308 or 7mm-08

[banen]

I just love the 308, think it is perfect for allaround whitetail.  There are some calibers that do better at some specific application and some that come very close to matching it as an allaround but none are better from a practical standpoint in my opinion. 

Accurate
short action
good in short barrels
modest recoil
wide range of bullets
widely available factory ammo
Surplus ammo available
just plain cool!

[PartsMan]

barr25-06 what do u do use a barrel 1 year for dear season and get a diffrant cal the next year just keep changeing every year? and not just stick with like 1 caliber that u know works? was just wondering so dont take this wrong

No,
I used it for two deer seasons
Bought that rifle for white tail and coyote.
Now I have a dedicated coyote/varment rifle.
I just thought it would be nice to have a "bigger" deer rifle.
I still think the 25-06 is a good dual perpose cartridge.
The big question is do I have to change my name.

[sbhooper]

The ballistic coefficient is where it's at.  That is why the 6.5 mm bullets do so well-they are long and slim.  People get all wrapped up about bullet weight, but if you really want to compare calibers and their performance, you have to include the BC of the bullets.

[Swampman]

"The ballistic coefficient is where it's at."

A lot of people say that, but in the field I find that it's undetectable.

[Is64.8]

Not to change the subject, but........

On the HR1871 website about the barrel accessory program, the only barrel for 7mm/08 listed is a superlite barrel.  Am I just not seeing the standard barrel in 7mm/08 or is it something they always have but have not listed???

[quickdtoo]

That's an eternal error, had been listed that way for several years, both on the web site and their accessory barrel pamplet, all superlight barrels are 20", the 22" 7mm-08 barrel is a standard contour.

Tim

[Is64.8]

That's an eternal error, had been listed that way for several years, both on the web site and their accessory barrel pamplet, all superlight barrels are 20", the 22" 7mm-08 barrel is a standard contour.

Tim

That's too bad ...or good  .  Now I'LL have to get one. 

[PartsMan]

oops

[banen]

I have fedrals 2006 ballistics catalog downloaded on my computer.
150g 7mm-08 has 309ft# less energy at muzzle but catches up and passes
150g 308 at 240yds.
Both are power shok soft point.
I didn't believe it at first myself.

its easy to believe, honestly. the same bullet weight, but a smaller cross section means less wind resistance (ie: better balistic coeficient)

Would a more fair comparison be the 308 165 vs the 7-08 150? 

[handirifle]

Well I don't remember if you said you reload or not.  If you do not, then go with the 308, if you do, flip a coin.

WAY more factory ammpo available in the 308 and Not nearly the factory bullet suggestion. Ever go on a hunt and forget/lose the ammo?  Have you ever traveled somewhere by air and they lost the suitcase with the ammo in it?  Just something to keep in mind.

Havind said that, I just switched one of my rifles from 30-06 to 338-06 (wont mention brand here, some get their panties in a wad ) and when I go to Alaska in '09 for moose, I'll ship some ammo up a month or two ahead.

After the Alaska hunt, I'll most likely swich back to 30-06, for recoil.

[handirifle]

I know, since it's a Handi, get the 280 barrel.  Now you have some power, minimal recoil, and LONG reach.  My last 280 barrel wasn't promissing, but if the next one is accurate, my 338-06 may very well stay that way.  Around here black bear season runs with deer season, and from what the F&G people say, the 7-08 is about min they recommend the black bears.

Normally I'll hunt deer with the 243, but it's not enough for bear, at least not enough for me to hunt bears with.

[PartsMan]

Got the 7mm-08 in last week.
I did not mean to bring this topic back up.

[handirifle]

Got the 7mm-08 in last week.
I did not mean to bring this topic back up.

?  Why not, excellent topic as far as I'm concerned.  good luck, and I doubt you'll be disapointed.  Like I said, if you reload, it's a coin flip.  Local gun dealer here says the 7-08 is good up to elk with the right load, but I'm sure a well placed, good bullet in the 150-160gr level would surely do it.  For deer the 140 reigns supreme.

[PartsMan]

I don't reload but would like to someday. Besides I don't get to shoot often enuff for price to really matter.
The 308 makes more sence  but I just wanted the 7mm.
All the balistics I have seen seem just right to me.
Not to much but enuff gun.