I am tossing around the idea for a new rifle. (My birthday is coming up, if yall need a reason) I know I want a bolt gun. In 7mm-08. Kinda set on the caliber cause I dont have one of those yet. But, the brand is where I am kinda hung up now. Most of the rifles I use most often are Brownings. Doesn't seem like the most popular choice on this forum, but my dad got me hooked on em 30+ years ago and well, thats 30 years worth of never having a problem. So, to my question, I want a small, light, easily carried, bolt gun in 7mm-08 and I don't necessarily want to go purchase a Micro Hunter without at least thinking about other options. Other than alot of time using the Brownings, I like their long guns cause the safety is in the right place. I don't like the bolt only unlocking with the safety off. Another upside is the flat bolt. My boys and hopefully my grandchildren will be carrying rifles with MY name on the bolt. Maybe that is silly, kinda like it though. What are yalls thoughts. I wanna be in the whole thing about a grand. So dont get crazy on me. Or else send me some money and get as crazy as you want.

You might want to look at the Win. M70 Featherweights. This year you can get them in stainless if you like. All my M-70's have shot really well. I love my A-Bolts too. Don't let the Browning bashers get you down. You may just want to stick to you guns...Brownings that is.

d'yall think yall might like the Ruger scout??

another vote for the imfamous M-70

For an over the counter light rifle I use the
.270 winchester in a model 70 classic featherweight. I have a Browning A-bolt in .30-06'.I really like the Winchester action 5 cartridges in the box and 1 up the spout if you like to feed one like that.Hinged floor plate is good and the 3 position safty is good.
Hell the whole rifle is nice. I have a Leupold 3x9 vari xII and it shoots no more than an inch every time I pick it up.
Pick one up and handle one I think you will like it.They make it in the 7mm-08 also

Bullie,

Take a look at the Kimber rifles. I have had good luck with them and also found that the company cares about customers. I have had various sporters and target rifles for quite a while and I like M70's and others as well.

When I was looking for a lighter rifle I found that the Kimbers are made in the USA which is important to me and that they are designed very well.

The 7mm-08 Kimber that I have is a Classic and that means that it has the walnut stock. This rifle shoots groups under one MOA and stays sighted in. It's also very light and looks good as well. The last Kimber of the four that I now have is a 84M Montana 243 with the composite stock. This rifle was perfect out of the box.

I suggest that you get the Montana version. I feel that they are the state of the art in factory production repeating hunting rifles today.

The late Kimbers have a three position safety. Look for that as it's something that you will want.



Kimber dealers

Come on, let's don't be snobs. The Remington M700 and M-7 are both fine rifles in 7mm-08. The price is usually right too. My M700 BDL would give 3/4 inch groups at 100 yards too, and the deer I have killed with an M-7 in 7mm-08 cannot be any deader than dead. Try a Remington.
LLS

Kimber is my vote also.Check them out they are a lot of rifle for the money!Good Luck!

Lots of cash, I would go Kimber. If you want light wt., affordable, go M7. I am partial to the M70 ft.wt. but the M700 mtn. is nice too. I've never cozyed up to Browining, but have fired them, nice rifle as well. I have no use for a rifle w/ a bbl. less than 22". It's hard to go wrong w/ any of the factory rigs, it's always about the money.

quote:

Originally posted by Bullie:
I am tossing around the idea for a new rifle. (My birthday is coming up, if yall need a reason) I know I want a bolt gun. In 7mm-08. Kinda set on the caliber cause I dont have one of those yet. But, the brand is where I am kinda hung up now. Most of the rifles I use most often are Brownings. Doesn't seem like the most popular choice on this forum, but my dad got me hooked on em 30+ years ago and well, thats 30 years worth of never having a problem. So, to my question, I want a small, light, easily carried, bolt gun in 7mm-08 and I don't necessarily want to go purchase a Micro Hunter without at least thinking about other options. Other than alot of time using the Brownings, I like their long guns cause the safety is in the right place. I don't like the bolt only unlocking with the safety off. Another upside is the flat bolt. My boys and hopefully my grandchildren will be carrying rifles with MY name on the bolt. Maybe that is silly, kinda like it though. What are yalls thoughts. I wanna be in the whole thing about a grand. So dont get crazy on me. Or else send me some money and get as crazy as you want.

