7mm08 Confusion

[texasbilly]

As I understand, the 7mm08 is an inherently accurate round. Cases are easily made from 308 brass, it fits in a short action rifle, reloading is easy, recoil is light, it shoots flat, and it seems to like bullets of most weights. What I don't understand is it's lack of popularity. I rarely see anyone praising the virtues of this cartridge. What am I missing?

 

[Terry]

There is a 7-08 group on Facebook.

 

[Pyscodog]

Who said it isn't popular. I have one and love it. Even had a 7-08 Improved too. I know several people with them. Great deer caliber!!

 

[centerlineseal]

If I had only one rifle (fat chance of that!), it would be in 7mm08.

 

[joshb]

Dang! I knew I was missing a cartridge. Now I have to build another gun!

 

[ShootDots]

As I understand, the 7mm08 is an inherently accurate round. Cases are easily made from 308 brass, it fits in a short action rifle, reloading is easy, recoil is light, it shoots flat, and it seems to like bullets of most weights. What I don't understand is it's lack of popularity. I rarely see anyone praising the virtues of this cartridge. What am I missing?

It is one of the finest rounds for big game up to and including Elk. However, with animals as large as Elk, a "very penetrating" bullet should be used and ranges should be kept at 300 yards max. It can be successfully used as an F-Open cartridge and maybe even for Benchrest use! I believe it is best suited for bullets in the 160gr or lighter class. It is a fabulous round. I have had several of them and even flirted with a 7mm-08 Ackley.

 

[Mulligan]

I picked up my new 7-08 AI today from the smith.
My sheep rifle.

It’s a dandy round.
CW

 

[mmcu]

I will always have a 7mm-08 in my safe. It's been one of the best multipurpose deer / hog / coyote rounds that I've ever used and I wouldn't think twice about using it on elk size game.

 

[Lefty Trigger]

I was told many years ago that the 7mm round was the most accurate/efficient round ever designed. I know that a lot of the 7mm bullets have incredible BC numbers that follow along with them. Currently I think that the "flavor of the month" cartridge is taking the wind out of the 7mm sails but 7mm shooter knows the deal...
I still have and shoot my old 7x57 Mauser.

 

[carlsbad]

the 7mm 08 has a lot of advantages over the 308 and I would almost always choose the 7 08. However, once a guy decides to go 7mm, there are lots of other cases with more volume, especially the 284win and derivatives. Because lots of long bullets with awesome BCs are available in 7mm, people tend to step up. This shouldn't be construed as a snub to the 7mm 08 and they should probably be more popular.

I am currently builing a 7 saum to shoot 183's, 184's, and 197's. The 7mm 08 is most comfortable with 140s and 150s with MVs in the high 2's and BCs around .5.

But for economical everyday shooting and hunting, the 7mm08 is hard to beat.

--Jerry

 

[alintx]

If you don’t have a 7/08 your not living right ! I’ve shot one for years and simply love it. Great accuracy, good knockdown,and deep penetration, plus mine shoots most of the different 140s to the same poi. Mine loves varget, and the combined tech 140! Never had a critter get away with it, and nearly all fell at the shot

 

[Laurie]

the 7mm 08 has a lot of advantages over the 308 and I would almost always choose the 7 08. However, once a guy decides to go 7mm, there are lots of other cases with more volume, especially the 284win and derivatives. Because lots of long bullets with awesome BCs are available in 7mm, people tend to step up. This shouldn't be construed as a snub to the 7mm 08 and they should probably be more popular.

Yes quite - to get the best out of it, it needs a long action (or single-shot usage on ranges) and long throat. That's why factory 7-08 soft-point ammo is nearly all loaded with 140gn bullets, only the odd model listed as heavier. (Same as 284 Win - it was discovered by long-range hunters well before competition shooters picked it up in its original 7mm form. Some sources and gunsmiths called it the the 284LT, the suffix being an abbreviation of long throat and rifles were built around long actions.)

