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Joined: Jun 2016
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Campfire Greenhorn
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OP
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 99 |
Hi folks I've long owned 7x57 rifles, recently became interested in a rifle chambered for .308 win. I've never owned a 308, but saw load data that seems to suggest that it's not much faster than a 303?
For a hand loader, from a ballistic perspective (hunting only) how do the two cartridges (7x57 vs 308) compare to one another? Is it six of one half a dozen of the other or are they completely different animals?
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Joined: May 2021
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Both are good calibers the .308 can be pushed a little faster than a 7x57 and can handle a heavier bullet than a 7x57 can....
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,841
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2003
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Both are good cartridges.......
If you do ballistic gacking for both, and run the 7x57 to modern pressures, it is pretty much a wash at sub 500 yards. I've gacked those numbers a 1000 times and still shoot my 308. A 308 150 gr TSX at 2900 is very close to a 7mm 139 LRX at 2900 - pick your poison.
Adversity doesn't build character, it reveals it.
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 99
Campfire Greenhorn
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OP
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 99 |
Thanks for the replies guys, sounds like they are pretty much/very close.
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Joined: Dec 2014
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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From your experience with the 7mm Mauser, you have probably discovered that it takes a little (sometimes a lot) of effort to achieve gilt edge accuracy perhaps. I think in a properly bedded rifle you may discover the .308 is a turn key and go cartridge. In my experience it will cheerfully eat almost anything and return gratifying accuracy with a minimum of tinkering. In these times of component supply issues, the ability to keep a rifle fed with what you have on hand trumps any imaginary ballistic nitpicking. One man's opinion.
Well this is a fine pickle we're in, should'a listened to Joe McCarthy and George Orwell I guess.
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Joined: Apr 2004
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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For the handloader, I`m sure you`ve read gobs of stuff about both. I have both..tend to lean to the 7x57. I like slippery 7mm bullets.. But, component brass can be a bugger sometimes for the 7, where 308 stuff is usually just a walk to the range for pick-up. Also, not many corner hard ware stores carry 7x57 ammo, if you find your self in a pinch.
Hell, buy the gun, shouldn`t have a problem peddling it if it don`t fit.
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Joined: Jul 2004
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2004
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There ain't a nickel's difference between them in regards to killing power and ballistics, assuming that is that the 7x57 is loaded to 7-08 pressures and you can get acceptable accuracy with it. .308 is easier to get accuracy as a rule and has a wider selection of factory ammo.
I've owned and used multiple rifles in both chamberings. Love 'em both.
'Four legs good, two legs baaaad." ---------------------------------------------- "Jimmy, some of it's magic, Some of it's tragic, But I had a good life all the way." (Jimmy Buffett)
SotG
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Joined: Dec 2006
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Believe Me, A Deer won't care.
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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Six of one and a half dozen of the other. I have both and if the 7x57 is properly handloaded will do anything the .308 can do and do it just as well. I suppose one could say, but the .308 can shoot 200 and 220 gr. bullets. I'd say back, but how many people do? I've done some testing of 220 gr. Sierra round nose in a .308 with 22" barrel and with W760 a hair over 2300 FPS is possible. Practical? Who knows. If I have to hunt something the needs a bullet that heavy, I'll go to a lot bigger cartridge.. Oh, a I load the 7x57 using 7-08 data and working up. Paul B.
Our forefathers did not politely protest the British.They did not vote them out of office, nor did they impeach the king,march on the capitol or ask permission for their rights. ----------------They just shot them. MOLON LABE
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Joined: Nov 2010
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,080 |
How many pages, ya reckon, this one goes....?
DF
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Joined: Nov 2008
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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One has panache, the other is just a good cartridge.
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 99
Campfire Greenhorn
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OP
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 99 |
Thanks guys I bought the 308!
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,943
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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That’s not the one with the panache…
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Reasonable choice. Practical to the max.
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Joined: Nov 2010
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,080 |
Reasonable choice. Practical to the max. “Practical” has no bearing concerning Loony stuff. Ha! DF
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,017
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,017 |
How many pages, ya reckon, this one goes....?
DF Probably not as many as the 6.5 CM threads..
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Dec 2010
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Years of scrounging brass, i have more free 308 brass than anything. Yard sale gun powder and a 5000 count ammo can of 200 grain hot cors(same yard sale)........ 308 for the win! 30 cal 200 grainers are the bison legal minimum up here in AK. The rifle and scope was $100 used:
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,662
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Mainer, that is a great picture.
'Four legs good, two legs baaaad." ---------------------------------------------- "Jimmy, some of it's magic, Some of it's tragic, But I had a good life all the way." (Jimmy Buffett)
SotG
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,017
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,017 |
Years of scrounging brass, i have more free 308 brass than anything. Yard sale gun powder and a 5000 count ammo can of 200 grain hot cors(same yard sale)........ 308 for the win! 30 cal 200 grainers are the bison legal minimum up here in AK. The rifle and scope was $100 used: Hard to beat that. Any way you look at it..
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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I have and like both. If I could keep only one it would be my 7x57. My 7x57 easily shoots sub-MOA. But my 7x57 is a Remington Classic and my 308 is a Berga and the Classic is more accurate.
Since I only shoot handloads, it’s the 7x57. If I shot only factory loads I’d choose the 308, but I’d like it in a 700 please.
I prefer classic. Semper Fi I used to run with the hare. Now I'm envious of the tortoise and I do my own stunts but rarely intentionally
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