Dan...I saw a flick of your brake on the 7mm/270WSM in action on another site this morning. Does that brake have slots on the bottom too? Or are they just on the sides? On your 7mm08 Striker how long of a barrel did you settle on? Edit(oops found it 17") I'm thinking of 16.5" on mine if I can find a suitable take off barrel to replace the factory. I may just go with a new Douglas barrel as they are not too far from my daughter's place in Charleston...road trip to see my baby! Which brings up another question...stick with the 9 twist or go with something a little faster to use the heavier projectiles AT&T style...reach out and touch something. Lot's of questions, but I'm not getting any younger.

John (katcher)

The Defensive Edge Brakes are only ported on the side.

Twist...9" is fast enough for anything less than a 180gr bullet in 7mm. Kirby Allen also tested the Wildcat 200gr ULD RBBT bullets in my 7mm-270WSM (9" twist) and the landed on point at 100yds and grouped under .75MOA. But I'd way 180's to be safe. And unless you are going to try extreme LR shooting, the 162gr A-Max is just plain awesome! I do see some 180-gr Berger VLD's in my future though.

If you are staying with the 7-08, the 154gr SST is a great bullet...the BC of .525 is pretty sweet. Anyting over that weight will be too heavy for the cartridge IMO.

If my toy funds were a little different I'd sell you my Shilen 7-08 and have a 6.5-284 built.

I was thinking along the lines of the 150's or 160's with a high BC. I guess that should be good enough. I'm WAY behind you guys in the LR shooting. I don't have the confidence yet for the really long shots. The range I go to is only 300 yds. MAX. I'll have to get good at that first.

EDIT: Holy crap...I went to the range Saturday to shoot the new Strker 22-250, had the Bushnell range finder, and measured the furthest target board at just over 200yds. So not as far as I tho't I had to practice. Oh well...

John

With a max of 300, then the 140's would do just fine. Shoot a SST or BT to maximize the BC. Also check with Berger to see if they offer a high BC 140gr bullet.

Thanks.

Good idea on the Bergers...haven't tried them before. I shot the 7mm08 at the range Saturday with Hornady 120's over H4895 @ 40 grns. and couldn't hit anything. Looked like I was shooting a shotgun at 100 yds. But the 218Bee TC and the Striker 22-250 were on the money with factory ammo! I just don't like that skinny tube! Too much muzzle flip. Need to find a heavy barrel and...really seriously considering one of those DE brakes on it. I'm really bummed about that.