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Old 02-18-2017, 08:29 PM
jayquiver jayquiver is offline
 
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Default 2 gun set up...what 2?

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.
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Old 02-18-2017, 08:31 PM
elkhunter11 elkhunter11 is online now
 
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I would keep the 7mmremmag, and add a 6.5x55.
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Old 02-18-2017, 08:38 PM
jayquiver jayquiver is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by elkhunter11 View Post
I would keep the 7mmremmag, and add a 6.5x55.
I was expecting you to recommend the STW. lol.
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Old 02-18-2017, 09:09 PM
rembo rembo is offline
 
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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?
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Old 02-18-2017, 09:15 PM
Xbolt7mm Xbolt7mm is offline
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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
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Old 02-18-2017, 09:17 PM
elkhunter11 elkhunter11 is online now
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jayquiver View Post
I was expecting you to recommend the STW. lol.
As much as I like the 7mmstw, I rarely recommend it.
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Old 02-18-2017, 10:05 PM
jayquiver jayquiver is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rembo View Post
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.
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  #8  
Old 02-18-2017, 10:13 PM
FCLightning FCLightning is offline
 
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6.5x55 coupled with a .300 WSM
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Old 02-19-2017, 08:03 AM
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My "2 gun set up" is

Tikka T3 in 260 rem
Tikka T3 in 7mm rem mag

When I am deer hunting the 260 is my main gun and the 7mm plays the back role. When I am Moose or Elk hunting it is vice versa. My daughter is 12 now and I have a youth stock for the 260, so the 7mm may become my everything gun on hunts where my daughter is along. Also, i just purchased a 9.3 x 62 so I need to figure out where that will work into the equation, but I have yet to develop a load.

The 2 gun set up has worked well for me and is more than enough options especially since I bow hunt about 90% of the time.
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Old 02-19-2017, 08:34 AM
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Two gun set up...should include a shotgun...and the 7-08....
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Old 02-19-2017, 08:52 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by elkhunter11 View Post
I would keep the 7mmremmag, and add a 6.5x55.
I will second this recommendation
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Old 02-19-2017, 08:52 AM
jayquiver jayquiver is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 58thecat View Post
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.
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Old 02-19-2017, 08:57 AM
HuntinGuy HuntinGuy is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brendan's dad View Post
My "2 gun set up" is



Tikka T3 in 260 rem

Tikka T3 in 7mm rem mag



When I am deer hunting the 260 is my main gun and the 7mm plays the back role. When I am Moose or Elk hunting it is vice versa. My daughter is 12 now and I have a youth stock for the 260, so the 7mm may become my everything gun on hunts where my daughter is along. Also, i just purchased a 9.3 x 62 so I need to figure out where that will work into the equation, but I have yet to develop a load.



The 2 gun set up has worked well for me and is more than enough options especially since I bow hunt about 90% of the time.


I'm with this guy, my 2 gun set up is a 7mm mag Finnlight for moose and elk, and a 260 rem Finnlight for deer/antelope. Both set up for 600 yards with Conquest Rapid Z scopes, hand loaded with Accubond LR for long shots and lighter TTSX's for closer shots (inside 250).


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Old 02-19-2017, 08:58 AM
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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.
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Old 02-19-2017, 09:36 AM
Opa Opa is offline
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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.
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Old 02-19-2017, 09:52 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Opa View Post
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
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  #17  
Old 02-19-2017, 11:57 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jayquiver View Post
.....................
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
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  #18  
Old 02-19-2017, 08:50 PM
madshawn madshawn is offline
 
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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
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Old 02-19-2017, 10:01 PM
jayquiver jayquiver is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Sky View Post
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.
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Old 02-19-2017, 10:04 PM
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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.
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Old 02-19-2017, 10:10 PM
Nyksta Nyksta is offline
 
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Chiappa Little Badger 22LR (3 pounds and folds into my pants pocket hanging off my belt!) and Ruger No. 1 308 win
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  #22  
Old 02-20-2017, 09:28 PM
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6.5x55 and a 9.3x62.......
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Old 02-20-2017, 10:04 PM
Coyotebutcher Coyotebutcher is offline
 
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I'm sure Its a bit redundant but I love both my.308 and my .223. Have never had a problem finding ammo, and if I can't kill it with a .308 then it's too much animal for me. I'm not a big fan or recoil, ie: 300wm, and I'm confident with either to hit a 9" plate at 500-700 yards every time. I get bored shooting steel with the 308 at 500 yds, and I've taken ravens out of trees at 300 with my 223. Varmint or moose I thing you'd be set with those two calibers.
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Old 02-22-2017, 09:00 AM
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270 win & 338 win mag
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  #25  
Old 02-22-2017, 09:53 AM
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If I was working on a two gun set-up I would run a 338 Win Mag and a 7-08. To me there is not enough difference between he 7-08 and the 7 Rem Mag to call that a true two gun set up. For the varmint component I would add a 223. If it was two only, it would be a 243 and a 338 Win Mag.
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  #26  
Old 02-22-2017, 10:39 AM
muirsy muirsy is online now
 
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270 Win & a 45-70 have me covered right now
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Old 02-22-2017, 03:16 PM
Kurt505 Kurt505 is offline
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Keep them both as is........

Or get a 264win mag and a 260rem. They are basically the same two rifles as the 7mm's only they are 6.5's.

You can run 129-142gr bullets in the 6.5's at around the same BC's as using 160-168gr bullets in the 7mm's.

Any one of the 4 cartridges will kill a moose @ 500yds with a good bullet. If you like less recoil get the 6.5's, if you like more recoil get the 7mm's, or even bump it up to a 308 and a 300mag with 210gr bullets for even more recoil if you like, all 6 will work out to 500yds with proper bullet selection.
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Old 02-22-2017, 07:06 PM
Bushleague Bushleague is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by muirsy View Post
270 Win & a 45-70 have me covered right now
X2. Pretty much if I've got a rifle with a good scope on it, and another with irons I'm pretty well covered. Having just cut back to two rifles recently, right now its a .270 and a .303 for me.
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  #29  
Old 02-23-2017, 08:03 AM
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Default Just two?

Sacriledge to even think of such a disaster!

O.K. I'll go with the Blaser R8 (I have barrels for 22-250, '06, and 9.3x62)
and a shotgun. Subgauge would be nice, but to cover everything, I would pick a twelve gauge just for the cheaper, more available ammo.
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Old 02-23-2017, 04:11 PM
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Keep the 7mm RM, and the 7mm 0-8. Best 2 gun combo there is if you're talking big game in Alberta. Or 300 WM & 308...nah.
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