decision

[Illhunter]

i am trying to decide between a 7mm-08,30-06,or 308 in a handi it will be my firdt handi also a scope and what is the average price for ammo for these calibers any help in deciding would be appreciated


Terry

[jack19512]

All of your rifle calibers are good but I am partial to the 30-06 myself.  Can't help you with the ammo costs, I reload all of mine.

[pills]

Make that two votes for .06.

[myarmor]

The 30-06 and 308 are very versitle rounds as is the 7mm-08 and 280. The 30cals can be loaded a little heavier, and the 30-06 gets a little nod over 308 with heavier bullets 200+gr. If you handload all are good choices. If you plan on just shooting factory ammo then the 308 and 30-06 are probably a little more suitable and affordable, not to mention a good range of offerings.
http://www.midwayusa.com/ebrowse.exe/browse?TabID=3&Categoryid=7529&categorystring=653***690***
http://www.midwayusa.com/ebrowse.exe/browse?TabID=3&Categoryid=7556&categorystring=653***690***

and the 280 and 7mm-06:
http://www.midwayusa.com/ebrowse.exe/browse?TabID=3&Categoryid=9329&categorystring=653***690***
http://www.midwayusa.com/ebrowse.exe/browse?TabID=3&Categoryid=7947&categorystring=653***690***

As for scope, thats a much larger debate and preferances will abound. A decent scope can be had for not much $$. Bushnell, Burris, leupold, Nikon, Weaver, all sell scopes at or under $200. Bushnell has decent scopes around $100 or so with the Legend and Trophy, and Banner series. Meuller has made a good name for itself as well in this area.
 -Aaron

[Mac11700]

i am trying to decide between a 7mm-08,30-06,or 308 in a handi it will be my firdt handi also a scope and what is the average price for ammo for these calibers any help in deciding would be appreciated


Terry

 None of the Above..........

IMHO...if I had to do it all over again...and choose 1 handi to start out with...to me know it would be a no-brainer...The 26" 280...I would scope it with a Leupold 3x9x40 VX-1 in either Warne or Leupold rings.This rifle...this caliber...for the larger medium bores...is probably the most consistant and accurate going right now...Ammo is about $15.00-$18.00 a box as a rule...(at least untill the price increase last month)...and with it you can hunt just about anything on this continent with it...While the 7-08 is a good caliber and they have some pretty good barrels these days from NEF...I haven't seen anything that comes close to what the 280 produces..velocity wise...or accuracy wise....The 308's can be real squirrely...some have shot real good...some have been disamal failures...most have real long throats...The 30-06 is a grand cartridge...but..save for my Ultra Comps...I haven't seen superb accuracy from them...Some have shot good...but most are average...Just about everyone who has a 280 loves it...and most will shoot the Remington 140 grain Core-locs great...The Leupold scopes are more expensive than most...this is for sure...but...they will provide you with one of the clearest site pictures around...and one thing...none of the others can offer...Non-Critical Eye relief...What this means is you won't have to hold your head in 1 exact place on the stock to see the full field of vison every time in every condition...heavy hunting cloths...t-shirts...nada...and that is worth every penny extra I pay for them.....and...if you want a different reticle...you can send it to them...and they will install it for you for a moderate fee...

There ya have it...but...if you have your heart set on 1 of the other 3...I would get the 7-08...

Mac

[cwlongshot]

i am trying to decide between a 7mm-08,30-06,or 308 in a handi it will be my first handi also a scope and what is the average price for ammo for these calibers any help in deciding would be appreciated


Terry

 Of the two calibers you have selected EITHER one will do everything the other could do. So you wont go wrong with either. the 308 is a bit more sensible from a ammo availability stand point. But manufacturers are really stepping up as far as the 7/08 is concerned. many new loadings!!

I would have to give the nod to the 308, simply from a ammo availability stand point.

CW

[nomosendero]

If I had to pick between these 3 choices, I would prefer the 308 & HOPE I was lucky enough to be
able to seat a 165 gr. or heavier out enough top get some accuracy. However, you only mentioned
factory ammo & if that is all you shoot, then look at the 7-08.

But, if there can be another option, the 280 rules in my view. It is a great round anyway, but with the 26" barrel compared to the others gives it an even greater edge & with this barrel the gun is
still compact enough.

[EVOC ONE]

I have Handi's in each of the calibers you list. I don't have much range time with the 7-08 or .308, so I don't yet know what the "pet" loads are for each.  Both have produced accuracy in the 2" range at 100 yards using Remington Core Loct 140's with the 7mm and Winchester Power Point 150's with the .308.  I think I may have fired a half of a box through each.

I've always been very partial to the .30-06 for all the typical reasons.  Availability of ammo, variety of factory loaded ammo, versatility, etc.  All of those reasons could be said of the .308, as well.  The .30-06 does have an edge over the .308 with heavier bullets.

That said, I have been real impressed with the Handi .280's. I currently have three.  One is a RMEF model, which I've not fired.  The other two have been the most inherently accurate Handi's I've owned.  I'm set up to reload, but have yet to do so.  I've only fired Remington Core Loct 150's and a few 140's.  Each will shoot the 150's under an inch, 3 shot groups at 100 yards.  I recently had a problem with a barrel lock-up on one, but NEF quickly made it right by replacing the barrel.  That rifle picked back up where it left off.  No tuning has been performed on either, including the "O" ring.  I use a Simmons 44 Mag on one and a Nikon Pro Staff on the other.  So far, I'm very pleased with each.

It took a little work, but my Handi .30-06 is now shooting very well.  It always shot well enough to hunt with, but I know what the .'06 cartridge is capable of and wanted a little better.  By the way, Federal Power Shocks, Hi Shoks and Fusion's, each with 180 gr. bullets, shoot best in my Handi '06.  The Core Locts shoot well, just not as well as the Federal's.  I have a Bushnell Banner mounted on the .30-06 and have been pleased with that scope as well.

If I had to pick one of the three you listed, it would be the .30-06.

Thanks.

EVOC ONE

[bajabill]

If you are buying factory ammo, then the 30-06 is the best choice for future choices

get the basics first, then branch out

[RackWrangler]

Recoil is also a consideration.

Here's a breakdown of a chart at http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm

Cartridge (Wb@MV)        Rifle Weight (lbs)   Recoil energy (lbs)   Recoil velocity (lbs)
7mm-08 Rem. (140 at 2860)   8        12.6                         10.1
.308 Win. (150 at 2800)   7.5        15.8                         11.7
.280 Rem. (140 at 3000)   8        17.2                         11.8
.308 Win. (180 at 2610)   8        17.5                         11.9
.30-06 Spfd. (150 at 2910)   8        17.6                         11.9
.30-06 Spfd. (180 at 2700)   8        20.3                         12.8


The 7mm-08 has the least recoill and the 30-06 has the most.

Hope this helps.

RW

[Illhunter]

thanks for the info guys this would be my first rifle  so i am just trying to get some opinions but i am thinking i can get one of these calibers now then buy other barrels later which is one of the reasons i am interested in the handi's i will have to check the availability of 280 ammo ond some of the scopes mentioned  to i have heard alot about the leupold and some of the others i will hopefully be able to buy real soon


Terry