Next rifle... opinion

[Tenntrapper]

I finally got to handle a Bergara B14 Hunter, and have decided it will be my next rifle. I recently sold my 243, and I have a ton of brass, bullets, dies, and such for 243. I don't currently have anything for 7mm-08, but am thinking I may want to give that caliber a try. I think the 243 would better serve my varmint needs, and is a fine deer round for where/how I hunt. I don't really want to start reloading for another caliber.
I've listed the reasons why my next rifle should be a 243, but the 7mm-08 keeps nagging at me. What would you do, and why?
Thanks

 

[DaveB]

Just a suggestion, but I would sell the 243 components individually or as a group and use that as seed money for my next caliber, whatever it may be.

I would not buy another 243 but I like to try different calibers.

7-08 is a good move except there are no 120 gr Partitions or Accubonds and yes, I know there are other manufacturers.

The 6.5 CM is sitting right in the middle of the 243 7-08 range if you want to split the difference.

The 308 is a really nice short action caliber.

So many choices....Best of luck.

 

[user 14220]

I consider the 243 to be an adequate deer cartridge. The 7mm/08 is an excellent deer cartridge. Time to expand and try something different.

 

[Jcalder]

I was a lot more please with my 7-08 than I was with the 243 I had. The 243 shot better, but that's different argument. Unlike the others, I'm not overly impressed with 120s in it so far tho.


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[Rammer Jammer]

I just bought a 7mm-08 so I don't have a lot of experience.... but you're making a fine choice on the Bergara!

 

[fairchaser]

Just my opinion, but the .26 caliber should be the
minimum for a deer cartridge. So, I would opt for the 7mm-08 over the .243. Although the .243 is a great caliber for other uses.

 

[clwg97]

I have a Bergara B-14 Ridge in both 300 win mag and 6.5 creedmoor. I love them both definitely a great company!

 

[Tenntrapper]

Just my opinion, but the .26 caliber should be the
minimum for a deer cartridge. So, I would opt for the 7mm-08 over the .243. Although the .243 is a great caliber for other uses.

Just for the record, this wouldn't be my only rifle. I also load for and shoot a 25 wssm and a 6.5x55...if that makes a difference in opinion.

 

[fairchaser]

Just my opinion, but the .26 caliber should be the
minimum for a deer cartridge. So, I would opt for the 7mm-08 over the .243. Although the .243 is a great caliber for other uses.

Just for the record, this wouldn't be my only rifle. I also load for and shoot a 25 wssm and a 6.5x55...if that makes a difference in opinion.

Tenntrapper: there are as many calibers as opinions. I respect yours. My opinion is based on my own experience in a caliber/load that consistently puts deer down without needless suffering. Why stretch the limits and make a caliber/load try to do something it wasn't designed for. I bought my 9 year old a .243 to deer hunt with. He wasn't a big boy so I didn't want to overwhelm him. He killed 3-4 deer with it and maybe wounded one. But, I always thought that 100 grain bullet was barely up for the job. The deer we hunt deserve our best to make their death as quick as possible.

 

[Tenntrapper]

Just my opinion, but the .26 caliber should be the
minimum for a deer cartridge. So, I would opt for the 7mm-08 over the .243. Although the .243 is a great caliber for other uses.

Just for the record, this wouldn't be my only rifle. I also load for and shoot a 25 wssm and a 6.5x55...if that makes a difference in opinion.

Tenntrapper: there are as many calibers as opinions. I respect yours. My opinion is based on my own experience in a caliber/load that consistently puts deer down without needless suffering. Why stretch the limits and make a caliber/load try to do something it wasn't designed for. I bought my 9 year old a .243 to deer hunt with. He wasn't a big boy so I didn't want to overwhelm him. He killed 3-4 deer with it and maybe wounded one. But, I always thought that 100 grain bullet was barely up for the job. The deer we hunt deserve our best to make their death as quick as possible.

