Any thoughts on the Remington model 7 with 18.5 inch bbl in 7-08?

[Mr. Joe]

Have a chance to get a real beauty for around $500.  Will the short barrel take this gun out of elk consideration?  Im thinking it would loose roughly 100 fps over the 22 inch counterpart.   What are your thoughts on the gun?

[beemanbeme]

Since I have better suited rifles, I have never taken a 7-08 elk hunting.  My son used what was the exact same model 7 to make our longest shot on a mulie.  284 long steps.  140gr NP, one shot, two jumps, dead deer.
If a 7-08 was my only rifle, I'd load it up with a 160gr grand slam and go elk hunting.  Since I'm not a "poke and hope" sort of hunter and, in fact, haven't killed an elk at too much over 100 yards, I wouldn't angst too much about range.

[beemanbeme]

Forgot to add, that $500 sounds a little strong.  Does it have a scope on it?  What kind?  They haven't made the model 7 with a 18.5" barrel in several years.  GB can probably give you and exact time.

[Chuck White]

If I had my mind set on hunting elk with a M7 7mm-08, I wouldn't let the 18.5 in. barrel stop me.

As stated above, I'd go with a little heavier bullets, ie: 150-160 grain in a premium grade.

Shot placement is everything.

[Mr. Joe]

I was thinking that if i were to ever hit the lumber with niece or nephew it would make a good elk gun for them.  I have better tools for the job, but it is a nice little gun.  $500 did seem like a bit much to me too.

[Cement Man]

I have a few short barreled .308's - 20" Ruger MkII, 18.5" Ruger Int'l., and a 19" Encore.  I think you're very close on that 100 fps velocity difference.  At reasonable ranges, with a well placed shot and a good bullet, I think that 7-08 would be adequate to the task. 

[DLEB]

Had the exact same rifle for a few years, but never hunted elk with it. Did hunt and kill whitetail. I used Hornady Light Magnum 139 bt and they were very impressive on deer.

[Mr. Joe]

well...after some consideration and taking many things into account...i went with a .260.  It looks to me like this may be the perfect round for hoofed game!  I am very impressed so far, but have yet to shoot anything other than paper.