Judging by your post, I think your mind is made up anyway but you asked so here's my two cents. I have a Savage Sierra in 7mm-08 that is tough, reliable and extremely accurate. Topped with a 2x7 Burris Compact and a 250 yard zero, it does everything I've ever asked and it was not expensive but definitely gets the job done. You don't have to spend a fortune to get good.

Savage,
I have been looking for a Kimber dealer locally. Plenty of the handguns (they are quality) around, but I havent been able to handle one of the rifles yet. I have seen Classics listed at around $800 on Gunbroker. I would probably be more interested in the Montana though. How much would be a reasonable price for one?

My vote is for a Sako Finnlight if you can spare the cash.

I'd have to have the Kimber. In fact I am toying with getting one also.

quote:

Originally posted by Bullie:
Savage,
I have been looking for a Kimber dealer locally. Plenty of the handguns (they are quality) around, but I havent been able to handle one of the rifles yet. I have seen Classics listed at around $800 on Gunbroker. I would probably be more interested in the Montana though. How much would be a reasonable price for one?

I put a link below the picture above for Tupilo area dealers. Go to that link and enter your zip.

You have to look at them if your after wood as each person likes this or that. For the Montana they should be alike except that there are a few around with the two position safety so watch out.

There is a 84M Montana here at a dealer who discounts and it has a $915 price on it and another on Gunbroker is $899. That would be without the Kimber mount bases. I don't like the design of the Kimber bases and I suggest the Talley lightweight one piece until somebody makes Weaver bases for them again.

You should handle the rifle as it must fit you. Now some think that the comb is too high as it's higher than many other rifles but what with the high Talley mounts they fit me very well.

Keep in mind that this advice goes for any rifle. Most of us are familiar with Rems or Wins but the Kimber is new and you should make sure that you like it.

The new safeties are three position and work even better than the Winchester version. You don't want the old two position safety and they are out there. The bolt will not stay closed when the rifle is carried on a sling on your left side. Kimber gets $75 ea. to change them to three position plus freight.

Call the dealers and find out who has one and go to look at it.

If money is'nt a problem, I'd get the Sako Grey Wolf, or S/S in 708. If you don't want to pay 1000Plus, then I'd get a Remington SPS. Since you want to pay 1000 total, SPS with Burris 3-10 Sig. Select it is. Jay

I am a big time Tikka T3 fan, they are affordable, lightweight, accurate and they come in 7/08.

May be something to take a look at.

MD

Everyone has an opinion and this is mine! The new Remington CDL is the best looking rifle out there in it's price range. It also has a 24" barrel which think allows the 7-08 to shine. capt david

Depends on how you plan to use the rifle....if it was me, and I planned only to hunt with it, I'd get a BLR. Nice thing about that is, my great-grandson just might be left-handed, and he could still use it. (If he can still own a gun at all...) Can always have Browning engrave my name on the flat left side of the action instead of the bolt.

Won't be fancy, but will work well in the woods, and the cartridge is still moderately okay for the prairies too.

I've had one or more BLRs for over 30 years now, and my experience has been just like yours with their bolt guns. No functional problems in the game fields.

My son hunts with a Remington Model 700 Mountain Rifle. That is one great light, easily carried and handsome rifle. Pretty accurate, too. Check out the stainless models, with the laminated wood stocks.

The 700 CDL is a sweetie

I think you will be happy with your choice of the Abolt Micro Hunter. I bought one for my father to replace his 30/06 BAR(too heavy). He loves the Micro Hunter. He never hunts with anything else. I traded an Abolt Stainless Stalker in 300 WSM for a Stainless Stalker in 7mm-08.This was the best trade I've ever made. The 7mm-08 SS and my father's Micro will shoot sub-MOA groups consistently. My second choice would be the M70 Featherweight in either blued or stainless. I've got a Featherweight in 300 WSM and I'm going to buy a FWT stainless next. As for Remingtons, I'm going through a bad experience with a M700 Mountain rifle right now. It shoots great shotgun patterns. I know, it's probably a one-off lemon, but I'm just a little biased right now .