Choosing a cartridge and rifle type - 6.8 SPCII/7mm-08

[Doc7]

Hello all,

I have an ongoing mental debate for a rifle for the following purposes:
- 100-300 yard target shooting
- Deer hunting with the possibility of an opportunity shot (from tree stand) at coyotes and black bear, although I can pass on black bear if required
- Lower recoil than a 30-06 (I have a Garand) but more than a 22 for both myself having fun at the range and non-shooting guests (spouse, children, family etc)

With that in mind I really, really like two options but only have money for one within the next 18 months. Both options will cost nearly the same given my selections/parts lists:

Montana Rifle Company X2 or Win Model 70 extreme weather SS in 7mm-08
vs
Building a 6.8 SPC II AR-15 (really a 6.8 ARPerformance which has the same relationship to a 6.8 SPCII as a .223 Wylde chamber to 5.56) with an adjustable stock, free float HG and Timney or similar trigger.

I really like both options and would like to end up with one of each eventually! I think these may both be good deer calibers that double as range calibers without excessive recoil. I think both options have the ability to be very accurate and thus fun to shoot at the range.

Either option will wear the same 3-9 Vortex Viper scope.

Any thoughts?

 

[Dean1818]

I went the 6.8 route in AR15

I bought the rifle from Bison Armory


It is a great stopper for deer.

I use mine for the big, mean, and nasty Texas boars

There is an SST 120g from Hornady, that is my DRT bullet
(Dead right there) I had ONE pig go 10ft, the others..... dropped on the spot

Some of the pigs were 300 plus lbs

Some of the folks on the 6.8 forums have taken bear with the 6.8 as well
(if it were a big bear, I would use a bigger bullet personally)

Its great out to 300, the bullet above from Hornady drops below 1k ft lbs at 275 yards.......... Still is good for hunt to 300 IMHO.

I used to think the only scope to have is a 3x9. I tried a VXR 1x4 from Leupold and can do 1 inch groups at 100 yards wihout much problems.

Unless I am hunting at night, I use my Leupold


Good luck on your choice

 

[LocoGringo]

I own both and it depends on what you enjoy more. Do you have an AR already? Do you reload? The AR will have much less recoil and is a great deer and hog cartridge. I took my first deer in 25 years last December and it was a shot through the neck at 55 yards...DRT.

The ARPerformance barrel is a fantastic barrel. Great choice for the AR world. If you enjoy shooting bolt action more, the 7mm-08 is a great choice.

Understand, you will burn through ammo faster with an AR than a bolt action. If bear is a real possibility, the 6.8 will do it, but the 7mm-08 will do it a little better with more margin for error. The 6.8 will be more kid friendly.

 

[benEzra]

Just to throw this out there, you can also get an AR-10 in 7mm-08, although it would be pretty expensive to feed, I'd expect.

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire/model-r-25/model-r-25-gii.aspx

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2014/12/11/remington-r25-gen-ii/

I believe the available calibers are .243, 7mm-08, and .308. Of course, you could also get a 7mm-08 barrel for any .308 AR-10.

 

[jmr40]

The 7-08 is a near identical twin to the old 7X57 in performance. With bullet weights ranging from 120 to 175 gr it'll be nearly ideal for everything from coyote to whitetails to moose with proper bullet selection and would kill even the largest bears. Not bad as a target gun either.

I have one of the EW's in 308 setting in a McMillan Edge stock that is my favorite rifle. Choosing 7-08 vs 308 is splitting hairs and I'd probably be just as happy with a 7-08. The 308 is just what was sitting in the used gun rack at a good price 5 years ago.

I like the AR's too, but I'll stick with the 223 round in that platform. Once you get into the AR's shooting 308 based rounds they get heavy and cumbersome pretty quick. I just like a bolt rifle better for the larger rounds.

 

[Doc7]

I own no other centerfire rifles beside my M1 Garand. I do not own any AR patterns in 22.

I have been interested in the DPMS GII and/or M&P-10 as well but like the options of the AR-15 platform more so than the more proprietary 308 designs.

Sounds like my choices don't have a clear winner between them and I can end up with a suitable rifle either way!

 

[68wj]

Really a choice between rifle preference. Both cartridges are adequate for your stated objective, with the larger /08 giving better margin. If you want an AR, it sounds like you already have the solid pick.

 

[Garrobo]

I would

think about a 7mm Mauser (7X57)_ using a 175gr soft point.

 

[AKMtnRunner]

Bullet weight differences are significant. The 6.8's sweet spot (90-120 gr) ends right about where the 7-08's start. Are you set on the 6.8 in an AR? The magazines limit the length and weight of 6.8 bullets.

I'll bet a dollar you eventually will end up with both, so which one makes sense for you to have sooner?

 

[crazysccrmd]

I think a 6.8 AR is more versatile for your needs. As a range plinker and soft recoiling gun for children a 7mm-08 doesn't really compare. Plinking 6.8 ammo runs about $12/20 and it would be slightly cheaper than 7-08 if you reload.

 

[Doc7]

I plan on reloading for either caliber.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Curious, did you think about the .30AR any?
Tons of AR options, makes my head hurt trying to compare them all.
I have been slow to get into anything outside 5.56 since I'm not handloading now and worry that the one I pick will die.

