Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats 7/08 or .284?

For light build.

Pro's/Cons?

7/08

2.8" mag length action like a M700 or M77? 7mm-08.

A 3" mag like the MRC or M70 short action? Then 284 Win.

284, easy choice. What will the relative weakling 7/08 do that the 284 will not do? Since one is going to be carrying the same size action with either, why would one go with the slower little brother? Speed kills.

Then he should at least go 7mm Wizzum

Would likely be better still. Whatever the bullet diameter I want to run, I go for the largest reasonably available well designed case I can get into the action I want to use. Never saw a reason not to, me loving speed and all.

Exception to above being rifles built for long shooting sessions where lots of powder going down the tube can exasperate barrel heating and barrel wear issues, thus my affinity for the 222 and standard 223 in those applications. Would not be fun to shoot at 500 gophers in a day with full house 416 rigby rounds. Same day could ruin a 22 Cheetah or a Swift.

Simply add a Wyatts box and go 284 case all the way.

You'll gain 150 to 200 fps over the 08 case, depending on bullet and powder used.
(The best AI that ever happened without having to
fireform.) I also like the 35 degree neck on the 284 case better than an AI.


One more round in the magazine than a WSM offers as well. Good for those who don't hunt with a hot chamber.

All pro's and no con's that I can see OR have experienced.

My savage 99 in .284 is a match made in heaven. 2.82" is the max cartridge length but that stuffs most bullets below the neck/shoulder corner...this equals less powder capacity in a true short action, some of the 284's best advantage is lost here.
I'd still choose the .284 over 7-08, but 7WSM could be a very well rounded light weight and beat them both. 284 and 7-08 both are more shoulder friendly, again the 284 wins for me.

Not enough powder lost by seating the bullet into the case to matter. Remember the 1/4 rule, for every 10% case capacity increase, only a 2 1/2% velocity increase at the same pressure can be achieved

I like the 7X57 over the 7-08. IMHO depends on what you want from the gun/cartridge, but the 284 is a nice cartridge IMHO

I've had three rifles around the 284 and in each case the feeding was a lot less than desirable. I know others have had different experiences but I can assure you that I have no agenda, I'm just reporting my experience. For me, I'll never have another.

My experience echos bxroads when it comes to feeding. The 284 would feed but never to my level of expectation so for me the extra 100 fps just isn't worth it. I'll go 7/08 and would perhaps dabble with the idea of AI'ing it, that would pretty much put me at 284 gas.

I've not tried or been around the Wyatt box that SU talks about but I'd have to see it myself to believe it b4 I'd try another 284 build especially off a 700. I want and demand perfection when it comes to feeding.

Now off a 70 short action with the spacer out, I might would give it a go. But, I have a wonderful 270 so see no reason to go down this road again. (most likely..grin)


Dober

Speed does kill, and the 7x57 and 7/08 have proven for decades they have plenty.

No doubt 'MO Powder = MO speed' but also = MO kick/blast and often much less bore life which = MO costs.

Pros and cons to all rounds, but the 260/6.5x55/270/7x57/7/08 have been doing a fine job in the field for many w/o bruising their shoulders.

If I wanted More than a 7/08, I'd first look at the SAUM and WSM being a SA fan. If I wanted a 284 case, I'd likely look hard at the 6.5/284 for tad less recoil, and equal trajectory.

Not sure on availability and costs of brass, but if someone handed me an accurate reliable 284 w/ammo/brass, I'd take it hunting, no problem.

FWIW, I ran many 7/08s, but the ones I shot the most both were chopped to 21", shot 139/140s at 2900-2950 using Varget and 4064.

If that is not sufficient, I want either a Mag case 7mm for a LARGE gain in reach, or a Mid bore i.e. 338/35/9.3 for a LARGE increase in stopping power for the largest of NA game.

That's just my thinking.

For shooting what sort of critters and at what ranges?

Jeff

Classic internet bullschitt


I'm glad I've stuck with the 7-08 all these years. Just how much game has Safariman missed out on due to driving a 7-08 instead of a 284? He makes it sound like the 7-08 is too weak which is certainly laughable. Anything the 284 can do the 7-08 can do in the hands of a capable rifleman. There is not that much difference ballistic wise between the two in the field.

And some folks like the fast, smooth cycling of the sleek 7-08 case over the 284. I know I do, it's paid off.

MtnHtr

While I tend to look at the vehicle(Rifle),I will sometimes overlook the motor(caliber)and go with what feels good in my hand,is well finished and works.The calibers and ammo of today are really splitting hairs,so I look at fit and function.I am currently dealing on a Dakota in .284 Win? Works for me.....

Get what floats your boat. I like the 7mm-08 - easy to load, easy to find or make brass.

I'll add some more internet BS just for grins...Go with the 7mm-08, the 284 is dead for a reason. It was an answer to a non-existent problem etc, etc

RH

I like em all them 7mms the 7mm-08 the 7x57 and the 284 as Id be glad to hunt with any of the 3 of them but the way I read the article years ago was that the 7mm-08 was developed as a steel ram rifle that would produce more pound/foot of energy than a 308 at 500 yards for to topple the steel ram so I dont think that would classify it as a pussy foot round and I spent many years of life living by the speed kills theory until I had a life long rifleman taught me a very important thing about hunting game animals and that heavy bullets at modest velocities produce the best and cleanest kills on big game so I took his theory to the field and came to the conclusion that he was absolutley right so i have placed ths speed kills on the back burner at this point in time and most generally I go with the 7x57 twisted 8.5 to 1 with a 175 gr. RN bullet driven at 2400 fps that just flatens em like using a sledge hammer but what ever floats yer boat or turns your crank frank they all be adequate rounds as long as the rifleman does his part........

holly crap batman - another one - if speed kills and you want a 7mm get 7 ultramag, if accuracy kills ( that's my vote anyway ) then get the 7/08. brass is everywhere, ammo is everywhere, and for what it's worth with 140gr or 120gr bullets - at 2900fps plus - what do you need? I also like the 284 and the 7x57 but I own a sweet Model7 in 7SAUM that is really warming my little heart