Why do I think I want a 7mm-08?

[freestyle]

You won't regret the 7mm.08.

I bought a Ruger 1a in 7x57 for my son's first hunting rifle.

It is light, short, easy to carry, balanced, and mild recoil. Very tight groups and good for most game in Canada, but might be too light for bull moose and big bears.

 

[Eagleye]

I have nothing but respect for the 7-08.
While I personally have and shoot a 7x57, they are ballistic twins.

I have taken a number of moose with the 7x57, using bullets from 140 - 160 grains.
All have been one-shot kills.

I shot an Elk at 335 yards with my 7x57 and a 150 Partition. He ended on his nose within 30 feet.

I saw a young hunter shoot a cow elk at a lasered 455 yards with a 7-08 and the 140 Accubond.
He shot twice, and hit twice, both through the lungs....she went no where.

The effectiveness of these mild-mannered 7mm's cannot be questioned.
I will not get rid of my 7x57...ever!

Regards, Eagleye.

 

[Hotwheels81]

My missus loves her PH in 7-08... I love my target rifle in 7-08... I think I will inherit the PH and buy her a lady hunter in 7-08...
My one hunting partner has a model 7 in 7-08, nice rifle.

 

[dan belisle]

Bore and groove diameters. Sometimes they use one (6mm), sometimes they use the other (284). And sometimes it's just whatever is close and sounds good (44 Magnum) - dan

 

[Tabacco Brook]

I have a Browning BAR Shorttrac in 7-08 and it is one nice shooter. I shot a 210lb (dressed) sow bear with it last fall and it did an amazing job on it. The bear was sitting on her ass with her head in the barrel when I shot. The bullet went through her shoulder and all the bone structure where the shoulder and spine link together, took out her lungs, and lodged just under the skin on the off side. All she had time to do was pull her head out of the barrel and make 2 pulls with her front paws to try to move ahead, and she was dead,....she lived about 3 seconds after I pulled the trigger. The bullet was a 139gr Honady SST Superformance,...these bullets are proned to blow apart, so maybe performance and devastation may have been better with a better bullet,...I don't know, but IMO the 7-08 did an excellent job.

 

[canoetrpr]

How would you guys compare a 7mm-8 to a 7mm Remington Magnum? How much more does the magnum bring to the plate wrt flatter shooting?

 

[JamesM]

So the 7mm-08 and 7x57 mauser are excellent all around choices that shoot plenty flat and recoil gently while deliverring excellent performance on game short of the largest bears. Are there any modern rifles in 7x57 that cost less then $1000?
I'm hoping to someday soon make up my mind as to getting a mild light weight flat shooter or a .35 Whelan or 9.3x62 as my next rifle purchase.

 

[JamesM]

The 7mm-08 compares to the 7mm Remington magnum the same way a .308 compares to the .300 winchester magnum. They will both work well on the same categories of game just the shorter cartridges at slightly shorter ranges with slightly lighter bullets and considerably less recoil.
The 7mm Magnums generate around 25 lbs of recoil in an 8lb gun the 7mm-08 generates around 15lbs in the same weight rifle.
I doubt any animal will get up and tell you it wasn't enough gun if you put a bullet in the right place.

 

[powder burner]

But look at how much more powder you have to dump into the 7 magnum to get it go fast!! When the 7mmo8 isn't that far behind with a lot less powder!!

 

[powdergun]

My S2 weatherby 7 08 will stay in my collection. It's first season was this year in my sons hand and I got to see him drop his first deer with it. I loaded it with 140 gr ballistic tips and the deer dropped right in its tracks. I load both a 7mm mag and the 7 08 and to tell you the truth out to 300 yards there isn't a heck of a lot of difference. Out to 500 the extra speed of the 7 RM does start to show.

As a low recoiling, relatively flat shooting, and accurate round it is hard to beat. IMHO it is the perfect deer round.

