Roskoe

Just exactly how many elk have you personallyshot with the 7MM-08? Or with any caliber for that matter. All these charts and tables you pour over will tell that the 7MM-08 hits at 250 yards about the same as the .280 does at 300 yards, or the 7 Rem Mag does at 350 yards - or the 7MM Ultra Mag does at 400 yards. Impact velocity, bullet construction, and shot placement are what matter here.

Todd1700

If you shot deer with a 7mm-08 that consistently ran 150-200 yards then you are a piss poor shot my friend. No deer hit in the heart lung area with a 140 gr bullet from a 7mm-08 is going 200 yards. You can go spray that bull###t on some 12 year old special ed kid that's never hunted and maybe he will buy it. No one else will however. I haveused a 7mm-08 as one of my two primarydeer rifles for the past5 years and I have yet to have a deer, regardless of size, make it 40 yards after the shot. Most went nowhere at all. If you can shoot a 7mm-08 is all you could ever need for deer. If you can't shoot then even a 416 Rigby won't help you.

BrutalAttack

Arguing semantics isn't going to prove anything. I don't know why you wouldn't use the best load available. I also see you studiously ignored the Hornady Light Magnum loads.

I'm not going to argue that 7mm bullet isn't more efficient because it is....but the factory has loaded the .308 to the nuts and it performs better...peroid. Perhaps a handloader can wring more from a 7mm-08 so that is surpasses the .308. I can only speak to factory loads.

Also there are distinct disadvantages to shooting a bastardized caliber. Higher ammo cost, lack of guns in that caliber, lack of bullet/load choices etc.

I'm not saying the 7mm-08 isn't a fantastic round, I'm saying the slight performance edge (if any) isn't worth it unless you're just a fan.

stubblejumper

Of course you must realize that the 7mm-08 is also available in light magnum loads.

If you are so concerned about the cost of ammunition,why even consider the light magnum loads?They are more expensive.Besides the 7mm-08 is available in many rifles by many manufacturers ans there are many factory loads available.The 308 being available in more guns does not make it perform any better.Since there are many suitable 7mm-08 loads,having more isn't a big advantage.

Then again you were so excited about the 300rsaum.You would be hard pressed to find a cartridge available in less rifles and with fewer factory loads available.Make up your mind.

BrutalAttack

I don't know who this is directed to but I'll answer anyway.

I haven't shot elk with a 7mm-08. I have shot many elk with several other calibers including 280, 300 win mag, 308 and 270. but I don't need to list my qualifications for the likes of you. Personal experience isn't worth a whole lot. If everyone just shot what they saw work then we would all be shooting .30-'06s and wouldn't bother trying to develop anything else.

Also, individual kill shots on animals vary widely. A deer shot with a 300 win mag can run 100 yards where as one with a .243 can drop in it's tracks. This incredible variablility causes us to search for an objective way to compare cartridge performance hence these tables. It's not practical to buy and test every cartridge out there.

Of course we are assuming perfect shot placement that shouldn't even be in the discussion. If you can't shoot then caliber choice matters little.

Bullet construction on deer-sized game is also of less importance. Deer aren't thick skinned nor particularly tough. Any 7mm or 308 bullet will probably perform fine on deer assuming you aren't trying to punch through a shoulder blade. But of course if you have a better bullet available to you, say a 165 gr. SST or MRXvs. a 165 gr. ballistic tip then you would want to go with the premium bullet in most cases.

I just use the best performing load regardless of bullet construction. Just about any current production bullet designed for big game is going to perform well if the shot is placed properly.

ShatoDavis

Once again BBJ and I agree.

The 280 is a superior round to the 7-08. As I've stated before the 280 is my favorite weapon.

If anyone can tell the difference between 8 inches and 7 inches at 300 yards they are a better shot than me. I personally would much rather shoot a 140 gr. 7mm bullet than a 150 gr. 30 caliber due to thebetter sectional density. but like they say opinions are like butts....everyone has one....some stink worse than others....

BrutalAttack

Yes I realize there is a 7mm-08 Light magnum and the .308 light magnum still outperforms it....by a slight margin.

More offerings does make the .308 better if even one of those offerings outperform the 7mm-08...which they do.

Yeah there is a whole 5 offerings in 7mm-08 from Federal vs. 17 offerings for .308. Options are good. I just personally use the best performing load available.

As for cost. It doesn't matter which load you choose the aggregate will be the .308 will probably always be cheaper.

I was just offering the 300 SAUM as an option for him. That particular load is awesome you have to admit. But, if I was so excited about it, I would have bought it insteaad of the .308. But I like having almost no recoil, I can stay in my scope with the .308 even with 180 gr. Federal high energy.

BrutalAttack

the .280 is superior to almost everything. I don't see why you insist on comparing 140 gr. to 150 gr. bullets. I don't know why anyone would use a 30 cal 150 gr. for anything other than punching paper, at least not when you have an option of a 180 gr. that outperforms aeverythign else.

stubblejumper

So just which 308win light magnum load shoots flatter than the 139gr sst light magnumload for the 7mm-08?

The two 150gr light magnum loadslistedfor the 308win can't match it and neither can the 165gr light magnum load listed for the 308win.

If you are talking energy,the 308win starts out with slightly more,but the 7mm-08 catches and surpasses the 308win.

BrutalAttack

I don't remember making a case for the .308 shooting flatter. But less than 1" is negligable.

the 165 grain SST .308 has more energy and there is less than 1" difference in trajectory. I've only been comparing out to 300 yards as that is about the max effective distance for those rounds on elk sized game IMO. Also I don't know that the average hunter shoots beyond 300 yards. I personally don't think so.

The load I use has over 1900 ft/lbs of retained energy at 300 yards and only drops 8.1.

I mean I don't know if you realize this but my point is: If you can get as good or better performance with a heavier bullet, plus have more bullet choices, and cheaper ammo why wouldn't you?