choosing a caliber for a new gun

[Alabama]

I own a Remington Model 700 Sendero 7mm Rem magnum. I love this gun and it shoots way better than I do. The only problem I have with it is the weight. With scope, bipod, ammo, and sling it weighs about 10 3/4 lbs. I'm looking for a lighter all around rifle for antelope, deer, sheep, elk. The caliber I'm leaning towards is .308win but I'm not set on it. I won't lie, I'm not a guy that can handle a lot of recoil without flinching. The 7mm rem mag doesn't bother me but the gun is heavy and that has tamed it quite a bit. I know that a lighter rifle is going to have a greater felt recoil than a heavier gun. I'm not a long range guy, I feel comfortable out to 300 yards with any of my current guns and the very max I would shoot is 400 yards. Is this caliber sufficient at 400 yards or less to kill any of the above mentioned game animals.

What other caliber would you recommend for a light weight hunting rifle?
Keep in mind I want a 22" barrel and 6-7lb bare gun at purchase.

Thanks, Wesley

 

[6mm Remington]

If you can locate one a Remington 700 MTN rifle in 7-08, 7x57, or .280 Remington would fit your needs and have plenty of punch for the shooting you describe.

Winchester's Model 70 Featherweight in any of the above mentioned calibers would be a great one too.

The Tikka is a nice lightweight rifle as well and comes in a variety of caliber choices that would work. The Tikka's also have a reputation of shooting quite well.

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

I also like the 7/08 for your uses.

 

[Alabama]

I've been looking at a few models and tons of reviews. The rifles I've narrowed it down to are:

1. Tikka T3 lite stainless: 22.44" barrel, 6lbs 3oz, 42.5" overall length, $678 best price
2. Savage model 16 FCSS weather warrior: 22" barrel, 6 lbs 14oz, 41.75" overall length, $653 best price
3. Remington model 700 mountain ss: 22" barrel, 6lbs 8oz, 41.6" overall length, $887 best price

The Winchester model 70 extreme weather ss is a bit over my budget of $1000. Weatherby is either over my weight limit or over my budget.
I haven't checked On Browning or Ruger.

 

[Musket Man]

Out of curiosity I just threw 4 guns on my meat scale and was slightly surprised by what they weighed.
Model 70 Win pre 64 270 win with 24'' barrel, synthetic stock and Leupold scope. 9 1/2 pounds
Model 70 Win SS 22-250 with 22'' barrel, synthetic stock and Leupold scope. 8 1/4
Knight disc extreme 50 cal with synthetic stock and open sights. 7 3/4
Model 1894 Win 30-30 with 26'' octagon barrel. 7 7/8.
I thought both model 70's would be a bit lighter and wasnt expecting the ML to be the lightest. My scope weighs just over 11 oz so I expect with mounts and slings it added close to 1 pound to both model 70s. I think you will need a short action, 22'' barrel and synthetic stock to get to the weight you are looking for, as far as factory guns go anyways, so that leaves calibers like the 308 you mentioned, 7mm08, 270 WSM, 7mm WSM, 300 WSM, ect that will fit in a short action. If it were me I think I would chose the 270 WSM. They have just a bit more then the old 270 Win and fit in a short action.

 

[Montana]

Boy this is always such a loaded question.. I guess only thing I would add is if you go too light you will have to watch for recoil. 270 wsm is awfully nice in the Tikka. I'm a Browning abolt guy myself. I guess I just don't like change if it works.

But from what you have listed... Tikka is my vote.

 

[Alabama]

Out of curiosity I just threw 4 guns on my meat scale and was slightly surprised by what they weighed.
Model 70 Win pre 64 270 win with 24'' barrel, synthetic stock and Leupold scope. 9 1/2 pounds
Model 70 Win SS 22-250 with 22'' barrel, synthetic stock and Leupold scope. 8 1/4
Knight disc extreme 50 cal with synthetic stock and open sights. 7 3/4
Model 1894 Win 30-30 with 26'' octagon barrel. 7 7/8.
I thought both model 70's would be a bit lighter and wasnt expecting the ML to be the lightest. My scope weighs just over 11 oz so I expect with mounts and slings it added close to 1 pound to both model 70s. I think you will need a short action, 22'' barrel and synthetic stock to get to the weight you are looking for, as far as factory guns go anyways, so that leaves calibers like the 308 you mentioned, 7mm08, 270 WSM, 7mm WSM, 300 WSM, ect that will fit in a short action. If it were me I think I would chose the 270 WSM. They have just a bit more then the old 270 Win and fit in a short action.

Yeah that's what I was wanting, a short action caliber so that I can get the most out of the short 22" barrel. I want Stainless for corrosion protection and a synthetic stock so I'm not scared to take it somewhere and get it scratched. I have a really nice wood stock gun that just sits in the safe unless I'm going to the range. It's kind of pointless having it really because I never use it.

All of those models that I listed are synthetic stock and stainless.

The .270wsm is also one of the calibers I was considering along with 7mm-08.

 

[Alabama]

Boy this is always such a loaded question.. I guess only thing I would add is if you go too light you will have to watch for recoil. 270 wsm is awfully nice in the Tikka. I'm a Browning abolt guy myself. I guess I just don't like change if it works.

