Eyeing a 7mm-08 in a budget-friendly format

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I bought a cheapo Stevens 200 a few years ago in 7mm08. I put a walnut stock on it from Boyds. It is one of my favorite rifles, it is a tack driver.It was probably discontinued same reason as the Remington 788. Very accurate cheap rifles. If you run across a Stevens 200....buy it.
Always read great things about the 200. I own 3 Stevens firearms and love them as no-frills great guns. One is my grandad's old Stevens 12 gauge pump. I have a Stevens 62 which is a Savage 64 with a different label. I also got a 320 security 12 ga. pump a few years back. Great for a gun made in PRC.
 
I have shot off-the-shelf ammo in both and found the '08 to be much softer. As noted above it could have been weight, or maybe my friend had a better recoil pad. I know I was shooting 150 grain white box in .270. Not sure what my friend had loaded. So maybe it was ammo, or all three (gun, ammo, pad). But I felt like the '08 kicked about like my .35 Rem but lighter and snappier at the same time. Agreed that other variables besides caliber were in play.
My comparison was with a .270 Remington 700 ADL and a Weatherby Vanguard S2 7mm-08. It felt pretty equal to me, but recoil is a weird thing. As an example I don’t care for the recoil of a 25-06. It feels sharper to me than a .270 or. 30-06.
 
This might be worth some research savage is changing their mod 11 package rifle to an improved stock that is adjustable. You might be able to find new old stock trophy hunters under your budget.
 
Location: Mostly eastern hardwoods/low lying swamp land, heavily wooded areas (Middle and western Tennessee and the Mississippi Delta lowlands) with occasional field hunts and infrequent western trips to chase mule deer on the Kansas Plains.

Species: Looking for a versatile cartridge that will work on game from coyote to mulies. Whitetail and shooting steel are where the majority of shooting will occur.

Why the 7mm-08: I own and shoot a .270 Winchester and a Marlin 336 in .35 Remington. Other than 5.56/.223, I have no other centerfire rifles. I want something flat shooting, appropriate for western game including antelope and mule deer (If it's bigger, I'll go to the .270), in light recoil. I'll be frank: The .270 recoil is manageable, but reasonably unpleasant to me. I love shooting it, but after one box of ammo at the range, I've had enough. When I bought it at my LGS many years ago, I was looking for a .30-06 or a .308 for a versatile cartridge, but in the particular rifle I wanted, all they had was .270 which was my third choice. Now, I'd like something that falls between the .270 Win and the .223/5.56. Plus I want a short action.

Size: 5'10. Wide shoulders, thick chest. Weigh 220.

Budget: Sub-$400 to leave room for an optic and ammo. Not because I can't afford more, but I can't justify spending more for occasional use when there's decent stuff below this price point.

The candidates: I will buy new. I live in a small town and don't want to drive all over hell and half of Georgia to find the right gun in the right condition at the right price. Please hold your comments of, "Well you can get a used (whatever) for the same price!" because, no, I can't. Not here.
-- Ruger American. Highest priced option I'll consider. Round count is low, but I am not sure it's a problem and the design/firearm has been out a long time. Generally, I am not a huge fan of Ruger centerfire rifles (some experts tell you their tolerances are sloppy and QC has not always been great, particularly on the Mini series rifles), but I've shot one in .308 and the rifle itself fits the bill (recoil on the .308 seemed about the same as my .270, perhaps a tiny bit less in the ammo I was using). Plus, the Ruger comes in a compact model with a 16.5" barrel which appeals to me for long-distance walking in the woods.
-- Thompson Center Compass. Has really good magazine capacity based on a rotary design, has a three-lug bolt (which I prefer) and is feature rich, though I have no need (at this time) to mount a can, so the threaded barrel is extraneous to me. It takes a few knocks for having a thin, hollow stock that some say gives way to pressure and some claim the bolt fit and tolerances have it feeling slightly low end or unrefined. It is the cheapest on the list and that counts for something, especially considering all-in, it's almost $100 less than the Ruger off the shelf. It does come with a 1-inch MOA at 100 yards guarantee.
-- Savage Axis II. Checks all the boxes but one: 2 lug design. I own a Mossberg 100 ATR that I bought years ago (that's my .270). I just don't care for the high lift required (90 degrees) on a 2 lug sporting rifle. Some say the Accutrigger on the Axis 2 feels a little weird with the dingus in the middle of the trigger face like it is on some handguns. I have never shot the rifle, so I can't say if it's a problem or not, but it's a highly regarded gun (and the handguns with the dingus don't bother me for the most part). The cheaper version, the Axis, does not have an adjustable trigger and that trigger has been described by some as "awful." So if I go with the Savage, it would be the Axis 2 model.
-- Mossberg Patriot. This one is more "honorable mention" and starts at the very bottom of my list (which is in no particular order otherwise), but I'd consider it. My ATR has been a fine rifle, shoots accurately and has held up well despite having plastic molded sling mounts and other "cheap" shortcuts. I have a favorable opinion of the company and am a huge fan of the 500 series shotguns... and my ATR does what it should. Still, 2 lug design (90 degree bolt lift). So-so capacity. I have no reason to believe it's not a great gun, but it doesn't excite me.

