I am looking to pick up another Kimber Montana that will be my main do it all antelope to mule deer with the occasional elk and maybe even sheep if I ever win the lottery. I want something to pick up where my 25-05 leaves off. My question is....will the 7mm-08 really do anything that the 6.5 creedmoor won't? I will have a dedicated rifle for elk and bears. I am leaning towards the 6.5 creedmoor because recoil in the light Kimber Montana can be stout. Also I already have a Ruger precision in that caliber as well as all the reloading supplies.
So is there any reason to go with the 7mm-08 over the creed moor?
Thanks

I'd stick a 140NP in either and go kill alot of big game.

What would be the velocity difference with that 140 between the two calibers if both had a 22 inch barrel?

The larger case capacity and 0.020" larger diameter bullet gives the 7mm-08 the potential for greater speed, but not enough to make a meaningful difference in any real situation that I can think of.

Can't see how either the 6.5 Creedmoor or 7mm-08 would be markedly superior to the 25-06 for any of the game you've mentioned. But, I'm never one not to want another rifle to fill a niche or scratch an itch.

Do you reload? If not, you're going to have much better luck getting ammo for the 7-08 than you are the creedmoor.

Just a thought...

6.5 Creedmore should give you more OAL latitude if you reload.

NAD=no appreciable difference between all three

The way I loaded for two, 7mm-08 100fps +/-. Same same when using 120gr TTSX. I'd use either without thought for your intended purpose.

True but if the rifle is going to be a Montana, the 84M is very schweet.

If recoil is a concern, don't let it make the decision for you. The 7mm-08 is a pussy cat in the Montana. I wouldn't trade mine for a Creedmore. However, either should work fine for your stated uses.

Never shot a Montana, huh?

I personally don't think there's any real-world difference between the Creedmoor and 7-08. The 7-08 in the Montana starts feeling stout recoil-wise with 160's, but with anything lighter doesn't kick much.

I've used the 7-08 MT on bull elk, and wouldn't hesitate to use the Creedmoor, and can't fathom any different outcome. And of course, a 140 of same build will penetrate more deeply from the 6.5 than the 7mm. And some thinking aside, the MT's 7-08 magazine has plenty of "latitude" for "normal" hunting bullets.

My advice is to pick the cartridge that "speaks" to you...

For the 7mm-08 and cow elk, any preference between a 140 Accubond at 2850 fps or a 120 TTSX at 3000 fps? I assume the TTSX will penetrate better?

If you want something that picks up where the .25-06 leaves off, get a .270 or .280AI.

I chose the .280 Rem (not AI) because I already reloaded .284" bullets for my 7mm RM.

How far are you shooting?




P

I have the 7-08 in MT. Would be happy with either.I think they have discontinued the 7-08 get one while you can .

I hunt elk with the 140, but of the Partition persuasion. My dad uses the 140 Accubond. We both have elk in the freezer.

At your distances I don't see much of a difference. I'd pick whichever shot best. Tie goes to the 140.




P

I think the decision boils down to reloading or off the shelf ammo. Which route do you want to go with?

Recoil is not bad with either caliber. The Creedmoor recoil is not like a 243, but definately less than 7-08. I sometimes shoot factory Hornady 120 Lite Recoil ammo for my 7-08 MR. This recoil to me is like my 120/130 grain Creedmoor reloads.

6.5 Creedmoor - 7mm-08mm - 25-06

I hunt with a good lightweight 25-06 and have a NIB Ruger Hawkeye ultralight 7mm-08 unfired siting in the safe, and keep justifying to myself to buy a Bergara in 6.5 Creedmoor but when I get my ballistic app out at under 500 yards there is not enough difference in the Creedmoor over the 2506 for any animal to notice...and the Creedmoor and 7mm-08 can be loaded to nearly identical velocity / Energy out to 500 yards.

So it boils down to do you want a new gun or not.

I have a new unfired Kimber Montana in 280AI, and I think Im going to start reloading for that and forget the 7mm-08 and 6.5 creed moor.
I was starting to second guess the Recoil on the 280AI after shooting my 25-06. I figured the 280AI would be a real thumper with a max load. I think I would be better to just go this route though as there is NO doubt that I can do what I need with the 280AI.

With all respect, if a 25-06 won't do it, you probably need a 416 Remington.

Is your 25-06 a Montana? I can't imagine recoil being an issue if it is? Shoot your 280AI before you draw any conclusions. The Montana in a 7mm-08 is a real pussycat.

I have a Sako 75 hunter in 7mm-08 with a hard red recoil pad which is well over a pound heavier than my Montana 7mm-08. Shooting the same ammo my Montana has less felt recoil to me. My Montana 7mm-08 with 120's is very pleasant to shoot,even more so than a 243 Sako I have.

It isn’t a matter of the .25-06 not doing it. My favorite rifle is a .257 Roberts and when I carry it in deer/elk season it gets a 120g A-Frame at 2947fps. Have not taken any elk with it but don’t doubt it will work based on what I have seen .25-06/117g cup-and-cores do.

The OP wanted something “to pick up where my 25-05 leaves off”. He has also indicated concern about recoil, so I think a .416 would be a rather poor choice.

In a later post he indicated he is going to use a .280AI he already has. As a 7mm RM user since 1982 I think that is an excellent choice.

I see a lot more hunting type loads available for the 7mm08 than offered for the Creedmor.

7mm-08 is not hard to find at all.

OP has the .284 covered. Get the Creed. You might just fall in love.

can't believe you guys actually use the word "recoil" when talking about the silly 308 Win based cartridges with skinny bullets ....... and the puccyfication of America has reached new levels of..... WTMFF ?

brake the dam thing.....

Look under the deer hunting forum at the best deer rifle thread. I'm not sure what you mean when you say pickup where your 25-06 leaves off.