Nothing wrong with the 7mm-08. But there are so many cartridges (both new and old), some wane over time as they are “replaced” with something newer. The 7mm-08 is a fine deer cartridge, but it’s not really that much better or worse than a host of others. With so many hunters and shooters on an endless quest for something a little “better”, the gun and ammo makers frequently introduce something new to sell their wares. As a result, some fine cartridges don’t survive more than a few decades.
So, what`s wrong with the 7/mm-08 rem???
- Thread starter Nitescout
- Start date
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
I've been mostly a hunter, so I'm not really interested in performance beyond some 300 to 400 yards. The 7mm08 in the common 140-grain loading is but ten grains lighter than the .308 in its most common deer load. Might be some slight benefit in the better ballistic coefficient of 7mm over 30-caliber, but it's insignificant inside of 300 yards.
I went lightweight in my rifle choice; a 700Ti. Great buttpad; no problem with recoil when at my benchrest. 6.5 pounds fully dressed and ready to hunt.
I've been handloading since before most of y'all were born, so from my standpoint, my ammo supply is unlimited. I'm amused by those who moan about availability when they forgot to take ammo to deer camp. I merely stick a box of ammo in the console, just before deer season. That way, an attack of the stupids doesn't hurt my hunt.
I went lightweight in my rifle choice; a 700Ti. Great buttpad; no problem with recoil when at my benchrest. 6.5 pounds fully dressed and ready to hunt.
I've been handloading since before most of y'all were born, so from my standpoint, my ammo supply is unlimited. I'm amused by those who moan about availability when they forgot to take ammo to deer camp. I merely stick a box of ammo in the console, just before deer season. That way, an attack of the stupids doesn't hurt my hunt.
For applications I care about there's a VERY substantial performance difference between the 7mm-08 and the .308. Most of this boils down to the available bullets. In my 24" 7mm-08, my hunting load is a 175gr partition at 2650. That gives me a .310 sectional density, .510 BC, and of course a premium elk bullet. At my local elevation that stays within the reasonable velocity and energy window for elk out to 560 yards.
Show me how to do the same in a .308 - same or higher sectional density, partition/A-frame bullet, 400+ yard effective range, temp insensitive powder and we can talk. But to the best of my knowledge it's completely impossible. To match the sectional density, you'd have to go to a 220gr .308 bullet, an .308 is going to have zero luck driving that at a decent speed - it's a .300WM bullet. The only powder that might have a chance is Ramshot hunter, and it looks like you might get 2450. That drops out of the partition's operating window at 380 yards, so close but not really there.
Show me how to do the same in a .308 - same or higher sectional density, partition/A-frame bullet, 400+ yard effective range, temp insensitive powder and we can talk. But to the best of my knowledge it's completely impossible. To match the sectional density, you'd have to go to a 220gr .308 bullet, an .308 is going to have zero luck driving that at a decent speed - it's a .300WM bullet. The only powder that might have a chance is Ramshot hunter, and it looks like you might get 2450. That drops out of the partition's operating window at 380 yards, so close but not really there.
I don't mind, although it comes with a substantial warning that I believe it is a absolute max load and while closely related to a book load it is in no books.
Listed in the Accurate data somewhere is 45.5 gr of AA-4350 under a 175gr core lokt, CCI 200, Remington case, 2.800 OAL. That's the "inspiration".
My personal experience is that that load runs hotter than they say. They say 2500 ft/s out of a 24" barrel. I hit 2650 on the chrono almost a grain "early" at 44.6gr. This is with Core Lokts. OK on pressure signs. QuickLoad said to adapt the load for partitions rather than core lokts, it'd be about a grain less powder. I found that to be right - 43.6gr gave me 2650. That's the load.
Please confirm the starting point out of the Accurate data. This is from my notes and I don't have the Accurate book handy. LoadData says I'm not making anything up though
Edit: BTW, my barrel is a 1:9 twist. I'm not sure what the stability situation is for slower barrels.
