Limits of the 7mm-08?

Suther

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Hello. I was thinking about picking up a 7mm-08 for my first real hunting rifle, but I had a few questions for those who are experienced with this round. This round appeals to me because of its ballistics and low recoil - my wife is under tiny (sub-5feet tall, under 100lbs) and I would like something she could also shoot if at all possible, but its not the #1 priority.

Now, my understanding is the 7mm bullet has really good sectional densities and ballistic coefficients, which allows them to retain energy to longer ranges - in fact, I've heard statements like "At 300 yards it has more energy than a 30-06". Anyone care to weigh in on that?

Also, what is the highest bullet weight I can typically use? I understand there is 175 grain bullets, but are they too heavy for this cartridge? It seems 140-150 is the common weight. Can the 7mm-08 push the 160-175 grain bullets fast enough, or are they best reserved for the 7mm Magnum?

Finally, what are my limits animal-wise for this? Obviously it can take deer, and shot placement is everything, but would this be a suitable first hunting rifle for black bear, elk, or moose?
 
A site I use a lot is gundata.org/ballistic-calculator/ for data about cartridges. It lets you choose a wide variety of settings, and can compare between calibers so you can pick something you know, then compare. It give strajectories, velocities, energy, drop, etc. Very easy to use.

Then just learn the recommend ft/lbs for the game you are hunting, and start checking it out.

Raw data will always be more useful than internet opinions!

(But, the 7-08 will be fine for everything up to and including moose. It'd be a bit small for moose and elk, but there will be some who will say it's alright. At the upper limits it's usually the shooter as much as the gun that determines where to stop.)
 
I haven't used the 7-08, but I have used the similar, and slightly superior 7x57. It would not be my first choice for moose, but I wouldn't quit moose hunting if that was all I had either. It's not legal for bison in most areas, and not a wise choice for brown bear, but apart from that there isn't much it can't handle.

The problem with the heavier 160-175 gr bullets is that they have to be deep seated to work through short actions, and you start to lose a lot of powder space and subsequent velocity. With the premium 140 & 150 grainers, there isn't a lot of need for the heavier bullets though. Without taking the time to look at a lot of numbers, I'm skeptical of the 300 yard 30-06 comparison. My impression is that the '06 starts out in front and stays out in front for as far as you'd care to shoot.

If there is a large size difference between you and the missus, you should probably get her her own rifle. Stock fit is important to shooting well and comfortably, and either she will be trying to adapt to your rifle, or you to hers... either way not the best solution for optimum comfort and performance.
 
I was told that it is a "hammer" at 500 yards:)! I have 5 or 6 rifles in 7mm-08 and love them all. If I was ever to go moose hunting, I'd take a 308 though, bigger hole.
 
I shoot the whole .308 family in several platforms... 7mm-08 is not inferior to 7X57 and I shoot and load for both... personally, I prefer the 139/140 group of bullets in my 7-08's... if moose were the intended quarry, then I would move to max loads pushing the 154's... short of bison and big bears, this set-up will cleanly harvest any game in NA... I personally go to the Fed or .358 Win for moose in this cartridge case, but would have no problem pulling the 7-08 for moose.
 
The 7mm-08 has limits??? ;)

Comparing 7-08 to 30-06 , yes if using 140-154 gr bullets the down range ballistics will be better on paper due to the sleeker 7mm bullet.Heavy bullets , the 30-06 case capacity will take over.

Up to 300 yards, really? Who cares? It is going to work, you aren't going after M1 Abram tanks.

Standard barrels lengths and factory rifles and twist offerings, 140's will be your animal, use a quality bullet and go hunting moose and elk with a bonded, partition or mono metal, no problem. Stay away from ass and gut shots as normal and this rifle will work just fine.

Slightly longer barrels, 150's work also well.

The heavies, don't bother, they will loose energy fast and drop like stones.Not a chambering for much over 150/154 , the light bullets will have the velocity and BC you need for all your game getting.
 
