Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles opinion of 7mm-08 rem. vs 308

DJS, had a M7 260 also long ago, ....got a new bbl.

If I were you, I'd sell that gun if it won't shoot (blame the gun not the caliber) and buy a Sako 260 vs a bbl job, and if you don't mind a tad longer action, a 6.5x55 can be the cat's meow IMHO in a factory rifle, use Lapua brass and good bullets and don't be surprised to shoot around 1/2MOA. My 260 Sako GW is shot the first 2 shots in the same hole, at 200 yds, two groups in a row, w/federal 7/08 and 308 brass necked down and 130 accubonds. 3 shot groups averaged around 1" at 200 yds, for those 2 groups above, and a third group w/Rem brass.

Either way, if you had a Sako I'd reckon you'd be ready to lose both M7s

You tried, but Rem let you down IMHO which is why PERSONALLY, I don't own a Rem rifle save an old 22 single shot.

I dont own a 308 but I do own 2 7-08's. I love the 7-08...but I cant see there being anything wrong with the parent cartirdge here because all the offsrping are good rounds.

don't have a .308 but wouldn't mind having one,


just got a 7mm-08 and can't wait to poke something with it


mine is in a rifle that weighs 5.5 lbs. recoil isn't even an issue. I wouldn't let that part of the equation be a deciding factor on my decision.


the $200 would be a big factor for me. YMMV

I think the only relevant difference mentioned in this entire discussion is "$200". That would do it for me.

Assuming similar loads, my ability to tell the recoil difference between a 7-08 and a .308 is like my ability to tell the difference between when it is 60 degrees outside and when it is 61 degrees outside. I know there's a difference, I am just incapable of discerning it.

I had the same quandry. I looked at all of my die sets, and had .308.

I know a .308 will do anything a 7mm.08 will do but will a 7mm.08 do everything a .308 will do? if you are trying to split hairs that is the question to ask.....If only for whitetails I'd probably go with the wife and son's caliber as I recently heard a Remington rep refer to the 7mm.08 and save the 200 smackers for some other toy like toward a brand new leupold 2.5-8x36 Matte maybe.......You can't make a bad choice here....Good luck.............547.

OK, if we're splitting hairs...

Here's another angle on that question.

What will a 308 do that a 7mm-08 CAN'T do?

And don't go off the deep end with something like shoot a 220 grain bullet. In the real world of hunting, I'd say.... "nothing".

Thats a loaded question...
My recoil table lists a 140 grain 7-08 at 13.35 ft-lb where a 150 grain 308 at 14.61 ft-lb. Not much difference and 150 grain may be closer yet.
In reality, my lightweight rem 700 mtn LSS kicks less than my savage 99 308 mostly because of the 99's stock shape is a kicker.

The only reason I bought the rem 700 in 7-08 is because they didn't offer that model in 308. 308 has been my favorite caliber and the price of 7-08 ammo and danger of mixing the two ammo's may make the 7-08 go down the road some day.
Unless a ban on rifles in military calibers comes along...

"What will a 308 do that a 7mm-08 CAN'T do?"

Federal used to offer a High Energy .308 load with the 180-gr. Partition at 2740 fps at the muzzle; there was nothing in any load that the 7-08 could match with that. In all of my .308's, that load was very accurate and effective on game. Shame on them for quitting on it.

Come in those big green ammo cans when the [bleep] hits the fan!!

I'll almost give you that one, but you can't even seem to find THAT stuff any more!

That, and the whole ".308 vs 7.62X51" issue is an argument unto itself.

The 308 is always better. ALWAYS. PERIOD.

If you don't believe me, just ask me . . . . .

Seriously though, I cannot disagree with "Save the $200 and get a good scope" argument.

BMT

For years my main hunting partner killed a mullie and elk every year with his 7mm-08 which caused my to buy one.

With the great selection of bullets for both they really over lap each other in real world hunting.

If I was worried that I was "under" gunned with my 7mm-08 I would reach for a much better gun than a .308..

Hopefully, when the commies/Muslims/Chinamen start falling from the sky, it will be made available to us. Might just have to jerk a few off the back of a parked truck if not.

Fixed that for ya'.

Ain't nothing better than a 308.

BMT

This is just one mans opinion but...I feel that a 160 out of the baby 7 @ 2700 will do anything that the High Energy 180 load @ 2740 will do.

Dober

You may be right, there, Mark (Can you really get 2700 out of a 160?) but when I'm above timberline in NE BC looking for a nice Stone ram, I feel just a tad safer from Mr. Grizz with the slightly fatter 180-gr. Partition. Bears can be a problem up there - and you're on your own, as the only two ways in and out are a 6-hour jet boat trip or a bush plane. I'd pack something heavier, but I find myself on the wrong side of 50, and a lightweight, short action seems to suit me better than the bigger stuff - especially when I'm climbing anywhere above 4000 feet.

The whole factory High Energy argument is essentially a red herring. I've chron'd the 180 NP HE stuff in two 308's (22" bbl) and both shot it right at 2,700 fps. Accuracy in both rifles sucked.

My own 308 Win, 180 NP handloads go 2,665 fps and run below 3/4". A 7-08 will run a 160 NP around 2,650... as Mark remarked, there's nothing one does the other can't do equally well.

John-I took a look at Nozlers book and an article that Finn did and according to those boys you can (drive a 160 @ 2700). Personally it seems a bit stout but they say it can be done.

As far as Mr Griz goes, in a tangle I'll take a gun that I am most intimate with and go for a CNS shot. I'd rather take one to the CNS than a couple to the chest in hopes of turning them or stopping them.

Dober