7-08 Should I buy?

[BUTTS]

I have the chance to buy a 7-08 rifle barrel for cheap. I don't know anything about this round, what is it good for? Is it big enough for Elk? How does it compare to a 308 or 30-30? Any info is appreciated.

[steve708]

I have a Savage Sierra rifle in 7-08 and have killed eastern whitetail deer with it out to 250 yds, all went down.  It is a good shooting, round.  I handload my ammunition and have found that Varget and Nosler 140 gr. Btips work great.  I also have a Lone Eagle pistol that I have killed javelina with, in 7-08.  I am in the process of buying a encore pistol barrel in 7-08 also.  The 2 guns I currently have shoot very accurate, rifle around 3/4" at 100 and pistol 1 1/2" which I think is a product of a real poor trigger.  Good luck and go buy that barrel.

[Grumulkin]

The 7mm/08 Remington round has very reasonable recoil and has a reputation for accuracy.  It will take deer with no problem and I would think it would take elk provided a good bullet was used and placed properly but many would consider it too light for elk.

I would consider the 308 Winchester a bit better for elk (since it will handle heavier bullets) than the 7mm/08 but would consider the 30/30 Winchester inferior to both of them.

I've shot all of these cartridges in the handgun versions and consider the recoil in all similar.

[Idaho_Elk_Huntr]

My wife thinks it the greatest. Her rifle isnt an Encore but it is a 7mm-08 and everything she shoots seems to drop in its tracks. I wouldnt hesitate to use it on elk. She didnt. Her 3 best animals so far with it. My daughter took her first deer with the same caliber at 287 yards. Get it!

[GameHauler]

Both of my Girls have taken Cow Elk with a Rem#7 in 7MM-08.
Both harvested at less than 100yds though.
I love the round but would try to keep Elk shots to around 100yds.

Grumulkin, I am not sure I would agree with you about the 308.
The 7MM-08 is a 308 case just shooting a 7MM bullet and the velocity
should be about the same with same weight bullets.

Using a Nosler 140 or 150gr PT or similar bullet and staying in the 100yd
range or maybe 200 with a good shooter that knows the weapon should
do a fine job on an Elk sized animal.

The Girls gun is set up now for mainly whitetail or smaller animals with a 300yd
 plus shot not being a problem.
I know some of you would not consider shooting that far but things are a little different in the Western states.

Buy it, Love it, but know its limitations.

Mike

[chamois1]

 I'm 60 yrs old and have taken many deer and wild hogs with lots of different calibers in hand gun and rifle, but none have worked as well for me as the 7mm 08. The rifle I us now is a Rimington Number 7 Custom KS in 7mm 08. I killed two deer this past season one at 145 yards and one at 260 yards. I have taken several other deer with this rifle over the last 12 years.  To me there is no better caliber made for deer. If you do your part, all you have to do is place your shot correctly, and skin the Game.
 The 7mm 08 is a 308 necked down to 7mm.
You will not be sorry if you purchase a barrel in this caliber.

Chamois1

[kiddekop]

The 7mm/08 Remington round has very reasonable recoil and has a reputation for accuracy.  It will take deer with no problem and I would think it would take elk provided a good bullet was used and placed properly but many would consider it too light for elk.

I would consider the 308 Winchester a bit better for elk (since it will handle heavier bullets) than the 7mm/08 but would consider the 30/30 Winchester inferior to both of them.

I've shot all of these cartridges in the handgun versions and consider the recoil in all similar.

I hunted in Colorado for many years and saw a 5x4 bull elk dropped with a 30-30 and I have a friend who hunted bull elk with a 6mm Ruger #1!It has nothing to do with the caliber it's all based on the skill or lack of skill of the hunter with the chosen caliber.My friend with the 6mm is a former usmc  sniper with combat experience & the hunter with the 30-30 was hiking from the RioBlanco river area south into the tree covered little hills(6000') when he saw a bull elk moving down from the ridge area.