.308 vs. 7mm-08 - The Firearms Forum

Trevor1837 · 10-04-2011, 10:23 PM

I know fans of both, which do you guys prefer? It's main application will be deer hunting, but also target practice. What are the pros and cons of each? Accuracy, trajectory ect.

cycloneman · 10-04-2011, 10:40 PM

I have both.

I hardly ever use the 7mm08.

308 is where it's at. lots of ammo to choose from. cheap, as well as hunting stuff. There is more ballistics info on the 308 than you care to know.

woolleyworm · 10-04-2011, 11:04 PM

7mm-08 gives you the advantage of better BC bullets with the same case volume of the 308. Flatter shooting and better long range capability. I have a A-Bolt in 7mm-08 and am looking for an R-25 in the same.

308 has the advantage of being much more popular and military surplus is everywhere.

Just my .02c on the matter.

Regular Joe · 10-04-2011, 11:15 PM

Do a lot of price checking for 7-08. Unless you reload, get used to dollar bills going bang. The difference in BC's between 7mm and .30 cal. bullets are negligible, even in competition!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you're comparing bullets of the same weight, the difference in BC is more drastic, but that means less than nothing in a sporting application. The rifle itself will limit you far more than the caliber, unless you plan on carrying a 16 to 30 pound rifle everywhere. At that, you'll need to drag a bench along as well.
Other than ammo cost, the biggest difference is recoil. The 7-08 is fine for deer sized animals with bullets weighing around 140 gr. A lighter bullet being accelerated to a little higher speed will generate a little less recoil.

popgun · 10-07-2011, 09:12 PM

here in AZ 7mm-08 is a popular youth caliber for Elk.

bluesea112 · 10-08-2011, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woolleyworm

I have a A-Bolt in 7mm-08 and am looking for an R-25 in the same.

That A-Bolt is cursed. It causes you to drewel down the front of your shirt when you look at it.

Inthewind1976 · 10-09-2011, 03:21 AM

This is the short action version of the age old debate, comparing the .30-06 to the .270 or .280 - and after over thirty years of shooting and reloading, and of killing game, I am still convinced that the only difference is that some people like chocolate and some like vanilla. Honestly, ballistically, the differences are minute. Both are excellent calibers, and what you can do with one you can essentially do with the other(s). All things being equal, the .308 is universal, and ammo is more readily available, often less expensive, and the loading choices are enormous.

Old Grump · 10-09-2011, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inthewind1976

This is the short action version of the age old debate, comparing the .30-06 to the .270 or .280 - and after over thirty years of shooting and reloading, and of killing game, I am still convinced that the only difference is that some people like chocolate and some like vanilla. Honestly, ballistically, the differences are minute. Both are excellent calibers, and what you can do with one you can essentially do with the other(s). All things being equal, the .308 is universal, and ammo is more readily available, often less expensive, and the loading choices are enormous.

Exactly right. I am a fan of the .308, competed with the .308, hunt with .308 but if 7 MM-08 ammo cost was down to .308 price I would consider changing just because the old joints could use a slight break and I'm not ready for the 6 MM or .243 yet. .410 to 10 gauge and 22 LR to .348 in my tool box but .308 gets the nod because I have so much of it. Nothing inherently superior about it but it works as designed to work so no worse than any other caliber.

308 at my gate · 10-09-2011, 04:07 PM

I think you guys have said it all. 6 of one half dozen of another.

Sandman · 10-10-2011, 01:34 PM

.308 is boring. 7mm-08 sounds much cooler.

10-04-2011, 10:23 PM	#1
Trevor1837 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 262	.308 vs. 7mm-08 I know fans of both, which do you guys prefer? It's main application will be deer hunting, but also target practice. What are the pros and cons of each? Accuracy, trajectory ect. -->

10-04-2011, 10:40 PM	#2
cycloneman Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 7,398	Re: .308 vs. 7mm-08 I have both. I hardly ever use the 7mm08. 308 is where it's at. lots of ammo to choose from. cheap, as well as hunting stuff. There is more ballistics info on the 308 than you care to know. __________________ Who are you going to serve today?

10-04-2011, 11:04 PM	#3
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,881	Re: .308 vs. 7mm-08 7mm-08 gives you the advantage of better BC bullets with the same case volume of the 308. Flatter shooting and better long range capability. I have a A-Bolt in 7mm-08 and am looking for an R-25 in the same. 308 has the advantage of being much more popular and military surplus is everywhere. Just my .02c on the matter. __________________ . What are you gonna do, talk the alien to death? -- (on Sigourney Weaver's worry about Guns in Aliens) "Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." "I carry a small gun to compensate for my huge Blue press." .

10-04-2011, 11:15 PM	#4
Regular Joe V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 269	Re: .308 vs. 7mm-08 Do a lot of price checking for 7-08. Unless you reload, get used to dollar bills going bang. The difference in BC's between 7mm and .30 cal. bullets are negligible, even in competition!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you're comparing bullets of the same weight, the difference in BC is more drastic, but that means less than nothing in a sporting application. The rifle itself will limit you far more than the caliber, unless you plan on carrying a 16 to 30 pound rifle everywhere. At that, you'll need to drag a bench along as well. Other than ammo cost, the biggest difference is recoil. The 7-08 is fine for deer sized animals with bullets weighing around 140 gr. A lighter bullet being accelerated to a little higher speed will generate a little less recoil. __________________ Around here, we don't say "Oh shucks", or "oh man". We say Oh BAMA!!

10-07-2011, 09:12 PM	#5
popgun V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 403	Re: .308 vs. 7mm-08 here in AZ 7mm-08 is a popular youth caliber for Elk.

10-09-2011, 03:21 AM	#7
Inthewind1976 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Central Pennsylvania Posts: 533	Re: .308 vs. 7mm-08 This is the short action version of the age old debate, comparing the .30-06 to the .270 or .280 - and after over thirty years of shooting and reloading, and of killing game, I am still convinced that the only difference is that some people like chocolate and some like vanilla. Honestly, ballistically, the differences are minute. Both are excellent calibers, and what you can do with one you can essentially do with the other(s). All things being equal, the .308 is universal, and ammo is more readily available, often less expensive, and the loading choices are enormous.

10-09-2011, 04:07 PM	#9
308 at my gate Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Lost in SW USA. Posts: 847	Re: .308 vs. 7mm-08 I think you guys have said it all. 6 of one half dozen of another. __________________ You got to love it.

10-10-2011, 01:34 PM	#10
Sandman Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 552	Re: .308 vs. 7mm-08 .308 is boring. 7mm-08 sounds much cooler.