Author Topic: Newbie looking for your opinion (Read 509 times)

Zan793 · « **on:** November 27, 2004, 02:56:39 PM »

Just entering the world of handgun hunting and am overwhelmed by the options available. I have settled on 7mm-08 for deer hunting and am leaning towards a 12" barrel due to looks, feel and handling. Do you think the 7mm-08 is a manageable in a 12" barrel length? I do not want to be put off by too much recoil out of the gate. Thanks, I appreciate your input.

Steve P · « **Reply #1 on:** November 27, 2004, 04:51:23 PM »

7-08 will work for you. It is a barker. Suggest getting your barrel magna ported or muzzle braked. Will be louder in the covered gun range, but deer and hogs wont notice.

Enjoy it.

Steve

haroldclark · « **Reply #2 on:** November 28, 2004, 08:15:08 AM »

I agree with SteveP. I have a shooting buddy that purchased the 7mm-08 in a 15" encore as his first TC firearm. However, he did get a 22-250 also.

He shot 2 shots from the 7-08 and immediately replaced the barrel with the 22-250 caliber. That very day, he sent the barrel to our local gunsmith for a Holland Muzzle Brake. After the gun was returned, he shot a 40 round match. A total of about 70 shots are fired during a match. He was delighted with the 7mm-08 then.

Yes, there is a a bit more noise and one should be wearing hearing protection. I have used electronic hearing protection for 20 years or more now. If I were to go out hunting, I would wear electronics to protect my hearing even if I wasn't using a muzzle brake.

The hearing system provides two major issues for me. Of course, hearing protection is major. Secondly, but not the least is an ability to hear nearly any movement in the surrounding area, such as an animal approaching.

I know a lot of guys down play the use of a muzzle brake. I shoot more than your average duck and recoil, like boxing body punches, takes a toll on me. If you can't keep your eyes open or your head still, you can't shoot well. I shoot with 15 guys and out of that number 9 of us use muzzle brakes.

One buddy has a 7mm-08 Improved and a 308 Winchester. I shot his 308 before muzzle brake with a Harris Bi-pot. It would launch itself 2 feet off the bench. Holy Crap!!!!!. The 7mm-08 was fired once and then along came the Holland Muzzle Brake.

I have studied the 7mm-08 cartridge for loading. It can be down loaded to a much lower velocity and recoil. Example: my 380 15" Encore has a Holland Muzzle brake and I shoot a 180 Hornady SST with 24 grains of IMR 4227 and 28 grains for 500 meter rams. I have shot full loads in the 308 with the muzzle brake and I can't tell the difference between the full load and the lighter loads.

Harold Clark

Zan793 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 28, 2004, 04:10:19 PM »

How long before all of the available Encore options drive you mad? :shock: I am leaning towards a 12" 7mm-08 with a muzzle tamer or a 14" without. My goal is to have the shortest barrel possible without recoil being a huge issue. Thanks again.

JMCrane · « **Reply #4 on:** November 28, 2004, 04:30:58 PM »

There have been many threads on this forum on the 7-08. Try a search. One recent thread was "is 7-08 enough" I have a 15 inch 7-08 that I shoot Hornady light mags 139 grain from. They are loaded to a higher velocity than you can do yourself as the powder is not available for reloaders. My friend has the same but in 308 and only shoots the 165 grain light mags. They are a little snappy and very loud but nothing like being described in this thread. They would not jump 2 feet off the bench if they were not held at all. No more recoil than a stout 44 mag from the 308 and a little less from the 7-08. I also have the 45-70 and it does let you know something wonderfull happened when you touch it off. Again, do searches on this forum and look at multiple responses to get good info.

Good Hunting