Looking for recommendations on a lighter weight hunting build. I have a short action available with 3" mag box, prefer #2ish contour 22" or 23" barrel, light recoil so young/new shooters can use. Thinking 7mm-08 or a 6.5 option, open to others as well. Uses mainly hunting deer in PA (woods some open areas) future uses could include occasional bear, coyote or even (backup) elk rifle. Shots typically under 200 yards, potential for 400 max.
7mm-08 or 6.5 option?
- Thread starter Dubbo
- Start date
I love my 708's. They fill your bill nicely. One is 22", and the other is 23". I shoot 140's and 120's, respectively.
A #2 Lilja, cut 22" with a 1" shank would be excellent. I would seriously consider a Bansner stock.
I once built a 708, with a #1 Lilja 9 twist, in a Bansner stock, shooting 120 NBT's. Awesome rifle, and light and handy as heck. Bansner stock takes a bunch of recoil away from the round, as does the 120 NBT.
My two current 708's are both hammers at 400. And the 140 Berger flat out puts 200# hogs on their azzes.
Forgot to add...it is rumored that Lilja has a heck of a 7MM button. The #1, and #3 that I have and had are VERY accurate. Nothing bad to say about Lilja...for 7MM barrels.
A #2 Lilja, cut 22" with a 1" shank would be excellent. I would seriously consider a Bansner stock.
I once built a 708, with a #1 Lilja 9 twist, in a Bansner stock, shooting 120 NBT's. Awesome rifle, and light and handy as heck. Bansner stock takes a bunch of recoil away from the round, as does the 120 NBT.
My two current 708's are both hammers at 400. And the 140 Berger flat out puts 200# hogs on their azzes.
Forgot to add...it is rumored that Lilja has a heck of a 7MM button. The #1, and #3 that I have and had are VERY accurate. Nothing bad to say about Lilja...for 7MM barrels.
nakneker
Gold $$ Contributor
When you add Bear and Elk to your considerations than a 7mm-08 makes sense. It’s a versatile caliber given the bullets you can choose from. Before I read the bear and Elk criteria I was thinking 6.5x47, I have one with a number three barrel that is one of my favorite rifles and is deadly with 140s especially out to 400 where you say your max range will be met. I like the 6.5x47 because in a short action you seat a 140 way out there and still not have issues with the magazine, not to mention the brass and easy to tune characteristics.
I actually have two SAs one factory, one Stiller ready for projects. The factory action has a McMillan hunter for it so plan in using it for this project.
With the right loads is the 7mm-08 recoil with 120s comparable to a 243 with 95 grains or a bit more? It seems the 7mm-08 offers a little more hunting versatility over a 6.5?
The other project I was also thinking of going with a 6.5x47 or 6BR with a McMillan Varmint stock and Varmint barrel, more for the bench, shooting out to 500 yards, if I'm interested maybe future club shoots...thinking of posting this in the 6BR or 6.5+ forum.
With the right loads is the 7mm-08 recoil with 120s comparable to a 243 with 95 grains or a bit more? It seems the 7mm-08 offers a little more hunting versatility over a 6.5?
The other project I was also thinking of going with a 6.5x47 or 6BR with a McMillan Varmint stock and Varmint barrel, more for the bench, shooting out to 500 yards, if I'm interested maybe future club shoots...thinking of posting this in the 6BR or 6.5+ forum.
nakneker
Gold $$ Contributor
Recoil is mild in the 08 with 120s. You’d probably get more opinions if you listed in the 6.5 section.
GSPV
A failure to plan is a plan for failure.
If you leave the elk and maybe the bear off, a 6.5x47 necked up to 7mm would be an option. Obviously only for reloaders.
At AI mag length, I have just about the same *usable* case capacity as a 7-08.
Forming cases is no different than loading any other cartridge. I run virgin brass over a 7mm mandrel, through my FL die, load and go.
FL die is a Redding Type S 6.5x47 Lapua FL bushing die. The shelf that holds the bushing is drilled out to clear the neck of the now 7x47 case.
I use a Wilson inline seater made with my chamber reamer. But, you can also make one from a 6.5x47 L Forster or similar competition seater by replacing the 6.5 mm sleeve with a 7mm sleeve.
