RugerMike

I have all three as well and I usually pick-up the 7mm-08 first! The 7mm mag would only duplicate the 30:06 and 300 you all ready have in performance, IMO?

bronko22000

As just about everyone else has stated the 7-08 would be the practical choice considering what you already own. I am also from PA and I use the 7-08 a lot. More than adequate for whitetails.

gmil6184

in my opinion the difference between them all is really more theoretical then anything. For hunting in PA where I would imagine most of your shots are 300 yards and in, I doubt you will notice a big difference on game. All four of them will kill any deer or black bear dead as you please. 7mm 08 is probably a half step behind the 06, the 7 mag is probably a half step ahead of the 06, and the 300 win mag is a half step ahead of the 7 mag. All of them are great calibers though.

stevebriskman

I just purchaed the Savage 111 7MM Rem Mag, have not shot it yet since the wife siad it's a Xmas Present. But i have been wondering the same thing. I have never shot a rifle larger then a 243 Caliber, And am itching to see whats gonna happan with this big boy. Some people say i should put a muzzle break on it others told me to just get Limb Saver and that will do the job to save my shoulder. anyone else have a opinion on how to prevent the flinch HA HA . If i use 7-08 the recomended round for a beginer with this gun?

Bernie P.

Steve,you might want to try the managed recoil loads first or just use lighter bullets.Not sure what you mean by- "7-08 recomended round".The 7-08 is a different caliber based on the .243 case.

game4lunch

If you want something "in between", then definately the 7mm-08.
Much lighter recoil and the ammo is cheaper. (7mm-08 kicks a 140gr @ 12.6 ft lbs. And the 7mag kicks a 150gr @19.2 ft lbs!)
It will still kill out past 300 yards, just a little more drop than the 7mm Mag. One stat to compare is the MPBR = Maximum Point Blank Range. That is is the distance at which the bullet falls 3 inches below the line of sight. Thus between the muzzle and the distance given as the MPBR, the bullet never strays more than 3 inches above or below the line of sight.
7mm-08: 285 yds. 7mmMag: 305 yds. Hardly a difference and a lot less kick!
I've owned both, and have killed elk, mulies, and lopes with both.
But like you said, "something in between". I also know a guy who's whole family shoots it since they came out, and have taken Moose with it.
Don't be afraid of the 7mm-08.

stalkingbear

I would have to say effective range of the 7mm08 with 140 gr is 400 yards IN SKILLED hands. I've seen a few dropped instantly at that range back when I was guiding.

Dozen Arrows

I have a 7mm Rem Mag that I am sure of that it will kill any animal at any range with NO problems.

Griff in VA

Exactly. There are a lot of great calibers out there. I love the 30.06 and 308 from my milatary days. They are my favorite. However there are few cartridges that can say "Any game, Any range" and the 7mm is one of them. It's my "If I could only have one rifle to hunt" round.

ipscshooter

If you're using a 7mm Rem Mag for deer, and your shots will be roughly 300 yards or less, I'd definitely recommend using the Remington Managed Recoil Rounds. I have a tendency toward flinching, and used to use a .30-06, until I discovered the .243... I've used a .243 for several years, but, this year I decided to use a 7mm Rem Mag that I'd inherited from a good friend. I used the Remington MR rounds, and they were very effective. Dropped a 200 lb wild boar in his tracks. Shot a nice 9 point buck. He ran ten yards and stopped, so I put another one through him. (Later autopsy revealed the 2nd shot was completely unnecessary, but, it was about to get dark and I didn't want to have to track him...). And, dropped a doe with a 30 yard head shot. The MR rounds are midway in power between the 7X57 Mauser and the 7mm-08. The recoil is noticeably more than the .243, but, not uncomfortable even for someone who has a tendency to develop a flinch...