7-08R---anyone made one?

[Thunder50]

Got my 358/444 Rifle out of the safe to change scopes and re-sight in. Got to thinking that I just used a 358 reamer that I had, to make this rifle, that it wouldn't be much different to use a 7-08 reamer with the proper barrel, to make a 7-08 rimmed gun?
You could use 444 brass, but case necks might need to be reamed/turned, or just use 307 win brass, necked down? Would be like a 7-30 Waters on steroids.

Anybody already done this conversion, and if so, how did it work out? Thanks

[Hobie]

I believe JD Jones has done such a cartridge (as have others) with performance much as one would expect from the .308 case capacity. However, those were done on single-shots and some data and bullets might not work in a levergun due to COL with some bullets.

[hfcable]

Paco talked about this once: used the 307/356 winchester rimmed case, and necked to 7mm; i believe maybe called it the 7mm Shooting Times Easterner? made it up on the winchester big bore chassis; i wanted to make one for a while, but it is just another of the projects i dont have time for!

[Hobie]

Paco talked about this once: used the 307/356 winchester rimmed case, and necked to 7mm; i believe maybe called it the 7mm Shooting Times Easterner? made it up on the winchester big bore chassis; i wanted to make one for a while, but it is just another of the projects i dont have time for!

Yep, that was Jamison's development. It is ok I guess.

[BenT]

The 7mm shooting times eastern load data can be found on Hodgdon's website. It has a sharper shoulder than the 7mm -08 , like that of an ackley improved. It's made from 307 case and just run them through the 7mm STE sizing die and fire form the shoulder. Reamers should be available to rent.

[3leggedturtle]

Mike Bellm also has a 7mm BELLM which is the 444 necked to 7mm. It uses standard 7mm-08 dies to form them. Tho he recommends using a 358 or 308 as an intermediate die/step

[Thunder50]

Thanks. Get to thinking and no telling what will pop into my head!!! May have to look into that 7mm STE or the 7mm bellm

[Marc]

The 7mm STE is Layne Simpsons's creation. I made a 7mm-08 AI on a Big Bore receiver. I used a worn 7mm Rem Mag take off barrel and performance was disappointing. I will probably give it another try with a good barrel. Layne got 2700 fps with 140 grain bullets and 2900 with 120's with his cartridge. In his write up on the cartridge he said he first tried using a standard 7mm-08 reamer. He was disappointed with the velocities so he next developed the 7mm STE. He did not say what velocities he got with the 7mm-08 version.

[Wrangler John]

Then there is the obscure (my favorite kind of cartridge) 7mm International Rimmed. A .30-30 necked down, fireformed into an almost Ackley Improved configuration. It isn't a rifle round, rather a pistol round chambered in my Wichita International SS pistol. This is a break open pistol that looks like a cross between a Colt 1911, a Contender and a Master Lock. It's similar to the 7mm Waters, except it has a longer neck. These 7mm's based on either the .30-30 or .308 are accurate and fine cartridges.

[flatnose]

You could rebarrel and chamber a big bore receiver to many cartridges based on the 308 winchester. Maybe a 243, 260, 7mm etc etc, but the limiting factor would be cartridge overall length, and suitability of bullets for any of these calibers.
I have built a 22-250rimmed based on the 307 case. This is in a standard receiver, so I keep pressures down with a slow powder and 50grn bullets. This combo is the most accurate lever I have come across so far.
I will be adding other switch barrels to this rifle, and propose to experiment with a 6.5mm combination using the 307 brass. The 6.5 bullets will need trimming back to cycle through the action, and I need to work out beforehand, what the BC will be, and if indeed the conversion is worthwhile.
The reason I play around with this, is to try and find better accuracy. In the field for hunting use, it does not matter 1 iota if its a 30caliber or 7mm or 6.5mm, they are all going to do the same job in a similar capacity case.

[flatnose]

P.S,
I now have a camera, so I will post pics of the setup under another topic heading.