7-08?

[jmayton]

I have a .223 Handi that shoots great.  I'm thinking about adding a 7-08 barrel.  I have two .223's (the Handi and an AR) and four .30's.  I think I'd like the 7-08 but I don't see it mentioned much in the Handi forum.  Is there a reason for that?  What are the pros and cons of the caliber.

BTW it will be used for some long range target shooting just for fun, hog hunting, and occasional deer hunting.

[BBF]

I had a Ruger 77 in that cartridge when it first came out and wasn't impressed with it, because of the ammo available at that time. I had the rifle re-chambered to .284 Win and that made a big difference. The 7mm-08  with several loads now being offered  should work well for you.

[jmayton]

Thanks.  Ammo selection is not much of an issue since I reload.  But I do know there aren't nearly as many factory options as say a .308 or .243.

[LaOtto222]

I do not have one, but several folks here do. I am sure they will weigh in on this soon. If I remember correctly, just about everyone likes their 7-08 Handi.

[canon6]

I did have a 7mm08 and loved it.Reloading was very easy and it liked almost anything I feed it,I only traded it because , with my very bad shoulder I could not shoot it as much as I wanted to,.    Doug

[quickdtoo]

Try the search function,  there are numerous threads on the 7mm-08 Handi,  I have a Handi and an Optima Elite in 7mm-08, both shoot very well with factory and handloads. 

Tim

[chutesnreloads]

Have a 7-08 in a Savage.Only dislike is the throat is very short so loading the heavier bullets seats them too deep in the case and takes up room that could be used for powder.

[dpe.ahoy]

I have 3 in 7-08, Handi, Savage and BLR.  Seem to have been hung up of the 7mm since my first 7X57.  Kick is a little less than 308, flys a little flatter if you care, and isn't much slower than the 280 Rem.  Have only taken deer as game with 7-08, but it drops them as well as any other I have used.  They can be quite accurate and the cambers are more uniform than the 7 Mauser.  You won't be disappointed with one.  DP.

[jpshaw]

I've had a 7/08 since they came out.  Great caliber but as stated above not the greatest ammo selection to be had.  If I had to do it over again I would probably just get a .308 and get my ammo at Walmart.

[bluebayou]

great caliber, I load 150 NBT, 165 Sierra GK, and Hornady 120 SP in it.  The Hornady's are ridiculously low recoil.  The 165 Game King and the NBT are close for accuracy.  I use Varget with the NBT and Sierra and H4895 for the Hornady.  Good performance, low reloading cost......38 grains of powder goes a long way.

Granted, I am loading for a Remington 700 in this caliber.  I think that the 308 and 7-08 differences are negligible.  Whatever lights your light.  The 308 was out of stock at Remington when I got my rifle.  Deer and targets are just as dead.  7mm bullets have quite a selection but there are probably even more 30 caliber bullets made (but not necessarily available right about now).  7.62x51 ammo is more expensive than reloading now so that arguement is right out too.

[jmayton]

Thanks all for the info. 

jp & blue, I'd go for the .308, but like I said, I already have too many .30's in the safe.  Thanks for the reloading info.  I think I'll be ordering a barrel.

Which brings up another question.  Should I hold off or try to go ahead and get it in to H&R before the move?

[SHOOTALL]

 The 708 was made to sell in countries that don't allow 308 or 7X57 , both being military rounds could not be sold to civilians . If you want a 708 its a nice round , I have had 3 over the years all do what a nice mild 7 mm will do . a fine deer gun that will serve as a varmint rifle also .
But then anything from 243 to 308 will fill the same bill !

[quickdtoo]

Should I hold off or try to go ahead and get it in to H&R before the move?

Now is the best time IF they have it in stock, this is their slow time of the year, so give em a call and check on availability and when the move will start, toll free (866)776-9292, or email hr1871@hr1871.com

Tim

[jmayton]

thanks, tim.

[MTGlass]

The 7mm-08 is a neat cartridge that I'm somewhat enamored with.  Think of it as a 7x51 with lots of bullet choices just a little skinnier and lighter than the .308.  I've been carrying a Remmy Model 7 in 7mm-08 for several years, taking elk, deer and antelope with it.

I bought my 12yr old daughter a youth model Handi in 7mm-08 last year.  She killed a 4x4 muley and an elk calf with it her first season out.  Both one shot bang-flops.

H&R's barrels can be a crap shoot though.  The original barrel on her rifle had at least .002" of taper in the bore; tighter just ahead of the throat and loose at the muzzel.  I wasted 200 rounds of ammo before sending it back to the factory.  The replacement barrel is better.  She was perforating the heart portion of an elk x-ray target an 100yds. with mundane consistency, both prone and off cross sticks this past weekend.

With the Handi, your cartridge OAL isn't constrained by magazine box dimensions.

[Fred M]

H&R's barrels can be a crap shoot though.  The original barrel on her rifle had at least .002" of taper in the bore; tighter just ahead of the throat and loose at the muzzel. 

Yes a tapered bore is a frustrating experience. I had three such barrels,
traded one and had the other two rebored. Unlike US shooters us Canadians
can't send barrels back to the factory. That is one reason I won't buy another Handi rifle.

A barrel with a tapered bore will not be accurate nor will it get full velocity
with the amount of powder used. But for ordinary hunting use most folks are happy as they are.

[gatorman76]

I have a 7mm 08 in a Ruger M77 & love it. It'll shoot the first two, at least, into one hole. The only other 7-08 I've fired did the same. It was a Ruger, also.  I don't have any Handi experience in that cal., though. Soon after getting my Ultra in .308 my shoulder developed problems so it is still NIB. To me, the 7-08 doesn't kick any more than the .243. I know it should, but it doesn't feel like it.