The Mighty 7mm-08

[Whitehorn]

Interesting Numbers.. Right from the Hornady website..

7mm-08 139 gr. SST (light mag) muzzle vel of 3000 fps muzzle!!

280 139 gr. SST muzzle vel 3000 fps muzzle SAME[/b]
280 139 gr, SST Moly (light Mag) 3110 fps muzzle +110 fps[/b]

7mm Rem Mag 139 gr. Interbond 3150fps +150 fps[/b]
7mm Rem Mag 139 gr. SST Moly Heavy Mag 3250 fps muzzle +250[/b]

Looking at these numbers with the same bullet weight, it would appear that the 7mm-08 is much closer or even an equal to the 280 and really not far behind the 7mm Rem Mag.

Basically in the simplest terms of performance or muzzle velocity, if you compare the Light Mag[/i] or Heavy Mag[/i] Hornady loading class of ammo, the 7mm-08 is about 96.5% [/b]the performance of the 280 and 92%[/b] the performance of the 7mm Rem Mag. Also note that in both of these comparisons the 280 and 7mm have a Molly coating while the 7-08 does not. I would assume that if the 7-08 was molly coated as well, it"™s muzzle velocity would be slightly closer to the 280 and 7mm Mag.

These number show that the 7mm-08 is a lot better hunting bullet then the reputation I have developed about it from ready opinions on this forum"¦ Pretty impressive for the case size and recoil.

Certainly a round I would consider in the future. Not for my wife or son, but me.

[seattlesetters]

Whitehorn - You're picking up on what a number of sensible hunters have known for awhile...the 7mm-08 is a marvel of efficiency that really is excellent medicine for all North American hooved game animals.

While you won't get a lot of support from the "magnum" crowd, this little performer is pretty close to being the mythical "all-around" cartridge that we all talk about.

It doesn't kick very much, either!

[game4lunch]

My son took his first elk with the 7mm-08. No complaints. Just kind of hard to find ammo, especially in remote areas. We don't "roll our own".

I myself am a member of the "magnum crowd". .300WM for everything!
My point has always been that the magnums, often producing more muzzle vel. with heavier bullets, are best choice for longer shots. Out here, that could mean 200 - 300 yards! But for 200 and under, the 7mm-08 is great for all hooved species.

[James B]

One of my favorite calibers for sure. The difference between the 280 and 7mm-08 would be like the diference in the 308 and 30-06 since they are the parent case of these calibers. The 280, like the 30-06 may enjoy a slight advantage over the 308 and 7MM-08 with heavy bullets as it affords a little more powder space. The 7MM Mag offers a little advantage on paper but in the field both are suitable for the same kind of game. For the big bears the 7MM Mag would hold an edge because one would use the heaviest bullets for that task. For any other big game the 7MM-08 will do fine out to 250-300 yards with the proper bullet. And like already stated this is one gentle but efficient cartridge. Its only real competion in that department would be the 260/6.5x55. Maybe the 7x57 Mauser.

[will79]

I bought a savage 7mm-08 formy wife. She took her first three deer with it. Every one dropped on the spot. Last christmas I bought her a custom 30-06 on a M98 action. With handloads she can shoot a three shot group at 100yds that is less than 3/4 inch. She shoots the savage almost as good.

[slowaspossible]

I own both the 7mm-08 and the 280 Remington and love both of them. I hunted deer for years with a 7-08 Stainless A-Bolt and it's accuracy with factory loads was always excellent. I shot quite a few deer in several States and none ever took more than three steps. Then one day I walked into my local gun shop and picked up another A-Bolt Stainless (280 Remington) with a ported barrel and fell in love.
Of the two, the 280 allows me a bit more leeway in reloading heavier bullets. The 7-08, based on the .308 case limits you a bit but the 140gr class of bullets work incredibly well because bullet placement just seems easier with an inherently accurate cartridge.

[mustad]

My buddy just bought a 7mm-08 for his son. Great cartridge, but I have to disagree on the recoil front.

Cheers

[James B]

Are you trying to say that the 7MM-08 is a kicker????

[mustad]

That particular rifle definately was a kicker. I can't remember the exact model, but it was a youth remmington synthetic/blued model. I would say it kicked more than my T3 06.

cheers

[lead poisoner]

ORIGINAL: Whitehorn

Interesting Numbers.. Right from the Hornady website..

7mm-08 139 gr. SST (light mag) muzzle vel of 3000 fps muzzle!!

280 139 gr. SST muzzle vel 3000 fps muzzle SAME[/b]
280 139 gr, SST Moly (light Mag) 3110 fps muzzle +110 fps[/b]

7mm Rem Mag 139 gr. Interbond 3150fps +150 fps[/b]
7mm Rem Mag 139 gr. SST Moly Heavy Mag 3250 fps muzzle +250[/b]

Looking at these numbers with the same bullet weight, it would appear that the 7mm-08 is much closer or even an equal to the 280 and really not far behind the 7mm Rem Mag.

Basically in the simplest terms of performance or muzzle velocity, if you compare the Light Mag[/i] or Heavy Mag[/i] Hornady loading class of ammo, the 7mm-08 is about 96.5% [/b]the performance of the 280 and 92%[/b] the performance of the 7mm Rem Mag. Also note that in both of these comparisons the 280 and 7mm have a Molly coating while the 7-08 does not. I would assume that if the 7-08 was molly coated as well, it"™s muzzle velocity would be slightly closer to the 280 and 7mm Mag.

These number show that the 7mm-08 is a lot better hunting bullet then the reputation I have developed about it from ready opinions on this forum"¦ Pretty impressive for the case size and recoil.

Certainly a round I would consider in the future. Not for my wife or son, but me.

Go and look at the foot pounds at yardage.This is where the numbers count.I wouldn't advise it on moose ordangerous game.