I was wondering if anyone here has tried the 7mm-08 for long range competition. I realize that the .284 is probably the king right now but considering how easy the .308 is to tune I would assume the 7-08 to be just as easy. You'd give up some speed but maybe gain some accuracy? Seems like the 175 SMK would be a great pairing with the 7-08 case.
7mm-08 for long range
- Thread starter clowdis
- Start date
Bill Norris
Back in the Day
As far as tuning the 7-08 would be easy to tune but in my opinion the speed that you give up with the 175 gr. bullet would probably hurt you on the long end.
shoot4fun
Gold $$ Contributor
I shot 7mm08 in one particular match that had steel placed at 600, 800, 900 and 1000 yards with great results.
The barrel had been chambered by GAP and had optimal freeborn and twist for the 168SMK. At 26" with a stout load of H4350 it was hard to beat.
When that barrel quit shooting I had GAP chamber another and that's when I made a huge mistake.
I ordered it 24" and found that too short for long range with the 168 bullets.
To sum up, yes 7MM08 can be a very competitive long range round but it requires longer barrels (26"+), a 8.5-8.75 twist and powders that will give those bullets some a$$,
The barrel had been chambered by GAP and had optimal freeborn and twist for the 168SMK. At 26" with a stout load of H4350 it was hard to beat.
When that barrel quit shooting I had GAP chamber another and that's when I made a huge mistake.
I ordered it 24" and found that too short for long range with the 168 bullets.
To sum up, yes 7MM08 can be a very competitive long range round but it requires longer barrels (26"+), a 8.5-8.75 twist and powders that will give those bullets some a$$,
it’s relatively slow when using the heavy high bc bullets in the 7mm cal. i think you give up to much speed vs using something like a 260 where u can maintain a little more speed per the bc of bullet your using. having said that there is nothing wrong if you choose to get out of the mainstream long range paper punching cals. the 7mm08 will def get you there.
It's a very nice little cartridge and easy enough to tune, but frankly no easier than the 284. The 284 will walk all over the 7-08 even in club level F-Class mid-range matches, and forget 800 yards and beyond. It's not that the 7-08 won't shoot well at 800 and beyond, rather that the bigger sevens shoot better. Use 175s or 180s in the 284 with a cool burning powder such as H1000 and Viht N165 at around 2,800 fps (in a 30-inch barrel) and you get a really sweet combination that gives excellent barrel life, the main advantage of the 7-08 over its larger competitors.
My formerly 7-08 Savage PTA based rifle is still in use, but now in 6.5X55mm which is a better mid-range round. By the end of the 7-08 barrel's life, it had been forced out of 600 yard comps by a continuously upgrading competition, then 500 yards unless it was a really 'quiet' day conditions-wise, and ended up only being used in 300 yard matches.
My formerly 7-08 Savage PTA based rifle is still in use, but now in 6.5X55mm which is a better mid-range round. By the end of the 7-08 barrel's life, it had been forced out of 600 yard comps by a continuously upgrading competition, then 500 yards unless it was a really 'quiet' day conditions-wise, and ended up only being used in 300 yard matches.
Mulligan
Silver $$ Contributor
7/08 Ai . The little round that could !
Hi All , first up , thanks for letting this little Aussie onto ur forum! For about 12 months I've been developing this cartridge . I wasn't the first one to use this cal in Au there are some other people before me most notable was current f open teams ( Raton 2013) member Mark F or also known as...
forum.accurateshooter.com
more info
CW
Most of my shooting is done with a .308 Palma rifle so I have no issues with turning the knobs and reading wind. What I was wondering is if there was any accuracy advantage to a 7-08 over a .284 and there doesn't appear to be in most peoples opinion. So, guess I'll stick with the .284 since I already have dies, etc. Thanks to everyone for their input!
If there was an advantage the f class shooters would be exploiting it.
I have never cheated and don't intend to. I have also never heard of anyone cheating or getting caught cheating in a Palma match. I find your comment inappropriate and rather disturbing.I heard a story of a top level Palma shooter try to sneak them in at a match. Got called out from what I heard and could not get out of there fast enough. If you are going to do the same, I would park close to your firing point with the engine running.
Infrequent Shooter
Gold $$ Contributor
I am surprised the 7-08 could hold enuf powder to do a good a job at 9-1000 yards. especially with longer bullets taking up case space. A compressed load would do it?
Same as a 308, longer freebore certainly would help powder capacity and 7mm BC is noticeably better than a 308 bullet at grain weights you would consider for LR.
shoot4fun
Gold $$ Contributor
You are correct. Performance of that kind is all about doing the things that can make the absolute best of a 7MM08. When that happens it's a beautiful thing.
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