I've settled (I think) on a Tikka 7-08. Would it be worth the cost & time to have the factory barrel Improved? I will also have a brake installed. I also plan to shoot 150's & 160's out of it.

Not IMO.

150 I get, I shoot 150 ELDX out of both of mine with great results. But why the heavy?





P

Mostly wind drift and S.D. for penetration.

How far do you shoot, and what are you shooting at?




P

Or get the LA bolt stop and LA magazine and a 280 reamer.

I have a 7-08AI and I like it, but I wouldn't pull a good barrel off a good rifle, then ream it to AI and re-install. Not enough gain of velocity to make it worth your time, effort and expense, IMO. One can hot rod this cartridge, just like you can a standard 7-08, but in reality, a 30-60 fps velocity gain is all you should expect to get unless you start really raising pressures.

Mine has a 24" barrel, and it'll push 139 gr Horn at about 2970 fps using Hodgdon's 7-08 max load of 50 gr H-4350. Last year's 120 gr NBT deer season load was actually slower than the wife's Tikka 7-08 load, because of which powders were more accurate, Varg vs 2000MR in the respective rifles as I was working up loads.

It's fun having one of each, but really all that comparison reveals is that there is very little benefit in going through the expense and effort to AI this case.

V/R

bludog

500 yards currently, bear in the main target.

I was able to get 2900 w/140s when I had my Venture, so it doesn't appear that it's much of a gain.

Assuming Black Bear, you're good to go with the standard 7-08. Trying and possibly gaining the extra from the AI won't be significant step up, it just won't. Using same bullet weights Nothing significant happens until you add another 300 fps minimum, and even then the wound channel won't indicate the differences Remember that cartridges are more the same than they are different.

While not adding much, the 284 Win and the 280 Rem are easily done on the Tikka.

The 7-08 is already an optimized modern cartridge design in it's original form, so there's little performance to be gained by altering a round that close to ideal.

Recoil is also moderate...you may find it tolerable when you acquire the rifle and actually shoot it. I don't know anyone who has a brake on their 7-08, but if you are that sensitive to recoil you might consider a 6.5 or a 6mm with a lower recoil level.

The reason the Tikka makes sense is that it's a ready to go package as it comes from the factory.

I would consider making it a 284 win before a 7-08AI. The 284 would definitely clean up the existing chamber something the 7-08AI might not do. 284 has a 35 degree shoulder and minimum body taper, an improved cartridge that doesn't need to be fireformed.

Will you have enough room in the mag to shoot 160's?

Good point. I bought an extended bolt release so I could load the 150 ELDX in mine. I use .30-06 length magazines also. I image The 160s would need the extended bolt stop even more.




P

Exactly the way to roll. This, to me, is another beauty of the Tikkas.

Is the bolt stop a DIY modification? With a couple previous T3 270s, magazine constraints have limited the use of high bc bullets. I chose the 7-08 because of the option of running a long mag with the short case. The 284 might be a good compromise.

No.
A brake? Why?
150, good choice!

Why not a brake? I like to shoot more than a few time each range session. Plus it helps get back on target quicker.

Kenny jarrett seems to think it would be worthwhile.
http://jarrettrifles.com/pet-calibers.html

You can buy a bolt stop kit from Brownell's but they're usually out of stock. Look at YouTube, the modification looks really easy.


P

I altered a 308 bolt stop so a 30-06 mag box could be used. It was easy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4rCsOohVks

Looks pretty simple.

I thought Derek was working with Tikka to get a medium mag box?

Fixed it.
Just a subtle hint...

If you don't mind the fireforming, I have found that AI and 30* shoulders have improved my accuracy, brass life and velocity in EVERY barrel I have done it in. I don't have a 708AI reamer but would consider a version with a 30 degree shoulder.

It works wonders in the 260 Remington. All the really good accuracy rounds have 30* shoulders. Must be something magic about it.

Ok I have not done the 7-08 AI nor am I likely to do so. The 284 Win. will give you a definite step up. The 30 degree shoulder 7-08 is a good option but the benefits are mostly apparent for a target rifle. Me I would go stock 7-08 and then maybe get a 280 AI. My only gripe with the 280AI is it makes fully a third of my rifles redundant.

I agree with the less trimming argument but for the price of a new barrel and install you could buy a Gracy trimmer and do about 500 cases an hour.

Just stirring the pot as most hunting seasons are closed here and already too hot to skin a hog unless it is a little one.

7mm Mag?

Why blow the guts out of an '08, when the gun is available in a chambering that will easy surpass it?
Both use the same action so weight and length is the same.
Altering the bolt stop has been mentioned, so bolt throw will be the same.
You are installing a brake, 7 mags with a brake don't recoil much.

Or, pay a gunsmith to start hacking on what is a new, probably good barrel. This doesn't always end happy.
And, pay three times as much for your reloading dies.

It doesn't pencil out.


Now if you just really want a 7-08 AI,
Go for it!

You can purchase the longer medium+ magazine they use on the 6.5 CM. It allows a COAL of ~2.95. I know mountain tactical offers them.

Magazine:
https://tikkaperformance.com/index.php?_route_=tikka-magazines/tikka-magazine

Bolt Stop:
https://tikkaperformance.com/index.php?_route_=tikka-action-upgrades/tikka-bolt-stop

Darrik also has the medium+ available at Whittakers. Just ordered one Thursday.