Remington Model 7 carbine-length

.308 Carbine Short On Performance


Q: I have a problem that I feel is common to many of us starting out to hunt deer. I want to buy a suitable rifle for hunting fallow deer in semi-open country, but wish to have a versatile gun that can be used on larger deer species. The average shot at deer is 150 metres, but I have shot at nearly 300 metres before. My gun shop has a secondhand Remington Model Seven and a Ruger Hawkeye both in .308. Is the .308 a wise choice? I prefer this gun because of its light weight and handiness. I would appreciate any advice on rifle, calibre, and a moderately priced scope. What ammo as I don’t reload?
Lionel Prentice  

A: The .308 Winchester cartridge is a good one, although for your purposes I think a .270 would be better. The 500mm barrel on the Model Seven carbine is not long enough to develop enough velocity for those long shots; the Ruger’s 550mm barrel is better. I used the .308 for deer hunting for many years and found it had enough power for all species. It is reasonably pleasant to shoot and there’s a wide variety of bullets and loads available in factory ammo. Since the Ruger comes with a set of rings, I’d recommend a scope in the class of the Meopta Meopro 3.5-10×42 which gives a clear, bright image.

 

 

 


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Nick Harvey

The late Nick Harvey (1931-2024) was one of the world's most experienced and knowledgeable gun writers, a true legend of the business. He wrote about firearms and hunting for about 70 years, published many books and uncounted articles, and travelled the world to hunt and shoot. His reloading manuals are highly sought after, and his knowledge of the subject was unmatched. He was Sporting Shooter's Technical Editor for almost 50 years. His work lives on here as part of his legacy to us all.

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