I am currently toying with the idea of building a new rifle in 7mm-08. The actions I have to choose from are a short action Rem 700 or a long action Savage 110. My question is, if I am running an internal magazine in the 700 will I have enough room to seat heavy bullets out longer or would I be better off using the long action instead?
- Thread starter 308garand
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Re: 7mm-08 Short or Long Action build
It's on the edge, but I wouldn't step up to a LA for just a 708..not with 284, 280 and 280ai available.
A SA 708 @ 2.850 will get the 162amax going ~2750-2800 with a 24-26" barrel with ~45.5gr H4350.
The 7mm Creedmoor will fit a SA cleanly, and is perfect for 162s. Something to consider.
It's on the edge, but I wouldn't step up to a LA for just a 708..not with 284, 280 and 280ai available.
A SA 708 @ 2.850 will get the 162amax going ~2750-2800 with a 24-26" barrel with ~45.5gr H4350.
The 7mm Creedmoor will fit a SA cleanly, and is perfect for 162s. Something to consider.
Re: 7mm-08 Short or Long Action build
if you want to seat to the lands in a factory Rem barrel it will not work with a factory internal magazine ( can work from some DBM's )
but it sound like you are only using the action? if this is true the barrel can be chambered so seated to the lands will feed from from any standard short action magazine
if you want to seat to the lands in a factory Rem barrel it will not work with a factory internal magazine ( can work from some DBM's )
but it sound like you are only using the action? if this is true the barrel can be chambered so seated to the lands will feed from from any standard short action magazine
Re: 7mm-08 Short or Long Action build
I agree that if you move to a LA you have much better options than the 7-08.
I agree that if you move to a LA you have much better options than the 7-08.
Re: 7mm-08 Short or Long Action build
If you have a short action laying around, 7-08 is certainly something to to consider it for.
If you have a short action laying around, 7-08 is certainly something to to consider it for.
Re: 7mm-08 Short or Long Action build
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SSC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I agree that if you move to a LA you have much better options than the 7-08. </div></div>
+1 on this advice and the advice of others along those lines. If you are going for a LA build and you want a 7mm cartridge, there are a HOST of vastly better options compared to the 7mm-08.
If you are set on a 7mm-08, then I'd go with the SA and have it setup properly to work with the DBM/load of your choosing. A competent smith can take care of these issues for you. (Which brings up the point that your smith might be the best place to ask this question as he may have some additional insight into the issue).
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SSC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I agree that if you move to a LA you have much better options than the 7-08. </div></div>
+1 on this advice and the advice of others along those lines. If you are going for a LA build and you want a 7mm cartridge, there are a HOST of vastly better options compared to the 7mm-08.
If you are set on a 7mm-08, then I'd go with the SA and have it setup properly to work with the DBM/load of your choosing. A competent smith can take care of these issues for you. (Which brings up the point that your smith might be the best place to ask this question as he may have some additional insight into the issue).
Re: 7mm-08 Short or Long Action build
The Rem SA isn't long enough to take advantage of the heavier bullets in 7mm, unless you plan on single feeding. Moving to the Savage LA also gives you more options as far as cases go, but the 7mm-08 is quite capable out to very extended ranges. Most of the benefit will come from what barrel you choose and how you have your barrel done for you.
FWIW, my 7mm-08 is done on a Savage SA DBM (centerfeed) with a 26" Shilen barrel with a 1-8" twist. After I got dialed in, I was shooting very accurately to one mile using 168 Bergers and JLK's and 180 Bergers. This fall I plan to shoot with those guys again and will be using Sierra 175 and 180 SMK's. With the SMK's I'm running about 29-30 moa to get to 1k. Note: Rem 700 SA will allow a 2.800" cartridge OAL. My Savage allows a 3.2". That .4" is a huge deal with what you can load and how you can load it in the rifle.
As far as more potent rounds go, it's simply a matter of how much recoil you're willing to put up with vs. reduction in elevation/wind drift and reduction in barrel life. Not loading high pressure loads in my 7mm-08 has it looking near new after about 1200 rounds. I've also found it tough to beat a good shooter who has a hot-rod round in the same caliber as you. There are plus's and minus's to both.
The Rem SA isn't long enough to take advantage of the heavier bullets in 7mm, unless you plan on single feeding. Moving to the Savage LA also gives you more options as far as cases go, but the 7mm-08 is quite capable out to very extended ranges. Most of the benefit will come from what barrel you choose and how you have your barrel done for you.
FWIW, my 7mm-08 is done on a Savage SA DBM (centerfeed) with a 26" Shilen barrel with a 1-8" twist. After I got dialed in, I was shooting very accurately to one mile using 168 Bergers and JLK's and 180 Bergers. This fall I plan to shoot with those guys again and will be using Sierra 175 and 180 SMK's. With the SMK's I'm running about 29-30 moa to get to 1k. Note: Rem 700 SA will allow a 2.800" cartridge OAL. My Savage allows a 3.2". That .4" is a huge deal with what you can load and how you can load it in the rifle.
