thoughts on the 7MM-08

retiredcpo · #1 08-19-2011, 06:29 PM

Looking for my next project in thinking about a 7MM-08
How is the barrel life with round? I know all wear out but some are way faster than others.
This will be mainly for varmits maybee deer
Its either the 7MM-08 or a 308 I like the ballistics of the 7MM bullets more
retirdcpo

trebark · #2 08-19-2011, 10:34 PM

7mm-08 is a nice round, it will shoot the 120grain bullets very well. It has trouble shooting the heavier bullets with 'real' velocity.

308 is a great ground. Get an 1:11 twist and you can shoot virtually any 308 bullet out there.

The best of the 308 based cartridges? The 260Rem. With a 26" 1:8 twist barrel, you can shoot 140grain VLD (BC = .612) or the 140grain tagent ogive bullets (BC = .593) at 2950fps.

meatyrem · #3 08-19-2011, 10:57 PM

The 7mm-08 is an awesome round, not that I have one but, I want one.
It's short and sweet! It's basically nipping at the but of the 280 rem. I think the 7mm-08 is an excellent choice!

trebark · #4 08-19-2011, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meatyrem

The 7mm-08 is an awesome round, not that I have one but, I want one.
It's short and sweet! It's basically nipping at the but of the 280 rem. I think the 7mm-08 is an excellent choice!

Not quite. My 280Rem will shoot the 168VLD at 2800fps. I wouldn't even consider the 168grain bullets for the 7-08.

The 7-08 will shoot the lightweight bullets, but doesn't have the case capacity to push the heavier bullets.

strombeckj · #5 08-19-2011, 11:25 PM

I would move away from a 7mm for varmints and look into some sort of 6mm. A 87gr or 95gr VLD will put some hurting on a deer out to 800 yards in the right 6mm case. I shoot a 6mm-06 and will push a 95gr VLD @ 3450. However, there are slower 6mm's that will perform great for what you want and the barrel will last.

Jon

trebark · #6 08-20-2011, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strombeckj

I would move away from a 7mm for varmints and look into some sort of 6mm. A 87gr or 95gr VLD will put some hurting on a deer out to 800 yards in the right 6mm case. I shoot a 6mm-06 and will push a 95gr VLD @ 3450. However, there are slower 6mm's that will perform great for what you want and the barrel will last.

Jon

Agreed, a fast 6mm is an even better choice than the 6.5mm (260Rem) for pure varmint hunting. If you plan to move into shooting at deer though, the 260Rem becomes a better choice for longrange work.

Centxshooter · #7 08-20-2011, 10:43 AM

To each their own

my 7/08 sees more field time than any other gun I have. Great accruacy and really easy on the shoulder. I have taken game (deer,hogs, yotes, and rabbits) out to 318yds using 140 BT's and all have dropped in their tracks. As far as barrel life? I only have about 400 rds through mine (all handloads) and going strong