I have been thinking of purchasing a very lightweight rifle for elk hunting. It will probably be a short action. Between the .308 and 7mm-08, which would you choose and why?

I need a cold beer and popcorn...here we go..

Either works.

Buy one, shoot it, then go kill elk.

I'd choose the .308, but that's just me. (I don't own either).

the smallest I've used on elk has been a .270 w/ 130 gr bullets.

no problemo.


get whichever one you want more, but I'm staying with the .308 rec.

I've heard the 7mm-08 is a much flatter shooting cartridge................

I killed many elk with the .308 using 150 grainers. Took this bad boy with mine.
[img:center] [/img]

Wowza! That is a dandy.

Either would work. Personally I would choose the 308. It has a bit heavier bullet choices.


ddj

I have both and used both with great success but if it's a short action you want go WSM or RCUM

....................Either will work fine. Some prefer the 7mm and some would prefer the 308. This can be debated, splitting the hairs and picked apart until we all go to our graves.

The 7/08 is a little flatter shooting, while the 308 offers a more versatile bullet weight selection from 110gr to 220 gr.

I`d say, pick the rifle you happen to like the best and live with whichever of the two cartridges comes with it.

You made my night... THAT is an absolute toad!

Well done...

Aside, I'm a 308 fan and this year's elk season will find me toting a 308 stoked with 165 Accubonds. Would be even happier with 168 Ballistic Tips, but couldn't find any before the season. 165 Hdy SPBT's also shoot great in my rifle and would be happy with them.

The 308 is just easy on bullets...

I would choose the .308. So many different combinations of guns and bullets to choose from. However, if you found a 7mm-08 that you really liked or got a great deal on it would work with good bullets.

308 with some good 165's on up to 200 grain if you like.

In my honest opinion, I wouldn't use or buy a 7MM08
The neighbor had one and it did not impress me to the point of where I would have ran right out and bought one and he sold it two years after he got it and now misses the gun he sold when he won the 7MM08.

If a person was going to buy a rifle to hunt Elk, they should buy a 30-06 because you will not notice any difference between the two when you cycle the round in the chamber and all it takes is one shot to kill a animal - so a quick 2nd shot wouldn't be enough of a reason to want to use a short case over using a long case.

The Elk that 4100 FPS has in that picture is very impressive.
Way to go and keep up the good work.

For those that cares the 308 Winchester is a poor performer with anything other then the 150 GR bullet. Trying to shoot even a 180 GR bullet with a .308 would be like trying to haul a cord of wood with a CJ 5 Jeep. If you want a pick up truck to haul stuff you buy a full size pick up truck and haul your load all in one load.

The 30-06 is good even with a 180 gr bullet and is marginal at best with a 220 gr bullet. When you consider that a .300 Winchester Magnum has almost twice as much performance with the same bullet - it is clear that the .300 Winchester Magnum would probably be the right choice if I was me and not you.

I too will be hitting the elk hills with a 308 running 165 Accubonds. Took a bull last year with 165gr. Partitions and am also a large fan of the 308. Between bullet selection, easy to load for or find factory ammo, recoil ain't bad... it just works.

I actually just sold off a 300WSM, for my purposes, it just didn't seem to do much a 308win couldn't do. Just my $.02 though-

Interesting only a couple of "elk hunters" commented on this photo...

Brad, that's because the picture speaks for itself. Nuff said.

I doubt that's the reason...

I am a new elk hunter but I know a massive elk when I see one. That is a once in a lifetime bull.

That's the type of bull elk hunters dream of....

My wife shoots 165's in her 308 with devistating affect on bull elk.(my 308 likes the 180's and I haven't seen an elk shrug one of those off yet) She's also used the 7mm mauser in street clothes with grand results.
To answer the 308 or 708 question. I'ld say it depends on if you reload or not. If you're a reloader it doesn't matter much. If all you shoot is factory then go with the 308, better selection of good bullet weights, the factories tend to load the 7 with lighter bullets. 150ish grain bullets from the 7 are just pure death on most anything that walks this continent.

Either one with a good bullet the Elk just won't know the difference.

"For those that cares the 308 Winchester is a poor performer with anything other then the 150 GR bullet"


WHAT?

duquensbeer is on par with swampy. One day he'll make headlines as well.

You are a retard.... No more.

4100,
Congrats on the bull. That is a monster! Any other pics?

The only way to be sure is to set up 2 trail cams, each in prime elk habitat. Put several .308 cartridges in front of 1 cam, & some 7-08's in front of the other.

When the elk come up to read the headstamps on the casings, see which pile o' cartridges they run from fastest.

FC

The .308 will handle the 180 gr bullet a tad better than the 7 08 will handle the 175 gr. Both will kill elk at sedate velocities. Dropping down to the 140's in the 7 08 and 150's in the.308 with suitable bullets, you will see no dicernable difference. Getting below that you you might pick up a very small advantage with the 7 08. For those who think the .308 cannot do well with 180 gr bullets have obviously not shot many elk with them

TFF!

