708 vs. 308
 

Dumb Question.

After reviewing ballistics tables time and time again, I really don’t see any appreciable difference between the 308 and 7mm-08.. With reloading and the right bullet selection I, can’t see what one can do where the other can’t… I am trying to decide between the two calibers for my next hunting rifle, and performance wise I don’t see any real difference. I also plan to invest in reloading ammo as well.

I already have and love my 270 and I am leaning towards something in an 08 casing and want to know why I should consider the 7mm over the 7.62mm.. I hunt in the Alberta foothills primarily for moose, elk, deer and antelope and I am not into bear..

I know people will suggest other calibers like mags and the 30/06 but with my experience and the experience of my peers and their extended family, I really don’t need or want a magnum and I feel that the 30/06 is so close to the 270, for the size of bullets I prefer.

Thanks in advance.

RE: 708 vs. 308
 

Both the 7mm08 and 308 are great cartridges. The 7mm08 is probably slightly flatter shooting, but realistically I doubt you will notice much difference in the field. Either one will kill anything that walks in North America with the proper bullet.


I would probably choose the 7mm08, since I have a 30-06 and dont own a 7mm of any type.

RE: 708 vs. 308
 

Your 270 should work fine for everything you're heading for. But I would be real picky about my shots for moose or elk. Also, IMO, you're not going to gain much by going to the 7-08 over the 270 for what you are hunting. (I have both by the way). And, your friends are correct in telling you to use a 30-06 or similar - like maybe a 300 WM or 300WSM if you want a short action. The 308 tends to loose some of its "oomph" when loaded with the heavier bullets you would need for moose because of the case capacity. Even though the 06 and the 270 are pretty equal performance wise, the old 06 has the capability of pushing heavier bullets (180s for elk and up to 220s for moose). Personally I would get a 300WSM in a Savage 16 or 12

RE: 708 vs. 308
 

Bronko, my friends are not telling me to get a 03/06 or a 300 Win Mag or 300 WSM... Almost everyone I know in my hunting circle hunts with a 270 and one guy has a7mm Rem Mag.. All of the 270 hunters us 130 grains bullets (two generations of which) and have take elk and moose with the 130 grains bulletsevery year, successfully..Their experience is extensive, and I'm the odd ball with 150 grain bullets. Everyone I hunt with is super picky about shot placement and has never felt under gunned with their 270or the need for a magnum..

RE: 708 vs. 308
 

The 7MM-08 shoots a little flatter than the .308, with the same bullet weight, and also has a little better sectional density. I find the recoil on the 7MM-08 to be extremely pleasant as well. It's close, but I would lean towards the 7MM.

RE: 708 vs. 308
 

Critters have gotten tougher to kill over the years. ;) These days you need a magnum, while years ago the venerable 7x57 killed a thousand elephants in the hands of a superior shot.


Lets crunch some numbers. A 308 will push a 180 grain bullet at 2500 fps. A 30-06 will drive a 180 grain bullet at 2700 fps using a very moderate pressure load. A 300 WM will drive the same bullet at 3000 fps.

What does this really mean? Obviously the 300 WM has more energy and a flatter trajectory. The 308 developes 2498 ft-lbs. The 30-06 driven bullet has 2913 ft-lbs of energy at the muzzle. The 300 WM driven bullet has 3597 ft-lbs of energy at the muzzle. Basically, the 300 WM has as much energy at 100 yds as the '06 has at the muzzle and about the same as a 308 has at the muzzle at 250 yards.

How much flatter trajectory? Lets assume the rifles are zeroed at 200 yds. The 308 bullet will drop 10.2" at 300 yds. The 30-06 bullet will drop close to 8.5" at 300 yards. The 300 WM bullet will drop 6.7". At 400 yds the bullets will drop 29.4",24.7", and 19.4" respectively.

What does this data really mean? If your using either a 308, 30-06, or a 300 WM and it is sighted in at 200 yads.....You better have a range finder and know your drops if your shooting at anything much past 250yds. If you dont, your risking a wounded critter instead of a clean kill.

RE: 708 vs. 308
 

There isn't enough difference between the 7-08 and the .308 to make buying the 7-08 a logical choice.

RE: 708 vs. 308
 

Just cause I'm strange, necking down 308 to 7 08 takes nothing and although the case ends up a hair short it shoots fine, the 708 necked up to a 308 needs to be trimmed, I"ve got both, I've hunted with both because I like the feel of the sako (7mm 08) better that my 308 I've tended to hunt with it more the last couple of years, 2 nickels or a dime both amount to about the same thing

RE: 708 vs. 308
 

either should do the job well. On elk just shoot bullets such as the accubond or failsafe for that deep penetratio and when hunting antelope use a lighter fast bullet such as the ballistic tip. The .308 may drop more with a heavier bullet but look at it this way, the cartridge is capable, snipers take shots with the cartrige at well over a thousand yards.

