7mm-08 or 308 for big game
 

Hi guys,
I am stricktly a deer hunter at this point with no experience on elk, moose, caribu etc.. I am building a deer hunting rifle and am decideing between 7mm-08 and the 308 cartridge for deer. My question is, are these cartridges suitable for the bigger game? I am a huge fan of waiting for the right shot and being extremely acurate with that one shot. So with that in mind and shot placement being first and foremost, with correct bullet selection would you guys use these calibers?

RE: 7mm-08 or 308 for big game
 

First three long guns should be:
22LR
12 Gauge
30-06.

So of those two I'd vote for the 308.
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However, I detect an undercurrent of "I'd like to go small and have someone tell me it is okay for everything, IMHO, it ain't.

Given all theparameters and restrictions and conditions your seem to be "guaranteeing-in" for your real big game hunt (non-deer) you'lldo just fine with a 22LR. Real life, it ain't that clean.

Want a deer rifle, build a deer rifle. [243 (25-06 better)]thru 270-ish].
Burn thru hundreds of rounds, become one with it, get your deer hunting days established....

Then later grow when your desire for bigger game grows....
When you decide to go big game hunting,
then build a big game rifle (30-06 power on up)

Match the tools to the job.
Don't try to change your spare tire with a 1/4 drive socket set.
Might work, but you're flirting with trouble,

or a $3,000 empty tag.

RE: 7mm-08 or 308 for big game
 

If those are the options that you are set on I would go with the .308 it has better bullet selection, but just be picky on the shots and range.

RE: 7mm-08 or 308 for big game
 

I agree!

RE: 7mm-08 or 308 for big game
 

not me,i'd go 7mm-08 less recoil and will kill as good as any 30caliber bullet.

actually i'd buy a 270win,the best whitetail caliber ever.....

RE: 7mm-08 or 308 for big game
 

Either one will be just fine. Lots of bullet weights to pick from in both 284 or 308 if your a handloader. Not much differnce in the 2 to make a huge differnce in debating to buy. Ive always preferred the 7 over 30 cals though.

RE: 7mm-08 or 308 for big game
 

I have a .308 Win, and I've killed a deer with it, dropped, didn't even move.

Recoil? It's really not bad, anyone 'ought to be able to handle it, in fact, it's a very popular youth rifle, it's the less-recoiling alternative to the 30-06, in my opinion, the only problem I ever had with my .308 was it giving me a scope eye when the scope was mounted too far back, but never had any trouble with the recoil, just, as with any gun, get some good shooting bags, so you can sight in dead-on, and have total, 100% confidence in your gun's accuracy.

As for if it can handle bigger game, my great-uncle has killed two elk with his Savage Model 99 in .308 Win, but he made sure he used the proper bullet, 180-grain.
He's also killed a black bear in Minnesota with it, and a ton of deer, that gun is the only one he's used since he got out of the Navy in the 1950's.

RE: 7mm-08 or 308 for big game
 

I would go with the .308 Win. Good luck.

RE: 7mm-08 or 308 for big game
 

I have two rifles tikka t3 308 win and browning blr pistol grip 308 win ,no need for anything bigger i have killed deer,bears and moose with ease i perfur 150 gr bullets nosler accubonds work well for moose and hornady sst work for deer

RE: 7mm-08 or 308 for big game
 

I have a .308 and just love it. It has taken deer and moose with no problems. I use 150grn bullets for deer and 180's for moose. Haven't lost an animal yet, and never had to track more than 50 yds.