7mm 08

[oc shooter]

any thoughts on the 7mm 08 versus the 308? have a chance to pick a 7mm 08 at a good price but can't seem to see where it's any better than the 308, and it seems that most of my local retailers don't stock much in the way of ammo for the 7mm, and what they have is more pricey than 308.

 

[Eddie Gunks]

Better ballistics for way out.

What are you using it for? Hunting? LR?

Gas gun or bolt?

@meketrefe will be along shortly with several paragraphs if info for you.

Get to it meketrefe!

 

[oc shooter]

bolt combo of range and hunting

 

[Eddie Gunks]

bolt combo of range and hunting

How far you plan to shoot? Do you reload?

The more info you give the Better your responses will be.

 

[oc shooter]

500 yards I do not reload but have enough friends that do

 

[GuyMontag]

oc shooter, 7mm bullet, that's where it's beats the .308

Ammo is not that hard to find but little if anything is as available as .308

Arguably the ideal hunting cartridge, reloading for it is easy, and there's lots of info out there on 7mm bullets.

 

[HighlandLofts]

It's becoming more popular, for the average Joe It's a toss up between 243, 7mm08 and 308.

 

[Podmonkey]

Isn't another advantage lighter recoil without giving up any effectiveness? Seems like the go to cartdrige for a light hunting rifle.

 

[meketrefe]

Better this, better that, are words we hear in many places but can be quite arbitrary.
The 7mm-08 is a very nice round. The reason is bullet performance in terms of exterior ballistics
so for equivalent bullet grains one gets a flatter trajectory and less wind deflection.
As we stretch the range and distances we want to shoo this becomes even more important like
in long range shooting.

Of all the calibers derived from the 308 case, the 7mm is the best and easiest way to achieve
superior ballistics and outperforms all others like 243, all 6.5mm and the 308 itself.
Of course if you have a custom load with 243 and 115gr 6mm bullets you are going to be able
to shoot a lot flatter but then those bullets are not going to have the momentum or designed
for practical use other than paper punching at very long range.

Now another story is, would you take a 7mm over the 308 for 500 yards and below type of range?

The 308 has some other benefits as well like the capability to take a 180-200gr bonded bullet
to tackle the largest game at moderate ranges.

I would say in the 120gr to 175gr the 7mm is going to be a very good hunting rifle with less
recoil for the average hunt, very accurate and reliable. IMO within those 500 yards
one will be able to do the same with a 308 but possibly not as refined as the 7mm all
around hunter.

The 7mm is definitely a very good choice because it does everything all the others calibers do
but a tad better. But only you can decide if within the 500 yards is going to give you
the advantage vs. the 308 considering other benefits.

In terms of ammo do not worry, there is plenty of 7mm-08 ammo in retailers for regular
hunting and burning for equivalent cost as the 308 and in terms of reloading cost is also
the same. One can also use the 308 to easily form 7mm rounds so not a big deal.

My biggest consideration would be, do I want to have a round that is better in long range
and do I have the 7mm barrel twist to enjoy some of the best bullets?
Also if I have other calibers that share the same bullets and want to consolidate or I see
myself shooting more 180gr heavy loads for hunting large game plus affordable 308 military
surplus.

Either way you will not go wrong. And when you think about it if you get a rifle with a barrel
swap system you can change barrels between seasons. They cost less money that a few boxes
of ammo and can use the same cases and components to reload other than the bullets.

Not that we want to over complicate things more than necessary but so you know there is
that possibility.

If you need precise info on the 7mm ballistics or 308 let me know. I have been shooting both
for a long time.

One thing people often miss is that a 7mm-08 with a 120gr solid bullet leaving the barrel at
3100fps hits like a 270 winchester at the ranges one normally hunts. Truth is a 130gr 308
can do pretty similar but the 7mm is always going to be a flatter shooter and a gun with
less recoil, perhaps more friendly for everyone. Just remember that the 7mm is sold like a light friendly cartrige rifle but in long range it beats all the others 6.5mm, 308w etc...

