Depending on the intended use of a rifle, the calibers, makes and models available are countless. How do you decide which one is right for you? In the next few months, I hope some of the information I pass along to you will make your decision incredibly easy.
The Remington Model 7 in 7mm-08 caliber is an excellent choice for an all-around hunting rifle. Photo courtesy Ashley Housewright.
The opinions I’ll express are mine, but I hope other readers will join in with comments on what they have found that works or doesn’t work for them.
The first segment in this series will be about the Remington 7mm-08. This is the rifle I most generally use for deer hunting or coyote hunting. One of the reasons I tend to reach for it in the gun safe when heading out to hunt is that I am most comfortable with this rifle.
My firearm is a Remington Model 7 Youth. The shorter stock of the youth model enables me to bring the gun up in position to shoot quickly and comfortably. There’s no adjusting the rifle, struggling to obtain a bead on the target because of a poor fitting firearm.
Ballistically, the 7mm-08 is a flat shooting round, reaching out accurately to around 400 yards. I can confidently take a shot up to that yardage and know that the bullet will hit where I’m aiming.
The load I shoot is a 139 grain Hornady with 42.2 grains of Varget powder. They actually travel at about 2,950 feet per second. This is plenty of knockdown for deer and any varmint hunting you’re interested in doing. However, for bigger game, I personally feel that a larger caliber rifle would be more efficient.
According to the Remington Arms website, “the compact, short-action Model 7 has been a knock-down, drag-out leader in the woods since it was introduced in 1983.”
Remington Model 7 Youth. It's a beauty.
On one occasion, I saw a couple coyotes down on our lake, which is about 300 yards from our home. I stepped out on our deck and took a shot at one of them with the 7mm-08, and he dropped in his tracks. I was really anxious to get to him so I could take some photos, but he was out on the frozen water about 30 feet, so I didn’t risk getting out on the ice to fetch him. Later that day, I was perusing the lake area for any other activity and there was a bald eagle feeding on the coyote carcass. The eagle hung around for several days until the remains were completely divulged.
My daughter, Ashley, actually got her first deer using my 7mm-08. Now that’s the gun she reaches for when she and I go deer hunting. My oldest grandson, Waylen, also has a 7mm-08 that he is extremely accurate with and has taken a few deer in his short hunting career so far.
It’s an excellent caliber rifle for most hunting, and the youth model is a great fit for women and young hunters.
I hope this article helps answer your questions on the 7mm-08. Please send a comment if you have any questions regarding this caliber that I haven’t covered.
Remington Model 7 available in black synthetic stock.
The Model 7 Youth is also available in a synthetic stock with msrp of $702.
Check out Remington’s website for their wide array of firearms. www.remington.com
About Tammy Ballew
Thanks, Barb! I’m very excited about this series also. I absolutely love all venues of shooting, and the rifle is such a diverse firearm, so I hope to cover lots of constructive and valuable information for our readers.
Great job on kicking off this series! Will look forward to learning more from you, Tammy. I think that if women haven’t shot a rifle, they’ll be pleasantly surprised at how fun it is to be accurate.
A great gift from your friend! What caliber is it? And knowing you, I doubt that you have forgotten a thing about shooting a rifle! You’re a pro at whatever you’re shooting … camera, gun!!
Great information!..now I want a play day with you and Babbs at the range.. a dear friend gave me new rifle as a “thank heavens you can shoot again! ” present
It’s been so long I think I have forgotten everything LOL