7-08 vs 308 thread got me thinking...

[Michiganiac]

I am in a similar situation. Other than two lever guns (32 special and 35 rem), I don't own a centerfire rifle larger than .223.  I would like to get a nice bolt action for whitetails and possibly black bear and someday elk. I used to shoot my dad's 760 in 30-06, but that thing is uncomfortable to shoot, at best. I was leaning toward the 7-08 or 308. I know the 308 is probably the better choice for elk, but my frequency of using it for such a purpose is quite low. The question is this - how does the recoil and accuracy of each compare to the 30-06? I would like to get standard barrel length (no light/mountain type rifle) in a synthetic stock. I know the '06 does it all, but I guess I like to be different.

Thanks

[beemanbeme]

My strong preference is the 7-08 from personal experiences but, unless it was my only rifle, I wouldn't take one elk hunting.  Nor would I take a .308 for that matter.  I know that will bring screams form the folks that will claim their 7-08/.308 is lightning in a bottle, but I am a firm believer in using enough gun.  

As far as recoil is concerned, if you only shoot a few rounds a years, there are few if any adequete deer rounds that won't cause you some discomfort.  Following a regimen of regular practice, I have often sat and shoot upward to 100 rounds thru a 30-06 --along with other lesser cartrdges while cooling out the '06-- with nothing but a T shirt on my chest.  Practice, practice, practice.   :grin:

[PA-Joe]

Since you already have a 223 go with a 308. Lots of surplus ammo. Although I use either a 30-06 or 7mm08.

[Squeeze]

Since you stated black bear, and possibly elk, and you already have
some deer brush guns, why not consider a bolt action in 300 WSM.
They can be loaded down for deer, and can loaded up with deep
penetration bullets for bear and elk.  It is a short action, like the
.308 Win, yet takes you up near the .300 Win Mag, for bigger game.
I have 3 .308 Win centerfires, and I do love that chambering, but
when I head west, or I get a bear tag, I reach for the .300 WSM.
One of these days, I might even test out the .300 WSM, with a
168 gr. Barnes TSX, on a management deer, just to do a bullet
test, before I head out west.  I am sure a well placed bullet will
give new meaning to "Bang Flop".  Also, in my load development
work, I find the .300 WSM has very manageble recoil.  I am sure
if reduced recoil rounds were used, where velocities were in
the .308 Win, to .30-06 Sprg, range, this thing would bump me
about like a .308 Win.

Squeeze

[muzzleblast525]

I've got the .308 in Remington 700, 26" heavy barrel.  I picked this gun up at a gun show several months ago and man do I love shooting it.  

I just took on a swap a 7-08 Encore barrel last week, and just got to shoot it this week.  Only put about 10 rounds downrange with it, was way to busy doing other things to really sit down, and I enjoyed shooting it also.  

I'm torn at this time on what to hunt with.  Not only do I have these, I want to hunt with my Encore pistol in 25/06.  Also have a Rem 22-250 LVSF and another Encore barrel in .243.  

Flip a coin I guess come opening day.....

[Dave in WV]

Using a 760 for recoil comparison is a bit of a mistake because they are notorious kickers. I know, my son now has mine and he got me a 7600 7mm-08. The 7mm-08 is a pussycat in a standard bolt rifle and has some bite in a 7600. If you want something different get a .270,.280 or 7mm Mauser. All three are up for elk. I use a past recoil shield that slips over my shoulder when shooting from the bench even with my .243. It does two things for me, reduces felt recoil and spaces the firearm the same distance from my shoulder as my hunting clothes.