Again cannot go wrong with the 7mm.

 

[Podmonkey]

What are the standard bullet weights for the 7mm-08? What isbthe lightest commercially loaded bullet? The heaviest?

 

[meketrefe]

I don't like youtube too much but sometimes you see one of those videos where people are taking the time to
properly document their projects.
I am not suggesting one makes a $500 rifle but this guy explains how he arrived to the 7mm-08 and put together
a rifle that can shoot aside from the shitty scope.
Some arguments he makes are good ones though and he knows how to present and develop a story with some
logic behind, something many times missing in youtube...

Watch all the videos up to the part he selects, reloads and tests the 7mm-08. Although the objective is not this I think this gives a good idea of what the caliber (Also the axis) is capable of.

 

[meketrefe]

What are the standard bullet weights for the 7mm-08? What isbthe lightest commercially loaded bullet? The heaviest?

Heaviest commercially available are going to be the 168gr berger hunting VLD.
Some companies are loading 175gr but for match only and you will need the 1:9 twist that for some inexplicable reason
is not always the case with hunting rifle deals.
The lightest you have 120gr soft points, Barnes TSX, nosler ballistic tip.
Aside from 120gr the most popular are going to be the 140 to 150gr.
Good deals also in winchester, federal, etc... you know big retail store and hunting season deals..

 

[Marine Cpl]

any thoughts on the 7mm 08 versus the 308? have a chance to pick a 7mm 08 at a good price but can't seem to see where it's any better than the 308, and it seems that most of my local retailers don't stock much in the way of ammo for the 7mm, and what they have is more pricey than 308.

Meke will probably get mad at me but within 800 yards, the .308 will get you the same end result as the 7mm if you do your part. Everything else is just semantics. The paper you hit will not know the difference and it'll still take down any animal in North America. You don't have to reload for it if you don't want to and every store will carry ammo for it.

 

[Podmonkey]

Meke will probably get mad at me but within 800 yards, the .308 will get you the same end result as the 7mm if you do your part. Everything else is just semantics. The paper you hit will not know the difference and it'll still take down any animal in North America. You don't have to reload for it if you don't want to and every store will carry ammo for it.

Bit the 7mm-08 is easier on the shoulder while doing the same thing. Or so I've been lead to belive, I've never shot one.

 

[meketrefe]

Meke will probably get mad at me but within 800 yards, the .308 will get you the same end result as the 7mm if you do your part. Everything else is just semantics. The paper you hit will not know the difference and it'll still take down any animal in North America. You don't have to reload for it if you don't want to and every store will carry ammo for it.

I don't get mad at anyone but perhaps is a good idea to lookup the ballistics of both and then decide before making bold statements.
The 308 is 800 yards effective range that can be streched to 1000 yards with careful reloading. The wind is what kills the 308 at long range.
the 7mm-08 with 168-175gr bullets has an effective range of 1300 yards before it goes subsonic. It beats the 308 and all other 6.5mm in
terms of reach and trajectory but most importantly, it can put some very decent momentum on the targets.
Now for this one needs a decent barrel with the proper twist and nice bullets obvoiusly.

With all that said the 308 can also be loaded with solid CNC bullets that will reach 1300gr supersonic but they are not designed for hunting at those ranges
and but the same token the 7mm can put CNC 160gr solid bullets to 1600gr yards for tactical use but any of those will put the cost of the round
up to $2 each.

In any case, with popular match bullets at 800 yards there will be a lot less missing with the 08 just because of the bullets ballistic performance
in the wind. This is the reality.

 

[Podmonkey]

I don't get mad at anyone...............

What if I lost contol of my truck and drove through your house, you wouldn't be mad at me?

 

[GuyMontag]

What if I lost contol of my truck and drove through your house, you wouldn't be mad at me?

I'd beat you like you owed me money!

 

[swilliams]

Isn't another advantage lighter recoil without giving up any effectiveness? Seems like the go to cartdrige for a light hunting rifle.

