[Jumpshooter]

I do alot of still hunting for deer and I have been looking for a light carbine style rifle. I have been looking at all kinds, I don't care for the feel of the Ruger or the Browning. I like the size of the Model 7 but don't like the forend on the regular model. I handled a used Model 7 MS (Manlicher Stock) and really loved the full length forend. The one I handled was a .243 and I really love 7mm's and was thinking of getting one in 7mm-08. Any opinions on the rifle and the caliber.

 

[8pointduck]

The MS is a custom shop rifle. The mod 7 are real good guns. My son has one that has been tweeked a little in 7-08.You might call them a little 700.

 

[grimel]

The one I handled was a .243 and I really love 7mm's and was thinking of getting one in 7mm-08. Any opinions on the rifle and the caliber.

A 7mm-08? It's a short action 7x57, if it isn't enough for what you are hunting you are hunting something that will kill you. It may be the perfect deer round.

If you want mine, bring a lunch cause it will be a long fight and I'll be cheating.

 

[Drop-Shot]

grimal I agree that we have to match the gun to the species,all but the larger animals fall every year to shootersof the 7MM08,and we have a couple that says they will use it on elk and moose,they have more confidence in a round that started it's life as a 308,necked down to 7mm(284).Its a great short action round,I don't have one cause I have a 308 and it's enough.several rounds started as a 308,243,7MM08,358,and some I can't remmember.Drop-Shot

 

[Drop-Shot]

Grimal what gun in 7mm08 do you own?Drop-Shot

 

[mountainview]

J-shooter,

Can't comment on the Rem 7 rifle but will comment on the round. I got a 7-08 in a Savage synthetic stock rifle for my son but thinking about appropriating it or getting one for myself since I have been reaching for his rifle more and more often. The round is very pleasant to shoot (won't knock you silly after 10 rounds) and it has more than ample pep for deer sized game with 140 grain bullets. I get good accuracy with the Savage rifle and as it is a light rig and short enough, I don't mind carrying it for long hauls and/or into the thick stuff.

Whatever rifle you get it in, I suspect that it will become a favorite of yours.

Safe shooting.

 

[huntswithdogs]

I,ve shot one of the Model 7's in .308 and .243. Both were accurate rifles. The .308 had noticable recoil and if you wanted to shoot 5 shot groups you'd need to let it cool after 2 rounds. They heat up pretty quick,but we as hunters should only need 1-2 shots to drop our game. I recently shot a 7-08 in a Browning. The recoil was mild and it shot really well. If I were buying a rifle as a first gun for a child or woman to hunt deer size game this would be it.

 

[Drop-Shot]

HWD I feel the same.I own a 243 in a browning BLR but feel that a 243 is best left to experienced shooters,now the 7mm08 gives me confidence,bigger bullets and more momentum.I will continue to use my 243 but my daughter shot the 308 mostly.I feel the 7mm08 is a great comprimise between the 308 and 243.Very little kick,but like the mailman it delivers the mail.Drop-Shot

 

[slugmensch]

Ditto the thoughts on the 7mm-08. A great cartridge, to be sure. That, or .308, would be my first choice. The .243 is quite capable when dealing with whitetail (or smaller animals, of course). With proper bullets and bullet placement, they are quite effective. I absolutely agree that, if the shooter is inexperienced or less than a good shot - something larger than .243 should be chosen. A larger round (with more energy, particularly at longer ranges) will give more margin for error, of course.
As for the Rem. Model 7.... a very good rifle. My first bolt-action rifle was a Model 7 LS (unlike others, I DO like the Schnabel forend). I still regret disposing of that rifle. The Model 7 action, to give a bit of background, is identical to the 700 BDL - with one significant difference. The action is designed to be compact (like the rifle), so the bolt is approx. 1" shorter than the 700 bolt. Other than the finish, that's it.
The 700 action is designed to accomodate long-action rounds, as well as short-action rounds (the difference being how long the loading/ ejection port is cut). The bolts are the same on both.
I truly loved my Model 7. It never once let me down, through quite a lot of rough-country hunting. I judged (later) that the barrel was too light for any sustained (target) shooting.... which I now do much more than hunting....but, for hunting, it is just fine. (It certainly is a nice rifle to carry all day.) My 7 always grouped less than 1 MOA... but, having a light barrel, heated up quickly and the third shot in a group tended to wander just a bit.