Just to be clear, I didn't make that comment to contradict anything you said. I was just putting it out there, that I have other rifles, and the 243 wouldn't be my only deer rifle. I agree that we, as hunters, should strive to harvest our game as humanly and quickly as possible.
My request for opinions was really directed towards starting over with a new caliber. I have alot of 243 stuff, and nothing in 7mm/.284. Is it worth starting over, for the difference in the 243 vs 284?

 

[fairchaser]

Tail wagging the dog maybe? Don't let the short term drive what's best in the long run.

 

[GOODWIN]

All depends what u want out of it. Both good cartridges for the intended purpose

 

[Spurhunter]

I bought my son a youth .243 when he was 6 or 7. I was never satisfied with the knockdown power on whitetails. I bought a 7mm-08 last season and have killed 3 deer with it @ 50, 115, and 154 yards. It flat kills them. But, I'm shooting a 140 grain Federal Fusion. For a great whitetail caliber that doesn't have much recoil, I love the 7mm-08.

 

[Tenntrapper]

****UPDATE****
I really like the looks of the Bergara, but after some thought, it just wasn't what I was looking for at this time. I want a wood stocked rifle, in an adequate caliber. Yes, I know the 7mm-08 is a good round, my daughter uses one. My favorite round is the 6.5 Swede, but rifles chambered for it are few. Last night, I was window shopping at buds and stumbled across my next rifle.
It's a CZ 557 Sporter, chambered in 6.5x55 Swede. Wife gave me the go-ahead, so I placed my order. The pic is just a stock photo I found online.

 

[TNRifleman]

Why not get a Bergara Timber. If you haven't seen one, check them out online or in person if possible. It is the same barreled action as the B14 hunter but in a pillar bedded, Monte Carlo, walnut stock. The cheekpiece and palm swell on the stock are fantastic and they are great shooters.

 

[Tenntrapper]

Why not get a Bergara Timber. If you haven't seen one, check them out online or in person if possible. It is the same barreled action as the B14 hunter but in a pillar bedded, Monte Carlo, walnut stock. The cheekpiece and palm swell on the stock are fantastic and they are great shooters.

Not offered in a 6.5x55

 

[GOODWIN]

Great caliber as well. I almost picked up a Tikka Swede last year

 

[Deer Assassin]

I was a lot more please with my 7-08 than I was with the 243 I had. The 243 shot better, but that's different argument. Unlike the others, I'm not overly impressed with 120s in it so far tho.


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which 120 grain bullet . what issues ?

 

[Jcalder]

I was a lot more please with my 7-08 than I was with the 243 I had. The 243 shot better, but that's different argument. Unlike the others, I'm not overly impressed with 120s in it so far tho.


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which 120 grain bullet . what issues ?

NBT. It does the job no doubt. Found 3 of the 4 deer we shot this time and am not blaming the bullet for the deer we didn't find, just a belly graze and pretty sure I've had the deer on camera. All deer were shot by my daughter, except for a youth I got the privilege to hunt with in Kentucky. I did kill a bobcat and the hole was huge lol. But deer 1. Not the best shot. 20 yards. Daughter aimed behind the shoulder as we've discussed for years. Problem was the deer was quarters to us pretty hard and she basically caught the back of the lungs and gut shot it. Little to no blood until we got nearly to the deer. I won't blame the bullet for the poor placement and results. Recovery was 100 plus yards. Deer 2. 100 yards. Broadside. Caught the top of heart and bottom lungs. Just a poor blood trail but we had one to follow. Deer acted gut shot. Recovery in under 40 yards. Heart and lungs pretty well intact. Almost like it penciled thru. Deer 3. 40 yards. Broadside shot. Thru the boiler room. Thinking it was a lung shot. Did rupture stomach as well. Found the deer way before I found blood. Recovery was maybe 40 yards. Part of my issue was the deer went around a pile of brush. I thought there was more room between the deer and pile but it actually stayed pretty close. But every spot of blood was pretty small. I guess I'd say I'm just not impressed with the blood trails. We hit all but one deer where it needed. Entrance and exit holes were pretty close to the same size. If I remember correctly they're going 3050-3100. They do the job so I can't complain about that. But I'm gonna step to the 140 and see what happens.


