Talk me out of a 7mm-08AI

cbh560 said:
Lots of good info and suggestions here. I strongly considered a 6.5x47, but my personal feeling is that a 6.5 bullet on heavier game like a moose or elk at shorter ranges (should I choose to use the rifle for such a hunt) would be on the light side. That being said my next target rifle is going to be a 6.5x47. My original plan was to go with a 7mm-08. My wife's hunting rifle is chambered in this 7mm-08 and I'm already set up for reloading. But the urge to try something a wee bit different got the better of me and for some reason I prefer not to duplicate chamberings in my gun cabinet. Some research suggested an average gain of 100-150 fps going with the AI. Ammo availability is not an issue for me. I always load my own and in a real pinch I could use of the shelf 7mm-08 and end up with a few more fireformed cases.

I've thought about the .284 win, but I got a little hung up on the idea that they may not feed very well from a standard .308 sized short action magazine and the cartridge is a little longer than I'd ideally like.
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Some AI perform better than others as far as increases in velocity. I think the 7mm08ai is on the lower end of velocity gains for ai cartridges.

The 284 was designed for short actions. People build them on long actions so they can shoot heavy bullets without taking up powder space, but if you're looking at the 140gr to 150gr range that shouldn't be an issue.
 
Suther said:
Some AI perform better than others as far as increases in velocity. I think the 7mm08ai is on the lower end of velocity gains for ai cartridges.

The 284 was designed for short actions. People build them on long actions so they can shoot heavy bullets without taking up powder space, but if you're looking at the 140gr to 150gr range that shouldn't be an issue.
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It could be an issue with the 284win if max length is 2.800. 140 gr bullets like accubonds, sst's, ttsx,ect are too long for that length. The bullets will be seated past the bullet ogive, guaranteed. You will need a little extra length which could be possible. Talk to a gunsmith who is familiar with it. I have a 284win and the max length is 2.800 in my action, I've been loading for it for 30 years. The 284win is a great cartridge but you need about 3/16" more length. I would go with a 284win myself. Even with bullets seated deep, it will still have more powder capacity than a 7-08.
 
Weatherby Fan said:
That’s not factory headstamped brass, like a 280 AI for example you can get from Nosler or Hornady not so with the 7mm-08AI
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Yeah and...? What’s the problem. If you want a wildcat you don’t get the option of the right headstamp unless you get brass made for you.

I have a 6x45 there is no headstamped brass for that. Mine says 223 on the case. I use 308 brass in my 7mm-08. Ive used 270 brass in 30-06
 
hometownhero said:
Yeah and...? What’s the problem. If you want a wildcat you don’t get the option of the right headstamp unless you get brass made for you.

I have a 6x45 there is no headstamped brass for that. Mine says 223 on the case. I use 308 brass in my 7mm-08. Ive used 270 brass in 30-06
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Which is better for 7mm08? 243 or 308 brass?
 
hometownhero said:
Yeah and...? What’s the problem. If you want a wildcat you don’t get the option of the right headstamp unless you get brass made for you.

I have a 6x45 there is no headstamped brass for that. Mine says 223 on the case. I use 308 brass in my 7mm-08. Ive used 270 brass in 30-06
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Take it easy big fella.........I think your missing the point that I was referring to, nothing wrong with the AI version if thats what a guy wants, the 280AI is my favourite cartridge/rifle its the one I grab every time when I go hunting,

I was only saying that its something to consider when building a rifle chambered in a wildcat with no head stamped brass or factory ammo available, I prefer building rifles with cartridges that you can buy factory ammo for thats all, the other thing is when you go to sell a rifle chambered in a Wildcat Cartridge (7mm-08AI) not everyone handloads so you limit yourself for possible customers for resale.

Was just talking pro's and cons' of the 7mm-08 vs 7mm-08AI is all
 
Weatherby Fan said:
Take it easy big fella.........I think your missing the point that I was referring to, nothing wrong with the AI version if thats what a guy wants, the 280AI is my favourite cartridge/rifle its the one I grab every time when I go hunting,

I was only saying that its something to consider when building a rifle chambered in a wildcat with no head stamped brass or factory ammo available, I prefer building rifles with cartridges that you can buy factory ammo for thats all, the other thing is when you go to sell a rifle chambered in a Wildcat Cartridge (7mm-08AI) not everyone handloads so you limit yourself for possible customers for resale.

Was just talking pro's and cons' of the 7mm-08 vs 7mm-08AI is all
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Except for the fact that you can shoot factory loaded 7mm-08. So yes there is ammo available
 
SuperCub said:
If you need the extra FPS, you'd be better of with a 280 or 7mmMag or just live with a std 7-08 which is not a bad option as is.
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I agree. Wringing out a dish cloth is a crappy way to get a glass of water. And a 7mm-08AI is a crappy way of trying to get to 280 or 7Mag performance, which is what you want for shooting big game at 700 yards.
 
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I wouldn’t get so worked up about the numbers. 7mm08 is an excellent cartidge.

You can hit 700 yards no issue.

Edit- Personally I don’t see the point in doing it in AI.Sounds like a PITA for no real gain
 
I've shot a 7-08 for 20 years. Handloaded for most of them and recently tried the 150gr ABLR. I hit 2800fps with H414, book load matched book velocity exactly except I have a 22" bbl and book was 24". For what it's worth at 3500ft asl(my avg elevation for hunting) 700yds leaves you with 1900fps and 1200ft lbs using Brian Litz #s for 9" twist not Nosler's hyped up(and now retracted) BC

Check out Henry Fred Gunworks on youtube, he works up loads for 162ELD-x gets realistic velocities which will work at the range you want.

My opinion is go for the 7-08AI. That little bit of powder space could be just the ticket to finding the right load with a different powder.

OR.....

Sell the HS DBM and get a Wyatt DBM Then you can consider the 284win...or 284 Shehane
The HS lets you go to 2.85...my Kwik Clip lets me have 2.850 The Wyatt will get you close to 3" COAL

I have a 350RM and I'm always fighting with that 2.170" case length even in my Ruger Mag which lets me load to 2.895"

With my 7-08 and short mag box I can have 0.815" of bullet out of the case, the 350 only let's me have 0.725 even with the longer mag box.

7-08 or 7-08AI with the longer mag will do it. Swap DBMs for a Wyatt and the 284 will do it easily.

Have fun with your build, I've been dreaming a lot lately too but I just cant bring myself to make room in the safe and I don't have the $$$ to spare to just keep adding.

All the best,

Willy
 
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They'll both work fine, but here's another vote for .284 if I had to pick one. I didn't know about the OAL issues, but there must be a semi-easy way around it like dan belisle says. Plus you have more powder capacity than the other one, even when the bullet is seated deep.

With that said, your #### will not fall off if you build a straight 7mm-08.
 
It would be nice to see some more options for intermediate-length actions on the market, for the heavy-bullet short action shooters out there as well as the 7x57/6.5x55/etc crowd.
 
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