If you could pick just one cartridge to suddenly become popular overnight, have plenty of rifle offerings from the major manufacturers, and an abundance of ammo options, what would it be? Try to limit it to just a single cartridge and why you would pick it.
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.30 Benchrest.
7 SAUM
I thinks it’s an awesome cartridge. It was my second pick from my 7prc build.
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30 BR reasons.
A. .30 bullet variety
B. ease of reloading
C. accuracy, repeatability, no-recoil, low powder charge, barrel life
D. solid hunting round through 400 yards for whitetail on down
Probably 280AI or 7 SAUM
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Might ruffle some feathers here, but I think 7mm-08 should be more popular than either .308 or 6.5 Creedmoor. For hunting, it outclasses both of these far more popular short action cartridges. I know, it’s still decently popular, but I would say there is still only a 30-40% chance I would find it on the shelf in any given Walmart across the country. During the pandemic, I couldn’t find it anywhere, even in gun stores.
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Hi Michael,
I recently watched this youTube channel, “Impact Shooting” ( Old classics vs modern alternative cartridges):
I would say 375 CheyTac for long range shooting.
Because according to the him it is much more efficient design and ballistic superiority compared to 50 cal.
Except the cost. It is very expensive than anything I have. It goes for $13.5/round, Ouch! (target practice, shoot 20, that is $270 per hour).
If you watch it, some may not agree with him, but from most videos I have seen and even Jim here, recommends some of the same ammos, he is recommending.
6.8 Western, I’m out looking for an efficient hunting cartridge with moderate recoil, short action, good barrel life and well performing in short barrels. Something like a modernized .308 would tick my boxes, but… 
Just cause I really want to buy a lever action: 30-30.
…and yes I know its not “unpopular”
Agree on the 7-08. If I had known about it 20 years ago it would have been my round of choice in a short action.
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20 years ago was right about the time I discovered 7mm-08. Loved it ever since.
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.338 RCM - one of the better cartridges for a short(er) barrel.
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7mm-08 & 6.8 Western
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I agree completely - 7mm-08 should be much more popular than it is.
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I’ve hunted with the 7-08 for years now and I love it and a lot of people around here are saying how great it is but none of them will get one but I think people are going for the 308 bc it’s older and people know it more and the 6.5 creedmoor bc it’s newer and close to the 308.
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I’ve never shot a 6.8 western but from what I’ve heard it’s sounds great.
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7mm-08. I really wanted a new deer rifle in this caliber for deer season but all the rifles that checked the boxes were not chambered in it. I went with the tried and true .308. I wonder if it’s as simple as changing the barrel if I ever want to convert it?
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Yes, I think that is all that is required–new barrel. The bolt face would be the same because it is the same case (.308 is the parent case of 7mm-08). If I were buying a new rifle today and wanted it in 7mm-08, the choices are probably a bit more limited, it’s true.
For fun, I just looked around to see what is currently available in 7mm-08 today. Here are some that I found:
- Tikka T3x Lite, Hunter and Stainless models - start around $750 (blued) - $879 (stainless)
- Weatherby Vanguard Obsidian, Weatherguard, Badlands, Compact, Sporter and Camilla models - starting around $499 up to about $850
- Weatherby Mark V Hunter models - starting ~$1,500
- Ruger American and Ruger Hawkeye models - starting $499 (American) up to $1,000 (Hawkeye)
- Savage Axis, 110, and 11 models - starting at $350 (Axis) up to 1,100 (110 High Country)
- Remington 783 & 700 models - starting ~$450 & ~$650-800
- Mossberg Patriot models - starting ~$400 (synthetic) up to $650-700 (walnut w/ scope)
- Howa 1500 Hogue, Walnut, and Superlite models - $500 up to $1,100
- Bergara B-14 Hunter, Ridge and Stoke models - $800 to $950
- Browning A-Bolt, X-Bolt and BAR models - $600 to $1500 (X-bolt hells canyon)
- Christensen Ridgeline & Traverse models - $1,800 up to $2,500
-Winchester XPR & Model 70 - $500 to $1,200
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Great list! The next challenge is to find someone with those in stock!
I also found that most rifles offered in 7mm-08 are offered in a “hunter” model. Which usually leads to pencil barrels (not necessarily a bad thing for a dedicated hunting rifle), no muzzle threading, no cerakote finish, etc… It seems like you have to always give something up on your wish list to get that caliber. I realize that is likely a huge over generalization but is what I found my experience to be when trying to put together that “perfect” hunting rifle.
Of course a custom build / several trips and dollars to the gun smith can solve all of that.
I picked up one off of GunBroker made by Fierce a few years ago. Don’t know if that’s a regular production item for them, or some old stock they were clearing up or what. Also would add Wilson Combat with their NULA model. Also many of the custom shops like Alamo will make them.
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