I have a model 7 in 7mm-08, and it seems a little stubby for me, but I bought it for my kids (youth model)

I am in the market for a model 7 in CDL when they get to Arizona.

Sycamore

I have a REM 600 that I rebarreled to a 7mm-08. I chose a 20" barrel and it has been great. I only use it on shorter range hunts (150yds) and drives though. I am sure it could do a lot better but that's why I have other rifles! The deer I have killed with it died as well as if I was using any of my others.

Balance cannot be emphasized enough. The ballistics may not be that much different but you'll notice and soon hate an off balance rifle.

I personally would buy another rifle to not screw up a good one.

RH

I don't know what you are after, vel., easy handling or accuracy, or some of all. I can tell you I had a model 7 Remington with a 20 inch barrel. with factory loads, and 140 gr bullets it was getting 2800 FPS. I sold that gun and bought a Remington TI 700 with a 22" barrel. I will tell you that I was and sometimes still am a speed freak ( old habits die hard). But when you look at 100 FPS difference out to 300 yrds, it don't mean dip.
I have jumped the fence and now I believe it don't matter how fast you miss them, give me a little slower bullet that will go in the same hole every time, and you will see a happy camper.
So all that being said, I say, Cut it, Crown it, Forget it, IMHO.

I hunt with a rem 788 with a 18 1/2" barrel. It's already been said, out to 300 yds it still holds good. I've killed groundhogs out to 400 yds with it several times. Shorter lenght barrel makes a great handling rifle in thick woods.

I've got a Ruger LSS Compact in 7mm-08. It has a 16.5" barrel. It's my favorite "go to" gun for brush hunting. Being this short, it points fast. And at 5.75 lbs It's a joy to pack all day. I shoot a handload of Barns 140 tripple schocks and RE15 powder. It'll shoot 5 shots under 1" at 100 yds. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
Virgil B.

I had a Colt Light Rifle in .270 with a 24" inch tube cut back to 20" and absolutely loved it. If you like your gun, go have it done by a quality smith and you will probably like it even more. By the way, accuracy was not effected at all.

I have a stainless Ruger 77 with a 20" barrel(7mm08)
very handy, seems to work very well!!!

I have a Kimber 84M Montana in 7mm-08. I think the barrel is 22", but I'm not sure.

But my story is that I'm 6'4", 235 lbs, and what I've done is PRACTICE being in a confined space with my rifle so that I can efficiently and quickly (as quickly as possible without spooking the target) acquire my target.

So my advice is to NOT alter your rifle, but to go and practice moving around with it until you find that right combination of movements that will work best... and there WILL be a way to do it.

Edit to add: I also practice confined-space movement with my other rifles, such as my .30-06 which has a longer barrel. Ultimately, I have no problems in the field.

I agree with SGDawg, I'm a big fella also, and I also hunt from a blind. My favorite rifle is a 26" 7mm-08, and I have no problems. Sometimes it takes a little patience to train your body to do the proper movements, but with a little work, you'll find its easy enough to do

RLA,

I personally would not cut that barrel down. I like the way a 24" barrel points and shoots.

I have had a 1/2 dozen 7-08 rifles in various configurations. One of my faviorate was a 7-08 "youth" model Remington. The youth model comes with a 20" barrel, and youth stock.

I sold the youth model stock (12.5") LOP and put the barreled action in a McMillan Classic.

That set up was a shooter.

I personally do not like skinny barrels. My "youth" model came with the standard "sporter" contour. That lenght barrel balanced much better than the Modle 7 or mountian rifle.

To me more weight out in front of the action goes a long way in my ability to piont and shoot. A "balanced" rifle is more shooter friendly than one that is not.

No flames please, just stating my opinion.

GB

I've had several 24" 7-08's and couldn't love any of 'em.

21" makes much sense to me,in handling,balance and performance..............................

Ish liebe mein 24" S/S, get yourself a model 7 S/S. They shoot very well, indeed. J

Heil!......................

LMAO! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />