Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 308 or 7mm

I just purchased a 22 250 in a tikka and I am starting to really like the rifle because I have loads from 40-75 grains that shoot under an inch. I would like to add either a 7mm-08 or a 308 to the mix. I was just wondering how the recoil on the 308 is in the light weight tikka's?

Flip a coin, both are good.

Truly a pick'em, but I would pick a 7-08.

If you hand load the 7-08 beats the 308 at 500 yards with about 2.5" less drop and about 30 ft lbs more energy with 1 ft lb less recoil if you compare the best loads. I can find 308 factory loads in a lot more places and for less money.

I chose 308 before I got into hand loading and it was a no-brainer then. And the 2 are too close to justify owning both. Now that I handload the choice would be a lot tougher.




I have a Kimber 308 that weighs 6 1/4 lbs scoped. About what the Tikka weighs unscoped. Recoil on my Kimber 308 is exactly the same as my 7 1/2 lb. 30-06. I used to have a Tikka in 30-06, with a Limbsaver recoil pad recoil was a non issue.

You will never notice the difference in recoil between 7-08 and 308 with similar bullet weights. Shoot 180's in the 308 and 120's in the 7-08 and you might notice, but neither is objectionable.

This ⬆️

since the 308 and the 7mm 08 have the same barrel profile the 7mm might have more barrel material making it more accurate?

The 308 was my first rifle as a kid & I still prefer it today. I have owned every 7mm save the STW, RUM, or the Mauser. I currently own 300 WSM’s, 7 WBY’s, 280’s & 308’s. I prefer the 308’s above all.

Have owned a couple of very accurate 7-08’s. Still endeared to the 308 over the 7-08.

I would have to go with the 708 and yes there is a difference in felt recoil 708 less 308 more and 708 is more efficient with better ballistics. Widow

If recoil is a concern, 7mm-08. I have a 308 and not enough difference for me to change. If starting fresh, why not consider the 6.5CM? Low recoil, good cartridge for an all around light rifle.

T3 7mm-08



Same load, this rifle is a T3 Superlite




Put a Limbsaver on it, recoil is surprisingly mild. Kills with authority.





P

Agree 6.5 Creedmoor for the win .

Cant imagine the recoil from a 308 in any weight bothering anyone unless they are injured, and I dont like recoil. I would pick the 708, I think its a better caliber, and I own a 308!

Man Pharmseller you have that Tikka's dialled in!

rifle will be used on elk and black bear at 1= yard to as far as I can hit them

Then the .308 if bigger animals are on the menu for those tougher 165 and 180 grain bullets. I made a .308 into a 7mm-08 because I only deer hunt now and I do have a 7mm RM for the bigger stuff. In reality either would work just fine and .308 ammo is everywhere and way less expensive than the 7mm-08 factory stuff.

My brother’s Superlite (different than my earlier post), 140 Partitions.




My T3, same load.








P

Having owned a pile of 308’s, and at least four 7-08’s, that would be my question too.

A 22-250 and a 6.5 CM is a nice duo.

Try one of each on, load bullets from light to heavy with a half dozen different load densities and powders, kill a couple dozen critter and come back and tell us which you think is best.

Ya!

GWB

You don't need a limbsaver on the new T3X. They already come with a better recoil pad than the older T3's did.. As far as answering the OP's question. I'd definitely go 7mm08 over 308. Just don't like the 308 that much and the 7mm08 has a lot going for it...

Very nice. I'm hoping my creed shoots that well after I develop some good loads for it..

However, that was not the OP choices. I will attest to the recoil of the 6.5 creed in a superlite. It's snappy.... Enough that one of my buddies didn't really like shooting it today..