Well I have always looked at Ernie Bishops guns with interest and just a bit of longing for one although not enough that I was ready to go out and spend a bunch of money to buy one as their not cheap by any means and not the direction I really have been going except for the fact that they shoot long range and are a bolt action. Well I had something come in that changed my attitude on that last part. I took in a New in the box Weatherby RK V CFP (COMPACT FIRING PLATFORM) in 7MM-08. Its in a price range that I can afford and a lot less than a new one so I think I'm going to go for it. First off its a caliber than I have a lot of respect for and one I can reload for fairly cheaply as I have a ton of brass in .308 as one of my main guns is in .308 so the brass end is covered. Might just be fun to see if I can hit a prairie dog or antelope at a long distance with it.
Well the good part about it is this. I can sell it and get my money back out of it if it don't shoot. ;D Bad part is after I buy it, it might take me a while to afford a scope for it.
Member of the Rancid Crabtree Fly-Fishing/Grousing and Filosofical Society
Looks like an absolute blast. I can think of no reason it won't shoot. Now that does not take into consideration Bill, that your standards have raised beyond what one can resonably expect from an off the rack gun.
Jim you might be right on that one but it also might be a vehicle to get me there. A person always has to start somewhere. Worst part is I have already been exploring what the cost of a different barrel will be and a muzzle break as shooting it with a pistol scope just won't cut it. Shooting a 7MM-08 without a muzzle break and with a rifle scope could prove a bit exciting. I contacted Ernie about this to see what he recommends. I really don't wish to shoot it with a football helmet on. ;D
Member of the Rancid Crabtree Fly-Fishing/Grousing and Filosofical Society
Sure it would be a good place to start! I'm assuming that is a Howa Action? Nothing wrong with that as a base action. I would'nt think the 7-08 should be that bad, but you might want a hockey Goalies mask untill you get the hang of it?? Not like we would call you Jason or anything!!Not much anyway ;D If I did not have a pistol scope(which I don't) I would sure try the rifle scope anyway.
I've always thought the 7-08 was an outstanding cartridge. I would have a hell of a time choosing between that and a Classic stocked 7MM Mauser, which has always been my dream rifle. I'm not so sure the 7mm class will do anything better than any other caliber? But it always caught my interest more than a generic .30 cal everyone had.
Last Edit: Dec 26, 2009 15:43:23 GMT -5 by jimiowa
Yup, its a true Weatherby. Sat down and looked the gun over very carefully yesterday before I plopped down my money for it. Here are the problems I found. #1 if I'm going to use a rifle scope on it like Ernie does I'm going to have problems. It has a very light barrel and will need a barrel change to add weight and a muzzle break to keep recoil down or I"m going to have a lot of half moons in my forehead. #2 Its a Weatherby and its a real PITA to accuraize due to all the locking lugs of the MK V. #3 Finding a base with enough MOA built into it is going to be hard. #4 The action is smaller in diameter than I want if I was going to take it up to the caliber I want. 7MM-08 would be ok but would like just a bit more umph. I think it could be re chambered to a .280 AI and get it to work but for what I want it to do the 7MM-08 just is a bit anemic. So after visiting with a gunsmith for quite a while over it it was decided I should pass on it. What we did decide to do is to start looking for a Savage Precision Action and build a pistol off of one of those. Lot less work and in the end a lot less money.
Member of the Rancid Crabtree Fly-Fishing/Grousing and Filosofical Society
Bill, after a few rounds out of that savage striker of mine (also 7-08) in non ported platform i was pleasantly surprised by the feel of the pistol when i touched one off. i really was expecting to feel that rascal jump out of my hands. now adimtedly i was shooting off a sand bag and not a pair of shooting sticks but it was more than easy enough for my wimp ass to handle. i'm just saying the 7-08 is not the bear in a hand gun platform we might think it is. also i'm not saying though it couldn't be loaded up enough to become one either.
"cheap guns are like cheap women, both are fun until your friends see you with them." -- Jim H
"The Rich.... who are content to buy what they have not the skill to get by on their own exertions, these are the real enemies of game" -- Theodore Roosevelt
Well I got my new CDNN catalog and they have these things on SALE this month. Whee doggies what a sale, I could buy a new deer rifle and a scope and still have change. According to the ad they are suppose to be garanteed to shoot 1" groups at 100 yards. I just can't see much use for one unless I was target shooting in that venue. They don't look as hand to carry as a carbine and not as portable as a real pistol, but they would be a hoot in a dog town, especially in say 222 or 218 bee. and would make a heck of a car gun for coyotes.
Tempis volis coma frecia Mosca del fruta coma un bananna