But from what you have listed... Tikka is my vote.

A loaded question? NO! People aren't religiously devoted to their brand of gun or caliber, are they?
I'm not above considering a Browning or Ruger. I just haven't checked and I didn't know if they offered a light weight rifle.

I know what you mean about recoil. What got me flinching was a buddy had a light weight (6.5lbs I think) .300 weatherby magnum. I wasn't prepared for the recoil and it scoped me bad! It cut the edge of my nose and I had a slight black eye for a week.

I've been checking out different calibers in different bullet weights in different weight guns on this site. http://www.shooterscalculator.com/recoil-calculator.php

 

[Musket Man]

Yeah that's what I was wanting, a short action caliber so that I can get the most out of the short 22" barrel. I want Stainless for corrosion protection and a synthetic stock so I'm not scared to take it somewhere and get it scratched. I have a really nice wood stock gun that just sits in the safe unless I'm going to the range. It's kind of pointless having it really because I never use it.

All of those models that I listed are synthetic stock and stainless.

The .270wsm is also one of the calibers I was considering along with 7mm-08.

I put the synthetic stock on my 270 mostly because I didnt want to scratch up the nice wood stock it came with, also the synthetic is a bit lighter.

 

[alaska2go]

I have a kimber montana in a 7-08 .. 22" barrel.. I reload for it using varget powder. Burris ballistic plex scope 6 pounds 8oz. Deadly accurate out to 700 yards and have harvested all the critters listed above plus caribou, a 7' black bear, & a 7' grizz. The longest shot @ 362 yards caribou traveled maybe 30 yards. My 12 year old also shoots this rifle with no complants about recoil.

 

[kerrek]

What about the T/C Venture in 7-08! I have a venture in 30.06 and love it.. Not stainless, but with the weather guard coating, should be good in weather, and also won't break the bank at around $500(price here in PA)

 

[Alabama]

I hadn't considered that one. I just looked and the only drawback I see is the trigger. The lowest setting is 3.5 lbs. It does come in all the calibers I was considering though.

What does everyone like about the 7mm-08? What are the advantages? Same for the .270wsm?

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

The advantages of the 7-08 are:

1. Efficiency.
2. Wide range of bullets/powders available.
3. Relatively flat trajectory and good power with low recoil.
4. Works well in a short action with shorter barrels.
5. Excellent barrel life.

The advantages of the 270 WSM are:

1. Super flat trajectory.
2. More power.

 

[shootbrownelk]

I hadn't considered that one. I just looked and the only drawback I see is the trigger. The lowest setting is 3.5 lbs. It does come in all the calibers I was considering though.

What does everyone like about the 7mm-08? What are the advantages? Same for the .270wsm?

Alabama, you may want to check-out a Savage lightweight Hunter in 7mm/08, at 5 1/2 lbs. it may be just what you're looking for, I'm still debating on one in either the 7mm/08 or in 6.5 Creedmoor. Coupled with a Leupold ultralight scope & rings it'd come in at between 6 & 6 1/2 lbs. empty. You could be in it for right around your $1,000.00 budget, complete. If you shop around some. Bud's Guns has them listed for $695.00 & free shipping.

 

[Buck8541]

Agreed on the 7mm/08. I am a huge 280 Remington junkie, but I just bought a Winchester 70 Featherweight in 7mm/08 for my son and was very surprised by the ballistics of the 7mm/08 compared to the 280. Not much of a difference. Anyway, hard to beat that little cartridge, very efficient, little recoil, very accurate too boot.

 

[lostriverproductions]

Go with the savage and don't look back

 

[480/277]

I have a kimber montana in a 7-08 .. 22" barrel.. I reload for it using varget powder. Burris ballistic plex scope 6 pounds 8oz. Deadly accurate out to 700 yards and have harvested all the critters listed above plus caribou, a 7' black bear, & a 7' grizz. The longest shot @ 362 yards caribou traveled maybe 30 yards. My 12 year old also shoots this rifle with no complants about recoil.

What he said.

 

[bdan68]

I would go with the cartridge you had in mind in the beginning- the 308. While I agree with others that the 7/08 is a great cartridge, it really offers nothing of significance over it's older brother the 308 Winchester. I like the fact that you can buy 308 cartridges anywhere, and for less money than the 7/08. With a good 150 grain bullet the 308 is hard to beat.

The only thing better would be a Browning A bolt in 270 Winchester. (Because that's what I shoot)

 

[HuskyMusky]

I consider the ole .270win as well. esp in that tikka since it only comes in a long action receiver.

with 130grs it's not much of a kick at all.

 

[shootbrownelk]

I would go with the cartridge you had in mind in the beginning- the 308. While I agree with others that the 7/08 is a great cartridge, it really offers nothing of significance over it's older brother the 308 Winchester. I like the fact that you can buy 308 cartridges anywhere, and for less money than the 7/08. With a good 150 grain bullet the 308 is hard to beat.

The only thing better would be a Browning A bolt in 270 Winchester. (Because that's what I shoot)

The only thing the 7mm/08 offers over the .308 is downrange ballistics. The .308 dia. bullet sheds it's velocity and energy pretty quickly after 300 yds. And actually the 6.5 creedmoor delivers more energy at the target at over 400yds. than either the .308 or the 7.