Author Topic: Any point in owning rifles in both 7mm-08 and .308 Win? (Read 8327 times)

philthygeezer · « **on:** January 27, 2010, 03:58:47 AM »

If I already own a rifle in .308, is there any reason to get an identical rifle in 7mm-08? What reasons would you give?

Dixie Dude · « **Reply #1 on:** January 27, 2010, 04:14:14 AM »

If you already have a .308, I would get something else besides a 7mm-08. Ammo may be more available and less expensive than 7mm-08. Although, I've never heard anything bad about the 7mm-08.

John R. · « **Reply #2 on:** January 27, 2010, 04:37:11 AM »

I love the 7mm/08, but if I had a 308, I would either trade the 308, or buy something besides the 7mm/08.

BRL · « **Reply #3 on:** January 27, 2010, 04:55:51 AM »

I own both but...A) not by choice and B) completely different rifles.

My brother passed away 4 years ago and left me a beautiful Bushmaster AR-10 in .308 with a Leupold Mark 4 scope on it. Probably the nicest rifle I own. It fits me extremely well and shoots probably better than any rifle I own.

I already had a Browning BLR lever action in 7mm/08. I love that rifle and how it performs. I bought it to bridge the gap between my .243 and my .30-06. With those 3 rifles, I'd never "have" to own another.

Due to my feelings for my Browning and the fact that the Bushmaster was my brothers, I'll never get rid of either. BUT, having both (calibers) really does not make sense to me. Unless, of course, they are completely different rifles...like I have. I really enjoy shooting the Bushmaster but probably will never hunt with it (we'll see...its really heavy). When I retire my 25 year old Remington 7400 in .30-06, the Browning will be taking its place as my primary hunting rifle.

drdougrx · « **Reply #4 on:** January 27, 2010, 07:58:55 AM »

No.....other than the fact that you just want one....not really. I'd say that if you have a hankering for one, try to buy a rifle in a different format than your 7-08...like a lever gun or a single shot or a pistol...something that makes it unique for you. For example, I have a hell of a lot of rifles and I just bought a 35 whalen (yesterday). It fits right in between my 300win and 375HH...but....it's a semi auto..I don't own any semiautio hunting rifles...so...makes it unique....for me.

Swampman · « **Reply #5 on:** January 27, 2010, 08:08:55 AM »

If you have a .308 the 7mm-08 would be slightly less gun. I've had both and th 7mm-08 isn't worth bothering with IMO.

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #6 on:** January 27, 2010, 08:35:00 AM »

Quote from: philthygeezer on January 27, 2010, 03:58:47 AM

If I already own a rifle in .308, is there any reason to get an identical rifle in 7mm-08? What reasons would you give?

Of course there is.

1.   If it turns your crank you need no other reason.

2.   Second, a 7mm-08 is an excellent deer cartridge that works well for animals up to at least the size of elk.

3.   The 7mm -08 bullets have a higher BC than .308” bullets of the same weight.

4.   7mm-08 loads often generate less recoil than the .308 Win.

5.    I always take two rifles on my hunting trips. The 7mm-08 and .308 Win make a nice pair.

Full disclosure: While I don’t own a 7mm-08, I do own a .308 Win and two 30-06’s (talk about redundant). I also own a 7mm RM and would love to have a 7mm-08.

Swampman · « **Reply #7 on:** January 27, 2010, 09:46:27 AM »

If I had one I'd give it to you. On second thought I don't really dislike you so I probably wouldn't.

Sweetwater · « **Reply #8 on:** January 27, 2010, 10:04:52 AM »

CH +1

I have a pal that is enamored with the 308 case. He inherited his Grandad's 30-06, but everything else he owns is a 308parent case cartridge. 243, 260, 7mm-08, 308, 338, 358. His plan is that when his three kids leave home, they will each take one, leaving him three, to pass on with the Family Gun Cabinet.

Just an "I want" kind a thing.

Regards,
Sweetwater

lucky guy · « **Reply #9 on:** January 27, 2010, 10:25:17 AM »

Overall, if you want it - definitely get it. Making sense has little to do with that.

Practical reason to own both? Probably not. The 308 has a little more max velocity, the 7mm a little better bc and sectional density for any bullet weight. Recoil is about the same, little less for the slower bullet but not enough to pick one over the other imo. As far as the back up rifle, maybe, but if you use the same caliber as a back up you can take one batch of bullets rather than having to carry ammo for 2 different calibers. Drop and windage would be the same as long as the barrel lengths are the same. One less variable to deal with in the heat of the moment!

philthygeezer · « **Reply #10 on:** January 27, 2010, 11:11:10 AM »

I think I'll stick with the .308 then. Kind of a 'beware the person who only owns one gun' thing: Better to know fewer cartridges very well than have a passing interest in many.

Sweetwater · « **Reply #11 on:** January 27, 2010, 11:16:53 AM »

Another great decision!

Regards,
Sweetwater

Swampman · « **Reply #12 on:** January 27, 2010, 11:24:16 AM »

Ditto!

yooper77 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 03, 2010, 06:17:25 AM »

The case head of all my 7mm-08 Remington ammo reads 308 Winchester since I reload. The 7mm-08 Remington has built an excellent reputation for accuracy and performance on big game.

