Doc7
Member
I've been thinking about this a long time. I know I need two big game rifles in my safe; that way I have a backup if something happens mid season or mid-trip somewhere, a loaner, one to shoot at range while other is cooling or whatnot.
I currently have a Savage 11 that I am going to customize because I am just not quite happy with it (bought used and it doesn't feel like mine yet). I will be putting a stainless Pacnor match grade barrel on it and getting all metal parts coated with Black Ice (teflon) coating and throwing her in a Boyd's laminate stock. My other rifle will be a Model 70 Extreme Weather stainless or a Montana Rifle company x2 (similar rifle).
One of these rifles will be in 7MM-08 and I want a step up in power too for dedicated big game hunts (elk etc) although the 7-08 will be a worthy backup on such hunts! I am not sure which caliber to put in each rifle. I know the laminate stock 9 lb rifle will be a low recoiling joy to shoot in that caliber. However without changing any parts, as I am buying a new barrel anyway, I can build that rifle into a 9 lb 338 Federal and have the Model 70 as a light weigh 7mm-08. The other option is to have the 9 Lb 7mm-08 and the Model 70 to be about a 7.5-7.75 lb 30-06.
So which would you prefer for a general North American, 95% white tail deer at 50 yards with dreams of 3-4 other species guided hunts in my life time, battery; 9 lb 7mm-08 and 7.5 lb 30-06 or a 9 lb 338 Federal and a 7.5 lb 7mm-08?
I currently have a Savage 11 that I am going to customize because I am just not quite happy with it (bought used and it doesn't feel like mine yet). I will be putting a stainless Pacnor match grade barrel on it and getting all metal parts coated with Black Ice (teflon) coating and throwing her in a Boyd's laminate stock. My other rifle will be a Model 70 Extreme Weather stainless or a Montana Rifle company x2 (similar rifle).
One of these rifles will be in 7MM-08 and I want a step up in power too for dedicated big game hunts (elk etc) although the 7-08 will be a worthy backup on such hunts! I am not sure which caliber to put in each rifle. I know the laminate stock 9 lb rifle will be a low recoiling joy to shoot in that caliber. However without changing any parts, as I am buying a new barrel anyway, I can build that rifle into a 9 lb 338 Federal and have the Model 70 as a light weigh 7mm-08. The other option is to have the 9 Lb 7mm-08 and the Model 70 to be about a 7.5-7.75 lb 30-06.
So which would you prefer for a general North American, 95% white tail deer at 50 yards with dreams of 3-4 other species guided hunts in my life time, battery; 9 lb 7mm-08 and 7.5 lb 30-06 or a 9 lb 338 Federal and a 7.5 lb 7mm-08?