708s and Hunting use?
- Thread starter WhelanLad
- Start date
My wife uses one and I've borrowed it a couple of times since its light (6 3/4lbs loaded and scoped). It's sighted in 2.5" high at 100 yds and it has been used for whitetails and mule deer. Its taken game from 5 yards to 300 yards with the average being 150 yards. It uses 140 gr Bergers to good effect and my personal limit is 350 yards on unwounded game regardless of what rifle I use since my abilities beyond that point prevent me from putting 10 out of 10 bullets in an 8" circle from non supported field positions.
My 7mm-08 is sighted in dead on at 100 yards because I am usually hunting in areas where I can't see further than that anyway. Mine has taken about a dozen whitetails a a couple black bears, furthest shot was 80 yards, but most were 40-60. I have used a few different 140 grain factory loads and now reloaded 145 grain Speer grand slams, no complaints with any of them. My limit with this setup would be about 200 yards, but that would be my limit, not the rifle's.
I never used a 7-08, but have killed several truck loads of deer with a 260 or 6.5 swede. I used a series of 125/129 gr bullets, my favourite was the 125gr partition which I also used on a young bull moose.
No issues, quick kills, light recoil and all 4 rifles were very accurate. I would expect the 7-08 with 140's would be equally effective.
No issues, quick kills, light recoil and all 4 rifles were very accurate. I would expect the 7-08 with 140's would be equally effective.
- Location
- Saskatchewan
I have taken mule deer, whitetail, caribou and elk. I normally don't shoot further than 200 yards. Rifle is sighted in at 1" high at 100 yards. 140 grain nosler partitions are accurate and give good penetration.
I would say that the 7-08 is adequate for elk, it wouldn't be my first choice. I would have no problem using it for moose with proper bullet. i.e. partitions, barnes, swift etc..
I would say that the 7-08 is adequate for elk, it wouldn't be my first choice. I would have no problem using it for moose with proper bullet. i.e. partitions, barnes, swift etc..
My son hunts with one. Inch and a half high with some 140gr hand loads and it works just fine. Out to 300 yards it has an almost identical trajectory as my 7mm mag using the same bullets. With suitable bullets it's a great round for hunting out to 300 or so yards. Personally I would like a little more velocity after that point.
- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
It is a fairly versatile chambering.
I have used it with loads from 110-168gr.
Factory twist rates really like the 140's , sometimes 150's too, which allows you to choose from pretty much any type of hunting bullet out there.
That being said, there is no issue with using it on any game in this country when using an appropriate bullet.
I have used it on varying game and varying distances but will not say what distances I will or will not use it out to.
If you are a competent shooter it will work out well beyond 300 yards.Guntech has a bullet removed from a moose at 328 yards, perfect performance, it is posted on another 7-08 thread.
You get a 140gr bullet moving at near 2900 ft/sec , what more do you need?
Almost all of my rifles use Swift Scirocco bonded for big game use, they are pelt friendly on coyotes , and not heart/lung friend on big critters.150gr for my 7-08.
All my rifles get sighted in for 200 yards at 200 yards.
I have used it with loads from 110-168gr.
Factory twist rates really like the 140's , sometimes 150's too, which allows you to choose from pretty much any type of hunting bullet out there.
That being said, there is no issue with using it on any game in this country when using an appropriate bullet.
I have used it on varying game and varying distances but will not say what distances I will or will not use it out to.
If you are a competent shooter it will work out well beyond 300 yards.Guntech has a bullet removed from a moose at 328 yards, perfect performance, it is posted on another 7-08 thread.
You get a 140gr bullet moving at near 2900 ft/sec , what more do you need?
Almost all of my rifles use Swift Scirocco bonded for big game use, they are pelt friendly on coyotes , and not heart/lung friend on big critters.150gr for my 7-08.
All my rifles get sighted in for 200 yards at 200 yards.
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Like most have already said; a good bullet, good shot placement and some practice it's a versatile round. I use the 140 partition for elk or moose and will not shoot past 200 with it, for whitetail I would take them out to 300. Those are my personal limitations with due respect for the animal. I keep the POI at 1.5 high at 100 yards
so far I have shot 1 black bear and two deer with 7mm-08
all had 140 grain Barnes TTSX
I have a Leupold 2x7x33 VXR mounted so
it is sighted for 100 Meters. I LOVE the wide field of view on that scope. I use it for hunting out of stands and the illuminated dot helps see the cross hair as black reticles do not show up well on bears at close range or low light
all had 140 grain Barnes TTSX
I have a Leupold 2x7x33 VXR mounted so
it is sighted for 100 Meters. I LOVE the wide field of view on that scope. I use it for hunting out of stands and the illuminated dot helps see the cross hair as black reticles do not show up well on bears at close range or low light
Speaking of the 7x57, since I don't have a 7/08, I've used 140gr, 154 gr., and the traditional 175 gr.
