Looking for opinions on bullets for the 7/08

Todd, by your logic a .22/250 with good bullets is just as effective on heavy game as a bigger rifle, which is just not true. The 7mm-08 is a small step down from an 06 granted but a step down none the less.
 
the 7mm08 is a great cartridge and will take any game from elk to deer with the right shot, what is most important is that most people can shoot a 7mm08, 270 etc better than the larger calibers resulting in greater accuracy and shot placement due to less recoil. the person should select a caliber that they can shoot very well and gets the job done . ie quick kills, if you can't handle the range time because there is too much recoil move down to a cartridge such as a 7mm06, 308, 270 and become great at shooting it. To the orginal question of which bullet, I still prefer the partition at least in my rifle
 
true, a step down in caliber, but in effectiveness, not too big of a step. nothing that will handicap most hunters IMO if they chose a good bullet. I believe this is key in the smaller cartridges performance. without a good bullet, they dont work as well.
 
I agree , but i would not consider it a step down,if the person is a better shot with a slightly lighter caliber and shoots a premium bulllet for the task at hand it will generally result in cleaner kills and most likely greater satisfaction, as they will spend more time at the range, becoming a better shot. I have hunted with people in the past in love with magnum calibers that could not hit a truck let alone a 6 in pie plate at 200 yds because they flinched so much. People have to be honest with their abilities and comfort level with any caliber and shoot the one they are most comfortable with.You do not require premium bullets for deer sized game , but if you use it as a combo gun ie elk and deer then a premium bullet would be a better choice .
 
Casull said:
Todd, by your logic a .22/250 with good bullets is just as effective on heavy game as a bigger rifle, which is just not true. The 7mm-08 is a small step down from an 06 granted but a step down none the less.
Click to expand...

Define effectiveness?

Do you honestly think a critter knows the difference between a .284 slug and a .308 slug through the vitals (given identical bullets)?

If you define effectiveness as a slightly larger hole or more recoil... then yes!

But if you define effectiveness as faster killing...I'd have to disagree.

I place more merit on bullet construction and placement than caliber...always have...always will.

Guess that is why we have so many bullet and caliber options available to us... as there are as many opinions as there are choices.

Now I'll have to get a grizz draw this spring so I can take the 'ol 7-08 out to get some good field photos:D

280_ACKLEY
 
You have a good point. But I wasn't talking about the shooter, I meant the round. Sure if you shoot the smaller gun better, it's more effective, I agree 100%.
The .284" bullet is just a very small step down from the .308" and most animals in the world won't see a difference. And there are .284s that are going to outclass .308s with different and heavier bullets and so on. But, if you look at the capabilities of both rounds, the 06 is a step up, again a small one but it will do the same with a bit more. All factors equal, the 06 is a more capable cartridge. It will do anything the 7mm-08 will do and with more bullet. Human factors are something else entirely. It's just one step, the 8mms another step again and then the .338s and so on. They are small steps but inescapable steps all the same.
 
303carbine said:
Find a 220 grain bullet for the 7-08 and get back to me with your results.
Click to expand...

I won't even get into my Sectional Density lesson again.....

You do realize where the 220gr is beneficial?

It is all about penetration, and the 220gr bullet was king back in the day of cup and core bullets... when you lose over 1/2 of the bullet you need a good heavy bullet to penetrate.

The TSX et al. have eliminated the need for heavy bullets... and you can rest assured that a 175gr X will outpenetrate a 220gr HDY all day long...but what is the point when the 140gr TSX will exit and any angle I've tried?

I'll keep pounding game with the 140gr TSX thanks...you can keep the 220's for your 7x57;)

280_ACKLEY
 
I agree with 280 as well, my main point is to find a rifle you can shoot well that is in a reasonable caliber to be effective for the task the individual wants to accomplish, once that is done take the time to practice and to try various bullets to see what shoots well out of their specific rifle. this include picking the proper bullet category ie a premium bullet for game such as elk. I concurr that shot placement and bullet construction are the keys to success.
 
I doubt you'll find anyone arguing against bullet placement and construction. If you properly use an adequate bullet for the game, you will never go wrong. If you use a slightly smaller round better, you are going to get better results than marginal hits with anything.
 
For the original question, I would use either the 140 TSX or the NP.

Re the smaller vs larger caliber arguement, I've shot a few moose and such, with cartridges ranging from a 25-06 and 115 NP's to a 358 Norma with 250 grain NorthForks. The quickest deadest moose? One shot with a 284 Winchester and 140 grain Nosler Partitions. The one shot with the Norma? It was a 2-point that ran 40 yards with a big hole through what used to be its lungs before it tipped over.

I agree with TB and 280_Ackley and the boys when it comes to general hunting. A good 140 grain bullet from a medium 7mm will kill as quickly in a hunting situation as my Norma.

That said, I DO live in grizzly country. It's tough to leave my 358 Norma and 225 TSX handloads clocking 2930 fps at home so I can carry my cute little 280Ackley and 140 grain handloads. More fun to carry, but when I'm stalking through a cutblock and see the fresh prints from mom and 2 large cub grizzlies, the Norma makes me feel MUCH more comfortable. That's why I own it. In a stopping situation , as opposed to a hunting situation, it wins.

A last thought...If I do decide to carry my 30-06, it will be with 168 grain TSX's at 2875 fps, NOT 220 grain cup and core bullets.
 
Last edited:
RickF said:
For the original question, I would use either the 140 TSX or the NP.

Re the smaller vs larger caliber arguement, I've shot a few moose and such, with cartridges ranging from a 25-06 and 115 NP's to a 358 Norma with 250 grain NorthForks. The quickest deadest moose? One shot with a 284 Winchester and 140 grain Nosler Partitions. The one shot with the Norma? It was a 2-point that ran 40 yards with a big hole through what used to be its lungs before it tipped over.

I agree with TB and 280_Ackley and the boys when it comes to general hunting. A good 140 grain bullet from a medium 7mm will kill as quickly in a hunting situation as my Norma.

That said, I DO live in grizzly country. It's tough to leave my 358 Norma and 225 TSX handloads clocking 2930 fps at home so I can carry my cute little 280Ackley and 140 grain handloads. More fun to carry, but when I'm stalking through a cutblock and see the fresh prints from mom and 2 large cub grizzlies, the Norma makes me feel MUCH more comfortable. That's why I own it. In a stopping situation , as opposed to a hunting situation, it wins.

A last thought...If I do decide to carry my 30-06, it will be with 168 grain TSX's at 2875 fps, NOT 220 grain cup and core bullets.
Click to expand...


I wont argue with that. I dont think I would want my 7-08 in grizzly country either.
 
LMAO! This topic went way off track!
I'll answer the "concerns" first though......Comfort: My main "go to" rifle is a 700LSS in 300 Ultramag. I've put approximately 1000 rounds down the tube, and can shoot 5/5 on washer fluid jugs at 500m.....no issues with recoil, (in fact, I like recoil....lets you know you are shooting something ;) )

The LSS MTN 7/08 is my deer/black bear gun, but I'd like to bring it as my backup gun for the moose hunt. The 300RUM already has a few notches in the stock (figuratively speaking) and I'd like to christen the 7/08 on something larger than a whitetail.

My question had to do with bullet selection: The 160 accubonds at 2650 and the 140 TSX's at 2750 we're both under 3/4" groups...which one would perform better for both deer AND moose?

Went with the TSX's in the end...thanks for all the advice!

Ryan
 
as of last year i switched my 7-08 to 160gr triple shocks. a white tail and mule deer later have convinced me of there effectiveness.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom