Got the itch to build again.

[Buzzsaw]

First question, if I missed it. Whats your budget for rifle and the scope?
as mentioned above, do you reload?
Make sure you get a barrel with optimum twist rate your gunsmith suggests for your final choice.

The 7mm-08 and 6.5 creed are GREAT !!!
But considering your "condition" maybe one of the new, hot 6mm. 6mm Creedmoor would be a great one. 100 gr bullet will kill any whitetail dead.

 

[wonderman4]

Hi, Will. I hope your recovery is complete when you get there.

Just my thoughts: I considered a 7-08 some years ago, but I went with the 7x57 instead. In a modern strong action, it can be loaded quite strong. Of course, the standard loading ain't anything to take lightly with the right bullets. They are just loaded to SAAMI standards, which I think are 51,000 psi loads. Once again, in a good modern action, the 7x57 can greatly exceed those loads.

 

[nksmfamjp]

Have you considered 6.5x55, 6.5-06 or 6.5 Creedmor? They all offer a bit less recoil and better ballistics, IMO.

Actually, I looked not this some and they are pretty similar. Maybe a slight edge to 7-08!

 

[Don Garlow]

Hell everyone my name is Cliff and as the title says I got the itch to build another gun, the challenge on this one is I'm coming off some strokes so this will be like occupational therapy. I'm going to build on a true remington 700 action which will be a first for me and I'm thinking 7mm08 for the caliber. Open to any advice.

Thank you.

I've built a few of these for ladies and younger shooters and most say that they find the recoil "snappier" or "sharper" than they like. Just be aware and prepare to 'brake' it during your build. While it is not in the magnum class where recoil is concerned, if you build a light rifle, it may suprise you considering you are trying to avoid recoil. Good Luck with the rifle and the condition that necessitates the blood thinners.

 

[crystalgayleguy]

284 Winchester

 

[Rflshootr]

trophyhunter, the 7-08 is a fine cartridge, but so is the 308 and the 260. I have multiple rifles in these calibers.
If I were going to make just one suggestion, It would be to put as heavy of a barrel as you can carry on whichever your choice of caliber ends up being. Also a wide forend laminated stock will also add weight. I see you're in Texas, so I'll assume your hunting will primarily be in that state, which lacks any steep terrain to climb for the most part. Heavy rifles soak up recoil, especially with a good recoil pad. For some reason the 7-08 seems to be louder to me then other calibers of the same class. Maybe it's my imagination. But with that said, I would go to heavy instead of having a loud muzzle break to soak up recoil. Here are a few pics of the last 7-08 I built.

 

[DJ Fergus]

trophyhunter, the 7-08 is a fine cartridge, but so is the 308 and the 260. I have multiple rifles in these calibers.
If I were going to make just one suggestion, It would be to put as heavy of a barrel as you can carry on whichever your choice of caliber ends up being. Also a wide forend laminated stock will also add weight. I see you're in Texas, so I'll assume your hunting will primarily be in that state, which lacks any steep terrain to climb for the most part. Heavy rifles soak up recoil, especially with a good recoil pad. For some reason the 7-08 seems to be louder to me then other calibers of the same class. Maybe it's my imagination. But with that said, I would go to heavy instead of having a loud muzzle break to soak up recoil. Here are a few pics of the last 7-08 I built.

That's a beautiful rifle. The third picture has a picture of an upside down cake that looks delicious as well. Now I want to build a new rifle and bake a cake.

 

[Uncle yib]

Hell everyone my name is Cliff and as the title says I got the itch to build another gun, the challenge on this one is I'm coming off some strokes so this will be like occupational therapy. I'm going to build on a true remington 700 action which will be a first for me and I'm thinking 7mm08 for the caliber. Open to any advice.

Thank you.

Check out 7 mm STW the recoil may be a little much for you though if you've had a stroke A friend of mine had a stroke and paralyzed right side of his body I had to readjust his guns so he can shoot left-handed I have a 7 mm STW build getting finished in the next couple weeks

 

[kiwi49]

Hi Cliff from New Zealand.
We lost our mother to two massive strokes, some years ago.
Your post was well constructed and easy to read IMHO.
What you're using as therapy sounds fantastic.
Whatever you choose, there's been a heap of extremely useful information given, in many post's, prior to mine.
So I'll suggest that reloading for your chosen calibre would also help with your rehab.
Like building a rifle from scratch, I find reloading for my 308's very stress relieving and relaxing.
I'm no professional, just talking about my experiences.
Hope you thoroughly enjoy building your new rig.