Not interested:
- Remington 700, 770, 783 (what has happened to that company?! Nothing they put their name on gets good reviews anymore). Not saying any one of them are bad, but I am not excited about any of them. I grew up on this brand, so my viewpoint is more a result of high levels of recent customer dissatisfaction than anything else.

Like, but can't go there:
- TC Dimension. For the cost, I'd buy two guns, not one with interchangeable barrels.
- Weatherby Vanguard. Would love one. Don't plan to spend it.
- Tikka - Again, past what I want to pay.

Sorry so long. Thanks for the input. Yes, ridiculously low post count. Been a member for a long time, but I usually find the answer I seek without posting.

Two thoughts:

- If you already have a .270 WCF?

How about one of the 6.5mm offerings.

- If you have a .270 WCF you like?

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GR
 
Ruger American Compact in 7mm-08. I can say with a halfway decent scope you will be very pleased. Between $350-$450 I dont know if you can do any better unless you find a good used remington or winchester, etc....

I really like mine and its very light in the woods. I cant say personally how it works on deer but I've been told it's very effective....
 
I bought a cheapo Stevens 200 a few years ago in 7mm08. I put a walnut stock on it from Boyds. It is one of my favorite rifles, it is a tack driver.It was probably discontinued same reason as the Remington 788. Very accurate cheap rifles. If you run across a Stevens 200....buy it.
I bought one too. My brother-in-law now hunts with it and routinely shoots 139-grain Hornady Interlock reloads into tiny little groups on the range. He loves that rifle.
 
Ruger American Compact in 7mm-08. I can say with a halfway decent scope you will be very pleased. Between $350-$450 I dont know if you can do any better unless you find a good used remington or winchester, etc....

I really like mine and its very light in the woods. I cant say personally how it works on deer but I've been told it's very effective....
That's what I was going to recommend.
 
So this happened late yesterday... Went to Rural King and handled a Savage Axis XP. The scoped model in 6.5 Creedmoor... $349. Really liked the gun til I worked the bolt. I have a two-lug design on my Mossberg and I was reminded of its major shortcoming... the 90 degree lift and tight scope clearance of the bolt handle (and fingers if you happen to put them in the wrong spot, which I have).

Then I looked at the Ruger American in 6.5 Creedmoor ($419). I loved it. The bolt opens at 60 degrees. No fingers smashing against the scope. Smooth action. Awesome. It was several years since I shot one (buddy and I were sighting in our deer rifles and I put three or so on target with his as he did with my Mossy 270) and I didn't remember how much I'd liked the bolt's operation. Except it was over budget.

Last night I shopped RKguns... Rural King's online gun store. The American in 7mm-08 (unfortunately not the compact version) was clearanced at $299.91 with no transfer fee if I got it shipped to the store. I admit to paying $13 in shipping so technically I'm over budget. But the gun has been ordered. I guess it really was down to the American and Compass due being reminded how much I like a 60 degree bolt, but cost was going to be very close between the Compass and the American, as I'd have to pay the transfer fee on the Compass ($30 or so). So $280 plus $10 shipping, taxes and FFL transfer fees on the Thompson putting it at about $308.73 vs. $341.39 for the Ruger -- a bit less than a $33 difference? Both seem like great deals.

I'm reasonably happy with the purchase. Mostly on budget and I settled on a good gun in the caliber I wanted.

Thanks for all the info and food for thought you all gave me. I learned a lot from the thread. I'll try to remember to post pics when I get the Ruger.
 
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I think you made a good decision on the RA. (Not that anything you mentioned was particularly bad.) My son had one in 308 and it was a good rifle once we got a decent scope on it. The store he bought it from sold him a $20 and a set of see-through rings (for the iron sights that didn't exist) for an extra $150. I got correct rings and he picked up a better scope (can't remember which one off the top of my head) and it shot great. He sold it to fund an AR build and he still questions that decision. If I had a Rural King anywhere near me, I'd seriously consider getting one at that price. I don't really need one, but when did that matter? :D

I'm a huge fan of 7x57 Mauser and 7mm-08 is pretty much its ballistic twin. It'll take anything in the lower 48 out to 400 yards. I think the 1 in 9.5" twist may limit bullet weights (lengths) on the higher end, but the extra 5.5" of barrel over the compact, while not as convenient to pack around, will give you more velocity to play with.

Anyway, post pics and groups.

Matt
 
Congratulations on your new rifle. I don't have personal experience with the ruger American but it's highly recommend and regarded. It will serve you well.
Yes, it seems to be a fine rifle. If you can make your peace with a lil flex in the stock. If you're kind of handy you can resolve the issue with about $10 and an hour of time. I didnt go full boar withepoxy or anything but I did remove a lil material on the left side of the barrel channel so it wasnt kissing my bbl.
 
I would kill for a ruger american with the same type of polymer stocks used on the old all weather M77's. My uncle actually has a 10/22 and M77 with the old good quality hard polymer ruger used to use. It's not terrible now, but def not as good...
 
