Thread: .308 or 7mm08 varmint gun?

a few years back i decided that to improve my alround shooting skills with my .308 i should use it on Hares at longer ranges instead of my usual .222

long story short . . .. while its a good idea and good for building confidence a true varminting cartridge does a better job . . . to me

but if thats what ya want to do go for it . .. any reason that gets you out there doing it is a good reason

Rebarrelling a perfectly good rifle to change calibres is not what I would suggest unless you were rebarrelling anyway. For a similar value you could buy a pretty decent varmint rifle brand new, and if you were happy to set up a second hand one that is cheaper still. It will leave you more change for optics and with Varminting you will need decent optics.

If you will be using factory ammo then go for 223 (slow twist like 1:12 will let you use smaller projectiles well) but if you like to handload there are a myriad of options. 204 ruger, 223, 22/250, 243 to name a few. Not that these are not availible in factory loads, but the can get dear quick using larger volumes of ammo. (in fact all of them can)Howa make a heavy barrel varmint action in 204, 223 and 308. I know someone who was toying with selling their 223 heavy barrel but not sure if he has decided to keep it. There are others out there worth looking at too.

The reason a lot of people use the smaller calibres for Varminting is there tends to be many varmint game animals like rabbits nd once you start you can shoot (at) a lot of animals in a session. This gets expensive if using large ammo that is $2 a poke making stains on the landscape. Also accumulated recoil from 30 or 40 rounds in a couple hours can hurt more with the larger calibres.

Originally Posted by timattalon

Rebarrelling a perfectly good rifle to change calibres is not what I would suggest unless you were rebarrelling anyway. For a similar value you could buy a pretty decent varmint rifle brand new, and if you were happy to set up a second hand one that is cheaper still. It will leave you more change for optics and with Varminting you will need decent optics.

If you will be using factory ammo then go for 223 (slow twist like 1:12 will let you use smaller projectiles well) but if you like to handload there are a myriad of options. 204 ruger, 223, 22/250, 243 to name a few. Not that these are not availible in factory loads, but the can get dear quick using larger volumes of ammo. (in fact all of them can)Howa make a heavy barrel varmint action in 204, 223 and 308. I know someone who was toying with selling their 223 heavy barrel but not sure if he has decided to keep it. There are others out there worth looking at too.

The reason a lot of people use the smaller calibres for Varminting is there tends to be many varmint game animals like rabbits nd once you start you can shoot (at) a lot of animals in a session. This gets expensive if using large ammo that is $2 a poke making stains on the landscape. Also accumulated recoil from 30 or 40 rounds in a couple hours can hurt more with the larger calibres.

very true for the cost of he rebarrel he could buy @Dynastar27 223

You get the occasional CZ 223 comes up
I bought a minter for 1k, shoots very well even with factory hornady ammo.

About your suppressor, just get your 7mm threaded the same and use the 30cal one. Cheaper option for the moment with a young family an all.

Originally Posted by jakewire

You get the occasional CZ 223 comes up
I bought a minter for 1k, shoots very well even with factory hornady ammo.

About your suppressor, just get your 7mm threaded the same and use the 30cal one. Cheaper option for the moment with a young family an all.

Cheers jakewire
I did ask hardys about that and they said it wouldn't really work very well. Not sure if they're trying to sell me a new one. But the difference in OD is 4/5ths of FA I didn't think it would matter

Originally Posted by i41do2

Cheers jakewire
I did ask hardys about that and they said it wouldn't really work very well. Not sure if they're trying to sell me a new one. But the difference in OD is 4/5ths of FA I didn't think it would matter

It does not matter.

Originally Posted by Sideshow

What year? I really love the actions! Made the old way. The triggers are pretty impressive for there age too being fully adjustable.
Can't say I like the stocks but especially that roll over check peace can really smack you one if your mount is poor or your in a rush.
With two kids under three you won't really mind lugging that around, it will soon be lighter than them just think of it as training for deer stalking

Not sure on the year I'll have to do more digging. But yep it's certainly a lighter gun now my two yr old is pushing 18kgs

If it's a 308 the your serial number should have a 3R in it made between 73 and 86 I know some where there is more info if I can find it then I'll let you know

Yep it's a 3R
Keen to figure out what age it would be.
With regards to the suppressor would another outfit be able to thread the 7mm08 if Harry's wouldn't do it?

Yip
Anyone else will be able to do it. he could do it as well, but you may prefer some one else.

Does Any one know about Custom Cartridges in Taupo. Custom Cartridges
Mark Bridgeman-McMillan is the gunsmith?
Could be an option to get the 7mm threaded for the suppressor?

Cheers
Dan

Yes I know Mark he does thread barrels for suppressors and will do rebarreling and other gunsmithing jobs, The work I've seen him do is pretty good and won't try and sell you something you don't need