7mm-08Rem ??

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02bigdogs17

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I am looking at buying a new rifle in the 7mm-08 Rem cartridge. I would like to know what you guys think about this cartridge and your thoughts on a Weatherby Vangaurd 2, and has anyone had a Mossberg 4x4 rifle and did you like it? This gun would be used on Deer and Hogs. Maybe black bear.
 
Very good cartridge. Similar to the 7x57 Mauser. It'll handle all three of the animals mentioned.

I like the Vanguard more than the Mossberg.
 
You won't have any problems with a 7-08.
Use the correct bullets for the game animal you are hunting and you'll be totally satisfied.
 
Don't hunt, just shoot paper, but do own a couple of 7mm-08 rifles that I shoot paper with. Recoil of it, while shooting benchrest is mild to me and my 7mm-08 rifles are fairly accurate rifles.

As to a Weatherby Vanguard, nice rifle. But be aware you may save some money by buying a Howa 1500 rifle. Howa makes the Vanguards for Weatherby.
 
The 7mm-08 is a great cartridge. It became popular as a wildcat in the late '50s and caught on with the Silhouette shooters. Remington brought it out as a SAAMI cartridge in 1980. It's accurate, uses those lovely little 7mm bullets, fits easily in a short action, and is capable of knocking over the 500 meter rams. What's not to like? It also shines as a medium game cartridge.
 
I don't own a 7mm-08 but do a Weatherby Vanguard S2 and I love it. My rifle is chambered in 243 Winchester and it is the most accurate factory rifle I've ever owned. Using Barnes 80 grain TTSX I've shot multiple 1/4" groups at 100 yards and using Berger 95 grain VLD Hunting bullets I'm getting 7/16th inch groups. Very happy with my rifle and highly recommend it to anyone looking for an "affordable" bolt action rifle.
 
A while back I bought a stainless Marlin XS7 in 7mm-08 with the intention of getting a heavy barrel made for it in .260Rem or 6.5 Creedmoor. After playing around at the reloading bench with the 7mm-08, I decided that when I order my barrel it will probably stay a 7mm-08. The selection of 7mm bullets is great and I also have a 7mm Rem. Mag that I load for so they can share bullets. Also, I can buy Lapua or Nosler Custom .308 brass and form high-quality cases very easily.

I am not much into rifle hunting, besides coyotes, but if I ever get an antelope tag or if I decide to put in for rifle deer again I think the 7mm-08 might be the gun I take along.
 
I love my Vangard 2. Its accurate and well built for what it cost. 7mm-08 is a fine cartridge so long as you plan on hunting within its limitations.
 
I don't hunt with mine- so I can't comment on the Black Bear, but seems it might be a bit short in the energy department compared to some of the other 7mm chamberings for that critter. I'm sure optimal shot placement would deliver...

I use mine for long range target. Great ballistics with the 7mm bullets, and the .308 case provides for a nice, moderate recoil. Great cartridge...can't go wrong with it, and factory ammo is commonly available if you don't handload.
 
The 7mm08 is a .308 with ten grains less bullet weight in the most common loading. Plenty good for most any of the usual game animals in the lower 48.
 
The 7mm-08 deserves to be more popular than it is. Trajectory is very similar to the mighty 270 which is very flat indeed. Energy is impressive, too.

My sister-in-law is a lefty and hunts with a Browning BLR IN 7mm-08. She has taken many Wyoming animals with it including antelope, mule deer, and couple elk. All taken with the most excellent 140 gr Nosler partition bullet. None got away.

Bears are not as large as elk. I know local hunters who drive to Maine for their bear hunting. They hunt with Marlin 35's and 44 MAG carbines and do just fine. 7mm-08 will topple a bear nicely.

Jack
 
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The 7mm08 is basically a short action 7x57 which is a favorite of mine. I can definitely recommend the Howa/Wby Vanguard rifles. I have a 7mm08 Vanguard carbine that makes for a very handy deer rifle.
 
I own a 7-08 and had a 6.5 Swede; throw in the 308, 260 Rem and you have a group of cartridges capable of taking anything in the lower 48 with the exception of Grizzly. My 7-08 is an original Rem Model 7 with the 18.5 barrel
 
Let me be the first to chime in with Mossberg experience. Mine was a .270 but it was nice for the low price of it, the ATR 100. The Howa is heavy compared to others in price range. For a target rifle this is a good thing. For a hunting rifle it may be bothersome. The cream of that crop is supposedly the Marlin X7.
 
The 7mm-08 deserves to be more popular than it is.
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I agree 100% with that. I bought a model 7 in 7mm/08 for the GF last yr and it quickly turned into my go to gun.


It puts deer and hog down just as quickly as my 06 did and its easier on the shoulder. Recoil is barely more than a 243 and it packs a good punch. Ammo is very reasonable price wise. $18 to $30 for most brands of 20 rds.


If i was limited to only one rifle for hunting it would be a 7mm/08.
 
I don't hunt with mine- so I can't comment on the Black Bear, but seems it might be a bit short in the energy department compared to some of the other 7mm chamberings for that critter. I'm sure optimal shot placement would deliver...
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WD Bell killed over 1000 elephant, most with a 7X57 which is a ballistic twin to the 7-08. It is adequate for any animal in N. America. I don't own one simply because I already own other rounds that are too close and can't justify owning several so close in performance. But I've always felt that the 7-08 or 7X57 were really just about the perfect all around hunting chambering. If I were to lose everything in a fire and had to start over I'd probably take the insurance money and buy a really good custom 7-08 and call it good.

I like the Vanguard well enough, but not in this chambering. The Vanguards are solid rifles, but are the heaviest of all rifles. A good choice in a heavy kicking magnum, but the 7-08 is better suited in a trim lightweight rifle in my opinion.
 
This "gotta have a 30 caliber magnum" hogwash is driven by magazines that gotta sell you the latest greatest super duper short magnum. Kudos for not buying into the sales pitch. The 7mm-08 is great for anything from Elk, Black Bear and Deer. With today's bonded bullets, it would destroy even the biggest black bear or hog. :cool: There is no telling how high up the food chain you could take it sensibly. Carrying a big magnum rifle around in the woods after deer is like driving a Hummer H1 to soccer practice.:rolleyes:
 
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Been shooting a 7mm08 for some time now and have never had one issue killing whatever I put in the crosshairs. My rifles are about as accurate as I could ask for, recoil is non-existent and it's just fun to load for.
 
I had two of them didn't care for them, sold them both. Not because it wasn't a good cartridge, but I liked my .243, .25-06, and .270 better. There wasn't anything for the 7-08 to add to my stable of rifles. If you don't own anything remotely close to the 7-08 you'll probably like it a lot.
 
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