[MikePGS]

I'm going to be hunting in Michigan. Primarily for deer and in a few years (once i get the points) black bear as well. Would 7mm-08 be a good choice, or would I be better off with a .308 or .270? I'm not interested in a lever-action (thought about it for some time, but think I'd prefer a bolt-action) and from researching I think I'd like something bigger than .243 for black bear. In the future at some point I'd like to go to Montana or another western state and hunt pronghorns to, so please factor that into it as well. As always I appreciate your advice in advance. Thank you.

[steelhead]

More than adequate for anything in the lower 48 - as long as you aren't shooting out past 300. 120gr TSX and 140 gr TSX are winners.

[nathan]

I would love to have that rig with that choice of caliber. Great pick.

[dakotasin]

my 7-08 is a 700 lvsf, and i wish i would've picked a 7-08 up years and years ago. fantastic deer killer, and great for antelope.

[MCgunner]

Good stand gun. Might be a little heavy to tote in rough counrty all day, but not that big a deal. My son-in-law has an SPS varmint in .308 with 26" fluted barrel, is heavy, but recoil is sweet as a result. I got my M7 with mountain country spot and stalking in mind, it's very light, but the recoil is greater. 7-08, recoil is inconsequential in any weapon and it'll do anything the .308 will do.

[Shawnee]

A .243 or one of the .25s or the .260 or 6.5 Swede would all work fine. So will the 7mm/08. Obviously the 7mm/08 will have notably more recoil and blast than the others. As McG said though, it's pretty manageable. If you think you may use it for elk also, get one of the .26 calibers or the .270 or the 7mm/08. (The .270 and 7mm/08 are pretty close in performance).
I would prefer the Remington Model Seven and it comes in the .243, the .260 and the 7mm/08. But the SPS would certainly work okay.

Good Luck !

:cool:

[pbrktrt]

i'd say the 270 for all around but the 7mm-08 is such a close second that it really is a moot point.

[KillBoxAlpha]

7mm mag. FTW!

[mod700]

i've hunted with my 7mm-08 model 700 for close to ten years. i've never had a problem with operation accuracy or knockdown power. granted, the longest kill i've had with it was a deer at 220 yards but i dropped him in his tracks and i can hit a quarter at 200 yards and a coke can at a quarter mile....i would never shoot that far at a deer, but i would take one at less than about 350 without hesitation.

[interlock]

This will be an excellant hunting rifle. the barrel is long enough to get full performance from a heavy bullet reload. a 145 gr speer hot cor at 2950 odd fps is a very very capable bullet that will handle lots of game(using re19). 7mm08 will deal with bullets up to 175 gr and at a reasonable 2500 fps.

I use a remmy model 7 in 7mm08. my current hunting load is 120 gr sierra prohunter. the barrel on the model 7 is 18 inches long so it more efficient with faster powder loads. the longer barrel in a 700 will provide you more flexibility.

The sps is a great value package.

go for it

interlock

[DeathByCactus]

My brother has a Remington 7mm-08 and its a really good rifle. He killed an antelope at 347 yards or so out of the back of a truck when it was bolting through a field. Amazing shot but, its a very capable rifle. I myself use the Browning 7mm Mag more power, less kick (Muzzle break, but not like there is much kick anyway), decent weight. These rifles have been our sole hunting rifles since we were 14 to about 2 weeks ago, hunting everything from deer-elk-exotics.

Its a great intermediary round, but neither me nor my brother have had trouble taking creatures around/past the 300 yard mark.

[ArmedBear]

I can't really see getting a full-size rifle in a light-rifle caliber, but 7mm-08 will work fine.

.270 will also work well, with a bit more velocity and ammo availability.

I'd prefer a 7mm-08 in something lighter and shorter than the SPS.

[1911shooter]

Light recoil, accurate, easy to shoot, i would say its good choice. and if you ever want to start anyone in our fine sport of hunting its a great round for beginners, woman, and younger shooters or those sensative to recoil.

[dakotasin]

the sps is just a replacement for the adl series - this isn't a varmint rifle... right? sporter barrel/stock.

[MikePGS]

the sps is just a replacement for the adl series - this isn't a varmint rifle... right? sporter barrel/stock.
Not sure if its a replacement for anything, but no not a varmint rifle.

[bpl]

I have a Remington M700 CDL in 7mm-08. 7mm-08 is an excellent choice for deer IMO. My experience is it drops them like a bolt of lightening! Most drop right in their tracks. One deer ran about 30feet. I use Rem Corelokt 140gr PSP for deer mostly, Barnes 140gr TSX for black bear (haven't got one yet though).

If you are going for the synthetic stock, I'd probably pay the extra bucks and get the one with the stainless barrel. You'll appreciated it when it starts raining/sleeting/snowing on you!http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire_rifles/model_700/model_700_SPS_stainless_specs.asp

Its more expensive, but you should really consider the Rem Model 7 in 7mm-08 as well, especially if you hunt in the woods and hike a lot.

[Shawnee]

Mike.... the SPS comes in a few different flavors - you can see them all here:

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire_rifles/model_700/


You can also find Rem.'s Rebate Coupon on that website and that will save you some money.


:cool:

[MCgunner]

Not sure if its a replacement for anything, but no not a varmint rifle.

My son-in-law's is an SPS "Varminter", so yeah, there are varmint variants. His has a 26" fluted barrel. But, it's in .308, not what I normally think of as a varmint caliber.

[MikePGS]

Thanks Shawnee. The one I was looking at was (I think) the basic model. http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire_rifles/model_700/model_700_SPS.asp I got to handle one at the store and it seemed nice and light (though I imagine that will change after lugging it through the woods for a bit). I really know next to nothing about rifles all I know is I like the way it handles and Remington 700's of course have a good (if not great) reputation.

[Shawnee]

Hi Mike...

I'll bet MCgunner's next pay raise that you'll like that rifle a lot !

Good Luck - and post some pics of the rifle and some targets. :D


:cool:

[MCgunner]

My son-in-law's has a lot of barrel weight. You're looking at a normal taper sporter barrel and the weight won't be that bad, especially in 7-08 as it's a short action.

Shawnee's right except if I get a pay raise, I'm keepin' it. :D

[MikePGS]

:Chuckles: thank you both for the help.