I have had a love affair with 7MM-08 since the early 90's. My first one is a Rem Model 7 that with the right load shoots pretty good. I also have an AR10 with a WC barrel that shoots better than I do.

Now I want to graduate to a 7-08 AI. I'm already a reloader so I'm not concerned with ammo but where do I find a rifle. My wants include: walnut stock, stainless barrel and action (or just barrel) and accurate and within a reasonable budget. Doesn't have to be fancy, just handsome.

Any ideas where to start looking?

Look for any 7-08 that pleases you. Buy it, then have a smith rechamber it. You’re not likely to find what you’re looking for otherwise.

I bet there’s a couple people on here who would build you exactly what you want.

I lied. Here it is

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1060917877

Saddle Tramp, I have a 7x57 AI with Proof Research barrel, McMillan stock, Remington action. I also have dies, brass (formed and standard) , don't remember trigger in it. If interested call or PM me. 9038530234
Thanks Daniel

I can build it for you.

Buy a Tikka Forest and a Lite SS and swap the stocks, sell the resulting extra rifle. Then have a smith ream the chamber.

10000000% have it built

I would recommend ZG Custom and S&S Precision. ZG does all my work and has build several 7-08 AI rifles. Both are good smith's.

There are some not so great gunsmiths out there. Anything you find on the open market could have been put together by a dude in his garage with no clue what he's doing. Nothing you're going to find is a factory offering. I'd be very, very leery of buying a used option. Might be great, or you might spend $1k+ on something that can't hit the broad side of a barn.

J.G. is the only person I fully trust to work on any of my rifles, or to build something custom for me.

He actually helped me turn my 7-08 into a 7-08AI showstopper, when I acquired a new barrel. It shoots amazingly well.

He also built my 280Ai from the ground up. I think I'm 31/31 with larger game since I had that built. It's been my go-to for years.

He can also work up the best load for the rifle he puts together. I'd say, call Jason....

Use J.G.

A bonus is he’s someone who owns and loves the 7-08 AI.

Depends on budget. Do you still have the Remington? Order a ‘ remage’ barrel, get the go/no go gauges and do it yourself with your action…. That’s the cheapest. Healthy Budget?……JG all day.

Thank you, everyone.

I can take a 7mm barrel blank to a complete barreled action, cerakote it, bed the stock, cerakote the stock, mount rings, scope and zero. Do the load development, and get DOPE on the rig to 800 yards. You can pick up a compete shooting system.

Thanks for everyones input. JG, I've been reading you threads since you have been on this forum. Tomorrow I'll send you a PM to further explore this endeavor.