7-08 for lefties

[jpmulk]

Any fellow lefties out there shoot a 7-08?

Im considering moving from my tikka 7mag to a 7-08 for the predominant reasons of less recoil and a lighter rifle. I only shoot out to 400-500 yards max anyway. I feel the 7-08 would meet all of my needs just fine while being able to be more comfortable on the gun. (Im a smaller frame guy and i think the less recoil the better)

Thoughts? What 7-08s have you lefties found that you like? I know we have way less options to pick from.

Thanks.

 

[Vaultman]

Watching... My youngest is a lefty.

 

[LeftyWilbury]

i picked up a left-handed savage axis youth model in 7-08. accuracy was mediocre with the plastic stock and the axis trigger is horrendous. put it into a boyd's stock. did a $10 trigger job on it with new spring and screw but that necessitated doing a little dremel work on the stock. accuracy much improved. have a not-very-expensive leupold 3-9x40 on it. it's fun to shoot. i use it for practice and carry it around hunting season every now and again just for fun. between rifle, stock, and scope/rings, into it about $500

still prefer my 7RM T3 though

 

[rileybassman]

Watching as well... have a couple lefties in my fam and want to get the boys and prolly the wife one as well... prefer a tikka superlite... but those seem unobtanium

 

[Ram94]

Any fellow lefties out there shoot a 7-08?

Im considering moving from my tikka 7mag to a 7-08 for the predominant reasons of less recoil and a lighter rifle. I only shoot out to 400-500 yards max anyway. I feel the 7-08 would meet all of my needs just fine while being able to be more comfortable on the gun. (Im a smaller frame guy and i think the less recoil the better)

Thoughts? What 7-08s have you lefties found that you like? I know we have way less options to pick from.

Thanks.

No opinion on left handed rifles, but I did what you are describing for the same reasons. I am extremely impressed with the 7-08 and wish I had done it sooner. I shoot the same bullet that I was in the 7RM (162 ELD) but it is more in the sweet spot of it's expansion velocity range from 0-600 yards. The 7RM was pushing them at around 2900fps and they would shatter on impact unless the shot was over 300 yards. With the 7-08 they're leaving the barrel at 2700 and have performed much better for me as far as less damage. If you aren't killing animals past 5-600 yards anyways, then It makes a lot of sense to reduce recoil and be able to spot shots easier.

 

[Loper]

I’ve been thinking about a left hand x-bolt micro midas 7mm-08. They have a 20 inch barrel and the stock can be swapped out for a longer LOP if desired.

 

[jpmulk]

No opinion on left handed rifles, but I did what you are describing for the same reasons. I am extremely impressed with the 7-08 and wish I had done it sooner. I shoot the same bullet that I was in the 7RM (162 ELD) but it is more in the sweet spot of it's expansion velocity range from 0-600 yards. The 7RM was pushing them at around 2900fps and they would shatter on impact unless the shot was over 300 yards. With the 7-08 they're leaving the barrel at 2700 and have performed much better for me as far as less damage. If you aren't killing animals past 5-600 yards anyways, then It makes a lot of sense to reduce recoil and be able to spot shots easier.

What brand did you buy? Im pretty interested in the christianson arms options.

 

[Ram94]

What brand did you buy? Im pretty interested in the christianson arms options.

I actually went FROM a Christensen Ridgeline in 7RM to Tikka in 7-08 that I built up. The Christensen was a good shooter but I couldn’t get past how sloppy the action was and it was a fair bit heavier than I wanted.

 

[jpmulk]

I actually went FROM a Christensen Ridgeline in 7RM to Tikka in 7-08 that I built up. The Christensen was a good shooter but I couldn’t get past how sloppy the action was and it was a fair bit heavier than I wanted.

 

[jpmulk]

Tikkas are great. But they dont have much for lefties in 7-08. One option i dont really like.

 

[c3cross]

I went the Tikka Hunter route and swapped the wood stock for a synthetic, works well for me

 

[SouthPaw]

Any fellow lefties out there shoot a 7-08?

Im considering moving from my tikka 7mag to a 7-08 for the predominant reasons of less recoil and a lighter rifle. I only shoot out to 400-500 yards max anyway. I feel the 7-08 would meet all of my needs just fine while being able to be more comfortable on the gun. (Im a smaller frame guy and i think the less recoil the better)

Thoughts? What 7-08s have you lefties found that you like? I know we have way less options to pick from.

Thanks.

Why not just rebarrel the tikka 7mag to a 7-08. Change the bolt stop of you want it in short action.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[gbflyer]

Tikka is a bit silly for not making a shorter overall receiver. I’m sure it’s a production cost issue. But that said, I have one in a short action cartridge and it works great.

You might look down the custom road, Bighorn Origin lefty receiver and a prefit. 7-08 is a great cartridge.

 

[jpmulk]

What are your thoughts on barrel length for 7-08? 20 vs 22 inch? For shots out to 500, do you really lose much?

 

[Ram94]

Tikka is a bit silly for not making a shorter overall receiver. I’m sure it’s a production cost issue. But that said, I have one in a short action cartridge and it works great.

You might look down the custom road, Bighorn Origin lefty receiver and a prefit. 7-08 is a great cartridge.

I respectfully disagree. The Tikka action is perfect for short action cartridges seated out long with heavy for calibre bullets. Modify the bolt stop and you’re in business.

 

[gbflyer]

I respectfully disagree. The Tikka action is perfect for short action cartridges seated out long with heavy for calibre bullets. Modify the bolt stop and you’re in business.

True. However it’s a bit overkill for something based on a .223 case as an example. Of course we’re talking .308 case at present.

 

[Pharmseller]

No opinion on left handed rifles, but I did what you are describing for the same reasons. I am extremely impressed with the 7-08 and wish I had done it sooner. I shoot the same bullet that I was in the 7RM (162 ELD) but it is more in the sweet spot of it's expansion velocity range from 0-600 yards. The 7RM was pushing them at around 2900fps and they would shatter on impact unless the shot was over 300 yards. With the 7-08 they're leaving the barrel at 2700 and have performed much better for me as far as less damage. If you aren't killing animals past 5-600 yards anyways, then It makes a lot of sense to reduce recoil and be able to spot shots easier.

What’s your load that you’re getting 2700 with a 162?

 

[Wyobohunter]

I’m thoroughly annoyed that Tikka makes a 6.5 CM in LH but no 7mm-08 or 6.5 PRC. Or, my biggest wish they would is a LH .280 AI.


7mm Rem Mag ballistics are great but homey don’t play with belted cases

 

[Ram94]

What’s your load that you’re getting 2700 with a 162?

162gr ELD-M
41.6gr Varget (41gr book max)
CCI 200
Lapua Brass
2.126” CBTO

I’m right at 2690 fps with a 20 shot ES 16 SD 4

This is above book max, so start safe and work up.

 

[bonepoint]

My brother was looking for a lefty 7mm-08, and we were able to find a Ruger American stainless a guy was willing to part with. I just put a WTB ad on the 24hourcampfire lefty forum. I didn't realize the limitations when looking for a lefty.