For me having all small rifle primer is an advantage.
I shoot the Speer 110 gr TNT up through the Berger 168 VLD with the base or boat tail/bearing surface junction above the donut, touching the lands, and all inside an AI mag. I have some 168 SMKs to try next.
That 110 TNT will turn a coyote inside out!
At AI mag length, I have just about the same *usable* case capacity as a 7-08.
Forming cases is no different than loading any other cartridge. I run virgin brass over a 7mm mandrel, through my FL die, load and go.
FL die is a Redding Type S 6.5x47 Lapua FL bushing die. The shelf that holds the bushing is drilled out to clear the neck of the now 7x47 case.
I use a Wilson inline seater made with my chamber reamer. But, you can also make one from a 6.5x47 L Forster or similar competition seater by replacing the 6.5 mm sleeve with a 7mm sleeve.
For me having all small rifle primer is an advantage.
I shoot the Speer 110 gr TNT up through the Berger 168 VLD with the base or boat tail/bearing surface junction above the donut, touching the lands, and all inside an AI mag. I have some 168 SMKs to try next.
That 110 TNT will turn a coyote inside out!
Sounds like an interesting cartridge. But other than just having fun, don't really see the benefit. You can get your small rifle primers in a 708 if you like...by using 308 Palma brass, sized down to 708. All my 708 brass started out as 308, and just necked down.
Definitely not bashing your cartridge, sounds like fun!
Would be very similar to 7mm IHMSA.
And you are right, a very good cartridge especially with a short barrel.
M
GSPV
A failure to plan is a plan for failure.
I got to it for the varmint matches that we shoot around here.
I’d built a 284 Shehane. It was too much cartridge and too much trouble for the game.
There is also an advantage to a bigger bullet hole in some of the formats.
I’d also gotten to really hating the large rifle primer issue in the 284.
I had a Tikka action and a Manners stock for it. The stock takes AI mags.
I’d really thought about building a 7-08 and using Palma brass.
But, I spent a winter looking at cases and capacity and what would work the best.
The 6.5x47 seemed like the perfect cartridge, but I was sitting on a bunch of 7mm bullets, cleaning rods, etc.
Sooooo, I necked it up to 7mm and have never looked back.
The advantage is that you get to shoot a wide range of bullet weights at near 100% case fill, the ability to jump or jam, and fitting in an AI mag.
The disadvantage is obvious. You can’t go to WalMart to buy ammo. You also don’t have nearly the body of load data. But there is some out there.
It shoots very well. It’s kind of like a 6 BR. Stupid easy.
Here are the first three down the tube. 100 yards.
I’d built a 284 Shehane. It was too much cartridge and too much trouble for the game.
There is also an advantage to a bigger bullet hole in some of the formats.
I’d also gotten to really hating the large rifle primer issue in the 284.
I had a Tikka action and a Manners stock for it. The stock takes AI mags.
I’d really thought about building a 7-08 and using Palma brass.
But, I spent a winter looking at cases and capacity and what would work the best.
The 6.5x47 seemed like the perfect cartridge, but I was sitting on a bunch of 7mm bullets, cleaning rods, etc.
Sooooo, I necked it up to 7mm and have never looked back.
The advantage is that you get to shoot a wide range of bullet weights at near 100% case fill, the ability to jump or jam, and fitting in an AI mag.
The disadvantage is obvious. You can’t go to WalMart to buy ammo. You also don’t have nearly the body of load data. But there is some out there.
It shoots very well. It’s kind of like a 6 BR. Stupid easy.
Here are the first three down the tube. 100 yards.
I've used a 6.5x47 with 3 different bullets this year on 7 deer. Havn't been satisfied with any, all the deer run off with no blood and not one exit. 11 deer over the last few years with my 7-08 and 162 amax has resulted in 1 deer running off and pass throughs on every one.
HTSmith
Silver $$ Contributor
It is natural on a site like this to prioritize accuracy over game performance, but any of several good hunting bullets (partition, interlock,core loc, etc) will put deer down easily from any mid capacity 6.5. I’ve killed a bunch of deer with a 260 and always had pass throughs except on front chest shots. Of course I won’t take a shot over 300 yards. Just my experience.
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.