urbaneruralite
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I have carried both. There isn't any practical difference in using a rifle at 20" vs 22".
7mm-08 with 20" barrel advice
- Thread starter cmdc
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I have both a 20" carbine and 22" rifle in 7mm08. I like the short barrel but there's some significant muzzle blast with some ammo types. I load my own with a slightly faster powder which reduces the fireball. Low light shooting with factory ammo more or less blinds me tossing away the chances of a follow up shot.
I'm fairly small statured and the extra 2" (22"vs 20") is just enough to cause the barrel to snag brush constantly when carrying the rifle slung. The 20" is just right to clear any brush my head clears. Slung muzzle down, the barrel is just above knee level so doesn't constantly clank my knees while walking.
I'm fairly small statured and the extra 2" (22"vs 20") is just enough to cause the barrel to snag brush constantly when carrying the rifle slung. The 20" is just right to clear any brush my head clears. Slung muzzle down, the barrel is just above knee level so doesn't constantly clank my knees while walking.
cmdc
Member
Thanks for all the good info guys. I appreciate hearing from people with experience.
Hummer70
Member
I have looked at all the factory Scout Rifles and the best design to me is the Ruger Scout left or right hand. The buttstock is adjustable, the stock is laminated, the magazine is substantial and it can be rebarreled when you shoot the barrel out which will be years if you take care of it and clean it properly.
The only thing I would do differently on the Ruger Scout is change the bolt knob to all one of those 1" diam black phenolic round knobs to be applied and mill a clip slot in rear bridge so the Springfield stripper clips could be used to load it.
The only thing I would do differently on the Ruger Scout is change the bolt knob to all one of those 1" diam black phenolic round knobs to be applied and mill a clip slot in rear bridge so the Springfield stripper clips could be used to load it.
cmdc
Member
The Scout Rifle is a good one to consider. I am actively seeking the new 18" SS model in left hand anyway.
Kachok
Member
If you want to go the bolt action route forget the Rem 700 they are rather long and heavy normally, and quality of the new ones is nowhere near what the old ones are, an older 788 (18.5") or 600 would be a dandy little compact rifle, while I am sure the Ruger is a fun little gun it would have to be a masterpiece to hang with the old 60s and 70s Remingtons. Sometimes you run across those great ol guns at pawn shops for just a few hundred bucks, put a good scope on one and a limbsaver recoil pad and you have a firearms as good as any sold today.
The Model 600 was the basis for the original scout rifle built by Jeff Cooper.
The Model 600 was the basis for the original scout rifle built by Jeff Cooper.
Fellow southpaw here.
I also like to dump hogs whenever I get a chance to. TX and OK.
Since you are a lefty, I suggest that you handle an M1A Scout, LRB Arms M14SA Tanker, or a Fulton Armory M14S Tanker.
The above bbl lengths are 18, 18.5, and 18.5 resepctively.
Caliber is 308, and 7.62x51mm.
Weight can vary depending on how you like your's set up, but land between 7.8 to 8.8 lbs there abouts.
OAL varies depending on what type of flash hider arrangement you like, but between 37 to 40 inches.
Mag capacity starts out at 5rd, and works it's way up to 20/25rd.
Being a left handed shooter, you may like how the M14 types are laid out.
Safety sits just like an M1 Garand, op-rod handle is easy to reach with right hand, along with the mag release, and the left hand never has to move from it's firing position. Them right handed folks were so busy trying to make it a right handed rifle, they screwed up and made it more lefty freindly....(lol)
As of now, I'm out of TX due to work, but have managed to dump 200 plus hogs with my hog slayin M14S.
Most of my shots have been inside of 100M, and my longest lasered hit/dump was at 396M. I personally have never even seen a 1000+ lbs hog, but they might be out there. The piggies around here are typically 200lbs and less.
FWIW...... The little ones are better for eating in my experience.
With that being said, I am also fond of 7mm08, but havent found enough difference between it and 308 to justify spending funds on a different rifle and ammo to make the jump.
My M14S and M1A-A1 aint going anywheres regardless, and them Ruger GSR lefty rifles look pretty nice, if you would rather use a bolt gun.
