7mm-08 Rem barrel length

[charlieboy-shooter]

Hi,

As it would appear, if I want a 22" plus barrel its a 9 -12 month wait. So I'll lose a bit of FPs with a 20" barrel. Any other real negatives I should consider ?

1) Would I be losing much with a 20" barrel ? over a longer barrel in 7mm-08 or is it one of those calibres which isn't as critical ?

2) Is the Is a shorter barrel likely to make it a bit snappier ( for want of a better term) than a longer barrel ? or again is it not so critical with this calibre ?

Edit. Any particular recommendations on Manufacture ? Initially thinking of a Tikka, hence 9 -12 months ( I know boring to some) but I like them. Haven't costed or looked at availability but a Steyr SM perhaps ??

Thanks

 

[Pine Marten]

I have a 7mm-08 stutzen with a 20" as my main rifle and have done for a decade. It's absolutely fine and I don't notice the recoil, although the stock does fit me well. It's as accurate as you like. So I wouldn't worry...

 

[Bowland blades]

Petty sure my 7-08 was a shorter barrel. Just use a faster powder if you struggle to satisfy your brain with the numbers as i reality it makes no real practical difference in deer work . If it did it would be a better balanced rifle with a moderator on it!
My 260 is 22" ( same case and similar weights to what you will likely be using ) I do 100 ttsx at 3300 with n150 and the heavy stuff 140 range at 2800 plus . Would be tempted to go 20" next time

 

[Drum123]

Had 7mm08 in 25" , 20" and 22" barrels.Its a very efficient case so you lose very little between 18" and 22".
If you really have your mind set on a longer barrel, for what ever reason, wait until one is available as that's what you really want, but you won't be left disappointed with the performance from 20"

 

[User00040]

16" no bother

 

[charlieboy-shooter]

Sold. Great everyone is in agreement.

Thank you @Pine Marten @Bowland blades @Drum123 and @caberslash for you're replies.

 

[scotch_egg]

Average is 25fps per inch.

You won’t notice the difference between 20” and 22” barrels.

I’ve had a 19.5” 7-08 for over a decade and love it. Hence it’s still in my cabinet. Get one and enjoy it.

 

[cooper89]

As said above the 7-08 is pretty efficient and happily runs well at shorter barrel lengths, mines 20” (also for sale ) and i normally run 150 eldx and they work very well

 

[norcan]

Agreed with the rest here; 7mm-08 is a perfect candidate for a 20"-ish barrel.

You won't go wrong in any way with Tikka. Personally, I love a proper short action such as a Sako 75 or a Remington Seven for a .308-based cartridge, too.

One thing: will you be fitting a moderator?

 

[Greener Jim]

Agree with above, won't make any odds.
I had a 19" 7x57 stutzen and it was of course a little slower than book figures but not enough to be bothered about and recoil was still practically non-existent, which is actually why I sold it.

 

[charlieboy-shooter]

One thing: will you be fitting a moderator?

Can I ask why ?

However, Not initially. Partly as I never put a variation in for one. Has a Muzzle break so I will see how it is without ? Loud would be a good bet.

 

[Greener Jim]

Can I ask why ?

However, Not initially. Partly as I never put a variation in for one. Has a Muzzle break so I will see how it is without ? Loud would be a good bet.

Won't be mega loud, however wear hearing protection regardless.
Muzzle brake will make it more shouty and reduce recoil of course, but not like recoil is going to be bad anyway.

 

[charlieboy-shooter]

Muzzle brake will make it more shouty and reduce recoil of course, but not like recoil is going to be bad anyway.

and recoil was still practically non-existent, which is actually why I sold it.

Like it. looking at your Avatar, I guess, you would say that. Wow, that is some serious bullet.

Just googled 45- 120 Sharps - rate of fire 8 - 10 / minute. No Thank you. Ill be wearing ear protection but surely that must shake you to the core.

 

[Greener Jim]

Like it. looking at your Avatar, I guess, you would say that. Wow, that is some serious bullet.

Just googled 45- 120 Sharps - rate of fire 8 - 10 / minute. No Thank you. Ill be wearing ear protection but surely that must shake you to the core.

I mean that is fair. I do, for no practical reason, like a sense of occasion in rifles. However, honestly it is a pussy cat and that lower recoil will make shooting it accurately a dream.

 

[rem708cdl]

You can work with faster powder but heavier bullets will not perform as well I had a shorter barrel moved back till a 24 for this reason but everyone has different ideas
Colin

 

[NullMac]

You need to work backwards. The issue with short barrels is the impact velocity if you are shooting copper. So how short you can go depends on what ranges you are shooting at.

Pretty sure @caberslash is not shooting his 16" at red stags 350 yards away with a rock hard copper bullets, but you never know? There is a 7RM in a cupboard somewhere?

 

[hw101]

The 7mm08 is an efficient cartridge and handles a shorter barrel without much velocity loss. My 7mm08, which was made by Dolphin, has a 20 inch Bartlein barrel. I get 2800 fps with a 150 grain ELDX and N550. It shoots 0.5 MOA if I do my bit.

 

[scotch_egg]

My 19.5” 7-08 loathes walther is getting 2720fps with 43.5gr varget and a 140gr Nosler ballistic tip. I realise that I’m going to have to change my powder

 

[User00040]

Pretty sure @caberslash is not shooting his 16" at red stags 350 yards away with a rock hard copper bullets, but you never know?

Nosler 120 BT is bullet of choice out to 300m, although the Hornady 139CX has been OK at 200m and in.

There is a 7RM in a cupboard somewhere?

 

[The Ghillie]

Hi,

As it would appear, if I want a 22" plus barrel its a 9 -12 month wait. So I'll lose a bit of FPs with a 20" barrel. Any other real negatives I should consider ?

1) Would I be losing much with a 20" barrel ? over a longer barrel in 7mm-08 or is it one of those calibres which isn't as critical ?

2) Is the Is a shorter barrel likely to make it a bit snappier ( for want of a better term) than a longer barrel ? or again is it not so critical with this calibre ?

Edit. Any particular recommendations on Manufacture ? Initially thinking of a Tikka, hence 9 -12 months ( I know boring to some) but I like them. Haven't costed or looked at availability but a Steyr SM perhaps ??

Thanks

My sons Tikka CTR which has a 20” barrel, using barnes 120gr ttsx !
I absolutely love using this and fancy one myself but as you say a 9 month turnaround from order , so I may wait and see what the new Sako looks like