New 7mm-08 build

[firstshot425]

Hello everyone. I'm new to the forum and thought I'd just check in.

I've got a new 7mm-08 build in the works, you know... a 308 improved , which should be completed in about two more weeks. I used a Rem 700 Mtn LSS as a donor receiver and am having a 24" Bartlein stainless #3 heavy sporter contour 1-9 twist barrel put on it . It will be bedded and floated in a Boyds laminated prairie hunter stock with a Kepplinger single set trigger, and topped of with a Zeiss HD5 5-25x50MM scope.

I've had several 7mm-08s over the years but this is my first custom build. I do all of my on reloading and have a few pet loads I can't wait to try out in the new rifle.

I'm in central Texas and the rifle will be used primarilly for deer, hog and varmint hunting; however, I like to practice a lot and love working up loads and punching paper at the range. With this rig I might even get into some longer range target shooting.

As soon as I get my hands on the rifle, mount the scope and get a little range time in, I'll post some pics.

Regards
firstshot

 

[ShootDots]

Well welcome to you Firstshot! We would most certainly like to see "The Finished Product" so we can ooohh and aaahhh over it! That makes us want to build something and the game starts over!! LOL!!

 

[Terry]

I'd like to hear more about your 7-08 experience.

Welcome aboard!

 

[jsthntn247]

I've got a 7-08 coming myself and my build specs are very similar to yours. Looking forward to a report.

 

[firstshot425]

Thanks for the welcome aboard guys!!

As far as 7mm-08 experience goes, I started out with the Rem 700 Mtn LSS. It was friggin amazing. Almost every load I developed for it would consistently shoot sub MOA and several would consistently print in the 1/2-3/4" range with the occasional sub 1/2" group. The trick with the skinny barrel was to let it cool between shots. Always gave it at least 3 minutes between shots when shooting for groups. Never could get the Nosler ballistic tips to shoot under an inch. I finally gave up. Best accuracy came from Sierra 140's, but my favorite hunting load was with Speer 145 SP's which also shot sub MOA but just not quite as tight as the Sierras. Also had great performance from 140 Accubonds and believe it or not 154 Hornady RN. Under 200 Yds these were literally "The Hammer of Thor"!!!. Alas, as my luck would have it... Hornady discontinued them :-(

When my son started hunting, I converted the MTN LSS to a .243 for him and bought me a Rem 7600... again in 7mm-08. I was still doing some stalking then and thought the quick follow-up shots available via a Pump would come in handy. The 7600's free floated barrel made this rifle a shooter as well and I got similar grouping results with all my pet loads. LOL... it wouldn't shoot the NBT's very well either.

Then we moved to Texas and like all the locals, I started hunting mostly out of an elevated blind. AND.... Browning came out with a BAR in 7mm-08. So, I just had to have one and traded the 7600 in on it. I haven't done as much load work with the BAR but the 140 Sierras and the 145 Speers shoot MOA consistently and I have taken a lot of game with this rifle.

Just a note.... In all the time with the 7600 and the BAR, I have never fired the "quick follow-up" shot. Just never needed to.

I had a BAR 30-06 before the MTN LSS, and the thing about the BAR I had forgotton is how much I hated chasing brass when at the range. Also, for now, my 13 yr old son is more interested in playing in his rock & roll band and chasing girs than he is in hunting.

So, put those two things together and I've got all the justification I need for a custom build 7mm-08 . I repossessed the now 243 Mtn Lss for a donar and I will be selling the BAR 7mm-08.

As I mentioned, most of my hunting now is from elevated blinds and most shots are under 200 Yds. So...why the big glass? I wanted a multi-purpose scope that I could use for deer hunting (including low light), popping those hogs "exactly" at the base of the ear at 100-200 YDs, load development, and punching little bitty groups in paper at long distances. I do quite a bit of hog hunting at night with a VRL1 varmint light mounted on top of the scope and as far as deer hunting is concerned.. the good ones just always seem to come in right at dark. I currently have a Burris 3-9x40 and a Simmons 6.5-20x50 which I switch on/off the rifle with Leupold quick release ring set-up.

I've always wanted some good glass but just never could afford it. I'm thinking the Zeiss 5-25x50 is just the ticket. Great glass, a wide zoom range and I will not have to be changing out scopes all the time.

Sorry for the "Novel length" post, but now at least you guys have an idea of where I'm coming from.

Thanks
firstshot

 

[HTSmith]

7/08 is about as good as it gets for whitetail. I love my Ziess scope. Nosler 120 and 140 Ballistic Tips worked great in mine.

 

[jsthntn247]

I'm sticking a Zeiss 6.5-20 on mine. It's got a rapid z 1000 reticle that I'm going to have to try and match up its ballistics.