As far as more potent rounds go, it's simply a matter of how much recoil you're willing to put up with vs. reduction in elevation/wind drift and reduction in barrel life. Not loading high pressure loads in my 7mm-08 has it looking near new after about 1200 rounds. I've also found it tough to beat a good shooter who has a hot-rod round in the same caliber as you. There are plus's and minus's to both.
Re: 7mm-08 Short or Long Action build
If you go with a Rem SA and want a little extra room, the feed ramp can be notched. This is a very easy task and using alpha type 2 mags to feed the extra length. I am currently running this setup on a .243.
If I had the Rem SA laying around then that would be my choice but if you don't I'd think the better option would be to go with the LA. Just my opinion, though.
If you go with a Rem SA and want a little extra room, the feed ramp can be notched. This is a very easy task and using alpha type 2 mags to feed the extra length. I am currently running this setup on a .243.
If I had the Rem SA laying around then that would be my choice but if you don't I'd think the better option would be to go with the LA. Just my opinion, though.
Re: 7mm-08 Short or Long Action build
If I step up to the long action how do the .280 and .284 compare to the 7mm-08? I have pretty much always shot .308 so the 7mm cartridges are new to me.
*brass availability (easy to find or form)
*barrel life
*velocity
*recoil
I reload so ammo is not an issue. This rifle would mainly be used for shooting steel and the occasional hog or deer hunt.
If I step up to the long action how do the .280 and .284 compare to the 7mm-08? I have pretty much always shot .308 so the 7mm cartridges are new to me.
*brass availability (easy to find or form)
*barrel life
*velocity
*recoil
I reload so ammo is not an issue. This rifle would mainly be used for shooting steel and the occasional hog or deer hunt.
Re: 7mm-08 Short or Long Action build
The 280 and 284 are good for an extra 150-200fps over the 7-08 with any given bullet.
http://www.6mmbr.com/7mm284.html
The 280 and 284 are good for an extra 150-200fps over the 7-08 with any given bullet.
http://www.6mmbr.com/7mm284.html
Re: 7mm-08 Short or Long Action build
Would there be an advantage in using a long action for the .284 if I was only planning on running 160-175gr bullets?
Would there be an advantage in using a long action for the .284 if I was only planning on running 160-175gr bullets?
Re: 7mm-08 Short or Long Action build
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 308garand</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Would there be an advantage in using a long action for the .284 if I was only planning on running 160-175gr bullets? </div></div>
Debatable.
Most everyone would say 284 requires a LA, or performance will be neutered.
I have a SA FN SPR in 284. I use Alpha type 3 and 4 mags, and load to 2.95". The 175smk is going 2800fps with a moderate charge of 54gr H4831sc. From everything I've seen with the LA 284s, my velocity is right in line.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 308garand</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Would there be an advantage in using a long action for the .284 if I was only planning on running 160-175gr bullets? </div></div>
Debatable.
Most everyone would say 284 requires a LA, or performance will be neutered.
I have a SA FN SPR in 284. I use Alpha type 3 and 4 mags, and load to 2.95". The 175smk is going 2800fps with a moderate charge of 54gr H4831sc. From everything I've seen with the LA 284s, my velocity is right in line.
Re: 7mm-08 Short or Long Action build
If your not opposed to using BDL bottom metal you can have a Wyatt's extended mag box installed and you will be able to load up to 2.95" OAL
If your not opposed to using BDL bottom metal you can have a Wyatt's extended mag box installed and you will be able to load up to 2.95" OAL
Re: 7mm-08 Short or Long Action build
Nothing wrong with the 7mm-08. Sure there are always chamberings that push bullets farther and faster, but the 7mm-08 is very efficient and hard to beat.
The 7mm-08 is a honey of a hunting round,has great accuracy, easy to load for, low recoil, long barrel life.
Seating bullets out long never really works best with a DBM. But it would not bother me enough to get a long action. Part of the appeal to the 7mm-08 is the compact package that they make.
Nothing wrong with the 7mm-08. Sure there are always chamberings that push bullets farther and faster, but the 7mm-08 is very efficient and hard to beat.
The 7mm-08 is a honey of a hunting round,has great accuracy, easy to load for, low recoil, long barrel life.
Seating bullets out long never really works best with a DBM. But it would not bother me enough to get a long action. Part of the appeal to the 7mm-08 is the compact package that they make.
Re: 7mm-08 Short or Long Action build
Acklify the 7mm-08 and rename it the 7mm creedmoor magnum and run it as a top feeder. my .02
Acklify the 7mm-08 and rename it the 7mm creedmoor magnum and run it as a top feeder. my .02
