Question for X-Bolt owners, plus caliber question for westside deer rifle

[Hyde]

I'm starting to lean towards the 7mm-08.  As predicted, there are no left hand models in any caliber in the system at this point.  That's the story of a lefty's life when it comes to guns, which is why I started having them custom built years ago.  This time, I wanted to keep things simple and just get a factory rifle (plus 1/3 the cost of a custom).  We'll see if my gun place can get ahold of one for me.  It's not like I need it asap. 

[tsimp1211]

I have an X Bolt in 7MM-08....stainless stalker.  The rotary magazine works great.  The only hiccup occurs when I don't fully retract the bolt to the rear.  If I don't fully retract the bolt, it will not feed another round into the chamber.  The lenght of the Standard Short magazine is longer than that of the A Bolt, so handloaders will like it.  A good friend of mine has a Mountain Ti A Bolt, and we compared the two, mine is longer.  I don't forsee you having a problem accidentaly releasing the magazine, but make sure that it is full seated or you will have problems feeding a round.  Accuracy out of mine is less than MOA and I couldn't be happier.  I shoot the Hornady Superformance 139gr SST's and they perform flawlessly.  On a scale of 1-10 considering other rifles and prices, I would give it an 8.5.  The only flaw I could find, was rust starting to form on my bolt after a week out in the elements chasing high country mulies. 

As far as 308 vs 7mm-08 well we could argue that forever.  BC's are better for the heavier bullets commercially available for the 308, but if you aren't a comp shooter and want a great deer round you can't really beat the 7mm-08.  My buddy loads 160gr Bergers for his, so if you reload, then bullet selection won't be a problem.  My gun didn't shoot any ammo under an inch other than the Hornady Superformance.  I put two types of Federals, two types of Winchesters, and Remingtons through it.  I liked the power of my friends 160gr handloads, but my rifle was sighted in for the 139gr SST's and I wasn't messing with it the day before the opener.

Buy the gun and you won't be dissapointed.

[Hyde]

I took a look at a comparison between the 708 and the 308, (140 gr Partitions in 708 verses the 150 Partition in 308), and they are nearly identical.  Energy is a little better with the 308, and since it will make a slightly bigger hole, I have decided on my original idea of going with the 308.  Even though both of these calibers are great past 300 yards, this would be my blacktail/west side rifle, where shots would probably be less.  Now all I have to do is wait until someone can get me one.  There are none in the system at this point, and no one expects any before the first of the year.  (Left hand)

Now it's time to research a good scope for this rifle.  Anyone use one of those Trijicon (sp?) scopes?  Thanks again for the comments.