Author Topic: 7mm-08 versus 308 for whitetailed deer.. (Read 1150 times)

kennisondan · « **on:** October 08, 2007, 05:08:40 PM »

OK opinions comparing the 308 and the 7mm -08 are sought... encore pistol is the gun... 15 inches the likely length... whitetailed deer in Louisiana is the game.. 200 yards the likely range.. slightly over would be nice..
the gun will be scoped...
I am unfamiliar with the factory loadings for the 7-08 and have no friends who shoot it...
pleae advise.. I lean heavily toward the 308 cause I have another gun that uses it .. but if they are all but the same, with the 7 haveing some advantages : like trajectory in a short barrel, expansion at lower speeds, less recoil, etc...
I can be swayed..
thanks in advance..
dk

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** October 08, 2007, 05:30:55 PM »

My personal preference is for the 7-08 but in all honesty there just isn't enough difference to worry about. Pick the one you like best and never look back both are excellent choices.

sweetwyominghome · « **Reply #2 on:** October 08, 2007, 07:05:13 PM »

Here's another vote for the 7mm-08. But if dies, brass and bullets are in good supply since you already have another .308, that caliber will do equally well on deer.

Slufoot · « **Reply #3 on:** October 08, 2007, 11:44:12 PM »

I prefer the 308 , it has alot more ammo available for it and if you reload there is a bigger selection of bullets to choose from. With the 308 you can also shoot cheap (if there is such a thing in ammo & reloading anymore) military ammo for practice.
As far as performance on deer, I don't think you could tell the difference with proper bullet selection and shot placement. Out to 300 yards there isn't enough difference in trajectory and energy between the two, to be concerned with for deer hunting.
Which ever one you choose I'm sure you will be happy with it as they are both great in short barrels.

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 09, 2007, 12:32:36 AM »

I have both and it's a toss up. You just can't go wrong. One thing to keep in mind. You already have a .308, right. If your eyes are approaching seniority like mine, you can't tell the ammo apart without reading the headstamp which requires (at least for me) glasses and good light. Small point but can be frustration at times. Grab one and go and ENJOY!!! GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt

Ken ONeill · « **Reply #5 on:** October 09, 2007, 01:49:41 AM »

I've owned and extensively shot and hunted with both for years. There's effectively no difference. Ammo is available throughout the world for the .308; not so for the 7mm-08. I'd get the .308. If you want to experiment, get the 7.

kennisondan · « **Reply #6 on:** October 09, 2007, 03:57:44 PM »

I assume then that in reality, there is no ballistic difference between the two rounds in a fifteen inch encore. No difference in the drop significant for anyone to take issue with ? then it will have to be the 308, for the availbility of all the match rounds and hunting rounds I already have to get me through this hunting season.. and then I can put my reloading gear to work over the summer to use all this brass I am going to have emptied...

incidentally in addition to the this choice.. I decided to get the ported 358 winchester barrel for bigger stuff if ever I get to hunt it.. and that will cover my 30 caliber and 35 caliber slots, l already have the smaller stuff, so I just may be able to start shooting instead of mostly preparing for it all..

thanks guys, I was open to the 7mm if it was really superior, and that took care of that little decision... you are the best...
thanks again... I am excited about this next purchase and the choice will make it a quick starter for me.. ammo wise that is...
dk

Swampman · « **Reply #7 on:** October 09, 2007, 04:00:04 PM »

The .308 is the second best bolt action rifle cartridge ever designed IMO. The .30-06 is number one.

kennisondan · « **Reply #8 on:** October 09, 2007, 04:29:13 PM »

I agree that the 06 is the best non-magnum ever, and more choices than any other out there.... I am not really sure why I did not seriously consider the 06 due to its versatility from heaviest to lightest of them all ... it was my first choice of deer rifle and nothing has offered all it can do as a great all round gun since then.. I would still take it in a heart beat... thanks for making me second guess my decision .. the 06 would be able to shoot heavier and lighter bullets...etc and etc..
dk
the only thing is I am set up for 308 already....
so either tell me there is not enough difference to choose the 06 for my deer pistol... over the 308 expecially since I have the latter ammo, etc. already...
dk
or tell me that it is crazy I do not choose the 06...
speak up now swampman... LOL
dk

Swampman · « **Reply #9 on:** October 09, 2007, 11:52:16 PM »

I really like the .30-06 myself. Everyone should have at least one.

