7mm 08?

R

Reasonable Rascal

Inactive
Looking for info on the 7mm08 cartridge. Have been told it was developed by A. wildcatters, B. for civilian markets in countries that do not allow military calibers.

Anyone have any idea what the real story is, and how old this cartridge is?

TIA

RR
 
From what I can tell, P.O. Ackley developed the 7mm-.308 back in the 1950's. One of his loads was using a 160gr. SP bullet with 39.0grs. of IMR 3031 powder. This produced a muzzle velocity of 2595 fps. In 1980 Remington introduced the 7mm-08 Remington cartridge. Factory loads for the 7mm-08 include a 120gr. SP bullet with a muzzle velocity of 3000 fps and a 140gr. SP bullet with a muzzle velocity of 2860fps. My guess is Remington wanted a 7mm cartridge to compete with the .284 Winchester that would also work in short-action rifles. The only problem is the .284 Winchester cartridge has a case capacity of about 70-71 grains of water while the 7mm-08 Remington only has a case capacity of about 52-53 grains of water. Hope this helps!

Steve Mace
 
Barnes Cartridges of the World verifies what Steve says about the cartridge re: wildcatters. It says nothing, however, about the round being developed for use in countries that don't allow military calibers.

The round has found a LOT of favor with metallic silhouette shooters.

I've dabbled with it a little bit, in a friend's rifle, but not enough to really develop any firm like or dislike for it.
 
Rascal:

Just a little history on the 7mm-08

REMINGTON 7MM-08

Introduced in 1980, based upon the unmodified 308 Winchester case necked-down to 7mm and loaded with a 140 Gn bullet at 2860 fps. remington advertised this cartridge as the "fires modern 7mm round designed for use in short action rifles. The 7mm-08 is a direct copy of the 7mm/308 wildcat that dates back to the late part of 1950 (58) there about. Original rifles chambered for the 7mm-08 were the Model 788 and 700BDL Varmint special bolt actions. The model 700 series and model 7 are also available in this cartridge.

Based upon Remington ballistic data, the 7mm-08 loaded with a 140 gn bullet, with a 24" barrel, surpasses the 308 Winchester 150gn bullet at 500 yards. At this range the 7mm has an edge of 238 fps and 750 fpe over the .308.

FACTORY BALLISTICS:

Bullet/gns Pwdr/grs M ME:
120 FL 3000 2398
140 FL 2860 2542

FL=Factory Load

HJN
 
Outstanding! Too bad I didn't have a bet going on this with the guy that offered the info re: military caliber alternative. But it surpasses the .308 at range? Even more surprising.

Thnaks again guys, much appreciated.

RR
 
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