Thread: Considering upgrading from 7mm08 to possibly 270 or something else

Originally Posted by 7mm tragic

Went through the same conundrum a couple of months ago.

708 was doing okay but wanted a bit lighter and something that would take the knocks in the bush.

Ended up getting a Kimber in 280AI.

The truth is the extra speed of the 280AI isn't going to make any difference at the distance I shoot.

What I have learnt though is that the feel and fit of the rifle is a game changer.

If you want a new rifle , go and get one. My advice is worry less about the cartridge it comes in and more about how a particular rifle feels in your hands and fits to your shoulder.

@7mm tragic

It took me experience and by that I mean learning over a number of years to finally get it into my stubborn nut.

Fit and feel trumps all for the most part. Within their limitations like bullet design, energy etc etc the deer wont tell you the difference between a insert x,y,z,w calibre if you put it in the right place

You have plenty of great advice here.

1. Fit and feel of the rifle is most important
2. The 7mm08 will do anything the 270 Win will for practical hunting. From 120 gr Branes TTSX to 160 Accubond VLDX etc. you have many great options
3. If you want a new rifle, I would suggest the Kimber Montana M84. Outdoor supplies in Carterton have stock I think. A bit pricy at $2650 but a great rifle. I have one in 7mm08. Here is my story FYI.

I started with a Rem 700 243 in 1993, but it was a bit light in my opinion. After 6 months I got a Sako 6.5X55. This was heavier & I shot deer with it. 125gr Partition bullets rivalled the 270 Win. I played around with a few calibers like a 358 Win with 20 inch barrel for bush hunting, Sako 308 etc. Finally I built a 280 AI on a Sako Finbear action as my dream rifle and put a Swarovski scope on it. It fit me very well and it shot very well. I took animals beyond 300 meters easily. But it was 8 lbs and a 24 inch barrel.

I then saw the Kimber Montana in 7mm08 and just jumped at it. A bargain price from a staff member at Killwell sports - almost brand new. I put a Leupold VX3 2.5-8X Boone and Crocket reticle. It weighs 5 lbs 3 oz bare and 6 lbs scoped. This is 2 lbs lighter than the Sako 280AI. It is a real joy to carry up hills - like a .22 LR! I shoot very well with it. I have taken running shots on game that people will not believe. Deer at 350 meters is not a problem. In the last 18 years that I have had this rifle, I have probably used the 280AI once in the South ismand and a few times on goats. It just sat in the safe until I sold it a couple of weeks ago.

I would not go for the really big scopes like 10X & 12 X as it upsets the balance of the rifle and the ability to carry it etc. The Ballistic reticle in my 2.5-8x is adequate to 400 meters.

Originally Posted by Nakihunter

You have plenty of great advice here.

1. Fit and feel of the rifle is most important
2. The 7mm08 will do anything the 270 Win will for practical hunting. From 120 gr Branes TTSX to 160 Accubond VLDX etc. you have many great options
3. If you want a new rifle, I would suggest the Kimber Montana M84. Outdoor supplies in Carterton have stock I think. A bit pricy at $2650 but a great rifle. I have one in 7mm08. Here is my story FYI.

I started with a Rem 700 243 in 1993, but it was a bit light in my opinion. After 6 months I got a Sako 6.5X55. This was heavier & I shot deer with it. 125gr Partition bullets rivalled the 270 Win. I played around with a few calibers like a 358 Win with 20 inch barrel for bush hunting, Sako 308 etc. Finally I built a 280 AI on a Sako Finbear action as my dream rifle and put a Swarovski scope on it. It fit me very well and it shot very well. I took animals beyond 300 meters easily. But it was 8 lbs and a 24 inch barrel.

I then saw the Kimber Montana in 7mm08 and just jumped at it. A bargain price from a staff member at Killwell sports - almost brand new. I put a Leupold VX3 2.5-8X Boone and Crocket reticle. It weighs 5 lbs 3 oz bare and 6 lbs scoped. This is 2 lbs lighter than the Sako 280AI. It is a real joy to carry up hills - like a .22 LR! I shoot very well with it. I have taken running shots on game that people will not believe. Deer at 350 meters is not a problem. In the last 18 years that I have had this rifle, I have probably used the 280AI once in the South ismand and a few times on goats. It just sat in the safe until I sold it a couple of weeks ago.

I would not go for the really big scopes like 10X & 12 X as it upsets the balance of the rifle and the ability to carry it etc. The Ballistic reticle in my 2.5-8x is adequate to 400 meters.

a vixen three to twelve is only 12 oz, but yes i was using a 2 to 7 out past 300 on wallabies. those kimbers are nice