 

[Gtscotty]

I don't have any experience with the 7mm-08, but I did have 6.8 that I took two deer with a few years ago. The 6.8 works great on deer, and, is in my opinion the best moderate range hunting caliber commonly available in the AR-15 platform. I now have an M&P10 that would serve my AR hunting needs, but honestly the 6.8 was lighter, shorter, handier and probably all around better for close range stand or woods hunting. I would go with an ARP 6.8 barrel myself, by all accounts the guy makes good stuff and was largely responsible for the modern 6.8x43 cartridge design.

 

[Clint M]

I don't have any experience with the 6.8, however I do with 7mm-08, 260 rem, etc. The 7mm-08 will lay the flat smack down on deer, and you will not be underpowered for black bear either, it can be loaded up or down, makes an outstanding varmint rifle for coyote. The 7mm offers a huge selection in bullets, however for 7mm-08 in factory rifles the 150-160gr will be the max weight you can load due to magazine length. You can single load if you are target shooting, all that said I have found the 120gr barnes ttsx to be the choice bullet for deer hunting ( would work great on black bear as well) if using lead core/non premium bullets 140gr bullets seems to work well. I'm sure you can find variables in the bullet selection, however the cartridge 7mm-08 in my opinion is an over looked top choice, top performing cartridge in a bolt action.

I have a Sako AII in 7mm-08 (purchased used, but it's like new, never even fire from previous owner) it carries well, shoots well, I prefer the Sako action, barrel and in general rifle to other bolt actions when purchased used many times you can buy a Sako LNIB for the same price as a new Remington, winchester etc. My Sako AII has a 22" barrel, a laminated stock and weighs in heavy with the stock guessing 8.5 pounds, the stock really makes it heavy, however it is a Sako design stock and fits me well with the palm swell, and the stock in general, the extra weights has not been a problem as of yet, however I have thought about putting a McMillan synthetic which should cut at least a pound off the rifle.

I guess you can tell I'm a bit biased on the 7mm-08, I feel the same way about the 260 rem they are great cartridges, I'm also biased on Sako's this Sako is my 3rd 7mm-08 I prefer it to the other two remingtons which was a 700 LVSF, and a model 7.

 

[Moparnut]

I have a Savage in 7-08 and love it. So much so that I am contemplating a R-25 in 7-08. The AR10 based rifle in 7-08 seems to be a winning combination imho. The 6.8 would be neat, but doesn't float my boat at this time. So my choice would be the R-25, if I were you.

 

[JohnMc]

Ohen, the .30 AR is probably dead, most realistically thanks to Rem's lack of support, it was DOA.

 

[zb338]

The old rancher says that if the 7MM Mauser was a
woman she would be a 10.

Zeke

 

[Dean1818]

OK ... which one did you get?

 

[Doc7]

Well unbelievably after talking about all these 1300-1500 rifles or builds of rifles I found a Savage 7mm-08 with Accutrigger Accustock and the old style detachable box mag (not an Axis style) for $300(!!!). It is externally in great conditon but I do not think the previous owner cleaned the bore well or at all. I may have to cut and re crown or replace barrel but for the price I think I have a serious deal here.

So that's what I have, for now!



After replacing barrel and stock as time goes on I think I will end up with an awesome rifle for a reasonable monetary outlay.

 

[LocoGringo]

Well, that's one heck of a deal! Even if you re-barrel with a top of the line Krieger or Bartlein or any of the others, you'll easily be in the rifle for less than $1000. Fantastic! congratulations.

 

[Doc7]

It is scoped and bore-sighted now. The crown looks a lot nicer once I cleaned all the fouling out! I think I was seeing crud instead of rifling previously.

I am excited to see how she groups!

I wish the Burris Zee Signature rings came in Low. I am going to grab one of those Velcro on cheek risers for now.

 

[Davek1977]

Personally, I'd do with the 7-08 first, given that, in my eyes, its a far more versatile caliber than the 6.8. It offers more range and punch, as well as a wider variety of loadings.

 

[d2wing]

I went with a Tikka T3 in 7-08. I am very pleased with it in every way. Very accurate, nice handling and reliable with good range and punch.
After hunting with AR's I can't say I recommend them too strongly for hunting. They are somewhat bulky and more awkward in tight situations than a nice trim bolt actions. Also they can be too noisy. Also the 7-08 has more range and power. However the the AR in any caliber is fine with correct bullets for the intended game and reasonable limitations on range and shot angles. My best AR shoots around 1 MOA, my Tikka close to 1/2 MOA. 100 yards off a bench. Plenty good for most hunting.
I am also looking at the new Gen 2 Ar in .308 just for fun.

 

[Clint M]

I was in a local gun store recently and so happened he has a Weatherby (forget model) 7mm-08 black synthetic stock, cheap knock off bi-pod, bushnell elite 3200 2-7x32 that needs cleaning but no rust anywhere, some normal hunting use for $400. I will have my mind made up purchasing a rifle, and something like this will come along.

 

[farmerboy78]

If you had to have one of those 2, I'd go 7mm-08