I sent a 7mm-08 Kimber Model 84M back to the factory because it would not group. I just found out that they plan to replace the barrel. The problem is that the 7mm-08 barrels are on back order and they don't know when they will come in. They gave me a choice of switching to .243, .308, or .338. I am torn because I bought the gun for 7mm-08 and so my kids would have a gun with a little less kick. My other gun is a 7mm Rem Mag. so I have no experience with these calibers. I planned to use the rifle on Deer, Pigs, exotics and maybe Antelope in Texas.

hi, sd -

of the three listed, i would suggest .308. my kids use it with no recoil problems and it will be a very good choice for all game listed.

.243 would have less recoil, but i also believe it would be less-than adequate for some of the game mentioned and would also be less versatile.

good luck in your choice!

ron

I'd wait for the barrel you want....it can't be a long time!

I'd have to agree with vapodog here, get the one you want. Don't settle for what they have. If it means waiting, then I think it'll make you happier in the long run.

If I specifically bought a 7mm-08 I'd want another 7mm-08 barrel.

I'd wait.

AD

I am going to have to agree with the others and say wait it out. Settling for less than what you want will just leave a sour taste.

i too agree with the others about waiting for what you want. my suggestion of .308 assumes that you either want a rifle now or have chosent o go ahead and get a different chambering!

I'll be the dissenting voice! Have a 308 but ask for restitution on "all the loading gear" you've shelled ou on and "all the disappointment"!

I actually think that the 308 will, in any case, serve you better on your range of quarry than the 7mm-08 FWIW.

But if it is strictly for the kids I'd go for 243 or, if it is available, 260 Remington. But for kids the 243 with 100 grain or 105 grain bullet is a good weapon.

Or 308 with a 125 or 140 actually.

Reading between the lines is the 7mm-08 and 7mm Rem Mag combination so that you can buy just one type of bullet calibre and reload in both?

If so you could try Remington Light Magnum loads in the 7mm Rem Mag for the kids? Because when they are bigger I'd bet they'll be more thankful you chose the 308 as "their" rifle!

for the price you paid for that rifle, I'd tell them to get a barrel fast and make things right. It's not like the 7-08 is an exotic caliber to be special ordered.

I guess it would all depend on how long the wait for the barrel will be. A month or two might be tolerable but much more than that could be cause for reconsideration. Just depends onhow long you want to wait. me? I'm an impatiant cuss, I would want it back and fixed yesterday.
Paul B.

Sorry to hear you have to deal with the Kimber service dept. They SUCK I have had three bad exchanges with them....as to the cal. I like the 7-08 I would wait but if you can't I would go .308 and not look back.

Patience grasshopper. Wait for the 7mm-08. After all thats what you chose in the first place.

Sounds like this rifle is for you and not the kids!

Get the .243 if it is REALLY for the kids.

If its for you, then get the 338 Federal and use it for moose and elk. That leaves your 7mm Remington Magnum for whitetail, mule deer and antelope. Makes no sense to have a 7mm-08 when you already have a 7 Mag.

I use the 308 quite a bit. My wife has great luck with it in Zimbabwe as well. My 11 year old nephew [he was 10 when he started shooting it] has killed 4 deer and a pig with a 308.

He killed all but one with the Remington Managed recoil 125 gr load. I have killed deer and pigs with it as well. It works great. It kicks less than a 243.

i'd get the 308. use managed recoil loads or roll your own with less powder. it is easy to make a 308 a "light" kicker.

I personally love the 308. If available, I'd love to try out the 260.

BUT, you bought a 7-08. Your reasons for that choice still hold true. I'd wait. If you settle for what's convenient for Kimber, you'll alway have a sour taste in your mouth.

-nosualc

ps - FWIW, I am also no fan of Kimber's customer service.

I'll say to the 243 fans that the 7mm08 loaded with 120's
will do everything the 243 will do, but better.

And you can go with 140's if you want more authority.