RE: 708 vs. 308
 

308. This will give you the option of heavier bullets than either the 270 or 7mm-08. You already have the 270 for flat shooting lighter bullet. JMO.

RE: 708 vs. 308
 

Neither the 7mm-08 nor the .308 are going to offer you any thing at all that the .270 Win doesn't already give you. In purchasing one of these two calibers you are essentially duplicating the terminal performance of the .270 and stepping down a notch or two in terms of in flight ballistics. So why bother?

Personally I would diversify a little bit and either step ot or a .300 magnum or a .338 magnum. Another excelent option for the hunting you are describing is a big bore lever action rifle chambered in a .444 Marlin, .450 Marlin or 45-70.

While the two 08's and .270 are certainly capable elk and moose cartridges the 300, 338 and big bore lever rifles will handle them better and your .270 can now become your primary deer and antelope rifle.

RE: 708 vs. 308
 

Personally i would go wiht the .308 after having a chance shooting both the 7mm-08 and .308... there is a reason why the .308 is the a popular choice for sharpshooters....

RE: 708 vs. 308
 

.308 better bullet selection,ammo. cost.surplus ammo.heaver bullets
7mm-08 seems to be more trendy,also good.

RE: 708 vs. 308
 

Bigbulls - I kinda wondered the same thing. If you already owned a .270, next logical purchase would be a .338 Winchester. Once you had four or five rifles, start filling in the gaps until you have one of everything :)

RE: 708 vs. 308
 

You should keep your .270. Nothing wrong with that. I don't see the 7mm-08 or .308 worth getting if you already own the .270. Wanna a little more, 7mm Rem mag. might be a consideration.

RE: 708 vs. 308
 

Cmon guys..we are supposed to be telling him to buy all of the above :D Theres not a lot of difference in 270 and 7-08. The 7-08 recoil is less and is a dream to shoot. The 270 is a little flatter and rangier. I have both and love em both....

RE: 708 vs. 308
 

DD. I took your advice in advance, I have all three.;)

RE: 708 vs. 308
 

Thats why you are my hero James!! :DI got big footsteps to follow..lol.

RE: 708 vs. 308
 

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RE: 708 vs. 308
 

If you want to confuse him all together then throw in a .280. Then he'd have four calibers with virtually them sameperformance to pick from.:D

RE: 708 vs. 308
 

I agree with James on this one. The .308 will give you a heavier bullet selection to play with. The bench rest shooters (who helped develope the 7-08) would say the 7mm bullet is ballistically superior to the .30 cal, but I don't think the average/above average shooter can/will see a difference. I also own both and see little difference. From where you're at, I'd also go with one of the 300's or the 338. Just my $.02

RE: 708 vs. 308
 

Just my opinion but i would choose the .308, i have one and have never had anything walk away to far after the shot went off, i have had good accuracy with any bullet i have ever shot, just my opinion but i hope your happy with your selection

RE: 708 vs. 308
 

.308 and a .375 HH these two rifles are imo enough to own. Better have fewer rifles and learn to shoot them well.

RE: 708 vs. 308
 

Just go with the 7mm-08 to be different...:D

RE: 708 vs. 308
 

I've been debating between the 308 and 7mm-08 for a while too. I've got a 300WM so Iwas leaning towards the 7mm-08 just for a wider variety.

RE: 708 vs. 308
 

7mm-08 is my new favorite. Use it for deer hunting every year. Very easy to shoot, 22" barrel (instead of 24") which makes it nice for the woods, easy recoil and plenty accurate. I find ammo at wal-mart for it.

RE: 708 vs. 308
 

If You can count the numbers of guns You own on two hands, You do notown enough !!

I just purchased a 7MM-08 Rem Mod 7 laminated stock/ blue bbl. Becausethe gunis compact, light weight and fast handling.I wentwith the short action calaber for other reasons than bullet diamater, portability. You will not beleve how light and handy these little rifles are untill You hold one in Your own hands. Pick which one turns You on, I own both calabers and they both shoot great. I hand load and mainly hunt deer with a 7Mil Mag and had plenty of extra bullets laying around in 284 cal. That was alsoanother deciding factor. What the heck get them both and thenfigure which one You like better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RE: 708 vs. 308
 

I like the 7mm-08. I agree with the whole buy something different then what you have but he's just asking between the 2 rifles so my votes for the 7mm.

How cheap or how available the ammo is means nothing since he will be handloading. Id prob buy a nice small gun like a Browning Micro or Ruger Ultralitefor this caliber.

I think you already had your mind set on the 7mm but want us to give you the reasons to buy the 308 instead. If this is true I know how you feel and I cant help much in your decision, Im trying to decide on a 7mm -08 or 308 as my next Encore Barrel and cant decide either.

Good luck with either.