Some European magazine rifles used to be made in three, not two action lengths, the middle one for cartridges like 6.5 and 7X57mm, 6.5X55mm and suchlike with COALs on or just over the 3-inch mark. They'd be ideal for a custom 7-08 sporter.

It's a lovely little cartridge, one of my favourites. I use it with the 160gn Sierra TMK at around 2,830 fps in mid-range F-Class and the occasional BR match. It can shoot the yet longer 180s well but needs such a long throat it's really limited to these bullets and I reckon that's what I have a 284 for anyway. I do regret not going for the AI version, but when the rebarrelling was done it was right in the middle of the great tools and components shortage period and dies would likely have been a problem. (I hadn't discovered Whidden Gunworks at that stage.)

 

[bsekf]

To the guys that have had to set 7-08 barrels back. Is the neck a little short? Causing premature throat erosion? And does the 7-08AI aleaviate that problem?

 

[bsekf]

alleviate ......... where did my spell check go????

 

[Shrek]

There will be a 7-08 in my hands this afternoon when I hunt deer. It’s been my favorite since ‘89

 

[jsthntn247]

Built this in a long action with a Rock Creek barrel and had it throated out real long, loaded rounds are nearly 3.1. 165 Sierra game changers at 2800 will do anything I need it to further than I want to try.

 

[joshb]

Yes quite - to get the best out of it, it needs a long action (or single-shot usage on ranges) and long throat. That's why factory 7-08 soft-point ammo is nearly all loaded with 140gn bullets, only the odd model listed as heavier. (Same as 284 Win - it was discovered by long-range hunters well before competition shooters picked it up in its original 7mm form. Some sources and gunsmiths called it the the 284LT, the suffix being an abbreviation of long throat and rifles were built around long actions.)

Some European magazine rifles used to be made in three, not two action lengths, the middle one for cartridges like 6.5 and 7X57mm, 6.5X55mm and suchlike with COALs on or just over the 3-inch mark. They'd be ideal for a custom 7-08 sporter.

It's a lovely little cartridge, one of my favourites. I use it with the 160gn Sierra TMK at around 2,830 fps in mid-range F-Class and the occasional BR match. It can shoot the yet longer 180s well but needs such a long throat it's really limited to these bullets and I reckon that's what I have a 284 for anyway. I do regret not going for the AI version, but when the rebarrelling was done it was right in the middle of the great tools and components shortage period and dies would likely have been a problem. (I hadn't discovered Whidden Gunworks at that stage.)

Thanks for that info, Laurie! I’ve had a Remington long action sitting in a drawer for six months, waiting for my cartridge decision. It was going to be a 30-06, but I bought a gun in it and the recoil is for a younger me. 7-08 it is. Any suggestion on twist?

 

[Toolbreaker]

What am I missing?

Nothing . It's a fantastic little overachiever. The only "problem" with it is that the case capability falls short of what some of the higher-end, heavyweight projectiles are capable of producing. If the projectile's weight is matched to the case's volume for adequate velocity, it'll definitely hold its own downrange. Jerry & Ben have it right.

 

[drags]

I bought a 7-08 in rem 700 bdl from a deceased silhouette shooter estate, someone had put a homemade boss on the factory sporter barrel the throat on the barrel was very worn the round count had to be very high. This rifle would shoot groups between 5/8 and 3/4 with any bullet between 120 to 168 grains consistently it was one of my favorite rifles. I had it rebarreld to 260 rem but I still have the old barrel in case I ever want to go back to the 7-08.
drags

 

[msinc]

I love mine. It has to be one of the most efficient cartridges out there. I can load those Speer 115 grain hollow points for just about everything but fur and the 160 grain Partition for the bigger stuff and truly have a "one gun". The 7mm-08 has long had my vote for "best all around round" and probably always will. You can best believe it it wasn't as good as it is there would already be a 25-08, 270-08 and an 8mm-08......they don't exist {or might as well not} for a reason.