2 gun set up...what 2?

[jayquiver]

What to do, what to do?

I currently have a Cooper Jackson Hunter 7mm Rem Mag with a 26” blued barrel. It’s at Cooper for a warranty issue while its there I am going to have the barrel changed to a stainless 24” barrel. They mentioned I could switch it to any Magnum cartridge, with no other expense for reaming it out (not sure if that is the right terminology), as long as it had the same bolt face.

For the smaller cartridge/calibre it will be mainly a short/mid range everything gun or my go to Deer gun. Probably another 7mm-08 (mine is for sale) or something in 6.5 or 25 caliber family… easy and fun to shoot with lighter recoil for my daughter if she wants to use it.

One the other end is where I need help. This rifle would be more of dedicated Elk/Moose but still used on deer rifle but also a mid/longer range gun (under 500 yards max, realistically 50-300).

So basically I could “blow up” my current set up and start from scratch. The 2nd gun has to have Magnum bolt face and perform well with a 24” barrel.

Do I keep it the same 7mm-08 and Rem Mag or do something different? What 2 would you buy?



DISCLOSURE- I don’t want a gun that will blow my shoulder off. The recoil on my rem mag is no issue. I haven’t shot anything larger then a 300 win mag. It was a Finnlight, and it wasn’t very enjoyable. Not sure if it was because its a light weight rifle or because it was a 300 win.

[elkhunter11]

I would keep the 7mmremmag, and add a 6.5x55.

[jayquiver]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

I would keep the 7mmremmag, and add a 6.5x55.

I was expecting you to recommend the STW. lol.

[rembo]

I'd keep the 7 Rem Mag and add a 7mm-08. Shoot 160's or heavier in the 7 Mag and 120-140's in the 7-08...or get a 260 or a 6.5 x 55....:-)...see note above on 120-140's.

What's a "two gun setup"...and how does this work?

[Xbolt7mm]

Id keep them both, the 08 will be great for your daughter and its still a good deer rifle for you. The 7mm mag fills your needs as written. Maybe get a 300wm for a third but not anything too light if you target shoot alot

[jayquiver]

Originally Posted by rembo

I'd keep the 7 Rem Mag and add a 7mm-08. Shoot 160's or heavier in the 7 Mag and 120-140's in the 7-08...or get a 260 or a 6.5 x 55....:-)...see note above on 120-140's.

What's a "two gun setup"...and how does this work?

Well for me, its starts by choosing a rifle and scope (set up) to hunt an intended species for a anticipated terrain and distances. Then you add the 2nd one for different scenario. So far it works well.

[FCLightning]

6.5x55 coupled with a .300 WSM

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by jayquiver

I was expecting you to recommend the STW. lol.

As much as I like the 7mmstw, I rarely recommend it.

[Flight01]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

I would keep the 7mmremmag, and add a 6.5x55.

I will second this recommendation

[58thecat]

Two gun set up...should include a shotgun...and the 7-08....

[jayquiver]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

Two gun set up...should include a shotgun...and the 7-08....

I have a 20 gauge Browning over and under and 12 gauge Benelli semi auto and a CZ 22lr.

Just looking at 2 gun set up for big game. I do love my 7mm-08 I just wish I bought it in synthetic and stainless.

[700-223]

I've got a 243 and a 7mm RM. If I had it to do over I'd go 7mm08 and 7mm RM so that I could use some components for both. Planning to start reloading later this year.

In your case, sounds like you'd like to try something different. You could try a 300 wm, in a rifle that fits you the recoil would be ok. In a magnum bolt face, I think your options are 7mm RM, 300WM, and 338 WM (as well as 375 H&H but this requires a longer action). There is a significant increase in recoil with a 300 wm vs a 7mm RM with only a slight increase in killing power. I personally wouldn't go with anything heavier recoiling than that unless I was going on a dangerous game hunt or somewhere where it was legally required.

Not sure if 270, 7mm or 300 weatherby use the same bolt face or not. Unless you reload, much more expensive for ammo and will lose more out of a 24" barrel.

Practically speaking, I think your options are sticking with the 7mm-08/7 RM or going to a 300WM and 308/7mm08.

[Opa]

I have a 25.06 and a 7mm Rem Mag. They cover everthing that I choose to hunt with the exception of coyote, which get the .204, for posterity and fur sale purposes.

[Xbolt7mm]

Originally Posted by Opa

I have a 25.06 and a 7mm Rem Mag. They cover everthing that I choose to hunt with the exception of coyote, which get the .204, for posterity and fur sale purposes.

Those two would be my exact choice, but he already has the 7mm 08 time to get a third and change the thread title lol here comes a 300wm or a 35 whelen

[Big Sky]

Originally Posted by jayquiver

.....................
Do I keep it the same 7mm-08 and Rem Mag or do something different? What 2 would you buy?
..............................
I haven’t shot anything larger then a 300 win mag. It was a Finnlight, and it wasn’t very enjoyable. Not sure if it was because its a light weight rifle or because it was a 300 win.

What would I do? Nothing wrong with the 7mm-08. I'd keep it. For the other gun, I would step up in size. 300 win mag is a great cartridge that can deliver heavier payloads. IMO, if you can shoot a 7Rmag, it's not a big step up to a 300WM.

However, it would be nice if you could fire a 300WM before you made your decision. The safe choice for you would be to keep your Cooper 7Rmag with the new barrel and then get a 25-06 or 260Rem or 6.5x55 for your other gun.

Your experience with that the Finnlight is not uncommon. I don't have one, but I have shot one. I found that the recoil seemed to be more pronounced with the Finnlight. If you were using a standard weight rifle, your experience with the 300WM would most likely be different.

AO thread regarding Finnlight.
http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=212440

[madshawn]

My 2 gun set up is
Sako roughtech pro 300 wm
Tikka t3 laminate 6.5x55

Might not work for everyone but I love it

[jayquiver]

Originally Posted by Big Sky

What would I do? Nothing wrong with the 7mm-08. I'd keep it. For the other gun, I would step up in size. 300 win mag is a great cartridge that can deliver heavier payloads. IMO, if you can shoot a 7Rmag, it's not a big step up to a 300WM.

However, it would be nice if you could fire a 300WM before you made your decision. The safe choice for you would be to keep your Cooper 7Rmag with the new barrel and then get a 25-06 or 260Rem or 6.5x55 for your other gun.

Your experience with that the Finnlight is not uncommon. I don't have one, but I have shot one. I found that the recoil seemed to be more pronounced with the Finnlight. If you were using a standard weight rifle, your experience with the 300WM would most likely be different.

AO thread regarding Finnlight.
http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=212440

thanks for the link Big Sky. I guess I am not the only one.

[catnthehat]

I have more than a few guns, but the ONLY two gun set up I ever considered as far as rifles go, is and was, a .22 and a heavy rifle for moose bear and deer, of which I only use one of now.
Cat

[Nyksta]

Chiappa Little Badger 22LR (3 pounds and folds into my pants pocket hanging off my belt!) and Ruger No. 1 308 win

[6.5 shooter]

6.5x55 and a 9.3x62.......