Hello everyone!

A good friend who buys and sells a lot of guns picked up a Kimber Super America in 7mm-08.

While everything about his acquisition is completely legal and 100% on the up-and-up, he should go to jail for what he paid for it.

The gun is new, unfired, complete box & papers. No bases. The wood is very nice--nicer than most of the Super Americas I've seen photos of.

He'd give it to me for a grand. I should go to jail at that price, too.

What do you think?

I've got some life-transitions coming up, and cash will be tight. The wife might allow it (and she is the honey with the money!), and I will need at least two more centerfires for when the chitlins start hunting (only 10-15 years away!).

I have a .270 featherweight right now that I'll be holding on to.

My main question is this: How do you feel about a 7-08 for elk? The annual quarry would be deer, but I'm planning to take the kids elk hunting at least a couple of time (after which they can pay my way! ).

Thanks so much,

friar

A 7-08 for elk is like a 270 for elk. Use a good bullet, carefully place your shot, and keep the range reasonable. Good advice for any caliber adequate for the game.
If you pass on the 7-08, please let me buy it as I have sold everything but for a few that I actually hunt with!

Jump on it with both feet! IMHO, 7-08 is a little light for elk but others might disagree, to each their own. It is a great whitetail round.

A whole lot of folks sold their .270 for .338mags for elk hunting prior to the advent of the premium bullet.

The .270 was believed to be minimal to marginal for elk..

I truly believe the A-Frames and TBBCs and Northforks have changed a lot of this and wouldn't hesitate to hunt elk with a .270 (and this includes the 7-08!)

Everyone to their own.....I'd say go for it!

Teh 7/08 is plenty fine for Elk... just limit your range, and don't expect it to be a 500 yd elk rifle...300 yds and under it is as good as any other non magnum..

so if you are just looking for excuses to appease your guilt.. I am sure there are tons of here, that will tell you to purchase it, and mail it to us...

Then think of what a good samaritan you'll feel like! you being a friar and all....

Sorry, I'm an enabler, I say yes!

ummm.... BUY IT!
Sorry that took so long.
Bullet placement= dead elk.

Now, to play devil's advocate.

Do your kids need to be started out on a such a premium rifle?

You have 10-15 years yet.

You have a 270 Win already, what about overhead of reloading supplies and/or factory ammunition.

Is it going to put you in a terrible financial crunch or just a little sacrifice. Sacrifice is good, makes one appreciate it more.

Here is another way to look at it...not necessarily a correct way, but a way....

You pay $1,000 for a gun you will adore for 15 years. That's $66.66 per year. One day of minumum wage work each year at Ronnie Mac's will earn you about that much (gross). How would you feel about that?

(I know that considering that view I'd buy it. But then I'd buy it at that price from ANY point of view. I'm an addict.....)

Get real, open your eyes, WAKE UP !! This is a rifle ! Sell the wife, or one of the kids! Quit stalling !

Have you bought it yet?

Thanks everyone--now...how to convice my honey she should give me the money!

Will keep you appraised!

friar

How to explain to wifey:

a) I need it (this actually works sometimes)

b) This is real cheap -in a year I can sell it and double my money (this always works, at least with Mrs. Cewe)

c) Don´t tell her and sneak the gun in the house, borrow the money from you Dad if that´s an option.

Good luck!

Try begging!

TerryR

Well, the 7mm-08 is arguably somewhat less versatile than the 270. It's not going to do anything that the 270 won't and maybe a bit less given the smaller powder capacity.

On the other hand, at that price, BUY IT. That's an amazing deal. The lightweight short action would be a good rifle for a youngster to start on. (Though that would be an awfully nice rifle for a youngster to start on.)

LWD

NO!

If this were AA, everyone besides the good Dr. would be an ENABLER!!

Heavens, God bless you all!

I'll keep you up to date...

friar

Sounds like a nice piece! I've run a SA 223 for years and just love the lil rig.

As for the 7/08 and elk, anyone that isn't too spiffy on it hasn't been around many elk being shot.

I know of quite a few families out here that have feasted on a boat load of elk steaks via the lowly lil 7.

I'd be all over it like a porcupine into a balloon!

Dober

a decent gunsmith could set the bbl back and rechamber it to 7 x 57

then you'd have a real rifle

and be able to buy ammo for it too

quote:

a decent gunsmith could set the bbl back and rechamber it to 7 x 57

then you'd have a real rifle

Yer' preachin to the choir there, brother!

The fellow who does most of my reloading is very much a 7x57 aficionado. In fact, there's something of a mafia bit to it all!

What do you all like for an elk bullet out of the 08? Something up to 160 grains, I imagine?

The x57 would have the advantage of pushing heavier bullets, of course.

Thanks again,

friar

quote:

Originally posted by tomo577:
a decent gunsmith could set the bbl back and rechamber it to 7 x 57

then you'd have a real rifle

and be able to buy ammo for it too

yeah, a "real" rifle, with a stock that doesn't come close to fitting... not even bubba's are this moronic.

quote:

Originally posted by tomo577:
i'm really surprised with all these bolt gun guys you are the only one who answered. makes me think they don't know either !

jeffe

Elk around here is a 45/70 Govt. 350 gr. bullet. Marlin or Ruger No. 1.

Most is under 100 yds. in the woods. You're trying to stop a half-ton animal. Big hole, heavy bullet.

As a matter of fact, Lewis & Clark did spend the winter of '05 - '06 just down the road at Ft. Clatsop.

Lesson you need to learn...

It is better to ask forgiveness then ask permission.

I do not consult the wife on situations as obvious as the need for another rifle.


Btw, while the .270 or 7-08 would be adequate for elk, IMHO they are deer calibers. I don't have much use for the sub-.30 cals.

Friar,
I cannot help you in say "no", it is contrary to my nature and forbit by my Guns religion.

Your asking men from AR if you should buy a Kimber??? That is like me asking my dog if he wants a piece of my steak

Let us know how it shoots.

Well,......... If you truely want help in saying no... Read the Kimber Montana posting by Grayduck

7/08 fan here, 160's will work, but in the short case/limited OAL, I'd opt for a premium 140 or a 150 partition/154 hornady. Vapodog makes great points, and in reality, a 708 loaded up is SO close to a 270 IMHO, that it is UP to doing whatever killing the 270 might, if only 50 yds less distance on the MAX end, but again SHOT placement rules.

Does that 'justify' your purchase?

Me, I choose a 7/08 every time, albeit a 270 is a fine round itself, I just see a more efficient equal package in the short actioned round.

quote:

He'd give it to me for a grand. I should go to jail at that price, too.

What do you think?

By all means, go to jail!