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[Deer Assassin]

Just curious were they nosler first or were they seconds ?

I have had nothing short of stellar performance
As far as blood trails I rarely need onedue to punching shoulder s and the rest don't go to far

140 or my favorite large bullet in the 7/08. Is the 160 accubond. It leaves a great blood trail

 

[Jcalder]

Just curious were they nosler first or were they seconds ?

I have had nothing short of stellar performance
As far as blood trails I rarely need onedue to punching shoulder s and the rest don't go to far

140 or my favorite large bullet in the 7/08. Is the 160 accubond. It leaves a great blood trail

thinking these are firsts or overruns. They're still in original boxes instead of the generic white "seconds" box I've gotten before. I like blood trails hunting grown up fields. They don't go far but you just can't see out in front of you. That's the reason I culled my 243 and went to the 7-08.


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[Deer Assassin]

my suggestion

load some 160 accubonds ( i use the seconds )
i use imr4064 but there are plenty of other powders

i want to say they were in the 2600 fps range i killed some at 200 yds with mine and videoed the blood trail it was great

 

[Deer Assassin]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqFJT5G1fUc

 

[Jcalder]

my suggestion

load some 160 accubonds ( i use the seconds )
i use imr4064 but there are plenty of other powders

i want to say they were in the 2600 fps range i killed some at 200 yds with mine and videoed the blood trail it was great

I'm gonna try some 140 NBT. I used them last year in my 280 and was more than pleased. But I'll be about 200 FPS slower if my memory is correct.


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[hunter0925]

my suggestion

load some 160 accubonds ( i use the seconds )
i use imr4064 but there are plenty of other powders

i want to say they were in the 2600 fps range i killed some at 200 yds with mine and videoed the blood trail it was great

I'm gonna try some 140 NBT. I used them last year in my 280 and was more than pleased. But I'll be about 200 FPS slower if my memory is correct.


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Shouldnt be any issue getting the 140s to 2800-2850. I use the 140 accubond (22inch 7mm08, rl16) and blood trails are great (if they move) and meat loss is generally negligible. I use the 160 accubond in my 280ai and it is perfect for that caliber. I push it around 3000 and it does a number on deer.

 

[Jcalder]

my suggestion

load some 160 accubonds ( i use the seconds )
i use imr4064 but there are plenty of other powders

i want to say they were in the 2600 fps range i killed some at 200 yds with mine and videoed the blood trail it was great

I'm gonna try some 140 NBT. I used them last year in my 280 and was more than pleased. But I'll be about 200 FPS slower if my memory is correct.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Shouldnt be any issue getting the 140s to 2800-2850. I use the 140 accubond (22inch 7mm08, rl16) and blood trails are great (if they move) and meat loss is generally negligible. I use the 160 accubond in my 280ai and it is perfect for that caliber. I push it around 3000 and it does a number on deer.

I forget the numbers but I'm around 2800 with r-15. My initial tests weren't very good but I ditched the mag length and went just off the lands. Brought that bullet/powder combo to life. Wanting to try varget as well once it becomes more available


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[Jon54]

Opinions are like rearends, everybody has one. I've always been "pink unicorn" for the 270. I've also always respected Col. Boddington and he recently published this article.

https://www.americanrifleman.org/articl ... inchester/

 

[fairchaser]

Opinions are like rearends, everybody has one. I've always been "pink unicorn" for the 270. I've also always respected Col. Boddington and he recently published this article.

https://www.americanrifleman.org/articl ... inchester/

Great article on the .270. I added it to my permanent reading list. Thanks for sharing.