 

[Toolbreaker]

Congratulations on the new rifle. It's my opinion (I'll catch flak for this) that the 6.5mm & 7mm bullets are the perfect size for the case capacity of the original .308 case. The capacity of the case with the correct powders yields great velocity and 100% fill (+/-) with bullets having great BC's for their respective weights. Add to that, long barrel life, and you have a definite winner . I don't hunt to speak of anymore, but on paper or steel through varying conditions, I couldn't be happier with mine.

 

[Buzzsaw]

Hey Firstshot. I hunt in Comfort Texas, just south of Fredericksburg. Love the Hill Country

Currently I shoot a Sako 85 in 7mm-08, w/ Swraro Z-5. Mine loves the Nosler BT 120 gr. RL-15

Having McWhorter building a new 6.5 Weatherby Magnum for me now

 

[firstshot425]

Well, about one more week and my custom should be finished. Can't wait! Ordered the scope & rings today.

Buzzsaw
Our lease is about 30 miles NW of Llano. I just bought two boxes of Nosler 120 Bts and am in the process of putting together some "work up" loads now. I'm also going to develop some loads for 140 Sierra Prohunters and for 145 Speeer HotCor's. Keep us posted on that new build of yours.

Toolbreaker
You and I obviously think alike. My first hunting rifle was a customized 6.5 Sweed. I later gravitated to the 7mm-08. And you are absolutely right, most of the loads I have put together are right at 100% fill.... and that's a good thing!

jsthntn247
I went with the standard Z-Plex reticle on mine. I'll probably just sight in 1" high at 100 and I'll be good out to about 250-300 Yds and then just dial up the elevation in the rare event I need to.

HTSmith
I see you're another Zeiss and NBT fan. I'm looking forward to seeing how the 120 BT's perform.

I'll be moving up from a Burris 3-9x50 to the Zeiss 5-25x50. Based on everything I've heard & read, I'm expecting a huge improvement in clarity, resolution, and low light performance. Considering what the Zeiss cost, I sure hope I'm not dissapointed.

 

[jonbearman]

If you cant afford a zeiss next time,try a v24 weaver,you would be surprised at how clear it is compared to simmons and even the s11 sightrons. I have a few and I also have a few of the grandslam weavers which are excellent for the price in my book. I built a 7-08 last year on a different action than you have and they are real shooters. Mine loves the 120 BT's and other 120's I have tried.

 

[bheadboy]

lots of experience with ga deer and 7-08's, found all liked the 140 SBT and 140 Nbbt at about 2850-2900 with r/p brass 9 1/2 and 4064 in the lo 40'gr most all shot bets 91/2-5/8) jumping .020.

Bob

 

[Varminator]

Welcome aboard.
You said you will be selling your BAR in 7mm08. Is it for sale now? I have several guns in 7mm08 and it has always been one of my favorites. I think a BAR would be a good addition.
Mark

 

[firstshot425]

Varminator

PM Sent

 

[nastynatesfish]

I built my 7-08 off a rigger m77 action that was 243. It was the easiest rie I own to develope a load for. I shoot 140 noslers at 2.805 and 42 gr Varget. It's got a heavy 24" SS barrel and I run a bushell elite 3200 6-24/40 on it. Great rifle



This was the first 9 reloads ou of the rifle. The bottom right was trying to get lined up with some Winchester silver box


This was 5 shots. I botched the last cause I got exited looking at the group

 

[bheadboy]

Firstshot 425 welcome

I have had a number of 7-08's mine and my 2 sons also,

the current is a 7-08AI

for the std case I found white tail and mulie flop to the 140 Sierra sb and the 140 Nosler bt.

using a 250 zero of about 2.5" high at 100 you are dead on for all practical purposes to 350.

never had a dear walk more than 25 yds.

sub 1/2 should be easy with the rig you are building, try 4064 and h414 to get around 2900fps.

Bob

 

[firstshot425]

nastynatesfish

That's a real sweet looking rig you've got there and sure looks like it's a shooter as well. Hope mine shoots as well

 

[firstshot425]

Firstshot 425 welcome

I have had a number of 7-08's mine and my 2 sons also,

the current is a 7-08AI

for the std case I found white tail and mulie flop to the 140 Sierra sb and the 140 Nosler bt.

using a 250 zero of about 2.5" high at 100 you are dead on for all practical purposes to 350.

never had a dear walk more than 25 yds.

sub 1/2 should be easy with the rig you are building, try 4064 and h414 to get around 2900fps.

Bob

Hey Bob
Thanks for the welcome aboard... I've got some 140 Sierra SPT's I'm going to try on top of IMR 4350 and some 120 NBT's to try with H414. Working up the loads now. I'll post a report once I get out to the range.