7 mm rem mag or 308?

[just learning]

what is a better round for target shooting, is one better for hunting  and one better then the other for a target round, I have been told a 7mm rem mag is a good elk round and also a great flat shooting target round , I also been told the same about the 308??is there any real difference?? 300 yard is 300ryards? :?

[Jose Grande]

There is much available for the .308 shooter. 7mag. stuff is limited as to components & such for targets. .308 barrels last longer.
If you don't shoot much,it doesn't matter. But serious shooting calls for the .308 .
As far as Elk go, I am under the impression that 180gr. pills or bigger are the medicene for them. I persoanaly don't think the Elk can tell what cal. bullet blows his heart into the next county. :-)

[GPWEAPON]

The .308 is the hands down target round. for elk place the shot well dead elk. If you are thinking of buying a rifle the .308 has a much wider factory selection of rounds.  less recoil in the .308 also.   The 7-mm mag is odviously the flater shooter but a heavier kicker .  If  you go with the .308 you'll not be disapointed. My next rifle, Lord willing,  will be a savage stainless varmint with the laminated stock in .308, then if I want to go to a different caliber I can change with a minimal investment.

[longwinters]

I was watching the Army sniping competition the other nite.  They were using various .308 rifles out to 1000 yds.

long

[coyote 2]

I was watching the Army sniping competition the other nite. They were using various .308 rifles out to 1000 yds.

It amazes me on how they shoot. Course with the ammo and rifles that they have -
Manufacturer: Specially trained armorers at Quantico, Virginia.
M401A
Length: 44 inches (111.76 centimeters)
Barrel length: 24 inches (61 centimeters)
Weight: 14.5 pounds (6.58 kilograms)
Bore diameter: 7.62mm (.308 inches)
Maximum effective range: 1000 yards (914 meters)
Muzzle velocity: 2550 feet (777 meters) per second
Chamber pressure: 50,000 psi
Magazine capacity: 5 rounds
Unit Replacement Cost: $2,105

[Red Neck64]

I would take the 308 over the 7MM Mag.The 308 is a reloaders dream round.

[ms]

:wink: I would get the 7mm if you reload. That way you could load a 280 load or 7m08 load. That won't burn out your  barrel fast.  :wink:

[longwinters]

I should add that of my 3 main rifles, I have both the 308 and the 7mm.  If I had to give one up, it would be a very difficult choice.  But since I dont, I am not going to even think about it.

Long

[K2]

If you can only afford one gun go with the .308.  Later if you want to add another gun you will find it won't be a 7MM Mag.  Lots of better choices today for Elk than a 7mm.  

what is a better round for target shooting, is one better for hunting  and one better then the other for a target round, I have been told a 7mm rem mag is a good elk round and also a great flat shooting target round , I also been told the same about the 308??is there any real difference?? 300 yard is 300ryards? :?

[Greg Zeilinger]

If your max distance is 300yds,it doesn't matter,which one you choose,but if you use it for longer range target shooting,then the various 7mm are better since their Ballistic co-efficent is way higher than the ones you get from 30 cal.If i were in your boots,i'd probably go with the 7mm WSM,since you'd be getting a very inherently accurate cartridge and you have enough power for Elk but i would recommend premium bullets like Barnes or Nosler Partitions for your Elk-Hunts.
Happy Hunting and Shooting. :-)

[longwinters]

I always chuckle when I hear/read that there are "better calibers" as a general statement.  Reason being, that I could put any caliber up front for any given purpose and someone would always say that they think there is something "better". But I have to laugh at myself also, because I think the same way  :lol: .  The 7mm is a great caliber or it would not still be in the top 10 calibers for bullets etc... sold.  Can other calibers do it just as well?  Sure, and for every thing you would want to shoot at there are probably 20 calibers that would fit the bill.  Choosing the right caliber for you is dependent on a whole lot of things.  So you look at what you want to do with the rifle (specific purpose or general purpose), how much recoil you want to endure, how much velocity you want, how big of a bullet you want to shoot, how much you will pay for ammo if you dont reload etc...  Like I said previously I have both the 308 and 7mm and I still have an itch for about 5 other calibers.  These 2 rifles will do anything I need them to do.  Are they the best?  For me they are 2 of many calibers that will do the job.

Long

[Big Tom]

Trying to put aside personal favorites is tough....but considering all factors, I'd probably give the .308 the nod. Even past 300yds,(which is a long way no matter how you cut it) .308 premium factory ammo or well conceived handloads will put Ol Wapiti down if his boiler room is nailed with an accurate shot.

I am not recoil shy and have shot both calibers extensively in Sako 75 rifles that I own. With 160 & 165gr Nosler Partition loads the 7MM has considerably more perceived recoil,(if that is an issue for you).....because flinches are easy to get and hard to lose.

Take my advice and don't overlook the .280 Remington....very easy on the perceived recoil, inherently accurate, and can push a little more bullet weight than the .270. A guide I know in Wyoming has killed several nice Bulls with a .280 carring a 165gr Nosler Partition up front.

[Jose Grande]

I sure enjoy reading such learned opinions as these. You guys that shoot the 7MM & the 270s & 280s & the 308. Each has a good reason for his choice of caliber. Some I never thought of, even. Great job guys !!!! A wonderful discussion without harsh words or criticism. You gotta luv this BB. :grin:

And once again, I love reading what apparently are good rifle shooters, opinions.