Perfect cartridge for lightweight rifle

[Earlwb]

Although the 7-08 is a great cartridge, I vote for the .308 Win too. You can easily find .308 ammo at most any store that sells ammo. The 7-08 not so much. So for ease of use and its general purpose capability the .308 Win wins.

[Reverend Al]

Plus the variety of .30 calibre bullets that a handloader can utilize in a .308 is huge ... from 100 grain half jacket "plinkers" up to 220 grain round nose (although in a .308 with a short action magazine the practical weight range is really from 100 grains to about 180 grains.) I worked up a short range Grouse load for my lightweight .308 Remington 600 custom with the Speer or Hornady 100 grain "plinker" half jacket bullets. I slowly increased the powder charge (Unique) until the rifle shot on centre at about 20 yards when the rifle was sighted in 2" high at 100 yards with a 165 grain hunting bullet. Took about 6 grains in the end from memory and it would put those 100 grain plinkers right on centre of the crosshairs at typical Grouse ranges. I always carried a few in my pocket when I was out hunting ...

[Marlin356]

6.5 CM is a light kicker and stays supersonic longer than any SA chambering. Simple best choice.

[FergusonTO35]

I have to ask, what do you think the average distance is that you will realistically shoot at something? Surely you are not planning to hunt with a 5 pound rifle in a place where a 300-400 yard shot is commonly needed. If so, you likely need to rethink the formula and go for accuracy and retained energy over anything else. Nothing wrong with any of the suggestion so far, but there is no substitute for using the correct tool for the job.

[HP9MM]

I have a Thompson Center Compass in 6.5CM. It shoots sub-MOA all day long and cost only $325. It comes in a variety of calibers, is light weight and deadly accurate with a sub-MOA guarantee.

[Butler Ford]

Just to be different, I don't have one but really want a Remington Model 7 in 260 Remington.
BF

[country gent]

Saw a cooper add today and they have a fly weight model available at 5 3/4 pounds in calibers to 338 mag. Now that would be a tooth rattler.

[Texas by God]

The 7mm-08 mimics Euro spec 7mm Mauser. It'll do it. It always has.

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[Beerd]

338 Federal does it all and then some.

You have a point.

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Since this is a CAST BULLET FORUM, I'll chime in with the .358 Winchester.

Otherwise, I would vote 7-08 with a compact fixed power 4X scope (if you can find one).
..

[oldlongbeard]

Another .338 Fed vote..... IT is what the .308 always wanted to be.

[John Boy]

Might suggest the Mossberg Patriot in 300 Win Mag with a 12X variable mill dot scope
http://www.mossberg.com/category/ser...triot-hunting/

[Deadeye Bly]

The 7mm 08 is basically a short 7x57 and will do fine with bullets up to 160 grains which will handle any critter you mentioned. Best results may be with the 140-145 grain bullets, It will be a good choice if you load your own. If you don't load and purchase hunting loads then go with the 308.

For a scope I would choose the Leopold 6X42. No fiddling with variable power, good clear optics, excellent low light visibility. Being a fixed power it will be lighter in weight than a variable

[osteodoc08]

I have to ask, what do you think the average distance is that you will realistically shoot at something? Surely you are not planning to hunt with a 5 pound rifle in a place where a 300-400 yard shot is commonly needed. If so, you likely need to rethink the formula and go for accuracy and retained energy over anything else. Nothing wrong with any of the suggestion so far, but there is no substitute for using the correct tool for the job.

No average distance at all. Most shots are under 200 yards but my range goes out to 300
And I can shoot on my power lines up to 600 (practice from a wooden bench).

Reason I’m looking is cause I find the light rifles interesting. Plus I wouldn’t feel comfortable shooting at game longer than 400 yards or so and i already have heavier rigs for longer ranges.

Eventually I’ll get a hunt planned for out west. Just not in the cards this year or next.

[dougader]

Since this is a CAST BULLET FORUM, I'll chime in with the .358 Winchester.

Otherwise, I would vote 7-08 with a compact fixed power 4X scope (if you can find one).
..

For cast bullets, I agree. The 358 Winchester, hands down.

For j-bullets I don't think there's enough difference to argue between 6.5 CM, 260 Rem, 7mm-08, and 308.

My light rifle is a single shot CVA Hunter in 35 Remington. At 6 lbs, it carries light and shoots like a little laser beam.

[Lloyd Smale]

could be the stock composition. I know my montana is Kevlar stocked. Also the action is trimmed up quite a bit and all excessive metal is removed. If one is cheaper then the other it could be why. I know my 22 inch montana 308 has a 22 inch barrel and is substantially lighter then my stainless model 7 is and its 20 inch barrel is even chopped to 18

So I’m looking at the Kimber Subalpine and Adirondack models. How can the Subalpine weight in at the same weight of 4/13 as the Adirondack with a 22” barrel on the subalpine vs the 18” barrel of the Adirondack?

[Lloyd Smale]

Not only that but a bigger verity of ammo in bullet weight and can even buy reduced recoil ammo for it. If you want to shoot cast theres no doubt that a .30 cal is superior to a 7mm. Then in identical rifles the fact the bore is bored to 308 means more metal is taken off the weight of the gun compared to the same in 708. Nothing wrong with the 708 but it does nothing the 308 doesn't do better. Its like comparing the 06 to the 270. No doubt which is more powerful and which is more versatile.

Although the 7-08 is a great cartridge, I vote for the .308 Win too. You can easily find .308 ammo at most any store that sells ammo. The 7-08 not so much. So for ease of use and its general purpose capability the .308 Win wins.

[FergusonTO35]

No average distance at all. Most shots are under 200 yards but my range goes out to 300
And I can shoot on my power lines up to 600 (practice from a wooden bench).

Reason I’m looking is cause I find the light rifles interesting. Plus I wouldn’t feel comfortable shooting at game longer than 400 yards or so and i already have heavier rigs for longer ranges.

Eventually I’ll get a hunt planned for out west. Just not in the cards this year or next.

10-4. I see no reason why a light rifle couldn't shoot well at long distance though probably not rapid shot strings. If I was going to do it and not go with a semi-custom marque like Kimber or Cooper, I would probably start with a basic Remington 700 or Savage and apply all the usual tricks. Better stock, bedding, trigger, maybe a better barrel. You could probably pull it off for less than a grand and all the cartridges mentioned are inherently quite accurate. If Elk are on the menu I would definitely go with a .308. In alot of places the 6.5's are not legal for elk, .270 is the legal minimum here.

[ajjohns]

I don't hunt elk. Deer and smaller, anywhere to 400. I have a Remington model 7 with a lighter 25" barrel to grasp as much velocity as I could. You can always shorten a long barrel, can't add length. 260 Remington. 3000 fps 120 grainers, 2800 140 grainers and around 3250 for 95 gr varmit pills. The gun with 3 rounds in the mag, scope and its mounting, studs, and sling runs around 8lbs

[marc257]

I vote 257 Roberts.

[Hamish]

I vote 257 Roberts.

*and then the fight was on,,,,,,*



8x57 would be my first choice, but 35 Whelen in a single shot if elk were primary.