Muzzle Blast: 20" brl- .308 vs 7mm-08?

[Big Paulie]

Dear Guys,

  I am looking at the Savage light weight rifles with 20 inch barrels, and reading great things about their out of the box accuracy.  The two most popular are the  Scout Rifles and the 10FM Sierra rifles.

These rifles generally come in .308 Winchester and 7mm-08.  I am a big fan of the .308 Winchester, but I also know that the muzzle blast out of 20 inch tube is not particularly nice, and is pushing the comfort level.

Does anybody have any experience with the muzzle blast of a 7mm-08 out of a 20 inch barrel?  I know that this cartridge is suppose to have 3 to 5 footpounds less of recoil than the .308, and I am wondering if this makes the muzzle blast milder?

Any comment based on experience would be appreciated.

thanks, Big Paulie

[Graybeard]

At the range never fire any of them even rimfires without hearing protection. But hunting I've not found the Remington Model 7 with it's 18.5" barrel to be a problem. All centerfires are loud but I've not noticed any difference in the 7-08 in an 18.5" barrel vs. the 20" vs. the 22" all of which I have. Can't help in the .308 comparison as I've never owned a rifle so chambered.

GB

[257Robt]

I have a Remington 760 Carbine in 308 WIN and it is no louder than any other rifle I shoot with a longer barrel. The only bad thing about the rifle is that darn metal butt plate. But, it looks good so why bother.

[smoky]

Mine 7-08 wears a 20" barrel.  Like GB said, I always use hearing protection at the range, but its no problem when hunting.  I understand that the installation of a muzzle brake can significantly increase the muzzle blast.  

Smoky