Got my Marlin XS7S 7MM-08

[FiveInADime]

Well I was going to get a .308 and replace the barrel right away with a McGowen in .260 Rem. but given I will get next to nothing for the take-off barrel I decided to get the 7mm-08 and I am going to play around with it for a while until I save up enough for the McGowen and a Boyds stock.

I was very careful picking the rifle looking for stock fit issues and such. Luckily the 7mm-08 they had in stock had a near perfect stock fit (the .308 they had was BAD) and it had obviously was test fired at the factory because it had a nice neat star of carbon on the crown. I shot some Wipeout foam into the bore when I got home and had the slightest trace of copper on the patches I pushed through.

I don't know much about 7-08 but I am going to buy a die-set, bullets, and some brass and try it out. The barrel has a 1:9.5" twist so I was wondering if it would stabilize the 162gr. A-MAX but if not it looks like I can get 150Gr. Sierra MKs that might work well.

Anyone have a suggestion on the powder? I have some H-4350 on hand.

 

[jimbob86]

In Hornady's 5th Ed. Manual, they have data for an Encore barrel with a 1:9 twist 24" barrel and your 162 A-Max..... H414 gave highest velocities..... something a bit faster like IMR4064 or Varget might be better with your 22" barrel. I had to use magnum primers with 4064 to get consistant velocities in cold weather in my .270WIN.....

I load for a 16" barreled Ruger Frontier with 4064.....

 

[FiveInADime]

Thanks, that's good stuff. I might pick up some IMR4064 because if it doesnt work I have a decent .243 load that uses it. It looked like the H4350 gets good velocity and case-fill with the 150SMK according to Hogdon data. I will try both.

 

[taylorce1]

You might take a look at TAC from Ramshot powders, it usually works extremely well in .308 based cases. Unfortunately as you have found out, factory barrels really aren't worth much. Most people who are looking to replace a barrel on their rifle want a custom barrel.

 

[FiveInADime]

Taylorce-You were the first person to comment on the low-return for factory barrels and on the Marlin forum they said probably only $50 or so. They suggested putting it for sale on the Savage forums since you can mount the Marlin barrels with no mod. on Savage rifles.

This is better anyway because I can play with the stock rifle for a while. I didn't have much interest in a .308 but I have a healthy curiosity about the capabilities of the 7mm-08 and the factory 1:9.5 twist with match bullets.

 

[taylorce1]

I got $80 which inclued shipping for my last take off .223 barrel I sold. So by the time it was all said and done I recouped about $65 on the sale of my barrel. It did pay for a set of headspace gages for .308 based cartridges.

I'm sure you'll enjoy the 7-08, it will probably fast become one of your favorite rifles. They are pretty easy to shoot, and find an accurate load for. I shot it a little as a pistol and as a rifle, the pistol barrel for my Encore was sent down the road, and my Savage has been rebarreled to .250 Savage

 

[Doyle]

You might take a look at TAC from Ramshot powders, it usually works extremely well in .308 based cases.

A buddy of mine used TAC and did get great accuracy with it. His complaint was that it is the most unpleasant powder he has ever used. It gets everywhere and sticks to the insides of his dribbler.

 

[Big Shrek]

Marlin barrels are button-rifled...and usually more precise than the shooter behind 'em...

You might not even bother getting a replacement after some good testing at the range...

 

[FiveInADime]

No doubts on my part that you're right Big Shrek. I just want something really specific. The .260 Rem. is something I have been after for a long time and its just hard to find one just like I want without spending myself into a broken home. With the amount of time this rifle will spend on a shooting bench or on a shooting mat in the desert, I really want a heavier barrel so I can shoot longer strings. I have the hunting rifles covered from varmint to elk.

 

[warbirdlover]

I used to reload for the 7mm-08 and used Winchester ball powder (same as they use in their ammo). Mine (Browning A-Bolt Micro Medalion) seemed to like Sierra bullets.

It's a great round and a good rifle. Should do well with it.