7mm-08

[Moonraker68]

Hi, I'm a new member and currently use a Heym SR21 6.5x55. I'm considering buying a second rifle and have found a new Tikka M595 in 7mm-08 which has been sat in a dealer's rack for a couple years. It looks like good value at £495. Any feedback on this model would be welcome. I'm also struggling to find factory ammo in 7mm-08 locally; is this a calibre which is gaining/losing popularity, or is just a bit out of the ordinary? Regards, Moonraker68

 

[bobt]

I have a Tikka M595 in 7mm-08 in plastic stock, best thing I ever did,

I buy ammo from the local shop but then he shoots 7mm08 too, but am also reloading.

 

[Roedinator]

i have a sako 75 in 7mm 08
early days at the moment but i really like it
havent heard a bad word said about the caliber to date
i think its getting more popular with what ive seen on this site alone
quite a few buying them or thinking along those lines
i see from your intro your north wiltshire im only in somerset
your more than welcome to come down and have a few shots
if you wish regards pete .

 

[Roedinator]

PS forgot to mention about ammo i also homeload
but when i bought it i had some sent up from beretta gmk
you cant be that far from wilts rod and gun tony manvell
will probably be able to help you on that score
all the best pete .

 

[Moonraker68]

Thanks, that's appreciated. I've taken the plunge and just picked up the M595 with a S&B 8X56....no ammo yet, but apparently GMK are sending some 140gn soft points to my local dealer. Hope to be in action by the weekend! Wilts Police processed a 1 for 1 variation whilst I waited, which seemed pretty impressive.
Roedinator, I don't know too many stalkers in this area, so will be in touch. I've just picked up another 120 acres of stalking today, so I'll let you know if it lives up to expectations and we'll arrange a trip out.

 

[Roedinator]

moonraker68 glad to hear youve picked up the new toy
im sure you wont be dissapointed
i picked up some 140 grain heads at the westcountry game fair
just got to load them up and give them a whirl
would like to arrange a trip out one day also thanks for the offer
hope all goes well regards pete .

 

[Moonraker68]

I picked up 60 rounds of Federal Fusion 140grn soft point on Friday, and had a zeroing session that evening. I took it out on Saturday morning, but didn't see any bucks, although there is now one less fox on my ground. Very impressed with the calibre. It seems quieter than my 6.5mm, with only a bit more recoil.
One minor problem is that although the first round feeds into the chamber very smoothly, the second and third rounds tend to jam. I had a similar problem with a Sako .270 which didn't like Federal 150grn soft points. Has anyone else encountered this? Any recommendations of 140 grn (or similar) that cycle smoothly in a M595 7mm-08 would be appreciated.

 

[bobt]

I have used federal in the past with no problems,

I have a box of sierra pro, they seem ok too.

also a 595 tikka in 7mm08.

 

[sako85]

Theres a bloody cheap 7mm-08 on guntrader at the moment for £230!

 

[Moonraker68]

Rifle now cycling perfectly; must have been a bit of plastic swarf or something, as stripping the magazine sorted the problem. Feeling like a bit of twit for not doing so in the first place, but when I'd previously encountered this problem it was definitely the rifle's fault.

Not had much of an opportunity to use it yet, but it seems a lot quieter than my 6.5x55. This calibre seems to generating a lot of interest on the forum, so I'm looking forward to seeing if it's as good as people say!

 

[Sauer_202_6.5x55]

Moonraker68 - I'm in also in Wiltshire and have found the Firearms dept very efficient.

2 of my stalking friends shoot with a 7mm-08, both of whom reload for the calibre. One is based in North Wiltshire and I'm sure would be only too pleased to help or advise if you go down the reloading route. They both speak VERY highly of the calibre and I've seen both drop deer from Muntjac to the hard to kill Sika with it.

As for popularity, the 7mm-08 has always been in the background but because of the difficulties of obtaining ammo in the UK I personally doubt it will ever reach the popularity status of some of the more common calibres.

 

[Moonraker68]

Reloading seems like one of the black arts at the moment, and buying factory stuff has always been the eay option. Using both a 6.5x55 & a 7-08 means that it is something I'm starting to consider having a go at.
You're right - the FLD at Wilts Police are bl**dy fantastic - my last 3 variations have all been dealt with whilst I've waited.
Whereabouts are you in Wiltshire? I'm just off J17 of the M4, and most of my stalking ground runs alongside it...which can make getting yourself in the right spot for a safe shop a bit of a challenge!

 

[Karl7mm08]

Ive owned and used a 7mm08 for the past 6years I deffo think 1 of my better moves in life I wouldnt change it,Its a Tikka 595 all weather Ive never fired 1 factory bullet through it my favourite deer round is a 140gr Partition,Also I have 3 more differant weight bullets to same point of aim at 100yrds. Its just spot on.
Karl.

 

[Philwilk]

Its the last rifle I would part with as well Karl. I had a Tikka and now I have a Sako. In 2006 I took the Tikka to South Africa and shot a Gemsbok, a Blesbok and several Springbok out to 200 yards and apart from the Gemsbok running a short distance into thick cover (it had been running and then stopped before I shot it, took an hour to find but the liver and main vessels were completely severed and it was dead) everything else dropped to shot with 139gn Hornady's. I also load 120gn and 140gn Sierra's which shoot very, very well.

I don't like the unbalancing effect of moderators and have muzzle brakes on my rifles. At the rifle club range a couple of weeks ago shooting next to me was a new guy with a newly purchased 7mm08, no moderator. I let him have a shot with mine, he couldn't believe the difference in recoil and muzzle flip.

 

[Hales Smut]

Hi , Philwilk . I have always been intrested in muzzlebrakes . Certainly the " Magnaport " version looks very nice and adds no weight or lenght .
Which one do you use ? What about noise ?

 

[www.yorkshireroestalking.]

HI im a friend of phils after seeing his i got one similar made by steve kershaw firearms in stainless, fitted to a 7mm rem mag, cuts 85% kick off but dose bang alot, but it used to anyway, now always see bullets strike.

also looks really cool

 

[Heym SR20]

Muzzle breaks definately work but are very noisy - not too bad if you are shooting the rifle but horrible if you are next to the rifle.

 

[www.yorkshireroestalking.]

believe me you would,nt want to be near that muzzle with or without one

 

[WAYNE DAVIES]

John Robbo
said

believe me you would,nt want to be near that muzzle with or without one

Ahh now you tell me, could of mentioed it a little earlier like last winter when I was right my the side of it, I've still got a twitch

WD

 

[www.yorkshireroestalking.]

pardon mate i did,nt hear you