Listed in the Accurate data somewhere is 45.5 gr of AA-4350 under a 175gr core lokt, CCI 200, Remington case, 2.800 OAL. That's the "inspiration".
My personal experience is that that load runs hotter than they say. They say 2500 ft/s out of a 24" barrel. I hit 2650 on the chrono almost a grain "early" at 44.6gr. This is with Core Lokts. OK on pressure signs. QuickLoad said to adapt the load for partitions rather than core lokts, it'd be about a grain less powder. I found that to be right - 43.6gr gave me 2650. That's the load.
Please confirm the starting point out of the Accurate data. This is from my notes and I don't have the Accurate book handy. LoadData says I'm not making anything up though
Edit: BTW, my barrel is a 1:9 twist. I'm not sure what the stability situation is for slower barrels.
My first reasonably flat shooting/powerful cartridge was the 7mm-08 in a 788 Remington. Awesome little rifle that got traded after a couple of years for a very frustrating Savage 99 in 7mm-08. I will say though the 99 got me to start loading rifle ammo with my RCBS Jr. The 788 shot the only factory loading available at that time very well, the 99 not so much. Sadly both rifles are gone now, that 99 was a real beauty!
Well, I have one in a Winchester. 
M70 Featherweight. Since it is light, accurate, and easy to carry I tend to use it more for deer than any other rifle I own. I have several mounted deer in my living room, in the 140 class, which ain't bad for southeastern NC. All DRT with the little 7-08. It's what we call a meat gun in my neck of the woods.
M70 Featherweight. Since it is light, accurate, and easy to carry I tend to use it more for deer than any other rifle I own. I have several mounted deer in my living room, in the 140 class, which ain't bad for southeastern NC. All DRT with the little 7-08. It's what we call a meat gun in my neck of the woods. What's wrong with the 7-08? Nothing that can't be handled with a 7x57 properly hand loaded. 
IIRC, the silhouette shooters were shooting 7x57s and .308s for a while. Someone got the idea of necking the .308 to 7MM and the run was on. Seriously. if both rounds are loaded to the same pressure that ain't a hill of beans of difference.
Seriously though, my only experience with a 7-08 is sighting a Remington M7 in for a newbie. If I wasn't already feeding three 7x57s and a .280 Remington I'd probably buy one. As I have no problem duplicating 7-08 velocity in my rifles, I really can't see buying one. The M7 I sighted in weighs just about the same as my Winchester M70 7x57 and that's light enough.
Either cartridge properly loaded is more than sufficient for game up to elk within reasonable range.
Paul B.
IIRC, the silhouette shooters were shooting 7x57s and .308s for a while. Someone got the idea of necking the .308 to 7MM and the run was on. Seriously. if both rounds are loaded to the same pressure that ain't a hill of beans of difference.Seriously though, my only experience with a 7-08 is sighting a Remington M7 in for a newbie. If I wasn't already feeding three 7x57s and a .280 Remington I'd probably buy one. As I have no problem duplicating 7-08 velocity in my rifles, I really can't see buying one. The M7 I sighted in weighs just about the same as my Winchester M70 7x57 and that's light enough.
Either cartridge properly loaded is more than sufficient for game up to elk within reasonable range.
Paul B.
While I am new to the 7-08, I am a little more into the 6.5 creedmoor world. It's a little flatter, and has less muzzle energy(assuming you don't load to the max)
If I was looking to knock down that ram, I'd go with the 300 win mag or 338 lapua, both with efficient brakes would recoil about like a 223 or 308 respectively.
I'm new to long range shooting, a guy in one of my threads recommend the ar50. But he shoots 2 miles...
If the 7-08 performs adequately then why switch?
If I was looking to knock down that ram, I'd go with the 300 win mag or 338 lapua, both with efficient brakes would recoil about like a 223 or 308 respectively.
I'm new to long range shooting, a guy in one of my threads recommend the ar50. But he shoots 2 miles...