RicMic · « **Reply #10 on:** October 10, 2007, 02:32:19 PM »

In a 15" tube the 308 would be my choice. The small extra gain in velocity (in a 15") would be offset by the much bigger flash and subsequent waste of powder.

three-oh-eight!

three-oh-eight!

three-oh-eight!

three-----oohhh----eight!!!

Just my 4 half pennies.

kennisondan · « **Reply #11 on:** October 10, 2007, 03:07:15 PM »

Ric Mic .. the winner by a landslide ... !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!\
3 0 8

dk

Ken ONeill · « **Reply #12 on:** October 11, 2007, 01:40:20 PM »

Having owned a number of each of them, and fully intending to walk away from the computer for the next 24 or more hours, let me gleefully lay down this insult to .30-06 fanciers, so they may feel their blood rise to a boil while they hurl insults at me:
I wouldn't trade a good .308 for a truckload of .30-06's !!!

SuperstitionCoues · « **Reply #13 on:** October 11, 2007, 02:08:30 PM »

They are so similar, what is the point answering? My preference is the 7mm08 for no other reason that I like it. .308 would do just as well...

Keith L · « **Reply #14 on:** October 11, 2007, 02:10:47 PM »

I am confident that the good GBO members that hang out on this forum will take your post as the joke it is intended to be and will follow GBO rules and not hurl insults or otherwise personal flames here on the forum against the rules. Nothing intended to provoke.

Swampman · « **Reply #15 on:** October 11, 2007, 03:14:29 PM »

"I wouldn't trade a good .308 for a truckload of .30-06's !!!"

The .308 is a fine accurate cartridge. It was designed to duplicate .30-06 ballistics in a smaller package. It almost did....almost....almost. Even Col. Cooper felt the .30-06 was better.

kennisondan · « **Reply #16 on:** October 11, 2007, 04:52:24 PM »

the facts and the fun all make it good entertainment, and instructional...
thanks again.. any one else ...
there must be no real reason for choosing the 7mm over the 308 and the 06 is so similar as well....
I am just glad I did not ask anything controversial...LOL
dk

EdK · « **Reply #17 on:** October 12, 2007, 09:11:25 AM »

Don't completely forget about efficiency. The two are peas in a pod for deer hunting at your specified ranges and out of a rifle but I do believe the 15" barrel handicap tilts the equation in favor of a 308.

SuperstitionCoues · « **Reply #18 on:** October 14, 2007, 05:32:27 AM »

They are so similar, what is the point answering? My preference is the 7mm08 for no other reason that I like it. .308 would do just as well...

Quote from: Keith L on October 11, 2007, 02:10:47 PM

I am confident that the good GBO members that hang out on this forum will take your post as the joke it is intended to be and will follow GBO rules and not hurl insults or otherwise personal flames here on the forum against the rules. Nothing intended to provoke.

Kieth,

I'm not trying to start an argument, but how in the world was I "... hurling insults..." or "... flaming..." someone? I think the point of the question is moot, considering the ballistics of the cartridges. No, my response was not meant as a joke.

Keith L · « **Reply #19 on:** October 14, 2007, 06:30:51 AM »

You weren't. It wasn't about you. If you read the post before yours I think you will understand the message.

SuperstitionCoues · « **Reply #20 on:** October 14, 2007, 08:17:07 AM »

Quote from: Keith L on October 14, 2007, 06:30:51 AM

You weren't. It wasn't about you. If you read the post before yours I think you will understand the message.

Gotcha. My mistake, and I hope you can see how I made it. The position of the message ... I thought it was meant for me. Please have a good day.

sdb777 · « **Reply #21 on:** October 14, 2007, 08:26:02 AM »

If I had a shinny new nickel for everytime this question has been asked.....I'd have a lot of nickels!

Scott (shakin' the piggy bank) B

billy_56081 · « **Reply #22 on:** October 14, 2007, 09:32:06 AM »

Here's the difference in the 7mm08 and 308. The 7mm08 uses .284 bullets and the 308 uses .308 bullets other than that one will do what the other will equally well. The only advantage of the wider 308 is availability of ammo.