7mm and 7mm-08
- Thread starter mikeo2
- Start date
I always go back to a statement that Jack O'Connor made, during his later years at Outdoor Life.
He stated that of the many hundreds of head of game that he had either shot, or seen shot, with the 7x57 Mauser and the many hundreds of head of game he had either shot , or seen shot, with the 7 mm Remington magnum, he could not really detect any difference in the killing power, between the two.
He said a good hit meant a dead animal and a poor hit meant a wounded animal, with either calibre (oops, with either "cartridge."
Bruce
He stated that of the many hundreds of head of game that he had either shot, or seen shot, with the 7x57 Mauser and the many hundreds of head of game he had either shot , or seen shot, with the 7 mm Remington magnum, he could not really detect any difference in the killing power, between the two.
He said a good hit meant a dead animal and a poor hit meant a wounded animal, with either calibre (oops, with either "cartridge."
Bruce
Although heavy for caliber bullets do indeed encroach on powder capacity in the 284 case in a short action, they do so with the 7-08 as well with a max COAL of 2.80" having an even greater effect in the overall picture. There are many better cartridges in the long action than a 284 Win, but few will exceed it's capabilities in a short action with a standard bolt face. Most people wishing to use a short action 7-08 aren't usually looking to use 175 gn or heavier bullets. They are generally working in the 125-150 gn range of bullet weights and the 284 really shines with these weights in a short action. If you check out percentages of lost capacity between the 284 and the 7-08 using say a 175 Nosler Part seated to 2.80, I think you will begin to see my point. The 284 retains significantly more capacity than either the 7-08 or the 7-08 AI. So following that logic, the 284 is still a significant improvement over either case in a short action...........and much more so with the more normal bullet weights one would use in the short action rifle.
Since I'm not one for compromise, I have both a model 7 in 7mm-08, and a X-bolt in 7 REM mag.
One that's nice and light, set up to carry and shoot in the woods for deer. Shoots 120 grain Nosler ballistic tips for deer. ( I hope to see how they perform on game in a couple of weeks from now)The 7 Rem mag gets the call for moose in more open areas, shooting 160 grain partitions.
So my answer to your question is one of each. Start with 7mm08. You may find it will do everything you need for now.
My 284 Win ( M600 Action) out performs my 7-08 ( M7 Action) with the same weight bullets by 200 + FPS - Both with a 2.800 COAL the 284 Win has a 22 " the 7-08 has a 20 " ! RJ
- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
7/08 with 140's at 2850 +
7RM with 140's at 3000 +
So, now that difference equates to this , a hit to the top of the heart at 300 yards or a hit to the center of the heart.
Want to burn barrels , get a headache , and develop a flinch? Get the biggest baddest brass case you can find and load'r to the nutz.
Want to go hunting, buy a friggin gun already and quit comparing stuff that don't matter.
7RM with 140's at 3000 +
So, now that difference equates to this , a hit to the top of the heart at 300 yards or a hit to the center of the heart.
Want to burn barrels , get a headache , and develop a flinch? Get the biggest baddest brass case you can find and load'r to the nutz.
Want to go hunting, buy a friggin gun already and quit comparing stuff that don't matter.
Sorry Kelly, I am a 7-08 fan myself...... but a 7 mag can push 140's way faster than that......
Both rifles have their purpose......
I'm shooting 175's out of the 7mm Rem Mag faster than you are pushing 140's in the 08.
I get 2890 with 140s out of a 20" barrel using W760. Thats its accuracy load as well...I have gone faster. It's loaded to touch rifling though. Well past mag length.
Must be some sort of a super fast barrel. I had a hard time getting over 2700 fps out of a Model 7 SS with a 20" barrel. And I tried lots of combinations. But I just bought another one for my 10 year old, so I'm curious to see the results.
Edit - interest in the load as your post prompted me to check Hodgdon's load data. Top load with W760 and 140 out of a 24" barrel is showing 2791fps (2810 with 139gr). So assuming a very conservative 100 fps loss due to the 4" barrel difference you are getting 200fps faster than what one might expect. I was generally 150-200 fps below book speed for a 26" barrel.
Like I said, you must have a killer barrel. Or a bad chronograph. Or I had a crappy barrel.
Last edited:
- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
Accuracy gentleman.Never do I load for speed.
And yes, I do load for both.
To be honest, what I find is that the 7/08 shows pressure signs later than the 7RM , I almost always got more than expected out of the 08 and less out of the RM , maybe the less efficient larger case.
I won't post charge weights but of course the RM can push larger bullets faster, but the 08 can do quite well before pressure signs start a knockin.
I found the 162/168gr in the 08 to be the limit, I still got 2740 ft/sec with 168 SMK's on the top end of charge weights though.Diminishing returns after this.
I do like the accuracy I got out of 150/165 gr in 7RM , stuck with those weights at not lighting speed.
Now the 7 WSM, and don't ask me why, I just think it's the cat's pajamas!
And yes, I do load for both.
To be honest, what I find is that the 7/08 shows pressure signs later than the 7RM , I almost always got more than expected out of the 08 and less out of the RM , maybe the less efficient larger case.
I won't post charge weights but of course the RM can push larger bullets faster, but the 08 can do quite well before pressure signs start a knockin.
I found the 162/168gr in the 08 to be the limit, I still got 2740 ft/sec with 168 SMK's on the top end of charge weights though.Diminishing returns after this.
I do like the accuracy I got out of 150/165 gr in 7RM , stuck with those weights at not lighting speed.
Now the 7 WSM, and don't ask me why, I just think it's the cat's pajamas!
Last edited:
