7-08????

whitetaildreamer · 03-10-2007, 12:06 PM

I've been researching cal.'s for my son to start whitetail hunting with. I personally started with a .243 30 some years ago and I started out my older son with a 30-30. For the type of hunting we do 100-200 yard shots are of the norm and the 30-30 does not have the long range hitting power I would like for him. Some have suggested the 7-08 for it's flat line traj. and hitting power. I have not had any experience with this cal. How does it stack up to some of the more traditional cal. such as the .243or the 30-30? I have checked out some ballistics charts and like what I see in regard to the 7-08's numbers. What do you think?

Maine Shooter · 03-10-2007, 12:50 PM

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Some have suggested the 7-08 for it's flat line traj. and hitting power. I have not had any experience with this cal.

From another thread:

Quote:

As a hunting Canadian I have used a 7mm mag for everything from moose to deer to elk to bear. You can't match the 7mm mag's fire for effect.

You realize that the 7mm you use is the same caliber as the 7-08 right? You do have experince with that caliber but maybe not the 7-08 as a cartridge. "Cal." (caliber) is not the same as cartridge.

Now then, the 7-08 is a great shooting and more than adequate deer cartridge. My brother actually took a decent sixed moose with one years back. Other cartridges to look at would be .257 Roberts and . 250 Savage The 7-08 ammo is more available though. One idea might be to look at he remington youth models and se what chamberings they come in for a particualr model and go with one of those, When your son grows, simply change the stock for a full sized one and he can continue to use the same barreled action. Model 7 is a good start for this.

M77man · 03-10-2007, 01:30 PM

The 7mm-08 is what I am considering for my son also. He's 11 and small in stature and the Model 7 recommendation is a good one. I like remington and I like the idea of that cartridge having a 20'' barrel on it.It should be a good rifle for him to start out with for a few years and also a good brush gun when he gets older and has it re-stocked. I really like the sound of this option.

whitetaildreamer · 03-10-2007, 01:50 PM

Thanks for the info. I been shooting as well as loading for a 7mm mag for myself for the last 20 years or so and I realize that the 7-08 is also a .284 cal. I have seen the cartriges for the 7-08 and have checked the loading info for them. I have been looking at youth model guns with a 20 in. barrel so I think I'm on the right track. How's the recoil on the 7-08? I haven't been able to find info on that.

M77man · 03-10-2007, 01:55 PM

From what I hear the recoil is very slight, should be on line with the amount of recoil of a .243 so nothing to worry about. I opened a box of those beauties and the cartridge legnth is about half the size of a 30-06, prett sweet!

FYI, I never knew this but I logged on to www.remington.com , checked out the accessories link and found a synthetic stock that can be bought for the Model 7 but also discovered a better looking synthetic stock that can replace the fugly one (JMO)that'scomes withthe SPS. I'm starting to think here.........

Todd1700 · 03-10-2007, 02:08 PM

whitetaildreamerthe 7mm-08 is an excellent whitetail caliber. A lot of guys in my neck of the woods start out buying one for their wife or kid and end up using it most of the time themselves. LOL! How old is the son you are considering one for? It kicks a little bit more than a 243 but not bad at all. Recoil is a very subjective thing however. What's mild to one person could be substantial to another. As far as I'm concerned the 7mm-08 surpasses both the 243 and the 30-30 as a deer caliber. Not that there is anything wrong with those two calibers.But the 7mm-08 gives you the ability to step up to a little heavier bullet compared to the 243and shoots much flatterthan a 30-30.A 140 gr 7mm-08 bullet has a great sectional density and penetrates like the devil. I haven't had a deer I've shot with mine make it more than 40 yards and most didn't make it that far.

Rebel Hog · 03-10-2007, 02:21 PM

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ORIGINAL: whitetaildreamer

How's the recoil on the 7-08? I haven't been able to find info on that.

RECOIL

whitetaildreamer · 03-10-2007, 02:41 PM

Thanks for the excellent recoil site. My son will be 12 is is just over 100 lbs. He has shot his brother's 30-30 and haven't had a difficulty so I think the 7-08 should be fine.

rjhans53 · 03-10-2007, 04:34 PM

if he can handle the 30-30 then the 708 shouldn't bother him (a little more recoil but not much keep in mind bullet weight effects kick). good luck with you choice.

PaJack · 03-10-2007, 05:37 PM

One of my favorite calibers,check out this link...

http://members.tripod.com/sed88/rem7/