If you want a left-handed rifle with a good reputation, have you considered the Tikka line? It seems there are a number of vendors that have models in 7mm-08. I don’t make recommendations, but I can say that all the ones I own and have owned easily satisfied their sub-MOA precision guarantee with good ammunition.

Haven't the Swedes been taking elk sized game with a 6.5 (x55) for a 100+ years?
https://ammo.com/comparison/6.5x55-vs-65-creedmoor

The quest is over.
On order is a Tikka LH T3X Superlight Gen 2 in 308.
It’s not the 7mm-08 but I already have a shitload of 308 ammo and the threaded barrel will let me use brake/can.

Thanks for letting me bounce ideas off you guys!

quote:

Originally posted by KMitch200:

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Huffman:
I just Googled 7mm 08 Left Hand Rifles and it appears Buds Gun Shop has what you're looking for in stock

I’m confused…all I see is Axis 2 rifles which do NOT have a V2 stock.
Do you have a link?

I'm sorry. I misunderstood, I thought it was the version two, not the adjustable V2. My mistake.

No biggie Todd. The Savage line is quite jumbled.
This will be my first Tikka.
Now I just have to wait for the store to get it shipped to them. What day is it? DAMN!

I have one 7mm-08 then 2, 284 Win rifles, then a few 308’s. My reality is they are all not far apart ballistically. Yes I realize hairs can be split at longer ranges. I’m almost never over 100 yards with my deer hunting.

I think your Tikka is a fine choice. When you try it out give it the best chance by trying a few types of suitable ammo, looking for something it prefers. I’m sure you have a nice scope to move over. Get the trigger to your liking.

To mitigate recoil, use padded clothing at the range, ear muffs, etc.. I see a removable brake is mentioned. With shots on game recoil is usually much less of an issue.

quote:

With shots on game recoil is usually much less of an issue.

True…but at the range testing loads is where recoil can raise its head.
I mean, nobody chooses a slow load, even if it’s accurate. Because nobody wants a hunting bullet that has an effective range 100s of yards less than the area you will be hunting.

Disregard if deer hunting at short ranges. Whitetails and muleys are pretty easy to drop DRT. (I firmly believe that a deer shot in the head/high neck means you don’t have to chase it)
Speed and accuracy matter. Especially as we move into the copper only world of bullets for elk.

I’ve got rings ordered, the vertical pistol grip already arrived and the new recoil pad is waiting for install.
Now I just need the gun to show at the store!!

***

I really wanted a Superlite, but none in stock local when I was shopping.
Congrats, hope you enjoy it.

Back to dealing with recoil, when at the range, pad up a little, good ear protection also.

When hunting recoil is hardly ever an issue.

sourdough44, I agree that while hunting, recoil isn’t a big deal. You just don’t feel it, especially if you hit the animal where it counts.
While using the can shooting regular ammo, the can really cuts the bark and bite from those. It’s printed titanium so it adds very little to the light weight I was wanting to keep this rifle at.

The addition of a Backstop (Backfire) recoil pad was something I could have saved money on by getting a Limbsaver or Pachmayr but I liked the idea of a *soft* pad that comes with a “throne” to protect it while being stored upright. It has been *very* nice to my shoulder.

I was tinkering with a replacement bolt handle today…didn’t really like the knob that came with it. Another one has been ordered.
The steel recoil lug was not needed since mine was already steel but I don’t know if it’s real steel or MIM.
It’s stainless now.
The aftermarket trigger spring was a thought but a short lived one. The factory trigger is lowered down and feels nice. Dropping the pull to under a pound isn’t what I’m wanting to do.

The barrel continues to impress. Not a lick of copper fouling now. The first two cleanings had a bunch of copper!
Now it’s down to almost just a hint of it, mostly carbon fouling. The barrel heats up quick. I think the fluting was just a weight saver. (3oz over the T3x lite)

That plastic stock though. There’s got to be way to inject some expanding foam into it so it isn’t so noisy and well…cheap sounding. I’ll certainly live with it for now since my expenses have been hammered lately.

quote:

Originally posted by KMitch200:
I have a 308 but it’s a HEAVY AR10 style. Useful from fixed stands but not for walking around, especially in elk high country.

If you like the AR10 platform just not the weight, there are options for modern lightweight "Small Frame" .308/6.5 ARs.

Rather than the entire rifle being scaled up like a traditional AR-10, resulting in a 10-12+ pound rifle, these SF .308 ARs are AR-15s with just the barrel, bolt, and a few other components scaled up to handle .308 (or 6.5 Creedmore). They even use mostly AR-15 parts, like the furniture, charging handles, and fire control groups.

Importantly, they come in around 6-7 pounds, same as an AR-15.

POF is the frontrunner of this style, with rifles like their Revolution and Rogue. These range from 6.1 pounds for a 13.75" .308 Rogue to 6.8 pounds for a 16" Revolution DI. They also offer a 20" in 6.5 Creedmore at 6.9 pounds.

Or for cheaper options, Springfield and Ruger just discontinued their SF .308 rifles, the Springfield Saint Victor 308 and the Ruger SFAR, but you could likely still find them for sale.

Here's my 16" POF Revolution DI. With the scope and accessories, it's 8.9 pounds.

I have that Tikka in 300WM. The recoil pad is not that great, I replaced it with a Limbsaver. They make them specific to that rifle.

Recoil is pretty serious on the rifle. I simply never fire more than 10 rounds at any one time, and usually 5-6 is my limit.

Only other suggestion is to get another mag, losing it in the field would make things difficult.

quote:

Originally posted by reflex/deflex 64:
I have that Tikka in 300WM.

Just reading that made my shoulder hurt.

I have a friend that has a lightweight 7mm REM mag with no recoil pad. He often says, “I’m a hunter not a shooter.” I told him that if I owned his rifle, I wouldn’t be a shooter either! That thing beats the dog snot out of you! Why he hasn’t added a recoil pad to it, I have no idea.
It never dawned on him that owning an another high power rifle that actually is pleasant to shoot might make him a shooter!

When firing his AR, he grips the gun so hard that his knuckles are on the verge of turning white as he pulls the gun into him like life itself depends on it. Needless to say, he isn’t a very good shot. His groups are more “patterns” than groups.
I brought some 77gr match ammo out once to show him his cheap 55gr practice ammo was not helping his shooting. His rifle printed them easily into 3/4” or less when I wasn’t gripping his AR like it was it was going to kill me.
His groups were all over the place because he thought that there is only one way to fire a rifle even if it kicked like any other AR does.