Us lefties gotta look out for one another.
I also like to dump hogs whenever I get a chance to. TX and OK.
Since you are a lefty, I suggest that you handle an M1A Scout, LRB Arms M14SA Tanker, or a Fulton Armory M14S Tanker.
The above bbl lengths are 18, 18.5, and 18.5 resepctively.
Caliber is 308, and 7.62x51mm.
Weight can vary depending on how you like your's set up, but land between 7.8 to 8.8 lbs there abouts.
OAL varies depending on what type of flash hider arrangement you like, but between 37 to 40 inches.
Mag capacity starts out at 5rd, and works it's way up to 20/25rd.
Being a left handed shooter, you may like how the M14 types are laid out.
Safety sits just like an M1 Garand, op-rod handle is easy to reach with right hand, along with the mag release, and the left hand never has to move from it's firing position. Them right handed folks were so busy trying to make it a right handed rifle, they screwed up and made it more lefty freindly....(lol)
As of now, I'm out of TX due to work, but have managed to dump 200 plus hogs with my hog slayin M14S.
Most of my shots have been inside of 100M, and my longest lasered hit/dump was at 396M. I personally have never even seen a 1000+ lbs hog, but they might be out there. The piggies around here are typically 200lbs and less.
FWIW...... The little ones are better for eating in my experience.
With that being said, I am also fond of 7mm08, but havent found enough difference between it and 308 to justify spending funds on a different rifle and ammo to make the jump.
My M14S and M1A-A1 aint going anywheres regardless, and them Ruger GSR lefty rifles look pretty nice, if you would rather use a bolt gun.
Us lefties gotta look out for one another.
cmdc
Member
Fragout, thanks for the lefty support. As it happens, I have a couple of M1As. In fact, I have a Scout Squad in my safe, along with a National Match.
What do you use for optics on your M1As?
There are no lefty Ruger Scouts to be had as of this writing. Besides, I'm leaning more toward the semi-auto approach anyway. In fact, my gun pusher just told me he has located a left hand Browning BAR Short Trac 7mm-08. I told him I would take it.
What do you use for optics on your M1As?
There are no lefty Ruger Scouts to be had as of this writing. Besides, I'm leaning more toward the semi-auto approach anyway. In fact, my gun pusher just told me he has located a left hand Browning BAR Short Trac 7mm-08. I told him I would take it.
Congrats on your Browning.
Here is how I have my M14S set up:
Receiver = M14S Norinco
Barrell = Criterion 18.5in std contour.weight chrome lined. (LRB Arms)
Iron sights= SEI gas lock front sight, and GI M14 (M) rear sight assembly with std aperture.
Flash hider = SEI direct connect Vortex
Gas system = Shimmed GI with SEI gas pston
Op-rod spring guide is a Sadlak
Bolt = TRW with headspace set at 1.632
Trigger group is GI M14 Winchester.
Op-rod = OEM
USGI connector lock
M14 synthetic stock with selector hole filled...... along with a GI handguard.
Most everything else is GI M14
Optics mount = ARMS #18 split rail with flush fit counter screw.
As for optics, I have been using a 3x9x33 (1in tube) scope, slung off of a set of Warne vertical split low rings....giving me about 1/16 inch clearance over the rear sight aperture, and perfect eye relief. ( I like the 1in tubes for the M14 types, as it allows me to set it up closer to the action, and less of a need for the comb to be raised for proper cheekweld.)
My other optic is a Raptor 4x 3gen NVS. Heavy, but worth it's weight when it's dark out.
When I hunt for them in the brush, I like to use iron sights. The GLFS I use is the "hooded" HK style one, which gives me a very fast aquisition, as the front sights "circle" lines up well with the std rear sight apertures circle. I also modified the fron sight post in a way that gives it a more high visibility profile....making it much faster to aquire in the bushes, and in low light, compared to how it was before it was modified.
I'm lookin at the Leupold 1x4x20mm "hog" scope as of late. (1in tube)
The pig plex reticle has a bullet drop reticle with the hold over points out to 500....... so the shy pigs that like to hang out on the other side of the pond will no longer be safe.....lol
This specific rifle really likes FED AE 168gr OTM, but it does well with an assortment of other commercial loads more suited for hunting. I have taken 4 of them at one shoot, and before they could reach the treeline.