I'm recoil sensitive, so take this with a 'grain' of salt, but I find no difference in recoil with the 168 grain 7mm-08 and my hubby's .308. I'm sure part of the difference is that his gun is heavier (mine is a Savage with a cheap-o plastic stock, his is a Weatherby in wood and stainless), but I think no matter what, they're going to be comparable if you're shooting the same-ish rounds.

Heaviest commercially available are going to be the 168gr berger hunting VLD.
Some companies are loading 175gr but for match only and you will need the 1:9 twist that for some inexplicable reason
is not always the case with hunting rifle deals.
The lightest you have 120gr soft points, Barnes TSX, nosler ballistic tip.
Aside from 120gr the most popular are going to be the 140 to 150gr.
Good deals also in winchester, federal, etc... you know big retail store and hunting season deals..

I found some 115 grains for the 7mm-08. Don't remember who makes them. I'll try and look it up, or check the manufacturer when we get out to PA next.

 

[Marine Cpl]

It all boils down to if you are going to take 1000 yard plus shots. If not, it isn't worth it unless you like to tinker.

 

[swilliams]

I found some 115 grains for the 7mm-08. Don't remember who makes them. I'll try and look it up, or check the manufacturer when we get out to PA next.

Nope. I'm wrong. They're 120 grain, and it's Hornady.

 

[Podmonkey]

I'd beat you like you owed me money!

Well, I would owe you money.

 

[meketrefe]

With the average rifle with the average round with the average type of hunt is a very easy and friendly round to own and shoot.
Nosler makes the 120gr ballistic tip and hornady the equivalent 120gr SST also in low recoil version that is a good white tail round very mild to shoot.
139gr hornady soft poin and Priv Partizan 140gr will probably be some of the best deals but also check for federal and remington
at the local cabelas and LGS for $13-$16 ammo boxes.
when you get to the 150gr there is no difference with the recoil vs a 308 but ballistics are a lot better for same bullet weight.

 

[meketrefe]

What if I lost contol of my truck and drove through your house, you wouldn't be mad at me?

No if you have a good insurance. I need some redecorating anyway.

 

[Podmonkey]

No if you have a good insurance. I need some redecorating anyway.

I imagine the company would take care of you. Good thing that I am a good driver..... and that I don't know where your house is.

 

[Podmonkey]

I'm recoil sensitive, so take this with a 'grain' of salt, but I find no difference in recoil with the 168 grain 7mm-08 and my hubby's .308. I'm sure part of the difference is that his gun is heavier (mine is a Savage with a cheap-o plastic stock, his is a Weatherby in wood and stainless), but I think no matter what, they're going to be comparable if you're shooting the same-ish rounds.



I found some 115 grains for the 7mm-08. Don't remember who makes them. I'll try and look it up, or check the manufacturer when we get out to PA next.

At that bullet weight I imagine you wouldn't find a difference. The lighter loadings may suit you better.
Same thing happens with the 20 gauge. People get one thinking that they can handle it better than a 12 gauge and then fire 3" 1-1/4oz loads out of it and wonder what the hell the deal is.

 

[meketrefe]

I imagine the company would take care of you. Good thing that I am a good driver..... and that I don't know where your house is.

Those things can be resolved. LOL

 

[meketrefe]

It all boils down to if you are going to take 1000 yard plus shots. If not, it isn't worth it unless you like to tinker.

One would not be hunting at those ranges w/o a magnum anyway. Assuming one finds a place one can actually hunt that far
and a shooter that has the training to do it.
Otherwise in youtube everything is possible.

 

[Jaywmustang]

 

[Jaywmustang]

Well, I would owe you money.

Vid above

 

[swilliams]

At that bullet weight I imagine you wouldn't find a difference. The lighter loadings may suit you better.
Same thing happens with the 20 gauge. People get one thinking that they can handle it better than a 12 gauge and then fire 3" 1-1/4oz loads out of it and wonder what the hell the deal is.

Most of my ammunition for the 7mm-08 is 140 grain, but I picked up a couple boxes of the heavy stuff because they were cheap - well, on sale anyway. I won't do that again, lol.