If the 7-08 performs adequately then why switch?
ammo.crafter
New member
7-08
Excellent discussion on this “unwanted” cartridge.
Sort of reminds me of prior posts on the underappreciated 7 x 30 Waters.
Excellent discussion on this “unwanted” cartridge.
Sort of reminds me of prior posts on the underappreciated 7 x 30 Waters.
I have a target type .308 and I sometime want a 7mm-08 to fill a gap. Then I can use .308 brass and have a 7mm cartridge for bigger animals and to compliment my 25-06
It does from my research make a fine target cartridge but not enough demand for a target type or tactical type rig in that chambering. Can honestly do pretty much what a 6.5 can do in the Bc department just hasn't been as popular in that way. However decided my best for some target work but not like super serious or competitive is to get one with a high quality sporter barrel. I think a Xbolt or 700 CDL SF would be good for this. Even a T/C Venture or a Vanguard in this chambering would be nice. Otherwise for a bull barrel target type rig you would have to do a custom build.
It does from my research make a fine target cartridge but not enough demand for a target type or tactical type rig in that chambering. Can honestly do pretty much what a 6.5 can do in the Bc department just hasn't been as popular in that way. However decided my best for some target work but not like super serious or competitive is to get one with a high quality sporter barrel. I think a Xbolt or 700 CDL SF would be good for this. Even a T/C Venture or a Vanguard in this chambering would be nice. Otherwise for a bull barrel target type rig you would have to do a custom build.
if you don,t hunt big bears for a living the 7mm08 will do, 139gr bullet at over 2800fps light game(1158fpe-500yds) and the 160gr bullet at over 2600fps will take care of heavier game(1186fpe-500yds). in a most likely lighter-shorter rifle, don,t try to make it the can do cartirige for every thing. when i hunt big chewing-stomping things i use a 375H&H. eastbank. eastbank.
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Sgt Pepper
New member
For the average Joe who doesn't roll their own and picks up their ammo at WallyMart, Academy, etc., hunting ammo selection is usually 140-gr in 7mm-08 load and 150-gr in .308. My experience with these loads in similar rifles is that the two perform nearly the same. The .308 is 150-200 ft-lbs hotter out of the muzzle and resultingly has more felt recoil than the 7mm-08. The 7mm-08 tends to close the gap and even up at long ranges. I believe that is the value of the 7mm-08 - lighter recoil with killing ability close to the .308 for the average joe. The 7mm-08 is a very popular south texas deer caliber for that reason. The caliber also lends itself well to smaller and lighter rifles, unlike the venerable .270 Win and .30-06 calibers.
I've owned a 700 Mtn rifle in 7-08 for more than 20 years and I've taken a boat load of deer with it from 20 yards out to 350. It's slightly flatter shooting than a .308 and not quite as flat as a .270. For the first 5 years or so, I had to handload to get premium bullets but now I can get virtually anything I want at Academy. If a store has 30-30, .308, 30-06 and .270, the next round it carries will be 7-08. 7 mag and .300 WM would be next around here.
Saltydog235
New member
So, to answer the original question of what is wrong with the 7mm08? Nothing.
reynolds357
New member
Nothing wrong with it. Just seems consumers prefer the .243 Win. and the .308 Win to it.
Saltydog235
New member
I have all three cartridges on very similar rifle builds. I pick up the 7mm08 90% of the time for hunting.
nineteeneleven
Inactive
The only downside I see is a not-great ammo selection beyond hunting ammo. It's a spectacular whitetail cartridge though...my handy little Model 7 in 7-08 drops deer like a sack of bricks.
It seems like plinkers will go with .308 because there's ammo everywhere for it, and 6.5 cm attracts shooters looking for flatter trajectory.
It has its niche.
It seems like plinkers will go with .308 because there's ammo everywhere for it, and 6.5 cm attracts shooters looking for flatter trajectory.
It has its niche.