When the 7mm-08 was announced, I bought a reamer for it before we had any rifles in the store; just because I thought it was a neat, practical cartridge. At the time I was shooting a 7x57 target rifle and it was a neat, practical (and quite accurate) cartridge as well. What with having a perfectly good 7x57, I didn't get around to chambering myself a 7mm-08 until the mid-80's. Strangely enough, I put that barrel on a Mauser action; an action made for the 7x57. It worked well, shot well, recoiled little; just like the 7x57.
I still like the 7mm-08 just fine but try as it might, it just won't ever have the classic appeal of the 7x57. The existence of short actions will keep the 7mm-08 alive. 110 years of history will keep the 7x57 alive. GD
