I want to build wife a nice, handy 7/08 bolt rifle. I t will be used from pickup at ranch and on walk abouts in Africa for various plains game.

I could have already bought the Rem M7 or the Win 70 Feahtherwt. had that been what I wanted..it was not.

Now, here is what I already have.

A Win M70 small action, push feed, hooked up to a Douglas hvy. 24" bbl. in caliber 7/08.

A normal contured 7/08 bbl, 20"..pretty sure it is a Shilen as it was a take off from a customers Dakota.
Nothing wrong with bbl.
Customer had everything done with Kreiger match bbls. I got all the take off bbls.

Questions:
Would you keep the hvy. bbl on the action and cut it to 22" then? flute it? (Don't need heavy gun for walking about at ranch or in Africa) Now weighs a tad over 6 lbs without trigger guard and floorplate.

Would you screw on 20" Dakota bbl. instead?
It weighs 2 pounds.

Best guess on weight that can be taken out by cutting 2 " and fluting?

Best guess on velocity lost and velocity using the 20" bbl.?

Changing caliber from 7/08 is not an option so I don't care about what other caliber you would suggest. It is going to be a 7/08 period.

Your thoughts please. Thanks!

[ 07-12-2002, 00:11: Message edited by: Harry ]

Harry,
I would cut it to 22" or even 20" and have the contour reduced by a smith on a lathe. There is Rem 7 in 7/08 in the classifieds on Huntamerica for $350. Might be an even easier solution.

Chic

I have a 788 in 7/08 and it has a 18"bbl. and it is right at 7lbs. and it is a great walker. my girls ages 11 and 10 carry it when we go hunting and we hunt about 1mi. from the house and walk to and from the stand so your wife shouldn't have any problems carrying a 6 to 7 pound gun.
the 788 is a great gun to get if you have a chance get one.

Doc

In cases like this I suggest selling the rifle and getting one the way you want it. Your case is a little different as you can do the work but you can still get more for that heavy bbl 7/08 than what it will be worth afterwards and it will not be light even if it's flutted.

I would show her a Ruger Ultra light. They are really a nice looking rifle with that forend tip.

The rifle seems fairly light now but here's what I would do...(1) have the 'smith you select recut the chamber (most factory chambers are crap), (2) I would have it cut back to 21" (easy in and out of truck), (3) have it fluted rather than recountoured for several reasons...you won't need to rebed the stock and it will make the barrel stiffer than if you had it slimmed, (4) when he recrowns the barrel make sure it is what is known as a "floor-board" crown (very deep to protect it), (5) have it frozen cyrogenically.

I would also have a Pachmayr Decelerator pad installed at the correct length of pull and have the metal work coated by Robar in NP-3....very low maintenance and very, very slick.

Install the 20" bbl. If the gun will not be light enough flute the 20" bbl. You did not say, but if the stock is wood you can lighten it in the butt stock and /or in the fore end to achieve proper weight and balance. Pick light but good scope and mounts. The only downside is if she likes the rifle a lot she will not let you hunt with it.

Harry,
I will play point/counterpoint with DB Bill. 1) if this has a Douglas barrel as you stated it isn't a factory chamber so I would leave it alone. You probably have more experience as to how this chamber is and how it shoots. 2) the 21 or a 22 or even a 20 inch barrel should be very handy. The Rem 7 has a 18 1/2 inch and it does nicely. You likely are looking at closer shots anyway. 3) it will not be as stiff but it doesnt need to be and you wont have to bed the barrel, recontouring it will in effect free float it. It will not be as stiff as he stated, I agree. 4) Good idea, 5) bad idea, waste of money. "It won't hurt anything" is a frequent comment. Waving a dead chicken over it won't hurt anything either, but don't pay anythign for the exercise. I have cryo'd quite a few barrels and have found no benefit in anything. It does line the pockets of the cryo folks. It will relieve stress but there is none induced by the processes involved.

I would defer to Bill's experience with the Robar finish. I do not like the Teflon finishes. They don't adhere to the metal very well and flake off. I have heard of some that work a lot better and I would guess this is one of them.

If you do have the barrel recontoured, the smith has to relieve the pressure on the tail stock several times during the process. This along with fluting will create heat in the barrel and without readjusting the tail stock you can create problems with the lathe work. The same can happen with the fluting if they utilize a dividing head with a tail stock as support. Some metalsmiths will set them up with a backing plate with holding fixtures.

[ 07-12-2002, 03:14: Message edited by: Customstox ]

Harry, I think I would pursue light and handy for her. I would go with your take-off barrel. MAYBE chop it to 18". IF you cut the barrel 2" and fluted the already contoured barrel I doubt if you would lighten the barrel much over 1/4 lb.
Hardly worth it. And a short rifle is easier to support regardless of its weight. Pay attention to other details like scope base, scope, sling and other bolt on goodies that increase weight.

Since this is a carry around rifle and will be shot mostly standing, kneeling or sitting, I don't see recoil as a major factor from this cartridge, especially with the lighter bullets.

I think it will make a fine machine. If I'm wrong and she doesn't like it, just send it to me and I'll keep it out of your stables.

Thanks guys for the good suggestions. All input appreciated.
I don't have a stock at this time. Most likley will be one of two glass stocks so the bbl. channel can be made to fit at the time.
I am leaning towards the 20" take off bbl. that I have and which started all this 'thinking about new toy' process to start with.
Metal will just be blue matte.
Scope will most likely be Leupold 2.5 to 8 with German #4A reticle.
Rifle will be used at the ranch for whitetail and then again for walk abouts and the safari car in Africa.
In '91 I built daughter a 243 from a pre '72 Sako med. action, Douglas air guage, Rimrock stock and fixed 4x Leupold. It is a dandy and she is good with it and that 100 grn. Federal.
Then son has a Stainless Stalker A bolt in 260 Rem. with Leupold 2.5 to 8. Deer don't like it.
I have Browning BLR Mod. 81 in 7/08 with Leupold fixed 6. It works great when I point it in the right direction!
We are not hurting for deer killing,light recoiling play toys but I just want to build my bride a toy of her own. Something she can enjoy, not have to worry about did she bang the stock getting in or out of the truck and something that will do ok on the plains critters she will shoot in Africa. She took her Gemsbok with my 7/08 BLR in Namibia / 2000. She likes that cartridge and so do I. The old Nosler Partition 140 grn.s seems to get the job done and not beat my honey up.
It is time for her to have her own deer rifle. She has a pre '72 223 Mannlicher stocked Sako with 10X Zeiss that she gives P dogs hell with.
I knew I could count on you guys for input. Thanks!