shepdogwv

Haven't been posting much lately so I figured I'd ask something I've been pondering on for a while. I have both a 7mm-08 and a 30-06 and I was debating about what to do if I get to go elk hunting with my uncle (it probably won't be for a few years, but you guys know you wanna throw some knowledge around)

Anyways, I most always see the 7mm-08 talked about as a short range elk bullet. I was looking at ballistic tables though (taken w/ a grain of salt of course) and noticed that with the same bullets the velocity and the energy of the '08 are equal to or more than the 30-06's out at 300 and 400 yards on Remington's tables. with both 150 and 165 gr. corelocks. The only comparable bullets on a factory ballistics chart I could find. On federal's ballistic tables between the 140 and 165 gr. partitions there was a 200 ft/lb difference out that those ranges. I was just wondering with stat's this close, why the 08 is considered a short range round and the 06 isn't.

BTW, I don't even remotely think about shooting out to 400 yards (well at least not at anything by does) but I just wondered about this. Thanks for any comments

bronko22000

You pose and interesting post and one open for a lot of debate. Most articles I've read consider the 270 win the minimal for elk. The 7-08 is similar to the 270 ballistically. In my battery I have the 270, 7-08, 30-06, 300 Win Mag and 325WSM and I wouldn't hesitate using any of them for elk. IMO however, I would limit my shots to 200 yds for the 270 and 7-08; 300 yds for the '06 and out to 400 yds for the 300 and 325.
They all would more than likely put down an elk at longer ranges but these are my limitations. I know one person who dropped an elk at 700 yds with a 300 Win but again IMO that was insane.
Out of your choices and for 'just in case', if I were you I would use the '06 with a good 180 gr load. But take the 7-08 as a back up.

PaJack

That's a good question! Both have some advantage over the other...

Her is a good link for the 7mm-08!
http://members.tripod.com/sed88/rem7/

USMC PMI

That was a good link for the 7mm-08 fans out there! Both are so close I can see why you are having trouble making a choice. Pick the rifle you use and trust the most, as always preached shot placement is 100x's more important than sectional density, knock down power, FPS, or any other man made scale. That being said there still are legal limits and ethical limits, the 7mm-08 meets both in all areas that I am aware of. I would not shoot any further with the 30-06 than I would with the 7mm-08.

James B

They come pretty close to each other. The 30-06 will give you a heavier bullet and a bit more frontal area. Both are good 300 yard Elk rifles.

Anthony T.

It's hard to say that the 7mm-08 has anything on the 30-06. It's hard to say the'06 has alot on the 7mm-08 either. But the '06 will give you more energy and a little bit bigger and wider bullet and would probably make a little bigger of a hole. But other than that, they're both good. I like the '06 myself but the 7mm-08 has less recoil also. I'd just use the '06 on elk just to be sure.

Rammer

If you can't kill an elk with a 7mm08 or an '06 you probably shouldn't be hunting

My vote goes to the 7mm08

Anthony T.

I can agree with that, rammer.

savagescout

I think the most deadly caliber on elk you can shoot is the one you shoot the best. If you have a load that is reasonable for elk 165gr. for the 30-06, or 140 (well constructed bullet) for the 7mm-08 you'll do fine.

Anthony T.

If the question is power, then it definetly goes to the 30-06. Everything else aside: shot placement, blah, blah, the '06 has more power. If thats what you were wondering, there it is.