Build or Buy a 7mm-08 for next years Hunt?

BBsteel

New member
I have 2 paths to take on a 7mm-08 rifle for next year (and many years to come) for whitetail hunting in MN and WI (300 yard shots and under) and realize both are expensive. I’m just not sure which path I want to take and I’m looking for discussion on what yours might be. To start, I’m prepared to pay near $2,000 for this rifle (no optics in that price) and I want to keep it at 7 +- .5 lbs without scope/rings/mag. I have a Tikka .300 wsm that I can’t get to shoot very well and I’m not crazy about the plastic on it. My wife bought me this gun when I turned 30 so naturally by her standards it’s the best gun I have and my favorite that I can never part with. I have a few more things to do to hopefully bring it to MOA @ 100 yards and then that’s it. Plus it kicks like a mule. I said I’d never buy another Tikka but I recently could not resist a .223 T3 Varmint Stainless on this forum for the price and it is an absolute tack driver and has been eating all loads thrown at it. The stock does not fit me well but I bought it with intentions of having young shooters use it. And again, I’m not a fan of the plastic and all Tikka aftermarket accessories are fairly expensive. With that said, I do plan on dropping the .300 wsm in a Manners stock. I’ve also kicked around the idea of making a little tactical rifle out of the Varmint by dropping it in a Manners T4 stock and perhaps a new DBM system. The money spent there just seems wasteful and the idea must be stemming from winter boredom.

So now back on track after providing a little background of my bolt guns (I have a lot of AR’s and have been now bitten by the “bolt” bug).

Path 1: BUY. Keep it simple and buy a Cooper. I was thinking of the Excalibur (sp) in 7mm-08. They offer 2 different color versions on the stock or at least that’s what I’ve seen as I have not called and inquired about them yet. One is butt arse ugly. The specs on the gun are what I’m looking for and it’s a Cooper that will shoot, be something of worth in my safe (to me anyway) and have a nice resale value although I do not intend to ever get rid of the 7mm-08. I want to buy once cry once and have a rifle I’m confident in.

Path 2: BUILD. I have a marginal clue of what I’m doing here and have just started my research. I’d like to build off a 700 action being it seems to have the most options for a first time builder. I will also need to find a reputable smith, preferably close to me, that does precision work and is good. The trigger will be easy enough for me to decide on as well as the stock. I do want the stock fully bedded and will go with a Manners or McMillan in some sort of light hunter/tactical model. After I got a trued and printed 700 action, a nice barrel, trigger, some smithing and a custom stock, I assume I should be in for less than $2k. Just want it to shoot as good or better than a Cooper.

You may have a different path to lead me down but keep in mind this will be my first ‘high’ grade bolt rifle (not my last) and really prefer not to discuss Tikka or even Savage custom builds as I’m just not interested. Opinions on Cooper are welcome but I hope the thread doesn’t turn into a Cooper bash due to the X-CEO’s business decisions.

I’ll probably ride a 3.5-10x40 Leupold VX3 on this rig.

Depending on how this goes, I’ll then begin my .308 sniper rig build to toy with long range bolt gun shooting.

Thanks for any input!
 
I say if you have the time and the money build it. Why settle for an assembly line built gun when you can have one built exactly to your specs.

.308
 
Originally Posted By: 308GarandI say if you have the time and the money build it. Why settle for an assembly line built gun when you can have one built exactly to your specs.

.308

Yep.
 
I agree also. Coopers are fine rifles, no doubt. But I'd still rather have one built to my own personal specs by a smith whose reputation proceeds his self.

A 7mm-08 chambered 700 with a Rock or Pac-Nor tube twisted 1-9 riding in a mcMillan or Manners of choice is a combination that is hard to beat.

Decide on the desired use and weight of the rifle, and I can help you more in terms of barrel contour, barrel length, and stock choice......
 
Coopers are nice, like'em more with good timber.

IMG_0298.jpg
 
Originally Posted By: 308GarandI say if you have the time and the money build it. Why settle for an assembly line built gun when you can have one built exactly to your specs.

.308

I don't know if I would really call a Cooper "an assembly line" rifle. But I would still have one built since you have the time and money.
 
Very nice Tim. I've come to the conclusion that I may not deserve "nice timber" judging by what I've done to a couple of nice specimens. It's great to look at, not so nice to ruin.

I may just one day buy another rifle with primo wood on it and trash it at will just cuz I can. I'm just not back to that point yet.....
 
Originally Posted By: 2muchgunVery nice Tim. I've come to the conclusion that I may not deserve "nice timber" judging by what I've done to a couple of nice specimens. It's great to look at, not so nice to ruin.

I may just one day buy another rifle with primo wood on it and trash it at will just cuz I can. I'm just not back to that point yet.....

Thats why I don't like wood either I'm scared to destroy it!
 
I've never cared for a high gloss finish on any wood. Nice oil finishes look better, IMO, and are much easier to hide imperfections....
 
BBsteel,

I'd personally would build the rig. It's always fun and rewarding when you spec out your build and have it all come together.

Trued 700 action
Mike Rock or PN as Ken mentioned earlier. #2 or #3 contour, SS, 1:9 tw finished at 22"-23"
McMillan stock (insert pattern here)
Reworked '700 trigger or RB trigger
Talley 2pc lows

Depending if you're going to go with ADL or BDL

ADL, William's ADL trigger guard.
BDL, New style William's drop in bottom metal
 
Originally Posted By: SuperSeal110BBsteel,

I'd personally would build the rig. It's always fun and rewarding when you spec out your build and have it all come together.

Trued 700 action
Mike Rock or PN as Ken mentioned earlier. #2 or #3 contour, SS, 1:9 tw finished at 22"-23"
McMillan stock (insert pattern here)
Reworked '700 trigger or RB trigger
Talley 2pc lows

Depending if you're going to go with ADL or BDL

ADL, William's ADL trigger guard.
BDL, New style William's drop in bottom metal




Again I'll say it.

And be champion of the universe!

When talking about "Builds" The discussion all but stops at a 700 action, this coming from a Savage fan......Hush Ken
tongue.gif
. If I'm taking a rifle from the box to the woods it will probably be a Savage. But if I were building a project, why not go with a 700? There are just so many options with the 700. Ken and Mike are both wealths of knowledge when it comes to 700's, I'd take'em up on their offer. The above sounds like a barn burner fo sho.


Chupa
 
Damm Mike, we just got called "wealths of knowledge"
laugh.gif


The above blueprint Mike has referred to has well been tried and true by many we know, for years. We aren't guessing here if it will suck or shoot. I'd go with a slightly larger recoil lug also. About a .250 or so. Maker doesn't really mattter, Tubb, Callahan, Holland, Superior, Sunny Hill, whoever. Anything larger will require saome dremel Tool work and is really not needed. All od mine are .300 or larger, but they are for heavier guns.

FWIW, Pac-Nor tubes run large, as far as contours are concerned. A #4 is the smallest diameter they will flute, and it is wise to specify shank length.

I like the Sako hunter style Mcmillan stock, and may just go Rock over Pac-Nor.....
 
Contours can be had in factory sizes aswell ie; Mtn R ,sporter, varmint. Have them dupe a factory size and it will make stock fitting much easier.
 
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