7mm-08, who uses it, how is it?
James A Lawhon
experienced with this caliber tell me how they like it and any advice
on it, including what rifle brands to buy to shoot it. Thanks in
advance for any and all replies.
Allen Epps
My next rifle will be a Kimber 84M Classic in 7mm-08. It will be
adequate for my Elk trip and perfect for Whitetails which encompass the
majority of my center fire game. While there are lots of loads for
heavier bullets in the loading manual all the factory loads seem to be
right around 140 grains. I'm not sure if that's just the popular load or
if there are case capacity issues that make that the most efficient
load.
Allen
lina cameron
one of the toughest to kill but the 7mm makes it easy its hard hitting and
deadly accurate even over a long distance best deer hunting rifle I have
ever used.
Jeff Olsen
Epps at gae...@comcast.net wrote on 6/19/05 5:27 AM:
> In article <94t9b1hchrbisjvto...@4ax.com>,
> James A Lawhon <jla...@mindspring.com> wrote:
>
>> I've been thinking of getting a rifle in 7mm-08 caliber. Can people
>> experienced with this caliber tell me how they like it and any advice
>> on it, including what rifle brands to buy to shoot it.
>
> My next rifle will be a Kimber 84M Classic in 7mm-08. It will be
> adequate for my Elk trip and perfect for Whitetails which encompass the
> majority of my center fire game. While there are lots of loads for
> heavier bullets in the loading manual all the factory loads seem to be
> right around 140 grains. I'm not sure if that's just the popular load or
> if there are case capacity issues that make that the most efficient
> load.
140 grains is perfect for the case. 150 works too; that's been my main load
since my Model 7 won't shoot 140's. Mostly Partitions. I get about 2600
fps from the 20" barrel and it blows right through the deer. 150-gn
Ballistic TIps work well too; 140's might be a tad explosive. OTOH, if your
ranges are longer than mine (40-75 yards typically) then the 140's are
perfect.
For elk, I'd use 150-gn Partitions or other similar premium bullet. I'd not
step up to 160's; I think you'd give up too much velocity. It'd be like an
'06 with 220's; it'd penetrate, sure, but you'd lose a lot of reach.
7mm-08 for elk is as described in your post: adequate. I'd rather be
holding a bigger rifle when the bull of a lifetime struts by, though. But
if was carrying my 7mm-08 elk hunting, and I've brought it as a backup, I'd
limit myself to broadside or near-broadside shots and limit the range to 225
yards tops. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a "cannon" guy- I'll be carrying
my 30-06 for elk again this year (or my 45/70, or .358 Win). But 7mm-08 is
only adequate for elk, and limits SUCK when elk hunting!!
-jeff
ShootONe
I used to hunt with someone who used a 7mm-08. He handloaded and
consistently shot whiteails out to 500 yards. Had a mammoth of a
scope. If I remember correctly, the bullet was dropping somewhere
around 38-40 inches at that distance. I could be incorrect, but the
7mm-08 is a kick arse caliber.
I myself use the 7mm Remington Mag and am very happy with the
performance.
Jeff Olsen
jla...@mindspring.com wrote on 6/19/05 4:08 AM:
I have a Model 7 and a Mountain Rifle in 7mm-08, though the Model 7 is off
getting a new barrel now. I have found it to be VERY effecting on
blacktail, accounting for 6 of my 10 deer. It is pretty much the perfect
deer caliber if everything, like recoil, rifle size, muzzle blast,
ballistics, and terminal ballistics are figured in. It just works great.
If you ever intend to hunt elk with the rifle, .308 is arguably better.
I am having the M7 rebarred to .358, just for grins, though.
-jeff
Bill VH
> In article <94t9b1hchrbisjvto...@4ax.com>,
> James A Lawhon <jla...@mindspring.com> wrote:
>
> > I've been thinking of getting a rifle in 7mm-08 caliber.
>
> adequate for my Elk trip and perfect for Whitetails which encompass the
> majority of my center fire game. While there are lots of loads for
> heavier bullets in the loading manual all the factory loads seem to be
> right around 140 grains. I'm not sure if that's just the popular load or
> if there are case capacity issues that make that the most efficient
> load.
>
> Allen
The 7mm-08 is american built mainly as a moderate recoil deer killer.
The reason heavier bullets arent much offered for it is because of
the magazine length, rifleing twist, and the chamber leade.
The european equivilant is a 7x57 Mauser. The 7x57 CZ550 has a 1/7.5"
twist, long magazine, and is throated to accept up to 175gr SP bullets.
It just kicks somewhat less with the 139gr Hornady SPs I use for deer.
Bill VH
LaCourse...@nlvmail.com
It replaced his 30 '06 which had been in service for a number of years.
Last year it was effective yes, but I was not impressed by how the
bullets absolutely exploded on the animal at impact which, in turn,
ruined a lot of one shoulder. Did it work? Of course it did. I
simply find that the more I experience as a hunter I find I am falling
into line with the theory of heavier, slower bullets versus the
lighter, faster ones.
Jeff Olsen
LaCourse...@nlvmail.com at LaCourse...@nlvmail.com wrote on
6/22/05 8:10 AM:
What bullet was he using? 140-gn Ballistic tips? I use 150-gn Partitions
in my 7mm-08 and have found the caliber to be pretty easy on the meat, so to
speak. I did use Ballistic Tips one year and found them to be unpleasantly
explosive, though I must admit they dropped the deer. But 7mm-08 is not
generally regarded as a "blood gun" nor is that my experience. Having said
that, i agree about heavier bullets, as long as you don't need the reach.
This year I'll be using a .358 WInchester, with 200's at a MV of about 2550
fps.
-jeff
Fred Moore
news:1119445691.0...@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> To throw my two cents into the mix a member of my party uses a 7mm-08.
> into line with the theory of heavier, slower bullets versus the
> lighter, faster ones.
The seven-oh-eight is a great white tail caliber.
Sounds like the problem was with the type of bullet chosen. He might choose
a Trophy Bonded or another bonded round, or a Barnes X. They will penetrate
very well and will blow through a deer's shoulder cleanly. A friend of mine
has killed several South Carolina white tails with his, and loves it. All
bullets, like all shooters, aren't equal. It's a good caliber, and so is
the similar .280 Remington.
LaCourse...@nlvmail.com
Practically the entire crew shoots some form of 7mm with the exception
of two and this year I make it three as I am having a custom built 338
WM being done to serve as my one rifle North American battery.