I've killed several elk with my 308 and they all went down with one shot except last years bull. I hit him at 250 yds broadside through the lungs and he stayed on his feet (barely) for about 10 seconds so I put another through his neck for an insurance shot but didn't really need to. 150 gr TSX's work and shoot great in my rifle and at 7 lbs even it is a pleasure to carry.

Ranch 13, I think you're spot on.

Thanks Luke, experience is a great teacher..

WTF once again... would you care to parade around at 1000 yards while I plink at you with my 308 and 185s???? doesn't matter that its short bolt either cause it won't take but one shot..... some folks need to get real.
Never mind that 7x08 just bounce off animals...

Time for another six--pack?

Out of the two my choice would be....mmmmmm.... 308 with 150's to 168's.....TTSX.... If your shooting in the 300 to 400yd mark.... IMO!!!! JUST IMO!!!! 7mm-08 with the 140's TTSX....

Just so this inspiring conversation doesn't stop...

If I were buying the gun mainly for elk, I would go with the 308, especially if you don't reload. Factory ammo is much cheaper for the .308, and you can get heavier bullets in factory ammo. The only heavier (than 140 grain) rounds I have seen for the 7mm-08 are the Federal 150s, which don't have a great BC, and the Berger 168 VLDs loaded by Corbon. And BVAC Grand slams in 145 gr. That's versus a ton of 180 grain loads for .308. I have a 7mm-08 and have killed elk with it handily at a reasonable distance using partitions, but a 180 from a 308 is going to plow through bone and rumen better than a 140, if you take a quartering shot that isn't quite right. I wouldn't hesitate to use a 7mm08 on elk, and just be disciplined about what shots I take, but I wouldn't buy a 7mm08 for that purpose, if that makes sense.

When do the fish and girl pics start???


Ingwe

When you post them

Seriously who gives a crap? They are practically the same rifle. Funny that a thread can go for pages and people can get pissed off over a topic that makes ZERO difference in the outcome of an elk hunt.

A 260 is better than either.

Just doing my part to keep it going..............

Bb

I'm buying a .223 and plan to kill an elk with it, just so I can say it must be better than my 300 RUM for elk.

4100fps GREAT bull! Congrats.

Both fine rounds but put me down for the 308 if I have to pick just one.

It has been Scientifically Proven that they are essentially ballistic twins right here on this forum.

I have carried a 7mm-08 elk hunting and it did feel like an elk rifle in my hands.... albeit, about as light an elk rifle as *I* have any interest in carrying.

Where the .308 & 7-08 are not twins is in the realms of bullets weight and diameter. Since neither is a cartridge that will excite the "speed kills" crowd, I do think the .308 has an edge here. It will, quite simply, put a bigger, heavier bullet into an elk. Try as I might, with all else so damn equal between the two, I can't see how that doesn't give the .308 the edge here.

I'd go .308 and set it up like Brad's- 165-gn medium hard bullet.

In the 7-08 I ran a 150-NPT, and that's what I'd do again, or a 150-NAB.

That's just me. This is one of those "You take Sally, I'll take Sue... there ain't no difference between the two..." things.

(bonus points for naming that song!)

My late cousin killed 22 elk, mostly bulls, with his pre-'64 Winchester Mdl. 70 Featherweight in .308 Win.

As he was not a reloader, I asked him what ammo he used in his .308? He said, "Whatever is on sale at the sporting goods store, so long as it is 180 grains.

Worked for him.

L.W.

Haven't you guys been reading the hunting magazines? The 338 win mag is the absolute minimum for elk!

I agree with most who say that they're so close it doesn't matter much. That being said, if a 7-08 and a 308 were side-by-side on the rack and I was about to go after elk, I'd take the 308 every time, loaded with good 165-gr (or maybe 180-gr.) bullets.

Since you're standing by a gun rack, there's probably a 300RUM somewhere.. I'd grab that and throw the other two in the toilet.

Here's a 7mm08 kill, 410 yards, 140 TSX

Shoot... I was gonna post a pic of my 308 shot bull, but it can't compare...

...guess the 7-08 really is better

It is actually one of my top picks for all around versatility... but that doesn't mean that others don't get it done.... I carried a 243 once.... never had a shot but had no issues... knew I'd have to be a bit picky but beyond that no biggie... the nut behind the butt is more important really.

That being said there are a couple of other issues.. projectile choice can make a HUGE difference in the ability or lack of in a round. And optics on the gun better be good... after all if you can't see it, you can't shoot it... if they are not at least as good as your binocs, you spin your wheels.... I"d take good glass on a H/R handi rifle any day over a higher buck gun and cheaper scope.

Ain't there a prize for the stupidest f***-ing quote of the week?

If not, there should be, now.

At least the thread was good for a few toad photos.

I thought this thread to be another pissin' contest until a friend called and told me to scroll down! Sheet those are freakin' nice bulls! I gotta ask ya' Greenhorn, that bull's head size is just as impressive as his rack. Is it the angle of the pic or is he a horse - bodywise? Geeezzz....congrats - AGAIN!