My one and only successful elk hunt was behind the trigger of this same rifle.
Also use it for whitetail hunts. ( Your new Browning ougtha do wonders as a hog/deer rifle. 7mm08 should clean thier clock if the bullet is placed where it should go.
Note: Laser range finders are worth the expense from my experience. Get a decent one, that will hold up in bad weather, and give positive readings on the critter your after. It allows me to know exactly where to "hold over" on a hog using my 3x9 optic, NVS, and iron sights. ( My LRF is set up for meters or yards, but am more used to meters on account of my job.)
My next hog slayer build will have a SAI M1A reciever at it's heart, and the tube will be another Criterion 18.5 inch chrome lined bbl.
ARMS 18 full rail mount. ( More of a dedicated low light hog dumpin machine)
As far as all weather goes, I have used mine in everything from hot TX summer days to rain, to ice and snow. ( Always wondered if the M14's open action would freeze solid in heavy sleet/ice, but mine never has froze shut. If it ever happens, a boot to the op-rod handle should clear things right up regardless......lol)
Here is how I have my M14S set up:
Receiver = M14S Norinco
Barrell = Criterion 18.5in std contour.weight chrome lined. (LRB Arms)
Iron sights= SEI gas lock front sight, and GI M14 (M) rear sight assembly with std aperture.
Flash hider = SEI direct connect Vortex
Gas system = Shimmed GI with SEI gas pston
Op-rod spring guide is a Sadlak
Bolt = TRW with headspace set at 1.632
Trigger group is GI M14 Winchester.
Op-rod = OEM
USGI connector lock
M14 synthetic stock with selector hole filled...... along with a GI handguard.
Most everything else is GI M14
Optics mount = ARMS #18 split rail with flush fit counter screw.
As for optics, I have been using a 3x9x33 (1in tube) scope, slung off of a set of Warne vertical split low rings....giving me about 1/16 inch clearance over the rear sight aperture, and perfect eye relief. ( I like the 1in tubes for the M14 types, as it allows me to set it up closer to the action, and less of a need for the comb to be raised for proper cheekweld.)
My other optic is a Raptor 4x 3gen NVS. Heavy, but worth it's weight when it's dark out.
When I hunt for them in the brush, I like to use iron sights. The GLFS I use is the "hooded" HK style one, which gives me a very fast aquisition, as the front sights "circle" lines up well with the std rear sight apertures circle. I also modified the fron sight post in a way that gives it a more high visibility profile....making it much faster to aquire in the bushes, and in low light, compared to how it was before it was modified.
I'm lookin at the Leupold 1x4x20mm "hog" scope as of late. (1in tube)
The pig plex reticle has a bullet drop reticle with the hold over points out to 500....... so the shy pigs that like to hang out on the other side of the pond will no longer be safe.....lol
This specific rifle really likes FED AE 168gr OTM, but it does well with an assortment of other commercial loads more suited for hunting. I have taken 4 of them at one shoot, and before they could reach the treeline.
My one and only successful elk hunt was behind the trigger of this same rifle.
Also use it for whitetail hunts. ( Your new Browning ougtha do wonders as a hog/deer rifle. 7mm08 should clean thier clock if the bullet is placed where it should go.
Note: Laser range finders are worth the expense from my experience. Get a decent one, that will hold up in bad weather, and give positive readings on the critter your after. It allows me to know exactly where to "hold over" on a hog using my 3x9 optic, NVS, and iron sights. ( My LRF is set up for meters or yards, but am more used to meters on account of my job.)
My next hog slayer build will have a SAI M1A reciever at it's heart, and the tube will be another Criterion 18.5 inch chrome lined bbl.
ARMS 18 full rail mount. ( More of a dedicated low light hog dumpin machine)
As far as all weather goes, I have used mine in everything from hot TX summer days to rain, to ice and snow. ( Always wondered if the M14's open action would freeze solid in heavy sleet/ice, but mine never has froze shut. If it ever happens, a boot to the op-rod handle should clear things right up regardless......lol)
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