Thoughts on 7mm-08 with 18” barrel and tikka action

[Tuby27]

Hi all, might be building a brush gun in the future for short range hunting in california zones so avg shots would be within 150yrds but would like to take it out to maybe 500yrds if needed. Will be building off a tikka t3 currently in 270win. Was thinking of 7mm-08 with 18” aftermarket barrel using Barnes 120/139/140/145 gr ttsx/lrx. I reload so I can play with velocities. Hunting deer, bear and hog. Thoughts on this set up? I also have a t3x superlite in 270win.

 

[Forest]

I say go for it! My wife has killed quite a few critters with her 20" 7mm08. Very capable setup, throw a suppressor on it and really have some fun!

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[Rob5589]

Heck yeah. Personally I'd go 20" but have nothing to back up that it's better than 18. Just remember you have to push the mono's to get good expansion, which may limit distance a bit.

@Forest, no suppressors in Commiefornia.

 

[Ondavirg]

My tikka youth/compact 7-08 is my most accurate rifle, completely stock as well. I will put a full size stock on it when the boys are bigger and use it more myself.

 

[justinspicher]

I’m not a bolt gun guy but that sounds like a legit rifle build.

 

[sndmn11]

Hi all, might be building a brush gun in the future for short range hunting in california zones so avg shots would be within 150yrds but would like to take it out to maybe 500yrds if needed. Will be building off a tikka t3 currently in 270win. Was thinking of 7mm-08 with 18” aftermarket barrel using Barnes 120/139/140/145 gr ttsx/lrx. I reload so I can play with velocities. Hunting deer, bear and hog. Thoughts on this set up? I also have a t3x superlite in 270win.

I have a 20" preferred barrel for our Tikka and it is a little faster than my wife's 20" Vanguard. Hers shows over 2900fps average with the last time out a 10 shot 2937avg with 10.3 SD.
Barnes/Rem brass, cci200, 50.3gr Staball, Barnes 145LRX. Pretty good little rifles.

 

[N2TRKYS]

My 7-08 has a 20” barrel and I love that little rifle.

3000fps with 120 grain NBTs
2850fps with 140 grain Partitions/Accubonds

 

[Themic86]

I have an 18” and shoots about 2600 with 139 lrx. Like the shorter barrels especially when adding cans.


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[762 ULTRAMAGA]

Hi all, might be building a brush gun in the future for short range hunting in california zones so avg shots would be within 150yrds but would like to take it out to maybe 500yrds if needed. Will be building off a tikka t3 currently in 270win. Was thinking of 7mm-08 with 18” aftermarket barrel using Barnes 120/139/140/145 gr ttsx/lrx. I reload so I can play with velocities. Hunting deer, bear and hog. Thoughts on this set up? I also have a t3x superlite in 270win.

Definitely do it
Only One suggestion though, look into a 284 win.
Its a better case design and can be throated out for long monos in a tikka action.
also it'll get you 100fps or more over the 7-08 and Lapua brass is readily available

 

[AKPA18]

Bought one for my kid and he’s shot moose bears bou etc. it’s a great round. I had no experience with it prior but it’s heck of a round

 

[hodgeman]

My son had a Ruger American in 7-08 with an 18" barrel. We used it to take a bunch of caribou. 140s at 2600 works like a champ. Our furthest shot was 350 yards...zero issues.

Very handy rifle.

 

[Pabst]

Might as well go with a 280 on a Tikka, no?

 

[AkRyan]

Definitely do it
Only One suggestion though, look into a 284 win.
Its a better case design and can be throated out for long monos in a tikka action.
also it'll get you 100fps or more over the 7-08 and Lapua brass is readily available

And it's in no store or on any shelf......

 

[AkRyan]

My wife and daughter both shoot tikka 7-08s daughters is 18in and the wife's is 20in. Both amazing and they both kill moose.

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

And it's in no store or on any shelf......

Who cares.. lapua 284 brass is available everywhere online, and the OP handloads.
Pretty much nothing usefull is available on any shelves in my area, unless it's going for twice the normal rate

 

[Tuby27]

Change of plans for now. Sportsman has a sale on tikka t3x superlites. The 7-08 is out of stock so I went with 300wsm. Already have it in 270win. Maybe down the road I’ll eventually build a 18” 7-08. Thanks.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Dang you should have bought my 20” barrel T3X I have for sale here

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

Change of plans for now. Sportsman has a sale on tikka t3x superlites. The 7-08 is out of stock so I went with 300wsm. Already have it in 270win. Maybe down the road I’ll eventually build a 18” 7-08. Thanks.

Nice!
I say chop it to 18" and thump some hogs

 

[Tuby27]

Dang you should have bought my 20” barrel T3X I have for sale here

Couldn’t pass up the offer, new for $689 before DROS. I had a 10%off coupon.

 

[AkRyan]

Change of plans for now. Sportsman has a sale on tikka t3x superlites. The 7-08 is out of stock so I went with 300wsm. Already have it in 270win. Maybe down the road I’ll eventually build a 18” 7-08. Thanks.

Chop the wsm down! If you want some pics mine is done. Still shoots 2800fps+ at 19in