In my stint behind a gun counter I talked about 2/3 of the customers who wanted a 243 for their son/daughter/wife
into a 7mm-08.

Of those people the ones to come back to comment on their 7mm-08 purchase ran about 50/50. half of them thought it "did the job" the other half were there to buy another one like it, they liked it so much themselves...

Remington also makes a managed recoil load for the 7mm-08, loaded with a 140gr, but I always recommended the 120gr Express loading which drives it's bullet to 3000fps.

The managed recoil load is quoted at 2300fps!
(Muzzle energy is WAY down at 1644ft/lb)

AD

If you have your heart set on a 7-08 you shouldnt settle for anything else. You will regret it if you do.
If you change your mind and the kids are being considered, check on the 260. It is 10 to 1 better than the 243 and recoil is very manageable. My 8 year old shoots mine.(jmo)

So - why cant they swap you a whole rifle ? Obviously this is a warranty issue so they should simply replace the whole gun , no questions asked.

Good Cal ,Bad BARREL.

I'd get the 308 - one of the extraordinary calibers ever devised. Accurate and perfect for the use you intend. Also, fabulous bullet selection and great load data (see Nosler reloading manual). Regards, AIU

quote:

I am torn because I bought the gun for 7mm-08 and so my kids would have a gun with a little less kick. My other gun is a 7mm Rem Mag.

IME the 308 doesn't kick much less than the 7-08... the 243 kicks substantially less and will work for what you bought the rifle for.

However, if you wanted a 7-08 wait for the 7-08!

Thanks for all of the great replies. Enfield, I did buy it partially so I would only have to buy one caliber of bullet. I've waited 3 months so far, I think I will just wait it out. Thanks again for the input

quote:

I think I will just wait it out

Good decision! Only the 260 was ever a real contender!

The idea of having a 7mm mag for yourself and a 7-08 for your boys is a first class one! You'll see what I mean.

I would wait and get the 7/08.
i like it better than either the 308 or the 243.
if you allready have a 7 mag you dont really need a 338.
yup i would definatley wait for the 7/08

wait for the 7-08...it's only a rifle afterall and you should be able to live without it until a couple months before the season....

It's a great little cartridge...I've had them with the standard chamber as well as the AI version...

quote:

Originally posted by tuffteddyb:
I would wait and get the 7/08.
i like it better than either the 308 or the 243.
if you allready have a 7 mag you dont really need a 338.
yup i would definatley wait for the 7/08

Yep, wait. While I like the idea of the 338fed, it is likely to be a bit much for a youngster & I have no need for a 243 in anything but a varmint rifle, JMO. The 308 has always left me luke warm in a short bolt gun. Recoil starts to become an issue in short light rifles & it's a good deer round, but then so is the 7-08 w/ less recoil.

If you reload, you can make 308 loads that the shooter will not be able to tell from 7-08. I went thru this identical debate when I was buying a Kimber for Mrs. Blacktailer. Settled on the 308 because I'm a 30cal fan simply because of the variety of bullet weights available. But don't listen to me, I don't see any use for any caliber between 22 and 308

Called Kimber today and told them I would wait on the 7mm. Thanks again to everyone for your opinions.

quote:

Originally posted by sdtdfw:
Called Kimber today and told them I would wait on the 7mm. Thanks again to everyone for your opinions.

An excellent decision.

Stick with the 7mm-08.

If you really want a 7mm08 then wait for one. If you just want an excelent rifle for you and your family to enjoy, i would get take the .308.
It is a dandy cartridge.
My personal favorite general purpose rifle cartridge.
I own 18 center fires and 3 are .308s.
...tj3006

quote:

Originally posted by Buliwyf:
Stick with the 7mm-08.

+1 Otherwise, you will always be second guessing yourself.

If you want a 7mm-08, you want a 7mm-08, and leave it at that. Wait out the shop, and keep on bugging them too. Now, if you want a rifle for the kids, ask the shop about a 6.5mm barrel, ie, .260 Remington, for an even better kids rifle.

LLS