I also hand load for my friends 308 Winchester which compared to one another the findings are transparent.

yooper77

41 mag · « **Reply #14 on:** February 04, 2010, 02:12:18 PM »

Well depending on your intended uses, here are a couple of things,

The 7-08 will shoot higher BC smaller weight bullets for hunting smaller critters, and bullets of higher SD for bigger game. They both use the same parent case, so using surplus cases for one or the other would work out for easy identification and cheaper brass as well. They both generally are very accurate with the same powders as well, and use the same primers, so your really only looking at bullets and dies, and your set.

If you HAVE to have or make a reason to own another rifle of any caliber, then you really only need one to begin with.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #15 on:** February 04, 2010, 02:21:24 PM »

i have 3 742 remingtons in 308..long story

howa bolt
dpms auto
military mouser
2 charters [inventoty]

all 308s no 7mm-08

no point in this...just makes me happy

we will be waiting for you thread
''2 identical rifles 7mm-08 vs 308'''

okie john · « **Reply #16 on:** February 09, 2010, 01:04:55 PM »

Quote from: philthygeezer on January 27, 2010, 03:58:47 AM

If I already own a rifle in .308, is there any reason to get an identical rifle in 7mm-08? What reasons would you give?

I'd get a 350 RM or a spare 308. The 7-08 IS a superb cartridge, but if you're already set up for 308, I don't see enough difference in the two to add a new cartridge. Kinda like buying a 270 or a 280 if you have a 30/06.

Okie John

nomosendero · « **Reply #17 on:** February 10, 2010, 03:41:28 AM »

Quote from: philthygeezer on January 27, 2010, 03:58:47 AM

If I already own a rifle in .308, is there any reason to get an identical rifle in 7mm-08? What reasons would you give?

Only if you want to & that would be enough.

Freezer · « **Reply #18 on:** February 12, 2010, 03:53:07 AM »

When I was a boy I swore I'd have a BLR in 308. I found a Savage 99f in 308 and scoped it. Latter I found a BLR in 7-08. The BLR had a saddle stock which didn't handle a scope well but had a detachable magazine. The Savage was pistol griped and a common cartridge and that was my deciding factor. The Savage is now my SHTF gun. Both cartridges perform in ways that are so similar the difference wouldn't be worth arguing. Availability, that was my deciding factor. If it were me I'd find a cartridge to fill another nitch. JMHO

bigswede · « **Reply #19 on:** February 12, 2010, 02:24:27 PM »

The only reason I have ever had not to buy any firearm, was insufficient funds. Do you really need a reason to buy another rifle? I use to try and make up excuses to my wife as to why I NEEDED another gun, she finally told me if you have the money, get it, because she didn't want to listen to me anymore.

Sweetwater · « **Reply #20 on:** February 12, 2010, 05:15:25 PM »

Quote from: bigswede on February 12, 2010, 02:24:27 PM

The only reason I have ever had not to buy any firearm, was insufficient funds. Do you really need a reason to buy another rifle? I use to try and make up excuses to my wife as to why I NEEDED another gun, she finally told me if you have the money, get it, because she didn't want to listen to me anymore.

Excellent Point! After all, who is going to maintain it and keep it fed?

Regards,
Sweetwater

Freezer · « **Reply #21 on:** February 13, 2010, 05:05:25 AM »

Women buy jewery, men buy guns

bigswede · « **Reply #22 on:** February 13, 2010, 07:21:21 AM »

Quote from: Freezer on February 13, 2010, 05:05:25 AM

Women buy jewery, men buy guns

Yeh, except my wife would rather have a gun. She has 2 rifles, a 12 gauge, a .22 rifle, and .22 pistol that are all her own. I wouldn't have it any other way though

Cheesehead · « **Reply #23 on:** February 13, 2010, 10:07:29 AM »

Quote from: philthygeezer on January 27, 2010, 03:58:47 AM

If I already own a rifle in .308, is there any reason to get an identical rifle in 7mm-08? What reasons would you give?

I would opt for a radical departure from the 308 family of cartridges. Like a 223 or a 338 magnum.

Cheese

longwinters · « **Reply #24 on:** February 13, 2010, 12:37:44 PM »

I have both in Sako 75's. I shoot 120 gn out of the 7m-08 and 165 out of the 308. Works for me.

Long

scootrd · « **Reply #25 on:** February 13, 2010, 01:36:02 PM »

Any point in owning rifles in both 7mm-08 and .308 Win?

How about he who dies with the most toys wins

You could always buy a lot of 7mm-08 ammo then justify purchase of the new rifle in 7mm-08 because you have a lot of ammo.

Actually I have a lightweight compact Rem seven in 7mm-08 as my primary whitetail mixed hardwood open farm field setup. I love it.
That said , I would also not hesitate to purchase a 308 if it was in a different rifle configuration to be used under
different terrain or weather conditions (and the price was right).

45-70.gov · « **Reply #26 on:** February 13, 2010, 04:50:48 PM »

maybe you should get a 260 remington

that way they won't be so similar

burntmuch · « **Reply #27 on:** February 13, 2010, 05:17:02 PM »

I own one of each. model 7 7mm-08 about 6.5 lbs & a rem 700 308 at 10 lbs. Which do ya think I drag up into the treestand

scootrd · « **Reply #28 on:** February 13, 2010, 05:29:45 PM »

I keep wishing Remington would make a CDL SF in 308. I have only seen 1 , and It must have been a special order.
45-70gov suggests a 260 , along with that suggestion, have you thought about a 6.5X55 ?

nodlenor · « **Reply #29 on:** February 14, 2010, 05:13:18 AM »

I own a 270 win & a 25-06 rem, wouldn't that be a similar senario. I say if you want it and can afford it, get it.