The 7-08 and 7X57 while not exactly ballistic twins, are very close to one another in performance. Having said that, the .30/06 outclasses them in any bullet weight you wish to discuss, albeit with more recoil and blast. The comments you attributed to the 7-08 might be more properly directed toward the .280 Remington or Ackley, and certainly to any of the 7mm Magnums. A quality 140 gr bullet at 2900 from a 7-08 will be a fine performer on most North American game, although it does not meet the legal minimum requirement for bison in the Yukon and might be best left at home on the day you decide to pester a grizzly in the willows. A pal of mine has taken a number of moose with with a 140 gr TTSX loaded to 2900 in his Brno 600.
 
I would think that a 7mm-08 would have a better chance of out classing a 308 at 300yds than a 30-06.
The 30-06 just has too much case capacity that will push a same weight slightly balistically inferior bullet way faster/farther. It will also handle heavier bullets much better.
 
I would disagree that the 7x57 is not superior to the 7-08 seeing that the 7x57 hold a lot more powder.I also load for both calibers.The 160 grn.in the 7x57 with the 160 grn. leaving the barrel at the same vel. as the 06 has more hitting power at 500 yds.The 7 MM cartridge has superior ballistic co.
 
Recoil sucks, and anyone that says differently is most liking lying. There are ways of reducing recoil in the harder hitting cartridges but in my experience the most effective way of doing this is by adding weight. This doesn't really fit the bill for what you're trying to achieve so going to a larger cartridge doesn't make sense and therefore the 7-08 is a suitable cartridge for most anything that walks. This could also be said about the 6.5 x 55, 260 Remington, and a few others.

I think if you're wife is that small that she should most likely work towards a rifle of her own as her love of hunting grows. Sharing a rifle with someone of that stature would leave much compromise for both shooters. Don't rule out the 6.5 x 55 as these rifles can be had for cheap in Swedish Mauser form and are extremely well built rifles. They can be dressed up to be rather pretty as well. I found that mine didn't recoil anymore than my 22-250 and was a real pleasure to shoot. Never should have sold it
 
Lets get something straight....

7mm08 is almost equal to IF not superior to 7x57.

Check your loading manuals, 7mm-08 holds as much if not equal powder levels, and velocity is right there.....

IF you think the animal is going to notice 50-70 fps difference in bullet speed at 300 yards??
 
I love my 7-08. I shoot the 140gr Accubonds and have never had an issue with dropping animals.
I think it would be fine for a black bear but I'd probably feel more comfortable with something
bigger for moose or elk.
 
I use either 139 or 154 Hornady bullets.

154hornady-0.jpg

moosebeingcut-0.jpg
 
7mm-08 + 140 grain Nosler Partition (Federal Premium ammo) = moose meat in freezer:cheers:
^^^^ What he said. I have watched my wife and oldest daughter put thousands of pounds of moose meat into the freezer, using a 7mm-08 and 140 grain Accubonds. Pick your shots, be patient, and put one through the lungs = moose on the ground. The current draw system here in Alberta has allowed us to balance our draws in the family so that we have one, sometimes two, antlerless moose tags in the family/friend group, every year. It is usually a one - two day affair, which ends up with a couple of moose on the meat pole, leaving us to concentrate on hunting big bucks. Use your 7mm-08, and have fun hunting!!
 
Swedes have been using 6.5x55 on their elk sized moose for 100+ years. I suspect 7x57/7-08 would be fine for BC deer and Canadian moose if you head in that direction.
 
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It boils down to this.......................

Those who use it know what it is capable of, which is respectable.

The other's who haven't used one just guess at it's performance based on the internet information and play a numbers game based not on experience.

If you own one, you know what it can do, not many 7-08 users say they are under gunned.

Why is it that some use an uber magnum for game but suggest a 7-08 for their wives/kids/girlfriends for the same game?? ;)
 
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