I would like to thank bigpapa for this thread. I have still been looking to add 7mm08 to my Blaser barrel inventory, but I had really decided on 243 instead.

My question is about ammo availability. Can you find ammo without going to a "gun store"?

I’ve had my 7mm-08 for two years now and have harvested two deer. Out of the two the furthest was shot was 136 yards. Not much of a challenge but it did the job. I reload my shells so availability is not an issue. I just find the 7mm-08 excels at the range not being a big thumper as other rifles I’ve shot in the past. It’s just a good round for deer hunting and I really like the short action...

I plan on picking up a Savage 110 in that caliber this year!! Strictly my deer gun!!

7mm-08 is fully as good a cartridge as the 30-30, though it lacks FP bullets in factory loads... only other deficit is, you can't get it in a pretty Marlin lever rifle.

Retrieverman,

That was a big concern of mine also. However, I went to my local "wallyworld" and they had it on the shelf for just $2 more than ammo for the '06. I think one of the things that makes people think ammo for it is not plentyful is the fact that your only looking at one major load 140 grains. Where with the '06 or others your looking at four or five different grain loads. I started this thread to answer a practical question. How welldoes it work on game in the field. To be honest with you I'm almost 100% sold on my next rifle being a 7mm-08 for a few main reasons.
1) It's not a 30-06 Honestly, I've gotten tired of "DUDE! My '06 is the best cartridge ever made. It was like a gift from tha big man himself that we have it.
2)The recoil is extremely low which will make me a more accurate shooter.
3)It has a very flat trajectory which will get me "out there"
4)It just sounds like a cool caliber. 7mm-08 sound's so technical.
5)I have yet to hear a negative thing about it. EXCEPT that you cant get it in a "slick Marlin lever-rifle".

Now I just have to make a final decision on what rifle to put it in. Have that narrowed down to two soooo.

Can't get it in a slick Marlin lever-rifle.

Opps. Sorry Catus. I missed that one. I'll adjust for you.

bigpapa
What 2 rifles are you looking at? I don't know what you want to spend, but I would suggest looking at a Blaser R-93 Offroad (synthetic stock model). If I get a 7mm08, it will just be a barrel for my Blaser. I actually already have a used one located, but it is Canada. My gun dealings with Canadian have been less than ideal. If you have never handled a Blaser, you owe it to yourself (the triggers are amazing). I have had to sell several guns to afford my "Blaser addiction", but it is worth it to me.

Retrieverman,

No offence but Blaser is WAY out of my price range. I was looking more at either the Savage 116 Weather Warrior or the Tikka T3 Hunter in SS. The delima is I like the Accutrigger but not the stock of the Savage. However I like the stock of the Tikka but it doesn't have Accutrigger. Also the Tikka will be $150 more out of the pocket.

I have a new 7mm-08 in the Remington PS. Its as good as deer hunting gets. This is my fourth 7mm-08.