I am looking to to buy a 7mm-08 Savage as a truck, all around beat on it gun. Is the 20"barrel a detriment to this round, I will be shooting 140's? Should I go 22"?

thanks

Where do you live and what's this rifle's purpose?

20" will give up very little in this round. I built one five years ago and had a 22" tube installed... that's my preference but the way a rifle carries and handles is very individual. The rifles handling and balance (to you personally) is more important than someone's opinion on the internet who'll never hunt with your rifle.

The 7-08 uses faster powders than the big cases. Loadtech says you would loose about 20-25fps per inch so 40-50FPS using a 20 vs 22. What ever you are shooting will never know the difference.

quote:

Originally posted by Maxx:
I am looking to to buy a 7mm-08 . Is the 20"barrel a detriment to this round, thanks

Absolutely not...as a matter of fact it'd be my preference as a gun you described.

One of the very finest Rem 700 I've ever used was a 20" barreled .270....great gun and the 7-08 is a twin sister to that thing.

quote:

Originally posted by Maxx:
I am looking to to buy a 7mm-08 Savage as a truck, all around beat on it gun. Is the 20"barrel a detriment to this round, I will be shooting 140's? Should I go 22"?

thanks

I've had the Savage Sierra since it came out and as far as I'm concerned the 20" barrel is a perfect match for that cartridge. I use 140 gr FailSafes and RL19 for about 2850 fps. The Savage is perfect for your intended uses.

Thanks Guys,

The Savage Sierra is what I am looking at. Cobra, do you regret not getting a stainless ,like the weather warrior series?

I live in BC, Canada.


thanks

quote:

Originally posted by Maxx:
Thanks Guys,

The Savage Sierra is what I am looking at. Cobra, do you regret not getting a stainless ,like the weather warrior series?

I live in BC, Canada.


thanks

Maxx, no it's been a pretty good rifle as is. I do have one of the first Savages to come out in stainless in 338 WM, and it's not for sale. Mind you, if Savage decides to come out with a Sierra in stainless, I will trade the current one for it.

you'll be fine, should be able to shoot 140's @ 2750-2800 fps in a 20" tube with the right loads

You are barking up my tree now. There are a lot of great calibers out there but I shoot a 7mm08 which originally had a 24 inch varmint barrel and is now a 20 inch tube. Loading Barnes 140TSXs with Varget to 44.5 gr and CCI BR2 primers I get an average of 2830 fps. My longest deer kill was 350 and I have never shot one more than once with this rifle and havn't lost one either.
Try a grain or so less than mine and ease up on it check the pressure. I can go 2 more grains before showing any signs but that is my rifle and none of my others will do that.
Have fun with your new toy.

thanks again guys,

Todd, are you on every forum man!!

In my opinion the 70-8 really shines with the longer barrel. I don't know if the game will realy notice, but that's my two cents. Of course, I prefer longer barrels anyway. capt david

The reason I shoot a 7mm-08 for all of my big game hunting here is Texas is because I want a light carry rifle that is easy to swing. The 20" tube will serve you very well.

Good Hunting,

Bob

I view the 7x57 and the 7mm-08 as very similar beasts. Much can and has been said about the differences, but in my mind the similarities are real close. I have a couple of short barreled 7x57's and a 20 and 21 inch tube is a ideal setup for a deer rifle. I prefer a slightly heavy contour, #2 is min and a #3 on a 20" tube wouldn't both me a bit.

Very slick setup for a deer class rifle, all pluses, the minor loss of velocity is a non factor in my book, I would much prefer the handling of the shorter rifle, if its proportioned correctly, ideal for me is a tad thick in the forestock and a slightly heavy contour, nothing extreme, just tweaked so the rifle handles well.

Go with the 20" barrel.