What to do?

[Bullshop Junior]

I got my Savage 7mm/08, and the thought is getting worn, so it is time to start thinking about what to do.

Here are my options.

Rebore to 308 win or 358 win.

Rebarrel to 22/250.

Here are the pros and cons of the 308

I have the 7mm/08 brass, but the necks are all turned thin to chamber in the tight chamber of the gun, so most likely will crack on the first shot. They check in about 4 shots in the 7mm/08
We have lots of 308 bullets and moulds.
308 brass is easy to get
We have quite a bit of 308 brass
The pros/cons are the same on the 358 other then that we have lots of bullets, but we do have moulds.

Pros/cons on the 22/250


We make the jacketed bullets.
I can reform all of the thin necked 7mm/08s, and it should not make much difference, because I have to shorted the brass and turn the necks any way.
It probably won't do real good with cast, but I can make the jacketed.
We have quite a bit of brass.
It would be the cheapest. A barrel from A&B is only about $130, and a rebore would be about $225, and I have to pay shipping both ways.

[runfiverun]

just get the neck re-cut.

[Bullshop Junior]

just get the neck re-cut.
And how would that help?

[stubshaft]

It would appear to be so much easier to rebore to 308. While there is nothing wrong with the other calibers you listed, how much would you gain versus the ease of converting it to 308?

[c3d4b2]

What is the price difference between a new barrel and having the old one re-bored?

[nicholst55]

What is the price difference between a new barrel and having the old one re-bored?

"A barrel from A&B is only about $130, and a rebore would be about $225, and I have to pay shipping both ways."

If you're considering rebarreling it anyway, why not rebarrel it to 7-08, .308, .338 Federal, or whatever? Especially if you're already set up to load for 7-08 and .308, that sounds like the smart money to me.

[anachronism]

Buy a takeoff 308 barrel off one of the auction sites for $50-$75.00 and screw it on.

[lylejb]

I think it really comes down to: what do you want this rifle to do?

These are all good calibers, but not with the same purpose. i.e. I wouldn't hunt moose with the 22-250, and I wouldn't hunt squirels with the 358. That doesn't mean either is the wrong caliber, just that's not what it's for.

What have you been using this rifle for, and what would you like to use it for in the future? That will answer your question.

[2ndAmendmentNut]

Hmmm… The 22-250 is my favorite caliber you have listed there so that is why I voted for it. Can you really make a 7mm-08 case into a 22-250? I thought the 22-250 was based on the 250 Savage, not the 308, but then again I suppose the two cases pretty similar. Just if you go with a 22-250 have a barrel with a descent twist put on it. The standard 1-14” is frustratingly slow IMHO.

[docone31]

I like A&B Barrels. They do exactly what I want them to do.
For an inexpensive barrel, they outshoot me everytime!

[yondering]

My vote is for the .358, because if you don't have a 35 caliber rifle, you need one. Great with cast, hard hitting on game, and you can use .357 pistol bullets for plinking or blowing up varmints. I'd prefer a Whelen, but your action is probably too short. Go with a 1-14" twist if you have the option.

[Bad Water Bill]

A NEW savage take off bbl in 22-250 is available for $80.00 + shipping. At that price I would never look elsewhere as you do not know what you will get.

I would like to know how you size your 308 down to 22-250 with less than 50% junk. That is what I and a few of my friends average.

[Bullshop Junior]

What is the price difference between a new barrel and having the old one re-bored?
New barrel is about $130

Rebore is about $225 plus shipping to ways. I could rebarrel to 308 or 358 also,

[Bullshop Junior]

Hmmm… The 22-250 is my favorite caliber you have listed there so that is why I voted for it. Can you really make a 7mm-08 case into a 22-250? I thought the 22-250 was based on the 250 Savage, not the 308, but then again I suppose the two cases pretty similar. Just if you go with a 22-250 have a barrel with a descent twist put on it. The standard 1-14” is frustratingly slow IMHO.
It is, but it is the same case head. I would have to shorted the brass.

[Bullshop Junior]

A NEW savage take off bbl in 22-250 is available for $80.00 + shipping. At that price I would never look elsewhere as you do not know what you will get.

I would like to know how you size your 308 down to 22-250 with less than 50% junk. That is what I and a few of my friends average.
I do all of my case reforming using Bullsize as a case lube and almost never have any rejects.

[rockrat]

I agree that if you are going to re-barrel, why not a 358 or 308, or maybe even a 260rem? Sure you can shoot squirrels with a 358. Nice lead pistol bullet with a couple of grains of bullseye should work well. Go back with your 7/08 if you want.

I personally like the 35's.

[Bullshop Junior]

I think it really comes down to: what do you want this rifle to do?

These are all good calibers, but not with the same purpose. i.e. I wouldn't hunt moose with the 22-250, and I wouldn't hunt squirels with the 358. That doesn't mean either is the wrong caliber, just that's not what it's for.

