Douglas barrel

[RonS]

I have been interested in building a 7mm-08. I found a blank Douglas barrel marked XX 7mm 10T with a Sporter contour. What is the life expectancy of a barrel chambered in 7mm-08? I plan to shot mainly shoot 140gr bullets using Lapua brass, what chamber dimensions should I look for in a reamer? I don't turn necks.

 

[ridgeway]

Hunting gun? Probably last a lifetime...the 7mm-08 is not a barrel burner.

 

[Dans40X]

A 1:10"twist wouldn't be my first choice to push 140gr .284" diameter bullets from a 7mm-08 chambering.

A cut rifled Bbl.w/a 1:9" twist would be my only choice.

 

[Larryh128]

10 twist is going to possibly be a little slow, 9 is much better. It will probably shoot 120gr bullet very well.

 

[waverly]

Per Lilja's website 10 twist is fine for 140.

Personal experience the one that I have is also a 10 twist. I'm shooting a 20" Lilja #5 barrel. The gun still shoots after 18 years. I shoot Varget with the Hornady 139 btsp. This combo has worked well for me for a very long time. I do not have reamer specs, but it is a std. no turn neck. It is my favorite go to rifle for climbing stands, or very tight hunting spots. I don't think I've ever shot this gun past 300 yds. ,mainly because of the short barrel.

I have another 10 twist #5 lilja in my stash to rebarrel this gun in 2014. This one I'm going to have finished at 22".

regards, Waverly

P.s Way back in the day I used RL-19 with 140 Noslers, but went to Varget with Hornadys 7-8 years ago.

 

[RonS]

I was thinking of a 22" barrel as well. Any bullet up to a 140gr that will shoot a five shot group out of this barrel at 100 yards will be good enough, I think, for deer, wild boar and varmint out to 300 yards. According to Shilen, their 11T barrel will stabilize bullets up to 140gr. I plan to use Winchester brass for load development and Lapua when I'm hunting or trying to best some of my club members.

Happy Holidays to All

 

[HTSmith]

The winchester brass is pretty good. Necking up 260 or necking down 308 is not without issues.

 

[cjames]

Per Lilja's website 10 twist is fine for 140.

Personal experience the one that I have is also a 10 twist. I'm shooting a 20" Lilja #5 barrel. The gun still shoots after 18 years. I shoot Varget with the Hornady 139 btsp. This combo has worked well for me for a very long time. I do not have reamer specs, but it is a std. no turn neck. It is my favorite go to rifle for climbing stands, or very tight hunting spots. I don't think I've ever shot this gun past 300 yds. ,mainly because of the short barrel.

I have another 10 twist #5 lilja in my stash to rebarrel this gun in 2014. This one I'm going to have finished at 22".

regards, Waverly

P.s Way back in the day I used RL-19 with 140 Noslers, but went to Varget with Hornadys 7-8 years ago.

I had a Lilja on a 700 Action and in 280 Rem. 1 in 10 twist. It would absolutely would not shoot 140 bullets of any make. I would be very lucky to get a 1" 3 shot group with the 140's. It would average around 1 3/4" 3 shot. After a lot of money spent on different powders and bullets, I sold the rifle. My buddy had a 7-08 with a Lilja 1-10 and it wouldn't shoot 140 either. He kept his and it will shot the Barnes 110 grn bullets good. And 120's OK, around 1 MOA. I personally will not even consider a 1-10 after that experience. I now have a 7mm Mag with a 1 in 9 and no problems. But all barrels are different.