 

[9.3mauser]

As far as the 6mm rem .243 debate this thread started, lots of things are strange when it comes to fire arms, for example why is the .284 diameter referred to as 7mm when the .277 of the .270 is far closer to the actual imperial measurement of 7mm? Just accept somethings and if really in doubt contact a gunsmith or the manufacturer.
As far as my wanting a 7mm-08 I don't think the issue will be solved until I own either it, a 7x57, 6.5x55 or a .270 or .280 or better yet all the above.

The 6mm (.236") & 7mm (.275") refer to bore diameter, not groove or bullet diameter. The .270 is also named after bore diameter (after rounding up by .001") though the bullet is .277" diameter.

 

[two-dogs]

7mm-08 = mighty fine and down right awesome, that's why the OP thinks he wants one . Take a look at the X-Bolt, together they make a great package.

 

[pilot2001]

I would get the .708 in the new Rem 700 mountain ss , composite stock, 6.5 pounds and ive often seen them new for $1080 ... awesome rifle

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire/model-700/model-700-mountain-ss.aspx

 

[Stefan]

My bother has an older model 7 (in 7-08) that I found for him at the gun shop. I'm still looking for one of my own. Why someone would have put that gun on consign ill never know. Scoped, it feels just as good as a 30-30 in the hand, with the short barrel, if you're within a few hundred meters of him when he drops a deer, there's no mistaking who's shooting. A truly fine crack. He calls the rifle "Little Evil".

 

[Ltbull01]

7-08 is a good all round hunting calibre with a 140 grain bullet, except griz. Good choice.

 

[SuperCub]

A nice little Model Seven in 7/08 or 308 with a VXII 2x7 would be a perfect rifle for this province. The 308 would be easier to get ammo for and gives up nothing to the 7/08.

 

[deertroy]

I've posted a similar post before but I guess it's worth tweaking and posting again here.
I purchased my first 7mm-08 Rem. back in the early 80's shortly after Remington introduced it as a commercial round. I have owned at least five 7mm-08's since that time. I have shot more than my share of whitetails over those past thirty some years and most of those fell to either the 7mm-08 or the 45-70. Some also fell to the 280 Rem., 30-06, 243 Win., 44 Mag, 7mm Rem. Mag., 350 Rem. Mag. and 300 Win. Mag. That being said I think I'm qualified to say that I honestly didn't see much difference in their effectiveness on deer. Deer aren't all that big and hit properly just about any modern center fire will do the job. Noy being an extremely large guy I can tell you that I do see a difference in the compactness and ease of handling a short action rifle verses as long action.
I recently decided to order a new Cooper all stainless. I didn't hesitate on the caliber.......... 7mm-08 Rem. I think that says just how much I really like this chambering.

This nice Nova Scotia 4X4 fell to a single well placed 139gr Hornady out of a 7mm-08 Rem. a few years back. I'm sure the picture would look no different had that slug left a .308 or a 280 Rem. but I'm very fond of the 7mm-08 Rem and I think you'll be happy with yours.

 

[JamesM]

Supercub you make it sound like its impossible to get ammo for the 7mm-08, I know not every country store that sells ammo will have it but there aren't that many country stores around this province that sell ammo. Besides I handload. A 7mm-08 is definitely going to be joining my locker soon.

 

[tylerjwitty]

Just have yet to shot a 260 is all

 

[hoytcanon]

Supercub you make it sound like its impossible to get ammo for the 7mm-08, I know not every country store that sells ammo will have it but there aren't that many country stores around this province that sell ammo. Besides I handload. A 7mm-08 is definitely going to be joining my locker soon.

I reload too, but ammo for 7mm-08 can be had in most places... CT and Walmart both carry it here in town.

Just have yet to shot a 260 is all

I shoot the whole .308 family... .243, .260, 7mm-08, .308, .338 and .358... I am a big fan of it's very efficient case... great performance and miserly on powder... pleasant to shoot too.