Rifle Caliber Choice?

Question

I was just wondering if anybody has had any experiences with the 7mm-08. I am getting one rifle for Christmas and trying to pick the best caliber. I narrowed down the rifle to a NEF Handi-Rifle. I could get a Remington 700 but I just want a single-shot. I figured I could get a nice scope with the money I saved.

Caliber wise, it's between .243, .270, 7mm-08, .30-30, .308, .30-06, and .35 Remington (if that caliber is avaliable, I'm not sure).


Thanks in advance for any input!

Yep, I am using it for White-Tails.
Average Shot is about 75 and longest would be 300 (very unlikely though).

I already have one 700, and it's great, but there is just something about a single-shot I like. I would go with a Ruger but not ready to spend that much.

Answer 1

The 7mm is nice, I like the 308 or 30-06..... it is all just a matter of preference.... im sure your going to use your rifle for hunting so a 7mm will do the same job as any other caliber in the same catagory...so go with what you like..... I lie 308's and 30-06.....

Answer 2

To answer your question, I have used the 7mm-08 and it works fine and would be a fine choice as well as the other calibers you mentioned. All of them are being used everyday to hunt white-tail with excellent results. I also commend you on trying out a single-shot. Good on ya!! I would caution you about NEF, I've read recently that they have turned to Chinese manufacturing and the quality isn't what it was years ago. Can't confirm but that is the "word in the street". Just remember, the greatest scope in the world will never make up for a sub-par rifle. Also, I think some people who have answered above me have the little 7mm-08 confused with the 7mm. The 7mm-08 is not too large for deer. My god people, it's smaller then my .308!! It is nothing more then a 7mm bullet necked down to a .308 case and as stated above, the ballistics work great. The 7mm is much different.

Answer 3

For the money, I don't think you can go wrong with the NEF Handi-Rifle. Personally, I would get it in .308 instead of 7mm-08, if for no other reason than that ammunition will be more readily available and there are many more loads from which to choose. If you really want to maximize ammunition availability, you might consider getting the rifle in .30-06. You can get .30-06 ammunition almost anywhere in the world where hunting is done, and you can hunt more types of game with it. I would recommend the 7mm-08 above these only if you are extremely sensitive to recoil, so much so that the small difference between the recoil of these rounds makes a difference to you.

Answer 4

In a NEF I'd go with the .308 I like that more but the shops near me sell more in the .270. The reason being because the .270 is longer hence (cooler) to some. I'm a 30 cal guy. I have an old .30-.30, have used several .30-06's and next I want a .308. .35 Remington is a good caliber also, I almost bought one until I checked on available ammo in my local shops they don't keep many boxes around. But they'd special order me some for $20 extra per box.

Answer 5

I think the 7mm-08 is too much, for both deer and the light Handi rifle.

First pick for me would be the .30-06 or similar .308, then .270, then .243.

As JD said (and he owns a gun shop and knows what sells)"
"In my shops I sell the most H&R's in 308 caliber, 270 Second,243 Third,7mm-08 Fourth,223 Rem. Fifth and 500 S&W Sixth......Hope this helps......."

There you go.....308, .270 and .243....all fine for deer. The .308 is the biggest and most powerful and can also bag you elk, the .270 is a bit lighter with great flat shooting properties and the .243 will be gentle on your shoulder but still quite good for deer out to a good range.

Answer 6

OK, As a Dealer here are the actual choices available..lol

22 Hornet,30-30 Win,44 Rem Mag,45-70 Gov,500 S&W,444 Marlin,243 Winchester,223 Rem,25-06,270 Win,280 Rem,30-06 Spgfld, 308 Win, 35 Whelen, and 7mm-08 Calibers (NO 35 Remington)

In my shops I sell the most H&R's in 308 caliber, 270 Second,243 Third,7mm-08 Fourth,223 Rem. Fifth and 500 S&W Sixth......Hope this helps.......

Answer 7

My father has a 7mm. He likes it for hunting whitetail although i think that's just a bit much for that deer. He also has it ported to take a bit of the kick out of it.

I prefer a 30-06. I own a Remington 760 pump and really enjoy it for the hunting I do which is usually a field with 75-300 yd shots or lightly wooded with a shorter range. I also have a 30-30 and I call it my swamp gun.

What would you use a single shot for or why do you prefer a single shot?

Answer 8

I'd go with either the .30-30 WCF or the .308 Win.

The .308 Win has a clear advantage for long range, and higher velocity.

However, in a single-shot, the good old thuty-thuty can be loaded heavy and with spire pointed bullets that make it into an altogether different critter than a .30-30 Levergun.

If you want a rainy-day rifle, get the .30-30 and slap a good receiver sight on it and you won't have to worry about raindrops on your scope.

Those Handi-Rifles might not be pretty, but they are good value for the money, and they are very reliable.

Another good idea might be to get the rifle chambered in .30-'06 and as time goes by, purchase a shotgun barrel, and the other rifle barrels to go along with the '06.

Doc

Answer 9

Get a .308. Study the history of the .308 as a military, police, and hunting cartridge and you will see how impressive it is, and then look at the .308s record for long range accuracy.
I have 5 rifles chambered for the .308, and like them all. My favorite .308 for deer hunting is my Ruger model 77 with a stainless steel barrel and synthetic stock. I've killed 10 deer with it so far...

Answer 10

i am actually looking to get an additional barrel for my gun from there. i narrowed my choices down to the .270 and the .280. they are both flat shooting bullets, but the .280 out performs downrange. there are two major differences though. the .280 bullets cost $10 more a box (Remington psp core-lokt) but the .280 is also available with a 26" barrel instead of the 22" offered in the other calibers.

I am going to get the .280