Got a SS #4 Krieger, 7mm, 4 groove, 9 twist in the safe.

Open to suggestions on what to build with it. I have a 7mm Rem mag already and have no reservations about building another.

Thanks

What length action are you going to build it on? For a standard length action I've always liked the 280 Ackley, for a magnum length action how 'bout an STW

Doc, I don't know what your main thrust is here, but as to caliber only the .280 AI is a very good consideration. On the other side of the spectrum is the venerable 7 x 57 and really it all depends upon the style of rifle and type of hunt you envision. The action and stock, and sights all make a balanced package. You will figure it out.

PS: You are missed in the chat room!

I used to have a matched pair of English Holland & Holland Mausers in .275 H&H Mag, which I really wish I hadn't sold 30 years ago.

So, even though the cartridge is no super-dooper 7m/m wonder-killer by modern standards, I'd have to bow to nostalgia and build something as close to those rifles as I could.

The old .275 H&H, which pre-dates both the .375 H&H and the .300 H&H according to some sources, is a true classic, and the first belted 7m/m short magnum. And it is a heck of a good deer-stalker for the hills, too.

Barring that, again based on ruing some rifles I sold which I shouldn't have, I'd probably make a .280 Kynoch (.280 Ross) out of it, except obviously with a .284" bore rather than a .288" bore.

Anyway, I suggest not trying to pick the "best" as defined by a poll, but to choose the one chambering you really like the best "just because", and building that.

We suppose a 7mm Waters is out of the question...

Well, how about a retro classic: 7mm Sharpe & Hart on a Springfield - with full bespoke metalwork, of course. Give it a 50's vintage Roy Gradle Mesquite stock, complete with rollover comb, skip-line checkering, decorative carvings and the full white line spacer treatment at butt, grip cap and reverse-angle Rosweood forend tip.

You could probably hold the gold plating, though - your buddies might look around for the Eldorado with a velvet roof and the usual 'appurtenances'.

Of course, toting this masterpiece to the range or (gasp!) hunting camp would assure a certain, uh..., exclusivity. Your hunting buddies might have a dim recollection of the 7mm S&H as representative of the wildcatting excesses of half a century ago. But they'd certainly never have heard of Gradle or the uniquely quirky 'California Special' genre of rifle work of which Gradle was an acknowledged master.

The SS barrel would, of course, assure that your new beauty wouldn't be mistaken for the real thing, else someone would doubtless make an absurd offer to buy it.

Heck, I'd trade a bunch of WaMu stock for something like it right now...

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Returning to reality... A 7mm RMag would justify the relatively heavy #4 contour, and your 9" twist would stabilize all but the longest bullets. The 7mm RMag will fit and feed in standard-length actions, and ammo and reloading components for it are available over the counter. But the very attractive 280AI is either a fireforming & handloading project or a substantial transfer of wealth to Nosler.

(Sadly, the 7mm S&H, which some deranged souls continue to believe is one of the best of the 7s, is strictly a handloading proposition as well. It has the additional handicap of brass availability, which is both limited and expensive.)

quote:

Originally posted by Doc:
Got a SS #4 Krieger, 7mm, 4 groove, 9 twist in the safe.

Open to suggestions on what to build with it. I have a 7mm Rem mag already and have no reservations about building another.

Thanks

Being a short action fan, I would build a 284 Winchester. I did exactly that with a 7mm barrel I had.
I spent countless hours, and days, comparing the 284 with the 280 Rem, and decided on the 284.
I had a 7mm Rem Mag at the time too, plus a few 7x57's.

Don

7mm STW.

quote:

Originally posted by 308Sako:
Doc, I don't know what your main thrust is here, but as to caliber only the .280 AI is a very good consideration. On the other side of the spectrum is the venerable 7 x 57 and really it all depends upon the style of rifle and type of hunt you envision. The action and stock, and sights all make a balanced package. You will figure it out.

PS: You are missed in the chat room!

I failed to mention that this will be primarily a rifle in which I will hunt deer, antelope, and bears, with elk in the future.

It may also be a gift for someone. The rifle will be a work horse, not a nice rifle that I'd rather just hold and not hunt with.

I also didn't mention the action length b/c I haven't ordered it yet as I'm still deciding. Right now, it can be anything.

The #4 contour isn't really a true #4. It is a #3.5 so it will be no different in weight that a factory Remington rifle barrel on a 7mag.

Sako, I have been OOT hunting, and have checked the chat rooms 3x since last Tuesday but no one was home.

I'm going deer hunting here with my bow this evening and tomorrow morning and evening. Got one doe already, need 3 more for the freezer.

Wish me luck!

7x57 will do all those critters nicely.

Tho I've never been a 7mm fan, the 7x61 S&H has always kinda appealed to me. I'm with Meplat on this one. Certainly something different.
Bear in Fairbanks

I would sell it and get a 6mm barrel for a 6BR.

7x64 for a hunting gun or 7mm benchrest for a range gun.

I would build many in my favorite caliber.If the Big 7 is your favorite then go ahead and build another.

STW. That barrel should work nicely for 160gr bullets and the STW can kick 'em out quite a ways.

I appreciate all the feedback. I'm not interested in trading the barrel. I'm not interested in a bench gun. This is for hunting.

quote:

Originally posted by Doc:
I appreciate all the feedback. I'm not interested in trading the barrel. I'm not interested in a bench gun. This is for hunting.

Way to go, Doc! Stick to the mission.

7mm-08 or another 7mm mag

+1 for the 7x64 Brenneke, a cartridge that is still relevant - although barely.

I like the 7x66 Vom Hofe but can understand why most folks would not choose it.

No way I'd go with the 7x57 Mauser when the 275 Rigby is SO much better.

If it may be a gift for someone, another 7mm RM would certainly be flexible, and plenty of factory ammo anywhere you go.

If this is a surprise for MY birthday, ANY LH Stainless action in .280 would be great..........

I love my 7x64 but it is dang hard to beat a 7x57!

Ed

quote:

Originally posted by acsteele:
If this is a surprise for MY birthday, ANY LH Stainless action in .280 would be great..........

Well, that brings up a point. I prefer all of my rifles in LH also. But I'll shoot a backwards one (read right handed). So, when I build something that may eventually wind up in the hands of someone else as a gift, I tend to go right handed.

I have a letter here, an article rather, that another AR member mailed to me on the 280 AI. This one is a consideration.

7mm Remington Mag - a great choice for NA game or African plains game. It's popularity makes it a great caliber to play with.

7x57 or 280ai for more horsepower in a light rifle,each have bonus's

If I go 280AI,

what bbl length?

What about 7mm Rem Mag?

Any body with a lick of since knows your doomed if you don't build yourself a long throated, long magazined 7x57 and get yourself a gallon or two of H414 and surprise even the 7 mag fans.

Another vote for 280AI! You can even get "factory" ammo for it from Nosler, should you give it as a gift. They also sell 280 AI headstamped brass. A 24" barrel and you'll be stepping into 7RM territory, 26" barrel and you're right on top of it. Heck even with a regular 280 Rem you'd be sittin pretty for the hunting you want to do.

quote:

Originally posted by Doc:
If I go 280AI,

what bbl length?...

Doc, it's a compromise of sorts I guess, but I like your favorite 270 Win barrel length--25"

That's what my next one will be, the Cooper is 24"