New Rifle. Your Opinion Welcome

[Sabot]

I've been thinking about a new rifle for this fall. I'm kicking back and forth between a 7mm-08 and a 308 in a lightweight platform (mule deer and elk). I've read all of the nay sayers about hunting elk with a non-magnum caliber and I don't care. I am an avid and active shooter and I don't take shots out of my ability or equipment's ability. I will be shooting hand loaded, bonded bullets.

With all of that out of the way, what say ye?

 

[the nikster]

I love the .308 and I can lend it to my wife. I have no experience with the 7mm-08,

 

[JohnCushman]

I bought a Ruger American in .308 for my fiancé and her daughter. They both shoot it well and I wouldn't hesitate to shoot an elk with it. It shoots 150 grain Federal Fusions like a tack driver.

 

[jryoung]

The 7-08 lightweight from Howa looks nice. Kimber Montana, Remington 700 mountain all good packages. I'm a suckered for 7s, so it's got my vote.

 

[noharleyyet]

Since you know what weight and caliber range you want all you need to decide is how much your budget is. You really can't go wrong with Sako IMO.

 

[Gunner46]

I have both. I truly like them both and can't find fault of either. The 308 is a carbine and the 7mm a standard length sporter. Which one gets picked up on any given day is dependent upon terrain solely.
You can't go wrong with whichever you choose !

 

[T Bone]

Either will kill any elk on the planet with good placement.

I bought my daughter a Ruger American in 7-08. It shoots way too good for a $300 rifle. I might get one in stainless .308

 

[Blacktailbc]

Browning x bolt. 7mm-08

 

[HighDesertSage]

Tikka T3

 

[quarterhorse]

You could get one of each so you wouldn't need to decide.

 

[1_pointer]

The two cartridges are so similar, I'd just get which I found first in the rifle I wanted. Whats your budget for the rifle and whats your idea of lightweight?

 

[sbhooper]

You will have no problem with either. Those two will kill any deer or elk just fine. With the 7, I would go with 140-grain partition and with the .308, I would go with a 165-180 grain partition.

I like partitions due to their ability to perform at different velocities.

 

[deer_shooter]

Hard to fault either one. I don't have a 7-08 (yet) but I do have three 308's and like them.

 

[Sabot]

I'm eyeing a lightly used rem 700 308 in an aftermarket stock and leupold glass for about 1K

 

[Redwood]

Because you stated elk and mule deer, I would go with the .308. I own and love both rounds, the 7-08 is my favorite caliber. Ballisticlly speaking, the .284 stomps the .308. However, the 308 offers some much variety to the handloader that one could put together an awesome recipe. The .308s heavier weights will also offer more energy at longer distances which is always handy on elk.

 

[have gun will travel]

Weatherby mark v ultralight. We kill elk with arrows, as long as you put a good shot on them they go down. That being said I would put CDS scope on it. Of course I'm bias I have this gun in 7mm mag and love it! Truth be said best gun is one you shoot well and fits you.

 

[chuckyd313]

Browning X Bolt in .308. Bought one in December and its amazingly accurate.

 

[WapitiBob]

I would look at the new Howa that randy just got or a Tikka.
I had a 7-08 Kimber Montana, stay away. Rem 700 is a crap shoot, I lost there too.
Google is your friend when it comes to rifle brands and known, ongoing problems....

 

[Sabot]

You could get one of each so you wouldn't need to decide.

THE TRUTH. This man speaks it.

 

[noharleyyet]

Sighted a 243 for one of the grandsons last fall. I had forgotten how pleasant it was to shoot a reasonable recoiling rifle. Sure wouldn't mind a 700 CDL SF or blue project in .284-08....like the looks and the 24" barrel.