What have you been using this rifle for, and what would you like to use it for in the future? That will answer your question.
Well,
I got it for Christmas last year. I wanted it as a gun to take down to unit 13 when we hunt caribou, and I could also use it for wolf, and coyote. I have never even used it for hunting, and it is already starting to show heavy wear. It started at about .028", and is now .316". I don't want another 7mm/08 for the reason.

Also, all of my 7mm/08 brass is just about worthless, all of them. My gun has a VERY tight chamber (It will not even chamber factory ammo) and I had to turn the necks way down on my brass. I think if I tried to neck the brass back up, it would just split.

[wiljen]

get an Er Shaw replacement barrel in 7-08 for $155 and just keep what ya got in the way of brass and bullets.

[Bullshop Junior]

I agree that if you are going to re-barrel, why not a 358 or 308, or maybe even a 260rem? Sure you can shoot squirrels with a 358. Nice lead pistol bullet with a couple of grains of bullseye should work well. Go back with your 7/08 if you want.

I personally like the 35's.
After the thought on mine wearing the way it did, I will not have another gun on a 308 case smaller then 308

[Bullshop Junior]

get an Er Shaw replacement barrel in 7-08 for $155 and just keep what ya got in the way of brass and bullets.

There really is no reason too. All of my brass would be worthless.

[HeavyMetal]

Blatant Product Plug! lol.

Seriously if you have a use/need for a 22-250 the take off barrel is the way to go. Savage bolt guns uses the barrel nut to hold the barrel on so rent a a go no go headspace guage and screw it on the action. Reciever should be drilled and tapped so no worries about getting iron sights to set straight, don't put them on!

On the other hand if you need the "big Bore" rifle the same take off barrel is available in .308 I'm sure.

Like the man said what do you really want to do with this rifle?

[largom]

I would not rebore. I would first look for new take off barrels chambered for your bolt face. Could buy a couple of these barrels and have a switch barrel gun for the same money.

Larry

[Bad Water Bill]

PM sent

[waksupi]

If the throat is getting worn, it is most likely properly broke in for cast boolits.

[MT Gianni]

I would wait until accuracy suffers. Throat wear can cause a target gun to need a bbl but you may have a few Caribou left in it. When accuracy goes I vote cutting the threads back and rechambering.

[Bullshop Junior]

I can get a A&B barrel in 358 for $130, and I think that is what I will do when it is time.

[Bullshop junior x2]

Rebarrel to 22/250 A.I. 26" bbl 6.5 twist......(my opinion,.

[357maximum]

I can get a A&B barrel in 358 for $130, and I think that is what I will do when it is time.

You can never go wrong with a 35...especially where you live. Your varmint rifle needs to be bigger than mine...yalls got bigger varmints.[smilie=f:

[Echo]

Not knowing what you need/want in the gun makes it difficult to recommend - but - my vote goes to the .358, for all the reasons mentioned.

And I voted wrong! Hit the wrong target dot, and voted for the .308! ERROR!

[scb]

If it were me, having already had experience with all your choices I'd opt for the .338 Federal. Just to try something different. Cons are boolet/bullet choices are somewhat limited.

[Bob Krack]

I can get a A&B barrel in 358 for $130, and I think that is what I will do when it is time.
Sounds like ya got your head screwed on right.

My choice might have been different but yours is just as good or prolly better.

Bob

[lylejb]

I can get a A&B barrel in 358 for $130, and I think that is what I will do when it is time

+1
sounds like a good choice to me.

[runfiverun]

daniel the 7-08 is a simple chamber ream it just basically re-cuts the chamber.
now i know yours is tight as you'd mentioned how those boolit i'd sent you fit your bbl.
but sometimes thats a good thing as you then know you can just do a simple re-cut and throat the bbl how you want it.
but you seem to have your mind made up.
and i can't say nothin about your caliber choice,as the last new rifle i bought was in 358 win just so's i could sling lead from it.
but you might want to actually talk to your dad about what you are thinking as i know he chose that cal for you.

[Terrier]

The .358 should be your first choice, especailly where you live. If you were to ever think about a .308, you can place a WTB here and get a new take off for $70-$80 delivered.
Terrier

[JIMinPHX]

Why not just ream to a longer 7mm cartridge like .280 or 7mm mag?

[Bullshop Junior]

Why not just ream to a longer 7mm cartridge like .280 or 7mm mag?
Short action

[JIMinPHX]

good reason.

[JIMinPHX]

I wonder if it is possible to sleeve a throat.

[Cactus Farmer]

I wonder if it is possible to sleeve a throat.

NO, chambers can be,sometimes but not just the throat.....long explanation but think about the perfect fit required and if gas got between the sleeve and the barrel......not a pretty picture.......