Of what you listed, the Ruger American. My personal preference would be a Remington Model 7.
The Mossberg 100 ATR has these issues I don't like, and all are preference-related, as I've lugged it around a bit and shot it several times to zero it each year. Note that two of these apply to the Remington. I am absolutely not knocking the Model 7, as the rifles have legendary quality (my dad's 40-year-old 700 is awesome -- left handed, but awesome), but I have very precise (*ridiculous*) preferences that are totally personal and subjective:
- I don't like recoil much. I shoot and manage it fine, but recoil makes me like shooting less. I'll blame it on an otherwise awesome caliber, .270 Win.
- Remington, Savage, Tikka, Weatherby and even Mossberg make fine bolt action guns, but all are built with 2 locking recoil lugs and bolt lift is high. I like the guns with the 3 lug design. Lift is reduced from 90 to 60 degrees and there's space between the bolt handle and scope. It's not the biggest deal breaker for me, but I like the shorter lift, and, more importantly, the clearance space between the bolt and scope. When shooting at game, excited and all, I have slammed my fingers between the bolt handle and scope. This is my one complaint about any of the Remingtons, including my dad's old 700 BDL in 7mm rem mag.
- My iteration of the ATR does not have an adjustable trigger. Feel is ok, but there's a faint bit of grit. I'd lighten it a tad, too. I may polish it up a bit one day.
- Molded sling holes in the plastic stock, not installed metal ones. Might try a diy fix on this one day. I'm not re-stocking such a cheap gun.

So those are my minor quibbles. A Ruger American in 7mm-08 fixes all of it. Can't wait for it to arrive!
 
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I have 2 Ruger Americans. A predator in 6.5 Creedmoor and a regular American in 7mm-08. Trust me mississipishooter that was money well spent. Both of mine are shooters!
 
Never say never. It might shoot so well and you might like it so much that dropping it in a new stock will make sense to you.

Agreed. I wasn't going to restock my Savage Mark II FV, heck the the new stock cost almost as much as the rifle itself. That being said, it made it so much more usable I can't imagine NOT having done it now.
 
Never say never. It might shoot so well and you might like it so much that dropping it in a new stock will make sense to you.
Good advice. "I have no plans, at this time, to restock my .270 Win Mossberg 100 ATR, though that sounds like an interesting project."

Oddly enough, as this thread has gone on, I opened up my gun case and handled the Mossberg for the first time in a while. While my complaints still hold true, it really is a fine rifle for what it cost. In keeping with my "guns are tools" philosophy of use, it's hard to imagine paying so little for something so accurate, rugged and capable. Used prices are running $250/$275. I can't remember what I paid (I just remember that I bought it one day after a certain election in November 2008 because I allowed myself to get caught up in the "He's a gun grabber!" hysteria which proved to be mostly unfounded, plus deer season was about to start), but mine is an early model and lacks the Mossberg LBA (lightning bolt action) trigger.
 
Ruger American Compact in 7mm-08. I can say with a halfway decent scope you will be very pleased. Between $350-$450 I dont know if you can do any better unless you find a good used remington or winchester, etc....

I really like mine and its very light in the woods. I cant say personally how it works on deer but I've been told it's very effective....

This is what I came in here to recommend. Vortex 3x9-40 Diamondback scope plus smoothing up the action, working the trigger: excellent deer rifle!
 
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Looked at the 3x9 diamondback. Great reviews. Have vortex red dots on 2 of my ARs. But... And this may be a bad move... CDNN Sports has the Bushnell Trophy XLT (also 3x9-40) for $70 ... Generally, it's about a $120 scope. Gets good reviews but it's in a more budget class than the Vortex DB. Unlike others, apparently, based on online chatter, I've had good luck with Bushnell. I'm banking on it being decent enough. I'll get it before I get the gun. It arrives tomorrow.
 
Looked at the 3x9 diamondback. Great reviews. Have vortex red dots on 2 of my ARs. But... And this may be a bad move... CDNN Sports has the Bushnell Trophy XLT (also 3x9-40) for $70 ... Generally, it's about a $120 scope. Gets good reviews but it's in a more budget class than the Vortex DB. Unlike others, apparently, based on online chatter, I've had good luck with Bushnell. I'm banking on it being decent enough. I'll get it before I get the gun. It arrives tomorrow.
How’s your new rifle working out? Interested in 7mm-08 myself
 
Justa cautionary tale, I had a 7mm-08 that would gouge my shoulder off the bench so fit is also important. And a pad. I personally would go with a 120g-129 gr. 6.5 Creedmooore in a TC Compass which has a very nice feeling stock. Thrraded to also accept a brake.
 
Justa cautionary tale, I had a 7mm-08 that would gouge my shoulder off the bench so fit is also important. And a pad. I personally would go with a 120g-129 gr. 6.5 Creedmooore in a TC Compass which has a very nice feeling stock. Thrraded to also accept a brake.
Was that rifle a featherweight? I had always heard that the 7MM was supposed to be a light kicker was so great for women and small kids. Maybe that was just was subjective
 
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