aint nuthin wrong with a stevens either, stock buying gets a little complicated though

Depends on the load or ammo of course. I don't think there's going to be a huge difference noticed in the recoil of the 7-08 vs. the .243.

If I was starting over with rifles, did not handload, had a tight budget and did not want to go custom I would be looking at the .243 and 7-08. But I would lean a little harder toward the 7-08

Sorry to hear about your condition. I think an AR would work with your hand/muscle condition if a thumbhole stock would work. If that budget can be stretched a little, you might be able to do an AR in 6.8 SPC, a credible hog/deer round at moderate ranges. Turnaround time might be a problem for this season, though-be sure and call for availability if you decide this would work.

Here's a 6.8 complete flattop upper for $494.99 you can have shipped direct to you. J&T is reputable and has good mid-grade stuff. http://jtdistributing.net/store/product1167.html

Here's a Metroplex dealer that carries New Frontier LW-15 lowers, so you can do a transfer locally. These retail everywhere for ~$109.00. http://www.dfwshoots.com/ Yeah, they're polymer. But they are complete, not stripped lowers. You might also turn up a Plum Crazy polymer lower about that same price.

You still need a rear sight, minimum or some optic. In a pinch, you could probably get a cheap Tasco scope @ Academy and some Weaver/Picatinny rings, or simply a Magpul MBUS rear sight for the season.

It'd be close on the money, but feasible. Good Luck.

Not really. I put this stock on a Stevens 7mm-08 today.



I got it from stockys just make sure you get the 4.40 Savage10/Stevens 200 stock.

The scope is not ideal but I had it laying around. Total cost for the entire setup is less than $600.

Stevens 200 7mm-08 nib, Nikon Monarch 2 x8 38mm, warne rings and the stock costed less than 150 shipped.

I've thought about the ar route, definitely something Im used to. However, the problem with that is i still suffer from flashbacks and well using a weapon i used in Iraq may trigger that. So not a good idea. Don't worry Im not too crazy to operate a normal weapon.

That sure is a purdy gun. However 700 is a bit too much of a punch for me.

Are you saying $700 is too much or the 7mm is too much?

Lol oops. Sorry bout that. 700 is a great price. 7mm has to big of a punch for me to handle. Maybe on my best day, but best days are rare.

Cartridge (Wb@MV) Rifle Weight Recoil energy Recoil Velocity


243 Win. (75 at 3400) 8.5 7.2 7.4
.243 Win. (95 at 3100) 7.25 11.0 9.9
.243 Win. (100 at 2960) 7.5 8.8 8.7


7mm-08 Rem. (120 at 3000) 7.5 12.1 10.2
7mm-08 Rem. (140 at 2860) 8.0 12.6 10.1


btw I put that gun together for less than $600 for everything pictured.

ok. what are you saying? stupid question im sure but being new I figure I can get away with one or two stupid ones.

I'm saying the recoil from a 7mm-08 isn't as bad as you think it is, if it is you can always use a good recoil pad to sap some of it away.

yeah I get that its not too bad. but at the same time I want something I can go and shoot at the range for a while and not be hurting when I leave. I think the highest I go will be a 25-06, and Im not sure about that, will shoot one in a week or two and see what I think of that.

Wish you were closer, I'm shooting that gun and a M700 243 tomorrow morning.

Me too! where are you located??

5+ hours away

well thats a long drive to test a gun. dont think the little general would give me a kitchen pass.

Any way. The gun that is at the top of the list is a savage model 11 xp hunter, any reason why this is a bad idea? Maybe a 25-06.

Not a bad choice, but I honestly feel my Model 70 25-06 with 120gr bullets kicks a little sharper than my model 700 7mm-08 with 130 or 140grs bullets. The 7mm-08 is rapidly becoming my favorite rifle along with my AR, with recoil (or lack there of) being the a big part of the reason. The report is also softer on the 7mm-08.

Either will serve you well and thank you for your service and best of luck to you and happy hunting.

25-06 kicks harder than a 7mm-08. I own both. Seriously the 7mm-08 is about as much gun as you can get without having recoil issues. If you can shoot a 243 all day you can shoot the 7mm all day, their recoil is within 1/2 a pound of each other.

Is there a difference in a 7mm and a 7mm magnum? if this is a dumb question i apologize for my lack of knowledge.

Whole bunch of difference. 7-08 is built from a resized .308 (short action), skip over the .30-06 platform and jump to magnum. The 7 Rem Mag is a belted magnum that will hold 63 to 70+ grains of powder. With your muscle issues, you don't want any part of the 7 Rem Mag.

Huge difference between, the 7mm-08 and the 7mm Rem Mag. Again I own a 7mm Mag as well, the 7mm mag depending on the load will thumb the crud out of ya. You going from a short action sweetheart (7mm-08) to a long action belted magnum that will take down anything in North America and most of the world. You do not want a 7mm mag.

I hoenstly believe for your purposes the 7mm-08 give you the most versatillity with low recoil. For instance I would not consider shooting an Elk with a .243, with the right load I would have no issues shooting one at a resaonable range with a 7mm-08.

Well thanks for clearing that up. I think Im holding strong on the .243, new question. Bull barrel helpful or not?

I started with a Remington 700 ADL7mm mag. Some may say its overkill for texas but it has never failed me. Has a kick like a mule but can do the job for everything. I have never had to track a single thing i have shot and ive had some bad shot placements especially on hogs. My first hog i dropped at around 210 yards with the gun and have used it since. Its personal preference but its a high caliber a comfortable fit and is just a dream to shoot. You can usually find good deals i got it for 450 scoped at gander mountain.

Ok guys I know you are all voting for your favorite, but the guy wants a light recoiling gun that will be plenty adequate for shooting deer and hogs.

The answere is a 243 win and the savage 11 would work just fine.

Looking at numbers on paper isnt going to tell you anything. A 25-06 is going to kick more than a 7mm-08 and they will both kick more than a 243 which is PLENTY of gun to kill deer and hogs within reasonable ranges.(period) quit trying to sell him on the latest darn craze 7mm-08.