[S.R.Custom]

I can get a A&B barrel in 358 for $130, and I think that is what I will do when it is time.

Having read one of your other threads where you say you don't have the money for a $6 box of shot capsules, I don't think re-barrelling in any manner is in your budget. Your cheapest route away from the 7mm-08 will be to sell it for as much as you can get, and then be on the lookout for a good deal on something else.

[RugerFan]

Anyone have a link for A&B barrels?

[Bad Water Bill]

A&B is OWNED by a small company by the name of Midway USA.

[RugerFan]

A&B is OWNED by a small company by the name of Midway USA.

Um...ok, I've got that link.

[Bass Ackward]

Personally, I don't think kids should have guns, so I recommend selling the gun. :grin:

[Bullshop]

KID !?! For cryin out loud he is 6'6" tall!!!! When I stand next to him I am looking straight into his shirt pocket. When I stand between him and BS Jr.x2 his younger brother at about 6' 5" I feel like a valley.
I am beginning to feel like the kid here. Glad their my bud's!
BIC/BS

[DLCTEX]

He lives in a remote area of Alaska! Why should he not have a gun if he's 10? He probably needs to carry for bear protection. Do you live in the city? My 5 sons each owned a gun at age 10, supervised until they were 13, but it was theirs. Most elementary school boys, and some girls, around here want guns for Christmas. Kids that still write letters to Santa request guns. We haven't had any gun related injuries or even accidents without injuries in my memory here (been here 20 years). We have had some accidental discharge incidents involving non resident adults in the past few years. I believe some adults shouldn't have guns, including a relative of mine. He wasn't allowed to have a gun or hunt as a kid, now he knows it all and is dangerous. My 2 cents.

[Bullshop Junior]

A&B is OWNED by a small company by the name of Midway USA.
A&B barrels are made by ER-Shaw, and marketed my Midway only.

[45nut]

Personally, I don't think kids should have guns, so I recommend selling the gun. :grin:

That was posted with a very heavy dose of sarcasm. :redneck:

[DLCTEX]

After reflection I thought it probably was. I was so taken aback by such a statement I didn't notice the smilie until I vented. I still stick by my convictions though.:-P

[swheeler]

A&B barrels are made by ER-Shaw, and marketed my Midway only.

Junior how do you know this? Or are you repeating something off the net?

[Heavy lead]

If the rest of the barrel is still good, rechamber to a .284 Winchester. Brass is available at Natchez. One of my favorite calibers, getting it to feed is the trick.

[Bullshop Junior]

Junior how do you know this? Or are you repeating something off the net?
I found it on several places on the internet, including the Adams & Bennett site.

[swheeler]

Daniel; I have seen this in several threads and posts on the internet too. My oldest daughter was in school in Missouri and her new boyfriend was a machinist(who knows what actual job desciption was) for Battenfeld tech, so I had her put him on the phone and asked, Will's reply was NOT TRUE, we manufacture them ourselves. Now this was many years ago and he is no longer in the picture, but he is the father of one of my grand children. What is the Adams and Bennett site? Battenfeld Technologies Inc? I don't see where they say they are manufactured by Shaw? I e-mailed them lastnight and they say never heard of ER Shaw. Still waiting for reply from ERShaw. Scot

[Adam10mm]

http://www.battenfeldtechnologies.com/adams_bennett/

[Adam10mm]

A&B is OWNED by a small company by the name of Midway USA.
A&B is part of Battenfield Technologies.

[swheeler]

http://www.battenfeldtechnologies.com/adams_bennett/

OK I guess I am dumb! I still DO NOT see a single word about A&B barrels being made by ER SHAW!
SOMEONE WILL HAVE TO POINT IT OUT TO ME-PLEASE!

[Rooster]

Not having read the whole thread I impulsively voted for 308 b/c--if that didn't work you could do another rebore to the larger caliber later. If finances are limited then the 22 is the obvious choice. However, my personal choice would be .30/.35 as I like the larger rifle calibers for casting.

[AKsoldier]

BJ - I voted for the .358 just because I like big bores. Have fun with it!

My ten-year-old has three guns so far, and he's nowhere near 6'6". :redneck:

[82nd airborne]

Or just shoot between the eye and the ear, ill put money on it that there is nothing that cannot be killed with a 7-08. just practice alot, and take ethical shots. after all karamojo killed over 1,000ELEPHANTS whith a 7x57. not to far off from yours.....

[RobS]

358 is my vote if you don't have a 35 cal rifle. I like larger calibers for cast boolit shooting as I find it is easier to push fatter/larger chunks of lead around through the air. Also being in Alaska a 358 could be utilized in many different fashions on game up there. There is good flexibility with bullet weight ranging from 180 grains to 250 in most reloading manuals and you are already set up with 308 brass.

I wouldn't rebore, but instead buy a new barrel; A&B is a good option as been stated.