7mm-08 Obsolete for a Mountain Rifle Cartridge?

[JLS]

That may be my last viable option.

Owning one myself, it’s a very good option.

 

[Europe]

I have been looking for a 5.75 lb or under 7mm-08 rifle to replace my Howa Alpine Mountain Rifle which I had to give to my wife… The problem is I am just not finding a lot of manufacturers, Kimber, Weatherby etc. making a mountain weight rifle in the caliber. The lowest I can find is seven lbs, which is inconceivable. Am I overlooking manufacturers? Is it a conspiracy with the 6.5 guys? What is going on?

And yes, I could find a Ruger American or a Savage, but I want a three position safety a hinged floorplate, and 22” or longer barrel.

You have received some very fine advise from the gentlemen here, but wanted to add---

Mauser mades a "3 position" rifle in the "18" line and the word is they will be adding the 7mm-08 caliber in 2022. Unfortunately it comes in at 6.5# but the barrels are 22 and 24

Also, I am sure some of the fellows here will be able to tell you whether or not Gentry ( in Montana ) are good people or not, but they do make a nice 3 position safety.

They do not or will not use wood for the stock, so that works for you. The cost will be the problem here, as I would guess a rifle from those folks would be upward of 2500 dollars.

Best of luck in your search

 

[jt13]

I dont think I ever weighed a gun before today but you all had me curious.

My Remington 700 7mm-08, 22" barrel, fiberglass McMillan stock w/recoil pad, hinged-floor plate, and Nikon 3-9×40 weighs in at 7.55lbs.

 

[Hammsolo]

I love the obsession with the 7mm-08 on this site. Does someone have “stock” in it? It is a great cartridge, but it’s hilarious that the 6.5 cm gets bashed because of its popularity. On this site the hype train is all-around the 7. We should do a blind shoot test and see if anyone can tell the difference! I love them both. Here’s a great blog with tons of details comparing the two. 7-08 v 6.5

 

[G. McAlister]

I love the obsession with the 7mm-08 on this site. Does someone have “stock” in it? It is a great cartridge, but it’s hilarious that the 6.5 cm gets bashed because of its popularity. On this site the hype train is all-around the 7. We should do a blind shoot test and see if anyone can tell the difference! I love them both. Here’s a great blog with tons of details comparing the two. 7-08 v 6.5

I already reload for it… don’t want to add a forth caliber to those that I do

 

[EastTNHunter]

Sako 85 Carbonlight SS 7mm-08 Rem 20.25" Bbl 1:9.5" Twist Rifle JRSCF52

Sako 85 Carbonlight SS 7mm-08 Rem 20.25" Bbl 1:9.5" Twist Rifle JRSCF52 | Only at EuroOptic.com!

www.eurooptic.com

Not the 22” barrel, but a really cool rifle

 

[mtmuley]

Cooper Lightweight Backcountry. mtmuley

 

[Mako]

If you’re able to compromise on the weight a bit, Winchester offers the model 70 extreme weather and extreme tungsten in 7-08 with all the other features you want, but at 6.75 lb. I have one in 6.5 and am extremely happy. I bought it to replace my Bergara B14 which was way too heavy for humping up mountains after it was all kitted up. Those two Winchesters weigh the same as the featherweight model, which also happens to be available 7-08.

 

[tzone]

Build one.

 

[G. McAlister]

If you’re able to compromise on the weight a bit, Winchester offers the model 70 extreme weather and extreme tungsten in 7-08 with all the other features you want, but at 6.75 lb. I have one in 6.5 and am extremely happy. I bought it to replace my Bergara B14 which was way too heavy for humping up mountains after it was all kitted up. Those two Winchesters weigh the same as the featherweight model, which also happens to be available 7-08.

I have one in 300 WSM and love it. That’s why I’m looking for the super lightweight for the 7-08, I don’t need magnum much power hunting in Kentucky.

 

[Mustangs Rule]

Model 7?

I had a model 7. Shot it a lot. One day the trigger got really heavy. My warrant time was over. I took it to a gunmsmith. Turns out the trigger was just cheap white cast metal covered with a hard plating. I wore out that hard plating.

I paid for another factory trigger, had it installed then sold it. For a variety of similar reasons, poor quality, I sold all my remingtons,

On another one I shot a lot, I had to replace the extracror twice. They are Ok if not really used,,,,fired 1000x times, but it shot a lot you soo realize they are beer can quaiity,

 

[Mustangs Rule]

I have been looking for a 5.75 lb or under 7mm-08 rifle to replace my Howa Alpine Mountain Rifle which I had to give to my wife… The problem is I am just not finding a lot of manufacturers, Kimber, Weatherby etc. making a mountain weight rifle in the caliber. The lowest I can find is seven lbs, which is inconceivable. Am I overlooking manufacturers? Is it a conspiracy with the 6.5 guys? What is going on?

And yes, I could find a Ruger American or a Savage, but I want a three position safety a hinged floorplate, and 22” or longer barrel.

I love my Kimber Hunter. Was under $800, shoots MOA out of the box, 5 3/4 pounds, 24 inch barrel, three position safety and came with real decent trigger.

 

[pwrwgn57]

Howa Carbon Stalker

 

[Big Fin]

Howa Carbon Stalker

I've got one with black stock and one with a new color design and stock texture being tested. Both 7mm-08; one Cerakoted and one not Cerakoted. One of the two will be on a Montana Mountain Goat hunt with me this season.

Reviewed by Outdoor Life last month - https://www.outdoorlife.com/guns/howa-carbon-stalker-rifle-review/

 

[Alex38]

If you’re able to compromise on the weight a bit, Winchester offers the model 70 extreme weather and extreme tungsten in 7-08 with all the other features you want, but at 6.75 lb. I have one in 6.5 and am extremely happy. I bought it to replace my Bergara B14 which was way too heavy for humping up mountains after it was all kitted up. Those two Winchesters weigh the same as the featherweight model, which also happens to be available 7-08.

Another vote for the M70. I have an Extreme Weather in 7mm08 and it’s becoming one of my favorite rifles. Top it with a Leupold in Talleys and load up some 140 Accubonds and you’re ready to go for most of North America.

 

[Don Fischer]

There is a sure cure for the heavy mountain rifle. Life weight's and work out till you can carry a heavier rifle!

 

[G. McAlister]

There is a sure cure for the heavy mountain rifle. Life weight's and work out till you can carry a heavier rifle!

Ability and desire are two different subjects, if I can carry four more pounds of gear or optics or whatever, why carry a heavier rifle?

 

[geetar]

Kimber hunter with FX-II 6x36

View attachment 187003

Nice! I’ve got the FX-II 6x42 on my Tikka T3 super lite.

 

[JLS]

There is a sure cure for the heavy mountain rifle. Life weight's and work out till you can carry a heavier rifle!

You can also lift weights and work out, AND get a lighter rifle.

 

[Nick87]

Cooper Lightweight Backcountry. mtmuley

Yes.