Bigwhoop, I like this picture of my first bull killed with 150 grain bullets, propelled out of the old .300 savage.



Or maybe a more recent bull, with archery tackle:

That ranks up with my favorites of any photo I've seen shared on the internet.

+1

Great pics, especially the top one!

Awesome pix from everyone! 4100, that old picture is telling so many stories. You gotta tell us about that old 4x4, the convertible in back, and that has to be a swinging house that we see a little bit of car port on.. And the elk, too.

PS.. I'm saying 1962 or 64..

This picture had me dreaming of hunting elk all night long!!!!!! Thanks for sharing 4100.

Nice bulls guys....getting me in the mood!!



.308 bull a close bud of mine shot in 2007.



And another. This one from 447 meters.

Pat is the bottom bull the one with the boat story you told me?

Yep, thats it....I felt like I was on the Edmond Fitzgerald that night.

That bull reminds me of the one you and I were chasing earlier this fall....

Bunch of great looking elk folks.

I'll second-the-motion on that!

L.W.

Some great looking bulls guys!

Some of these threads just crack me up!

My brother in law with his first bull. Taken with a .308 and a 208gr AMAX.

Another bruiser bull

The photo is obviously very personal, thanks for sharing.

Great photos fellas, thanks for sharing. I'm guessing that it has more to do with the "driver" than the "vehicle". Just a hunch though

Rancho, the picture was taken in late Nov. in 1973. The vehicle is a 1956 Willey's Jeep station wagon. They were the deal back then. That's my uncles, but we had one too. Very few hunters had 4 wheel drive back then, so if you did you had a big advantage. You could drive anywhere you wanted. These also had PTO winches on the front. I got out when my uncle let this jeep down off a cliff with the winch, to retrieve a big bull. The convertible is a MG midget. The porch to the house is what your looking at, which is over-looking the Bitterroot valley. My uncle had just finished the house.

Great bulls here. Thanks to all for sharing.

Take your pick, either will kill and elk just dandy, just make sure you use a good tough bullet such as Interbonds,GMXs, Accubonds, Partitions, E-Tips, A-Frames, Sciroccos, TSXs or TTSXs, Trophy Bonded Bear Claws, Oryxs, etc.

+1

A 30-40 Krag killed a zillion Elk, a 7x57 killed a zillion much bigger things with bullets far inferior to todays'.
Put a 140 TSX in the 7-08 or a 168 TSX in the 308 and you can kill any Elk that walks at any range an ethical hunter would chose to shoot.

That's so cool. Wifey loved the picture, too.

I'd take the .308 with a good 180 grain bullet.

Nothing wrong with hunting elk with a 7mm-08 but since I have a choice...I'd take the 308.

Can't speak from personal experince on the 7-08 on elk, but an old friend who still gets up the mountain has thumped a bunch of elk using a 7X57 with 175gr factory soft points and 160gr Partitions over the years. Every elk steak ever served at his table was compliments of a 7X57 or one of our 308 WCF's.
My dad used a Sako Forester in 308 WCF for years and my uncle still uses a Savage 99 in 300 Savage with factory 180's for elk.
How times have changed.. I brought the first magnum to camp back in 1978, it was Remington 700 BDL 7 mm Mag with a Redfield Widefield 3-9X I had purchased in the Navy Exchange. Everyone busted my balls over my "cannon" (it did light up the sky when touched off near the end of legal shooting light), after 10 days up and down the mountains (by then it made my M-60 back at LeJeune feel like a featherweight), when it came time my hunting partner (an old ranch hand on my uncles ranch) used his M-71 to flatten a 5X6 slipping into the timber less than 75 yards ahead of us while I was getting the "cannon" unslung.
My vote goes for the 308 as I have 3 different Sako 308 WCF's in the safe.
Sorry for the rambling....

7mm-08 is way more pricey to buy than 308.

Got something to back that claim up with? I can't tell the difference in cost.

Are you talking about brass and factory ammo, I hope so, because rifles chambered in either cost the same, brass is more expensive but when you can reload them at least 5 times, what the hell's the difference? Also, you can always just buy and neck down 308 brass if cost is really a huge concern. As far as factory ammo goes, there's about a seven dollar per box difference, but I wouldn't let that stop me from getting a rifle in a caliber I want. So, I'd say for the guy who doesn't reload or want to learn, get a 308, anyone else, get the 7MM-08 if it makes 'ya happy.

I am not an Elk hunter because of where I live, This thread made me want to hunt an elk. I dont know 4100fps but I bet that picture explains a bit why he is the man he is today.Its really great
Hank

I hunt exclusivly with the 7-08. I would use a solidly constructed 140-150gr bullet and place my shot with complete confidence

No practical difference with good bullet placement. My .260 killed my one elk DRT at 150 yards. And a caribou @ 200 yards a month earlier, and a wolf at 40 yards 2 weeks later. I've been carrying it with confidence for moose hunting the last 2 years, but the moose have no confidence.... they've only given me a shot with the '06...