7mm rem mag/7mm/08 help please

The honest truth is that ANY cartridge from the .222 Remington up to the 458 Winchester will kill any animal that walks today in Canada.

Pick the one you want - and learn to shoot so you can hit where you aim - and then everything else becomes nothing more than fodder for discussions on the various internet forums online today.
 
mjcurry said:
I've got an oprotunity to buy either a 7mm rem mag or a 7mm/08 in a bolt action Tikka.
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Maybe the question should not be which caliber to buy, as both are good calibers for everything you want them for, but what kind of rifle do you want to carry?

The magnum will be heavier, longer with more recoil, but with a bit more velocity advantage, while the 7/08 will be lighter/handier/shorter, with less recoil, giving up a wee bit of velocity.

U-PICK :D


sc
 
SuperCub said:
Maybe the question should not be which caliber to buy, as both are good calibers for everything you want them for, but what kind of rifle do you want to carry?

The magnum will be heavier, longer with more recoil, but with a bit more velocity advantage, while the 7/08 will be lighter/handier/shorter, with less recoil, giving up a wee bit of velocity.

U-PICK :D


sc
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Tikka does not make a short action, so you have the same weight, except for the extra 2" of barrel, which weighs no more than 1 oz. So you won't really be any lighter or handier. You will give up LOTS of velocity (the 7mm RM will be doing at 200 yards what the 7mm-08 does at the muzzle). But you do get substantially more recoil with the 7mm RM.
 
Go for the 7-08. like said by others before, most shots are made under 200 yards at game.

Its a good round for hunting + paper punching and if you want to upgrade to the 7mm mag later, then by all means do so. By using the 7-08 you will understand how it performs on medium sized game and moose. If you get the 7mm mag later you will find that it doesn't kill them any better, but can reach out farther if you do your part.


I reccomend getting into reloading when it is feasible. Thats when the real fun begins.
 
1899 said:
This is true, especially on deer.



Mjcurry asked about the two, saying he needs to decide between them. I'm just saying that its like comparing apples to oranges. I'm not disrespecting the 7mm-08, as I like it and really like the 7x57. I'm just saying they're different, that's all.;)
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Exactly 1899!
I think you misuunderstood my post, I agree totally with you!
personally I would go with the 7/08 because my shoulder prohibits the use of a sporter weight magnum in that size of case !
Cat

Cat
 
Pick up the 7-08 and hunt... no critter will know the difference between a 140gr TSX @ 2850fps vs 3250fps under 400 yds.

I've killed/seen game killed with the 7x57, 7-08, 7-08AI, 280 Rem, 280AI, and 7 Rem Mag from 20yds out past 450yds and honestly can't say I've seen a lick of difference.

The one advantage of the 7 Mag is undoubtedly flatter trajectory... but in terms of terminal performance I'd call it a wash out to 400yds...and a critter is still in a heap of trouble well over 450yds with the 7-08 !

280_ACKLEY
 
Levi Garrett said:
Well their is a .308 on EE, and the fella claims a short action:confused:
Frank
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Aren't all the tikkas the same length action? I was under the impression that they just use different size magazines.
 
The Tikka 308 on the EE forum is a Model 595 , which is a short action, the corresponding long action was the 695. The earlier Tikka Model's 55 and 65 were short and long actions also....the T3's are all the same length with different magazines for different cartridge lengths, they may have different bolt stops to limit bolt travel for shorter catridges, I haven't handled them enough to check that out.
 
The way I would look at it is with the 7mm 08 in the short action you have a lights package lighter recoil Cheaper to reload. or purchase factory ammo. I know many shooters do not have an issue with recoil since most of us shoot enough not to bother them. But I have seen seasional shooters . sighting in there rifle and flinching to the point of missing the target from the recoil and report of the bigger magnums. The 7mm 08 is a great caliber. the 7mm mag is even better for getting out farther, and with more down range punch. But with more recoil . You can get the 7mm wsm in the short action but again. more drama to shoot pending on who you are. I think the boys made some good suggestions here. In the end they are both winners with each of there pros and cons. Its more up to what you want to carry in the field.
 
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The way I would look at it is with the short action you have a lights package lighter recoil
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Not always lighter recoil with short actions.People buying light rifles such as the t-3 in 300wsm are discovering that the recoil is just as much as with a standard weight rifle in 300winmag.
 
stubblejumper said:
Not always lighter recoil with short actions.People buying light rifles such as the t-3 in 300wsm are discovering that the recoil is just as much as with a standard weight rifle in 300winmag.
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Sorry. I should have worded it differently. I was thinking of the 7mm 08 in the short action being lighter and easier on recoil. compared to the 7mm magnum. I do see your point about the short action short mags. That I agree 100%
 
stubblejumper said:
Not always lighter recoil with short actions.People buying light rifles such as the t-3 in 300wsm are discovering that the recoil is just as much as with a standard weight rifle in 300winmag.
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I am also in agreement with this statement. I know of someone who traded his 300wsm because he developed a flinch with it. It has affected how he shoots his other rifles as well. I know this doesnt happen to everyone, but it is something to consider.
 
If it's a Tikka - it is light so will recoil big. I have a 300 WSM in a Tikka lite and it bucks - I'm 225lbs! The 7mm Rem Mag will likely be a big recoil rifle. Go with 140/145/150 grn premium bullets and the 7-08 should be good for any of those critters you want to hunt. You might find the 7-08 easier on your ...frame. :p
 
1899 said:
Tikka does not make a short action, so you have the same weight, except for the extra 2" of barrel, which weighs no more than 1 oz. So you won't really be any lighter or handier.
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I think that the extra 2" of bbl and if it comes with a magnum contour bbl it would weigh more that 1oz and would certainly change the handling.

Both are good calibers. :)


sc
 
although I don't find the 7mm Rem Mag to kick all that bad, in 8-9 lb rifles, it *is* more recoil then a 7-08.

I'd prefer the 7mm Rem Mag but the 7-08 will work just as well on bear and moose, with good bullets.

seeing how you are smaller, the 7-08 would be probably the better pick :cool:
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Rifle weight is the single most important factor in determining FELT recoil.
(This assuming the rifle fits the shooter alright of course.)

Few would say that the 30-06 is a punishing cartridge, but my Mtn Rifle in '06 kicks like an angry mule, far harder FEELING than any 7mm or 30 cal magnum I've shot.

That's because it's light. As bartell says, a 7Mag in an 8-9lb rifle won't feel all that bad.

In this case particularly, I'd go with the 7Mag, because it will handle 175gr bullets for moose far better, and it can be loaded down to mirror 7-08 performance and recoil.

Also, I can't say enough good things about the Limbsaver pads and Past sissy pads for range sessions. Either (or both if you're really sensitive) are WELL worth the price tag.

Plus the venerable 7mm Remington Magnum is the original "lazer beem".
 
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Silverado said:
Plus the venerable 7mm Remington Magnum is the original "lazer beem".
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I believe the 257 Wby, 270 Winchester & 264 Win Mag were introduced before the 7mm Rem Mag ;)

also the 300 H&H
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todbartell said:

I believe the 257 Wby, 270 Winchester & 264 Win Mag were introduced before the 7mm Rem Mag ;)

also the 300 H&H
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I believe you're absolutely correct. I was referring to the gunwriter's hype when the big 7 was introduced. :p
 
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