I normally zero the 140's at 200 or 250 yards. That puts the 100 yd. point of impact about 3" high for the 250 yd zero. Drop at 300 & 350 is 4" & 9" respectively. This zero makes things very simple: anything out to 300 yards, hold centre of body and you're good to go. With a 200 yd zero and the same bullet ( Nosler Partition), the rise is 2" @ 100, drop is 7" @300 and just over a foot at 350. Trajectory is similar with the 154 gr Hornady, with slightly more drop at 350.
I'm considering giving up on the old round nose 175 gr. The lighter bullets shoot flatter, and premium ones like the Nosler probably penetrate every bit as well as the 175's, plus they kill a little quicker.
The average shot distance in my neck of the woods tends to be close, but there is the possibility for longer shots out to 300 yards. I don't shoot beyond that distance for several reasons. I prefer to hunt with premium bullets like the Nosler, because I've had ordinary cup & core come apart at close range with high velocities.
The target is primarily deer, because I have a heavier rifle (9.3mm) for moose. When I'm a little older and too decrepit to carry the 9.3, the 7mm will have to do it all. I also have a .270 that I'm playing with that shoots a little flatter than the 7.
I normally zero the 140's at 200 or 250 yards. That puts the 100 yd. point of impact about 3" high for the 250 yd zero. Drop at 300 & 350 is 4" & 9" respectively. This zero makes things very simple: anything out to 300 yards, hold centre of body and you're good to go. With a 200 yd zero and the same bullet ( Nosler Partition), the rise is 2" @ 100, drop is 7" @300 and just over a foot at 350. Trajectory is similar with the 154 gr Hornady, with slightly more drop at 350.
I'm considering giving up on the old round nose 175 gr. The lighter bullets shoot flatter, and premium ones like the Nosler probably penetrate every bit as well as the 175's, plus they kill a little quicker.
The average shot distance in my neck of the woods tends to be close, but there is the possibility for longer shots out to 300 yards. I don't shoot beyond that distance for several reasons. I prefer to hunt with premium bullets like the Nosler, because I've had ordinary cup & core come apart at close range with high velocities.
The target is primarily deer, because I have a heavier rifle (9.3mm) for moose. When I'm a little older and too decrepit to carry the 9.3, the 7mm will have to do it all. I also have a .270 that I'm playing with that shoots a little flatter than the 7.
I use mine exclusively for hunting Moose in Northern Ontario - shots are kept usually under 100 yards (moose will let you get close) but have no doubt it has the firepower/retained energy easily out to 300.
I zero at 100 yards but use a BDC scope. While the next hash mark is not 200, the next 300, I have them calculated so "know" what they are (190 and 320 yards in my case). Those really are "just in case", have never had to shoot more than 120 paces.
My rifle likes 140 grain bullets and does well with most. I reload myself and only load "luke warm" making just on 2800 fps at the muzzle. My "go to" bullet for moose is the Swift A-Frame but would consider the Nosler Partition or Accubond (either in 140 grain) as viable alternatives.
I consider my loads to be "lethal" on Moose out to 300 yards (max) and further than I can reasonably shoot on thinner skinned game (deer) - it's still packing over 1000 lbs of energy @ 500 yards, but I am fairly conservative on what I consider lethal/ethical and can't think of any circumstance where I would take a 500 yard shot with a 7.08
I zero at 100 yards but use a BDC scope. While the next hash mark is not 200, the next 300, I have them calculated so "know" what they are (190 and 320 yards in my case). Those really are "just in case", have never had to shoot more than 120 paces.
My rifle likes 140 grain bullets and does well with most. I reload myself and only load "luke warm" making just on 2800 fps at the muzzle. My "go to" bullet for moose is the Swift A-Frame but would consider the Nosler Partition or Accubond (either in 140 grain) as viable alternatives.
I consider my loads to be "lethal" on Moose out to 300 yards (max) and further than I can reasonably shoot on thinner skinned game (deer) - it's still packing over 1000 lbs of energy @ 500 yards, but I am fairly conservative on what I consider lethal/ethical and can't think of any circumstance where I would take a 500 yard shot with a 7.08
Speaking for the 7x57, I use 140 gr Accubonds sighted 2" high at 100 yrds. With a dose of IMR-4350 and the 26" bbl velocity is just over 3100fps. Never have to aim higher than hair and that’s my max distance. So far it has taken 1 coyote, 1 WT buck, 1 red stag., 1 fallow buck and 1 arapawa ram. All have been one shot kills with either no tracking or < 50yrds and max shot distance was ~200 yrds, closest was 40. Currently topped with a 2.5x8x Leupold.
