7mm-08 availability in Canada

The bullet that hits it's mark and suites the intended game is lethal...


This is one of two fusions recovered from white tail does last fall after some hard miles spent tracking, both were double lung shots and both bullets were found in the chest cavity, no blood trail, rifle was a .270... In contrast I seen a mature moose take a 7-08 139gr interlock high to the shoulder and fold like a house of cards with a fist size hole missing from it's spine... Bullet construction and placement are key factors.

Funny how things work....the last doe I shot was with a Fusion in 308. At 125m it performed beautifully. Took out lungs and heart, left a nice toony sized exit hole and sprayed blood all over the place leaving a great trail. Minimal meat damage too.
 
Funny how things work....the last doe I shot was with a Fusion in 308. At 125m it performed beautifully. Took out lungs and heart, left a nice toony sized exit hole and sprayed blood all over the place leaving a great trail. Minimal meat damage too.


Indeed the universe has a sense of humor...
I have little doubt that the .270 would have performed much better at distance but the 3rd deer shot at 280M was less than stellar placement and apon the fusion removing it's testicles and exiting under the rib cage and the second shot to the neck from close range I believe my buddy decided that this year he would upgrade to a more stout projectile... Last I spoke with him he had just finished sighting in a "new to him" A-bolt in 7-08 to share between him and his missus for spot and stalk trips...


Another friend of mine has a model 7 in 7-08 he uses for a primary rifle and let's his missus use a model 70 in .270, I load for both of them and the "poor mans partition" aka interlock has never let any of is down providing pass thrus on all game and blood trails so impressive it's almost frightening...
 
Wonder if I have to do some explaining? ;)

Actually I don't , there are many users of the 7-08 that know how it works and why.

Nothing beats experience I guess.


I was a 308 all the way kinda guy until I bought my first 7mm-08 and then met Kelly on line:p. Now my 308's sit in the safe for the most part and one of my many 7-08's call my name the loudest on hunting mornings. No problem finding ammo, especially Hornady, it's what I like. Go for the 7mm-08, it's milder to shoot and a hammer at 500 yards! You won't be sorry.
My youngest son has an X-bolt Micro Hunter in 7-08 and loves it. Head shots every time, no misses and down they go on the spot, stone cold dead! I go for the vitals, old guy, poor eyes etc.
 
7mm-08 ?? ... I love that cartridge.

My fav's are: .243, 7mm-08, and .308

Cheap but accurate ammo retail prices comparison:

  • .243 or .308 Federal Powershock, $20/box of 20 -- [Always available from everywhere]
  • 7mm-08 Federal Powershock, $30/box of 20 -- [Usually unavailable from anywhere .. so when you do find it, BUY]
If you do not handload and you spend a LOT of time at the range, then that extra $10/box will add up quickly.

The choice for 7mm-08 over .308 is usually because of slightly lower recoil and/or slightly superior ballistics, especially over 500 yds.
If you are like 95% of shooters, you will never make a shot at anything over 500 yds, so lets discuss recoil.

Recoil for average bullet weights: .243 < 7mm-08 < .308 ... IF the rifle weight/stock configuration is the same.
But if not then that relationship changes; for example:

  • my Kimber Montana is a true featherweight and, in .243, it kicks like a medium weight rifle in 7mm-08
  • my Remington was a medium weight and, in 7mm-08, it kicked like a light-to-medium weight in .308 ..... ['was' because it is now sold]
  • my Sako Finnlight was a light-to-medium weight and, in .308, it kicked only slightly more than a typical 7mm-08 ..... ['was' because it is now sold]
In a heavier rifle (say, 8.5 lbs and over), none of the above kick much at all.

When you shoot in the field at game, you will not feel the recoil at all.
However, if while shooting at the range, because of perceived recoil, you develop a flinch .. then you might miss your game .. regardless of calibre.
I have a bum shoulder and shooting a .30-06 with heavy bullets or a 7mm mag would make me flinch after a while, so I stick to .308 and under.

My overall recommendation?

  • Buy the 7mm-08 if you handload.
  • If you do not handload, then go with .243 or .308 (or, like me, both).
Buy what is right for you and enjoy!! :)
 
I purchased my 7mm-08 x-bolt stalker blued barrel from Le Baron. It was also carried by SAIL. I find this rifle comfortable to shoot in 7mm-08. I do not reload and usually use Hornady American White Tail which is a reasonable price. I have found that the variety and availability of this calibre is not as great as .308. However I prefer to keep some in stock and make use of dealers email notifications to know when more is available. To me this is a hunting rifle so this isn't an issue.

If I was going to be shooting this rifle a lot, I would lean towards one in .308. Mind you, I have a .308 and that ammo is out of stock most of the time as well!
 
Found an X Bolt Stainless stalker and ordered it in 7mm-08. Will set it up over the next couple of weeks. Possibly with a leupold VX2, 3-9x40, although not sure yet.
 
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