Author Topic: How good is the 7mm-08 (Read 3214 times)

jathames · « **on:** January 06, 2004, 02:33:14 PM »

What are you guys opions on the 7mm-08 for deer sized game?

savageT · « **Reply #1 on:** January 07, 2004, 03:57:28 AM »

Quote from: jathames

What are you guys opions on the 7mm-08 for deer sized game?

Graybeard says it's just about the best! Best for knockdown, accuracy and comfort with minimal recoil........Mrs. GB uses one.

Jim

longwinters · « **Reply #2 on:** January 07, 2004, 12:13:29 PM »

Better do a "search" on this site for 7m-08 cuz there has been a ton of good stuff written about it. I am one of its fans. :grin:

long

mcrae555 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 07, 2004, 03:17:57 PM »

Hello

I love the 7mm-08. I live in Southern British Columbia and I am able to hunt just about everything North America has to offer and the 7mm-08 has never let me done! This was my most succesful hunting season ever and I had one shot kills this year on my moose,black bear,whitetail deer, cougar, and mule deer. I love the 7mm-08 because it doesn't kick the snot out of me at the range so I am able to shoot it allot and get tons of practice! Everyone of my hunting buddies shoots a magnum and my game goes down just as fast as theirs. I am not knocking the magnums they are just not my cup of tea. I guess if you want a mild mannered hard hitting hunting round you just can't go wrong with the 7mm-08.

Just my 2 cents

Mcrae

Graybeard · « **Reply #4 on:** January 07, 2004, 04:08:44 PM »

It jist don't get no better for a deer rifle. Me and Mrs. GB both use them. Matter of fact rat now our oldest boy has hers borrowed and his .270 I gave him cuz he kept it borrowed all season long is setting at home while he takes her little Model 7 Remington hunting.

That little rifle is the one he killed his first head of big game with on an exotic hunt for rams in TX. I used it before him on deer and exotics and even a feral goat that came by my stand here in Bama one day. Mrs. GB has used it also for a few years now. That rifle has never missed a shot at game or required a second shot from either of the three of us. I told him when he borrowed it he better not mess up that tradition. So far he hasn't gotten a shot this season.

GB

kciH · « **Reply #5 on:** January 19, 2004, 10:23:20 AM »

For all intents and purposes, it will do anything a 7RemMag will do, provided you take 100 yards off the range in equal barrel length rifles. I know which one I'd rather carry and shoot, since I don't shoot to 400 yards anyway.

AZ Dan · « **Reply #6 on:** January 19, 2004, 11:01:49 AM »

In my opinion, based on my experience, the 7mm-08 is more than enough gun. I now have a .260 and believe that it is enough gun for deer at reasonable distances. The advantage of the 7mm-08 over the .260 is the 160/175 gr (tough bullet) will allow you to go after bigger game. The 7mm-08 is similar to the 7mm mauser. The track record of the 7mm mauser speaks for itself.

The question how good is the 7-08 should be changed to: Has the 7-08 ever failed? My answer would be no.
AZ Dan

Chuck White · « **Reply #7 on:** February 06, 2004, 05:57:57 AM »

I bought a 7mm-08 when they first came out, '80-'81 in a Remington M-788! When the M-7 came out, I had to have one, so I parted with the 788 and I have used the M-7, 7mm-08 every since!

It has never let me down! Although at one point, I switched from 139 gr Hornady and started using 120 gr Hornady and even though they were very effective, I never shot a deer that left much of a blood trail, so I switched back to the 139 gr Hornady because they usually go all the way through and I have a blood trail! In most cases with both bullet weights, I was able to see the deer fall!

My M-7 7mm-08 is the one that I reach for when deer season opens!

BIGBOREFAN · « **Reply #8 on:** February 06, 2004, 08:00:57 AM »

I have a 7mm-08 in a NEF handi rifle. It is a great caliber. You could not ask for a better all-around caliber. With the right bullet weight it will shot almost as flat as the 25-06 and with simular bullet weights has more down range energy than the 308. Me my first choice over my 450 ultra for a hunting rifle on this continent.

BBF

longwinters · « **Reply #9 on:** February 06, 2004, 10:58:19 AM »

It is an excellent caliber. There are many that are just as good for deer but none better.

long

7magWoodsman · « **Reply #10 on:** July 26, 2004, 03:34:14 PM »

I know someone who uses a Rem. Model 7 in 7mm/08 and is truly one of the best gun/calibur combos in the world, if not the best for medium sized game and even large game in the hands of a skilled shooter...thats a given though...a very fun and accurate gun to shoot. If I was to buy a new rifle it would be a 7mm/08

lgm270 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 28, 2004, 10:44:44 AM »

The 7-08 was a great milestone in centerfire rifle cartridge development. It duplicates the modern ballistics of the 100 year old 7x57 Mauser that was used in the Spainish American war.

It is a shorter cartridge, however, and can be used in short .308 length rifles.

Buffalogun · « **Reply #12 on:** August 30, 2004, 03:27:18 PM »

jathames,

The 7-08 is one of a quartet of cartridges that I consider the best group of cartridges for deer. The others being the 7x57, 6.5x55, and the .260 Rem.
Any of these cartridges will serve you well for deer and the performances of these are very close to each other.
My favorite is the 6.5x55, handloaded in my M70 Win. Featherweight.

