7mm-08?

Should you buy a 7mm-08? .. Hmmm

I have owned two rifles chambered for 7mm-08.
Both rifles were mint, beautifully crafted, wonderfully accurate and, with almost no recoil, an absolute joy to shoot.
So what did I do? .. I traded them both.

Yes I admit it ... *nods* ... sometimes I do stupid things.

What IS the lure of EE?
What is there about it that makes us NEED to trade guns we love for, well, maybes?
*shrugs*
 
I have two hunting rifles, both Tikka T3's, one in 30-06 and one in 7mm-08. I hand load for both and the 7mm-08 loaded with 140gr Barnes TSX is by FAR my preferred rifle. I absolutely love it. That being said, I found that a limbsaver added to the 30-06 made it a real pleasure to shoot as well. With this particular rifle, it was too light to shoot a heavier load and it bruised the heck out of me with the recoil pad that came with it. The limbsaver solved that problem and it isn't much more to shoot than the 7mm-08.
 
Question number one, do you reload? If not, there are better choices. You want to have a rifle chambered in a cartridge that has a wide selection of loads, and is available anywhere.
Second, you mentioned that the 30-06 had too much recoil, but you didn't state which rifle it was, or anything about your stature. A poorly fitting rifle will belt you irregardless of the cartridge it's chambered for.
The 7mm-08 is a good cartridge (like most other cartridges in existence), but for a non reloader, I would personally suggest looking at the 270, And shoulder as many rifles as you can to find out which one feels right.
Ivor
 
Of the chamberings that I own and use the 7-08 is by far my favorite for all around use.

You are taking the inherit accuracy of the .308 case , the efficiency of this same case throwing a more slippery bullet than a .30 cal into it and using modern components and powders.

Take for instance for a factory load the Remington 140 accutip , 2860 I was getting out of the muzzle.That is approaching the performance of cartridges burning 20 grains more powder with WAY more blast and recoil.

I load a Swift SC II 150gr with a BC of .515 ,at 2750 ft/sec. I took this bullet to 2860 with no pressure signs.Now what will that equate to on game performance?

I have also worked up 139/140gr projectiles to go 3000+ ft/sec with no issues.

I have used everything from 100gr to 168gr bullets for various uses in the 7-08 and haven't had to fight to get accuracy or sufficient knockdown power.

It is WELL capable beyond the abilities and needs of most shooters when it comes down to game.I have used this cartridge on game at various distances and it has performed flawlessly.

When it comes down to numbers on paper , well go ahead and compare some load data or factory numbers, you will find that magic "energy" number is further out than you expected.

Premier® AccuTip™ 140 2542 2216 1925 1664 1432 1225 7mm-08 Factory Remington

Premier® AccuTip™ 150 2820 2403 2037 1716 1436 1193 30-06 factory Remington.

Go and check the charts at Remington, you will be shocked what those big 180's loose out past the magical 400 yards.

What you gain in power/velocity you are going to feel on the arse end of the gun and if you are recoil sensitive or not, more practice leads to better marksmanship.You don't get good practice when you are cautious of the butt plate.

The efficiency of this little bugger is quite pleasing.

You do not have to reload to utilize this cartridge, but reloading will open a huge door to performance potential that has the 7-08 winking as it knocks on the door of so-called men's cartridges.

Remember how many guys say "I got a 7-08 for the wife, g/f , daughter" , you know why? because they hit their game in the vitals and don't have an ego to feed. ;)

What wouldn't I hunt with it in this country , nothing I can think of.

*As with any chambering select the proper projectile for intended use*

Send me a PM if curious about load data.
 
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Get rid if the 30-06 and go find a 7mm-08. Much, much nicer cartridge to shoot and has loads of killing power. 300 - 400 yds on deer is not a problem if you do your part. I have not found decent ammo hard to find, every ammunition store I've been in the last couple of years has stocked it.
 
I have had a 7mm08 in the cabinet ever since I was a kid, it's one of those things I just won't do without. I have taken yotes, sheep, mule deer, whitetail, elk, moose, black bear, a few lynx, and even some small game. Ranges from 10 yards to 400, I know it will reach farther than I can comfortably shoot at game. Currently have 2, a Mod 7 SS and a Mod 70 FW.

As others have said, it's a 308 with improvements, hits harder than you would think, very efficient, low recoil, etc....what's not to love?
 
hawk-i said:
Was it the rifle you didn't like or the cartridge??
Click to expand...

Niether, really. I would buy another Model 7, but I'd be looking at getting a different stock. Maybe a Wildcat or something. I have read that the 7mm-08 suffers from shorter barrels (velocity wise) and it seemed to be borne out in my case. Having said that it was a sample of one so maybe I am being too harsh.

On the other hand I love the 7x57. You could get a Brno 21H in the $1000 range and it would be just as light as a factory synthetic Model 7. IMO it's worth the extra $250-$300.
 
Thanks for all the replies guys. I have been loaned a 7mm-08 wby vanguard for this season and shot a FRIEND's .30-06 savage axis. I'll likely buy the gun off him if he wants or buy my own vanguard in this caliber. Just wanted to get information to before making any decisions. :)
 
Cleftwynd said:
I have had a 7mm08 in the cabinet ever since I was a kid, it's one of those things I just won't do without. I have taken yotes, sheep, mule deer, whitetail, elk, moose, black bear, a few lynx, and even some small game. Ranges from 10 yards to 400, I know it will reach farther than I can comfortably shoot at game. Currently have 2, a Mod 7 SS and a Mod 70 FW.

As others have said, it's a 308 with improvements, hits harder than you would think, very efficient, low recoil, etc....what's not to love?
Click to expand...

ah-huh! Now we know your age!:p. There was no such thing as a 7mm-08 when I was a kid, too bad. Sad that I missed out on that wonderful cartridge for so many years.
 
It's very hard to go wrong with a 7-08. I've had a 22" barreled stainless/synthetic Tikka M595 (short action pre-cursor to the T3) for about 10 years now, and between the wife and I, it's accounted for several truck loads of deer. It likes Ramshot Big Game and 120 gr TTSXs for 3247 fps, or Big Game and 140 gr Ballistic tips at 2866 fps equally.
 
Why would you need more than that?

jaycee said:
It's very hard to go wrong with a 7-08. I've had a 22" barreled stainless/synthetic Tikka M595 (short action pre-cursor to the T3) for about 10 years now, and between the wife and I, it's accounted for several truck loads of deer. It likes Ramshot Big Game and 120 gr TTSXs for 3247 fps, or Big Game and 140 gr Ballistic tips at 2866 fps equally.
Click to expand...
 
jaycee said:
It's very hard to go wrong with a 7-08. I've had a 22" barreled stainless/synthetic Tikka M595 (short action pre-cursor to the T3) for about 10 years now, and between the wife and I, it's accounted for several truck loads of deer. It likes Ramshot Big Game and 120 gr TTSXs for 3247 fps, or Big Game and 140 gr Ballistic tips at 2866 fps equally.
Click to expand...

3247 fps with 120gr bullets seems fast?
 
I've made a positive comment about the 7mm-08 earlier in this thread.
Now I'll make another.

The reason why you rarely see nice rifles chambered in 7mm-08 for sale on EE?
Because those that own them, love them, and don't want to part with them.

*nods*
 
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