I had a 20” 7-08 in a factory Model 7 LSS. That rifle became my beloved .358.... my 22” 7-08 is a M700 mountain rifle which I have lightened about as much as one can. The whupass/weight/recoil ratio is pretty amazing. 7-08 is a great cartridge, and I gotta think it would be a hoot in a medium-weight 24” or even 26” target type rig. But for hunting I just cannot abide anything over 24”.... and there needs to be a good reason even to go 24”. Like being a 7 WSM for example.
Cut a 700V and a 700 BDL SS to 21" - both had OEM 24" IIRC.
Chrony showed 2960 with 139/140s with Varget and 4064. Partial sized brass. Safe in MY guns.
HOW I hunted and rifle BALANCE would dictate choice. A longer sporter will yield more speed and less blast.
FWIW, same loads produced 2850 in a 20" M70 Carbine ...........I never felt handicapped. When you get to a longer distance, Shooting skill will change the outcome more than 100-200 fps.........IMHO.
Lastly, heavier bullets LOSE LESS MV than lighter bullets, as you go shorter on barrel length. To me the round melds well with the 140 AB and 150 BT. Others do fine also. The 21" above........gave 3050 with 120s if one is interested. Varget.
7-08 isa fine round but will never be a speed demon, If I am in open country, I would most likely go 24" if I am hunting thick cover, most likely go shorter.
I may not be smart but I can lift heavy objects
I have a shotgun so I have no need for a 30-06.....
I have carried long and short barrels. I have never felt like long barrels in close cover was a hindrance. I would always go with a 24. I don't hunt from a ground blind, which would be one argument for the shorty. Velocity losses are irrelevant, unless you are talking extreme ranges.
You did not "seen" anything, you "saw" it. A "creek" has water in it, a "crick" is what you get in your neck. Liberals with guns are nothing but hypocrites.
Would rather have a lighter, shorter, handier rifle especially for alpine hunting. In real world hunting terms at 400 yards it is miniscule. With 20" @ 400 yards you’re 23" down, 7.7" WD and 1,700 ft-lbs of energy. With 22" @ 400 yards you’re 21.5" down, 7.4" WD and 1,800 ft-lbs of energy. With 24" @ 400 yards you’re 20.8" down, 7.2" WD and 1,875 ft-lbs of energy. No one should lose any sleep over such a non issue, especially for a hunting rig
Personally I prefer 22” bbls because seems to me to be the sweet spot for less perceived muzzle blast vs lighter weight and portability.
Yes, me too.
When a country is well governed, poverty and a mean condition are something to be ashamed of. When a country is ill governed, riches and honors are something to be ashamed of . Confucius
I have carried long and short barrels. I have never felt like long barrels in close cover was a hindrance. I would always go with a 24. I don't hunt from a ground blind, which would be one argument for the shorty. Velocity losses are irrelevant, unless you are talking extreme ranges.
Ack- yes, I have bumped my head too many times and yes, I’d slum 22.5” but only if’n I was forced to.
SB, man, couldn’t agree less. I’ve hunted in thick stuff a lot and barrel length is a big deal, for me. My 20” .358 is a joy. 22” works. 24” in a short action is doable. 26” in a long action SUCKS.
I’ve put my money where my mouth is... I have a really good-shooting M700 XCR in .338.... those were 26” barrels. I hunted it that way (elk) a few years but it’s just never felt right. But the damn thing was so flippin’ accurate I was afraid to mess with it. Finally paid a smith to shorten it to 23” (this was before I was doing my own work).... Somewhere there’s a thread about this. Long time ago. It still shoots great.
My belief the 7mm08 is a great round and better stand in for the 308 for most general applications! The 22" really is a good compromise with the 20" perhaps a close second. For a lot of carrying in relation to shooting & not really reaching out, a 20" would seem fine. Also, almost a dying subject but if anyone besides me yet uses open sights, sight radius could dictate toward 24".
My only 7mm08 is a Win 70 med length action c.2000 and a really nice rifle in "Custom Compact" Model w/20" bbl. In terms of length, for me, the most important factor isn't barrel length, but of stock length. 14"+ is good for me. Such with 24" barrel, great canoe paddle too! Best! John
My belief the 7mm08 is a great round and better stand in for the 308 for most general applications! The 22" really is a good compromise with the 20" perhaps a close second. For a lot of carrying in relation to shooting & not really reaching out, a 20" would seem fine. Also, almost a dying subject but if anyone besides me yet uses open sights, sight radius could dictate toward 24".
My only 7mm08 is a Win 70 med length action c.2000 and a really nice rifle in "Custom Compact" Model w/20" bbl. In terms of length, for me, the most important factor isn't barrel length, but of stock length. 14"+ is good for me. Such with 24" barrel, great canoe paddle too! Best! John
John, you got a good one. Thanks for sharing buddy.
Originally Posted by raybass
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style.
Originally Posted by Pharmseller
You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole.
I prefer the long barrel... if I can't hump it out in the wilds, then its time for me to just quit hunting...
Although If I didn't have a couple of 260 Remingtons, I could see a Winchester Featherweight in 7/08....
but then my Featherweight in 7 mm Mauser would get jealous I bet...
When Winchester came out with the featherweight in 1952, the barrel length they chose was spot on. Been great ever since too. Even works on the 7mm08. Mausers can get jealous all they want..
Originally Posted by raybass
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style.
Originally Posted by Pharmseller
You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole.
You are not differentiating a 1/2” without a tape measure in your hand……….
He was referring to the real nice gun with a 22.5” inch barrel. If you read the post right above his I think it will clear up all the 1/2” confusion for you.
It’s true, I probably couldn’t differentiate between 22 and 22.5” without a tape. But here’s the thing. 22” is “perfect”, and so any deviation from perfect, isn’t perfect.
Pretty much just kidding around... my .223AI is some wacky random length. I think I started it at 22”. I liked it that way, but when I made a brake for it, I didn’t want it to be longer, so before I threaded the barrel I shortened it. I think it’s something silly like 20.5” plus the wee little brake, so like 21-1/4”. I LOVE the brake BTW. From prone, the rifle barely even moves. Super easy to see my shots at longer ranges, which was the notion.
When I had my .338 shortened I agonized (this is me we are talking about here after all) and ended up compromising at 23”. 🤷♂️
why does an anti gun idiot like you, who doesn't even hunt, post on here ?
Originally Posted by Jeff_O
Haha... yeah.
It’s true, I probably couldn’t differentiate between 22 and 22.5” without a tape. But here’s the thing. 22” is “perfect”, and so any deviation from perfect, isn’t perfect.
Pretty much just kidding around... my .223AI is some wacky random length. I think I started it at 22”. I liked it that way, but when I made a brake for it, I didn’t want it to be longer, so before I threaded the barrel I shortened it. I think it’s something silly like 20.5” plus the wee little brake, so like 21-1/4”. I LOVE the brake BTW. From prone, the rifle barely even moves. Super easy to see my shots at longer ranges, which was the notion.
When I had my .338 shortened I agonized (this is me we are talking about here after all) and ended up compromising at 23”. 🤷♂️
