Packed it for 53 yrs and bunch of deer &elk it killed .I am slowing down a bunch and might never specifically elk hunt again .I may try to find a M 77 take off barrel in 7 MM-08 for my M77 Hawkeye 243 Left Hand .A little more soup than my 243 and a lot less kick ! This being 76 yrs old sucks .Any other options out there in short action with going to 308 ? signed recoil concious

for deer our family loves the 243, 260,7mm-08 . woundd channel is s larger diameter with the 7mm-08 but the deer reaction is the same. Drop or stager short stumbling 20 to 30 yards. Kids have been shooting both since they were 6 so recoil is not bad on either. BUT

The suppresors reduce recoil with the added weight and slowing the gas down as well.

I bought one of these to carry around now that I'm getting older. 6-1/2# with scope and its threaded for a brake if you need one. Trigger is the best one I've had from factory.
The one I have shoots 129gr bullets real well.

https://www.gricegunshop.com/leghwhsl65cr-legacy-m1500-superlite-hunter-6-5creedmoor-20-t-c.html

I got lucky and got mine for 499 A couple years ago, A very nice gun for the money!

I have carried my aptly named "Sir Thumpwell" 30-06 for 45 years. Switched to 7mm-08 a few years back and it is plenty of medicine for whitetail.

Chris

Ive never heard anything bad about a 7mm-08 from anyone that owned one. Most deer at my place are taken with .243..they just flat work with minimal recoil and loss of sight picture. Its also really hard to find a store or gas station that doesnt have 243 sitting on the shelf. Hope you find what you are looking for G smith.....

7mm-08 for me. I can take down deer and elk, plus the kick is minimal so my son can use it as well. I gave up on magnum rifles. I like having a gun I can comfortably shoot.

I want alittle more soup for the elk that easily could wander by me .I will not buy a right hand bolt rifle .Could blunder into a take off barrel before Oct . 26 thanks guys

My father in law killed a desert sheep at 79 ( 7mm)
and his last mule deer at 89 Same 7mm 160 gn load,,, way too big for him to be shooting that deer
He also use to brag he shot 5 elk in a row with my wifes 243

Tone down your bullets I loaded 90-220 gn bullets for a 30 cal Remington and Hornaday make a 125 lite load for big game

I've had my bolt action 06 for 50 year now. I still don't think it kicks to bad but my son don't like it.
Have you given any thought to using managed recoil Loads?
My brother has an 06 he and he does not like the recoil of that gun. He heard about the managed recoil load so got some. Like them so much he got some for his 308 which he actually shoot more. The 06 is really just back up gun for him. Last fall he decide he wanted to go all copper bullet for deer hunting. Actually found some all copper managed recoil for his 308 and 06, Shot 2 deer with 308 using them all copper bullets this season no issues.

Mac

It is gone and many memories with it !

I'm always a proponent of buying more guns. I wouldn't look for the barrel to swap, I'd go gun shopping for a lefty 7mm-08. There are a few out there.

Another first hander here. You will not be diappointed with a 7mm 08. They are "as advertised!"

Here's another idea, it also has a threaded barrel for a brake. If you're recoil sensitive, you'll be amazed at how a brake tames them down.

https://www.gricegunshop.com/sav32367-savage-axis-2-pro-forest-sp-camo-lh-308win.html

They have other calibers, with a brake on it, you might want to consider another 06 ?

Crossbow