 

[Rooks]

I had a rifle chambered in 7mm-08 built on a Mauser M98 action, Shilen barrel, timney trigger and a stock from Richards microfit that I inletted and finished my self. I use it for exactly your application and it sees some time on the range up to 600 yds. The rifle really loves the Nosler BT 120gr on a healthy dose of Varget. My accuracy shines at about 3065fps and the recoil is so mild I watch holes form in paper at 100yds and I've seen every bullet hit the deer in the scope so far. That bullet gets bullied in the breeze past 400 yds so I worked up another load with the hornady 162 ELD-M. Still working the bugs out of that one but I think I'll get it to come around. Solid cartridge, nothing wrong with it. If I had it to do over again I would look hard at the 6.5x55 Swedish so I could the BC up and the recoil down.

 

[Rooks]

You will love the 7mm-08, I've been using it for 30+ years and it has never let me down.

I like that I can load it light with 100gr bullets for varmints and up to 168gr bullets for targets, silhouettes and hunting large game. Taken countless coues, mulies, javelinas and coyotes, and would not hesitate to use it on elk out to 500m.

Hope your build turns out great and your health improves as well. Stay safe
[/QUOTE
Care to share your load work up with the 168gr? I've been playing with the Hornady 162 ELD-M and results are palatable at best but not what I'm looking for. Suggestions for bullet and powder?, I work up loads carefully, just feel line I'm not hitting on all cylinders.

 

[tnek13]

Build what you want, your choice is a solid, proven cartridge with lots of data and options. Glad to see that you are not letting a problem that is in the past keep you from doing what you love. My best to you.

 

[DJ Fergus]

Hell everyone my name is Cliff and as the title says I got the itch to build another gun, the challenge on this one is I'm coming off some strokes so this will be like occupational therapy. I'm going to build on a true remington 700 action which will be a first for me and I'm thinking 7mm08 for the caliber. Open to any advice.

Thank you.

Cliff. One of the funnest shooting rifles I have built is a 22 creedmoor. Shoots flat, fast & bucks the wind better than a 6.5 creedmoor with 140s when shooting 88 elds or 90 grain Berger's. I didn't get it finished until after deer season but I'm going to give it a try this next season as many people have reported successful deer harvests. Just something else to think about after you finish up your 7mm-08.

 

[dwinmeade]

The title of your post caught my eye. I read your intent. Since you are not physically at 100%...AND...you already have a 500 yard tack driver (6.5 CM)...AND...you imply that you are shooting it comfortably (recoil wise), you really don't need another 500 yard shooter...you simply got an itch to build again. (It's an addiction we 'gunners' all have.)

In considering the 7mm-08, you are moving laterally as far as performance and recoil are concerned vs your 6.5 CM...both are 'brothers' out to your stated 500 yards. Most of the caliber suggestions in this thread are more performance and recoil than you can physically handle or need for 500 yards.

I'm not at 100% myself...heart stent, lymphoma radiation and just recently, a session with Sepsis (this was a real a&% kicker). I have both a 6.5CM and a 7mm-08, so I know about lateral moves first-hand. Both of these calibers have lost their luster (I hardly shoot them any more), due to my age (69 yrs.) and physical condition. (Both are 1/4" shooters...I reload, BTW.)

I don't have your 'itch', but I do want to down grade the recoil, but still keep the 500 yard limit. I thought the 243 Winchester might do, but the performance and the recoil on some of the heavier loads rival a 7mm-08/6.5 CM recoil. It would be another lateral move at best.

The only other caliber that keeps the 500 yard performance, along with less recoil is the 6.5 Grendel. It used to be mostly available in AR-15 platforms, but I see more and more bolt guns are becoming available.

I'm not sure which platform I'd be more happy with...it's a toss up between an AR-15 platform with Sanders Armory in Florida...OR...a CZ 527 American. Or maybe neither one...I'm in the pondering stage.

But the 6.5 Grendel caliber looks the best to me for my next 500 yard shooter.