- Location
- Saskatchewan
I like heavy for caliber bullets of standard construction for this caliber. So that means 160-175 grains, mostly out of 7x57 but also for 7mm08 rifles. My sons both shoot 7mm08 Remington 700's, I have three 7x57 rifles at present. our quarry is anything that is legal and that we have access to in Saskatchewan. We have taken a bunch of deer and a couple elk with various 140 grain bullets, a few with 160's and more with 175's. The bullet weight I like the best is 160 grain. At 2600 fps, it is good for deer and adequate for elk and moose and bear. We sight in for 200 yards, We don't shoot past 300 yards, usually closer. These animals were taken with "heavy" bullets:
Whitetail deer, 160 speer, 150 yds at 2600 fps muzzle vel. 7mm08
Moose calf, 175 grain 250 yds Norma RN 2400 fps muzzle vel. 7x57
Wolf, 174 gr. S&B 2450 fps MV, 130 yds 7x57R
Whitetail deer, 160 speer, 150 yds at 2600 fps muzzle vel. 7mm08
Moose calf, 175 grain 250 yds Norma RN 2400 fps muzzle vel. 7x57
Wolf, 174 gr. S&B 2450 fps MV, 130 yds 7x57R
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Hi Whelen Lad, I've been using a 7-08 for 17yrs. First game was a black bear at 200yds with Hornady 139gr Interlock through and through the shoulders. Then at least 10 deer from 15-375 yds with more 139 interlocks. A cow elk at 140yds with interlock. One year ago my middle girl took a cow elk at 264yds with a Hornady 139gr Interbond. Here's her story http://reloadersnest.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=24184
My friend didn't know what it was when I got it (dyed in the wool 30-06 guy) now he and 2 of his kids have 7-08s. His 2nd boy has taken a nice mature moose with a 140gr E-tip and they've shot dozens of deer out to 400yds between them. His daughter is small statured and took her first deer (a heavy body 4pt Muley 200lbs approx) at 200yds with a 120gr ballistic tip.
I've been working on loads with the new 150gr Accubond Long Range and am getting good hunting accuracy.
I originally sighted in 2" high at 100 for my leupold vx2 2-7 and then a vx3 3-9. Did some expansion testing at 400yds by holding at the bottom duplex mark to hit phonebooks dead center. Move to a Burris Ballistic plex sighted dead on at 100. Trajectory with 140gr boat tails is easy to work with.
How's the Sambar hunting lately?
Willy
My friend didn't know what it was when I got it (dyed in the wool 30-06 guy) now he and 2 of his kids have 7-08s. His 2nd boy has taken a nice mature moose with a 140gr E-tip and they've shot dozens of deer out to 400yds between them. His daughter is small statured and took her first deer (a heavy body 4pt Muley 200lbs approx) at 200yds with a 120gr ballistic tip.
I've been working on loads with the new 150gr Accubond Long Range and am getting good hunting accuracy.
I originally sighted in 2" high at 100 for my leupold vx2 2-7 and then a vx3 3-9. Did some expansion testing at 400yds by holding at the bottom duplex mark to hit phonebooks dead center. Move to a Burris Ballistic plex sighted dead on at 100. Trajectory with 140gr boat tails is easy to work with.
How's the Sambar hunting lately?
Willy
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hometownhero
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Toon Town, Sk
Haven't hunted with mine yet but shooting 139gr interlock and working on sst and gmx loads for it. Got the interlocks at 2895fps sighted 3" high at 100 yards
Thanks Willbar.
The samber are still here an numbers but i am just starting the Rut for Fallow and Red deer so next 2 months are primarily for them but will get out on the Odd trip for Sambars.
Heaps around an big plans for the big country this year!
Thanks for the reply about the 7mm08! It seems quite a few people are using them out yonder on the Deers an the odd moose is in trouble.
Overlooked ELK cartridge by the Sounds but a few Wise men know a bit more
Cheers guys.
WL
The samber are still here an numbers but i am just starting the Rut for Fallow and Red deer so next 2 months are primarily for them but will get out on the Odd trip for Sambars.
Heaps around an big plans for the big country this year!
Thanks for the reply about the 7mm08! It seems quite a few people are using them out yonder on the Deers an the odd moose is in trouble.
Overlooked ELK cartridge by the Sounds but a few Wise men know a bit more
Cheers guys.
WL
