NEW GUN

[cjwatson]

bout to purchase a Tikka T3 lite stainlesswhats ur take on 7mm-08 vs. .308 ive heard that the 7mm-08 has less knockdown power and deer run longer i think a boiler room shot should put them down with whatever but i witnessed a deer shot through the lungswith the 708 and it ran a good ways i want ur feedback on the choices what is the optimal load for these chanmberings

[jaybird2]

7mm-08 is a great choice but if i had to chose i would go with the 308 win more bullet selection and they sell 308 ammo just about everwhere and anywhere ,i have use the 308 to take deer,bear and moose and it done it with ease

[cjwink]

I had a Tikka T3 light and loved it except for the long barell.. It was 270 WSM.. I sold it because I like the shorter barrell and opted for the Ruger Compact with a 16.5" barrell in 7mm-08. I am currently shooting the 120 HP for this round.. Most times on pass thru shots in the vitals the deer is going to run.. Using a hollow point will transfer all of the bullets energy to the deer because most of the time the bullet will not pass thru.. No Blood trails on the HP, but you won't need em..

[stalkingbear]

For deer sized game I would choose the 7mm08 instead of the 308. There's not a lot of difference between the two but the 7mm08 will have less recoil and shoot a bit flatter. I've both shot and seen a bunch of deer INSTANTLY dropped with the 7mm08 and it's my opinion that shot placement,terminal bullet design/performance, and other factors all play a much bigger part rather than the difference between the two cartridges. Contrary to popular opinion,you don't need a 30 caliber bullet to drop deer. You can't go wrong with either.

[okgobbler]

Either one will be great for deer. If you reload, I would opt for the 7mm-08. Their are a lot of options in 7mm bullets that aren't offered in factory ammo.

[Rammer]

I have both, deer won't know the difference in which one they were shot with. Buy whichever one you feel necessary

[Pawildman]

Rammer's right... I also have both, and the deer just plain don't care which gun kills them. I have gone strictly to the 7-08 in recent years, however, for deer. Seems to me to have less recoil when doing bench work----pleasant to shoot.

[nchawkeye]

http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=2316530