Buffalogun

bing · « **Reply #13 on:** September 05, 2004, 04:53:32 PM »

I bought a 7mm-08 new last fall, it helped fill my freezer with several one shot kills in N.Y. southern zone
The best part ,for me anyway, is less recoil and I became a better shot with no flinching.

kombi1976 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 06, 2004, 04:53:38 PM »

The 7mm-08 is a great round, originally developed for metallic silhouette. It does equal the 7x57 and is excellent as it fits in a short action. The only limitation it has is that the longer 160gn, 165gn & 175gn bullets intrude into the case and affect powder capacity limiting its ability to use these effectively. But then with the premium 140gn & 150gn bullets made today there's little need for the heavyweight 7mm projectiles for any North American game you'd use the 7-08 on.

jim21 · « **Reply #15 on:** April 19, 2006, 03:35:58 PM »

I have (no this is'nt a joke) a Stevens model 200 in 7-08 caliber.Its got
great reviews from Guns and Ammo.Its a geat little shooter.My own opinion says "why spend big bucks"

nomosendero · « **Reply #16 on:** April 19, 2006, 03:52:23 PM »

An outstanding Deer round.

257 roberts · « **Reply #17 on:** April 19, 2006, 04:59:59 PM »

My nephew uses a 7mm08 with good results, I like my 7x57!!!

muzzleblast525 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 20, 2006, 02:19:52 AM »

Gotta love it. Shot several deer and hogs with it this past season and all were one shot, BANG! FLOP!...Loading 139 SST's with 43.1 g of Varget. 3-Shot cloverleafs.....Remington 700 LVSF....

Prophet · « **Reply #19 on:** April 21, 2006, 05:05:50 AM »

The 7-08 is great. I've been using it for 14 years. I gave my model 7 to my 11 yr old this year. Too bad, now I have to buy another. Oh well, one excuse to buy a new gun is as good as another. I just got the Kimber Montana in, guess what , the 7-08. My preferred ammo is the Hornady light magnum 139 gr soft point but I am really interested in the Fusion by Federal and the Nosler solid base. IMHP the 7-08 is the best round for whitetail and hogs. I've had my many other calibers but I always bgo back to my old friend.

Slamfire · « **Reply #20 on:** April 21, 2006, 08:20:27 AM »

Until you get to really large, thick skinned game, it ain't no better'n a .260. :wink:

Golsovia · « **Reply #21 on:** April 21, 2006, 03:21:42 PM »

I've punched holes through both sides of moose with the 7-08 at close to 300 yards when the bullets from my 340 have been stopped at shorter distance - different shot placement and bullet construction of course! It does run with some other great and powerful cartrdiges though.

muzzleblast525 · « **Reply #22 on:** April 22, 2006, 06:52:27 PM »

Now got me thinking of getting a Sako Finlight in 7-08

killdeer · « **Reply #23 on:** April 30, 2006, 06:06:01 AM »

Quote from: muzzleblast525

Now got me thinking of getting a Sako Finlight in 7-08

DUDE................JEALOUS HERE.......

lefty o · « **Reply #24 on:** April 30, 2006, 06:55:15 AM »

i shoot it from a pistol. excellent cartridge, much like any other it kills very effectively if you put the bullet where it belongs. its good, but it aint magic!

Don Fischer · « **Reply #25 on:** April 30, 2006, 08:35:18 PM »

The 7-08 uses the same bullets as the 7x57 which has been killing deer, in one form or another, for over one hunderd years. Not much difference here. I think the big secret to both is low recoil making them easy and pleasent to shoot well. Next is the fine bullets avaliable for them.

Much is said about the short action, which the 7-08 use's, but I doubt it has ever been responsible for anything other than selling an idea!

There are many good choices for deer sized game from the 250 Sav to the 30-06. The 7-08 is certainly one of them.

beemanbeme · « **Reply #26 on:** May 01, 2006, 04:06:05 AM »

I've been shooting a 7-08 since back when it was still a wildcat and while I don't consider it an elk round, if it was my only rifle, I'd load me up some 160NP's and go elk hunting. For deer and black bear, I don't think it gets any better. (I've never shot a bear so that info is second hand).

While hunting out west, I used 139-145gr bullets and they all worked well. Since moving to WV, a bullet that I've discovered (re-discovered??) is the 154gr Horn Round Nosed bullet. It will do a number on a deer. And out to 300 yards (my max), you're giving away nothing to a spitzer. You folks that are concerned with "bang-flop", if you want to see a deer flat taken off it's feet, give these a try.

hdj2520 · « **Reply #27 on:** May 25, 2006, 10:09:53 AM »

It could just about qualify as a " one gun man's " gun. I live in the deep
south and used one for about 10yrs. I used 115gr speer hp's for coyotes
with outstanding results and worked with several 140gr bullets on deer.
With a decent bullet it's about as good as you'll find. For the size deer we have 160's aren't needed but i'm sure they work fine. A friend of mine
uses 120gr and loves them. Just match a good bullet to your needs and
your set. It's not a magnum and it's not magic but it is a fine round.