Thread: Considering upgrading from 7mm08 to possibly 270 or something else

You have plenty of great advice here.

1. Fit and feel of the rifle is most important
2. The 7mm08 will do anything the 270 Win will for practical hunting. From 120 gr Branes TTSX to 160 Accubond VLDX etc. you have many great options
3. If you want a new rifle, I would suggest the Kimber Montana M84. Outdoor supplies in Carterton have stock I think. A bit pricy at $2650 but a great rifle. I have one in 7mm08. Here is my story FYI.

I started with a Rem 700 243 in 1993, but it was a bit light in my opinion. After 6 months I got a Sako 6.5X55. This was heavier & I shot deer with it. 125gr Partition bullets rivalled the 270 Win. I played around with a few calibers like a 358 Win with 20 inch barrel for bush hunting, Sako 308 etc. Finally I built a 280 AI on a Sako Finbear action as my dream rifle and put a Swarovski scope on it. It fit me very well and it shot very well. I took animals beyond 300 meters easily. But it was 8 lbs and a 24 inch barrel.

I then saw the Kimber Montana in 7mm08 and just jumped at it. A bargain price from a staff member at Killwell sports - almost brand new. I put a Leupold VX3 2.5-8X Boone and Crocket reticle. It weighs 5 lbs 3 oz bare and 6 lbs scoped. This is 2 lbs lighter than the Sako 280AI. It is a real joy to carry up hills - like a .22 LR! I shoot very well with it. I have taken running shots on game that people will not believe. Deer at 350 meters is not a problem. In the last 18 years that I have had this rifle, I have probably used the 280AI once in the South ismand and a few times on goats. It just sat in the safe until I sold it a couple of weeks ago.

I would not go for the really big scopes like 10X & 12 X as it upsets the balance of the rifle and the ability to carry it etc. The Ballistic reticle in my 2.5-8x is adequate to 400 meters.