JD-ODINSON
Well-Known Member
ok, so with the 7mm-08, what barrel lengths are ideal? I've seen anywhere from 20" to 24" barrels. I'm personally fond of the 24" for the longer distances I hunt, but is that just unwanted weight at that length?
308 or 7mm-08 for mule deer?
- Thread starter JD-ODINSON
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I like long barrels. I'd rather have the extra few inches than lose the performance. I would do a 24" barrel or even a 25" barrel.
I love my 7 mm08 I've actually used it for the last 2 years as my primary hunting rifle. As for barrel length mine is a 28 inch tc pro hunter. I'm shooting the nosler 125 gr ballistic tips at 3000 fps . This is what I whitetail hunt with . It flat puts them on the ground . So far only one has ran out of 10 kills and she did not go far maybe 20 yards maybe . When I shot her she was quartering towards me and at 25 yards getting ready to run.
Your 270 or 300 WM I'd take any day off the week.
The differences between 308 and 7-08 within 600 yards are truly splitting hairs.
308 gets the nod on ammo availability, I suppose.
Hands down the 7mm as @cajun mentioned.
I've been shooting and hunting with the 7mm-08 for 30+ years.
You can load it with 168gr Bergers VLDH's or 162gr SST's and depending on load you'll be good out to 650 yds and still have reliable expansion for whitetails and mulies.
Stay safe
Also, I preffer 24" barrels, those extra fps make a difference when going for longer ranges
Lefty7mmstw
Well-Known Member
Well, my 7-08 is a 14" barreled pistol... It's a heck of a time to do load development right now... just put the barrel on the pistol in October...was a 22-250... I had a m7 in 7-08 with a 20" barrel and it was nearly book vel. with some powder and 100 fps short with others... I've never had a longer barreled 7-08; I like big chambers and will go to 7stw, 7rum, etc...
Outdrmn
Well-Known Member
My wife has loved her Tikka compact in 7mm08 for almost 17 years now. Elk and deer 350-400 yds no problem. I loaded 168 Berger vld's for years. Now 150 ELDX are amazing off the shelf accurate, so naturally I have to try the 162 ELDX hand loads now.
And With Butter Bean's article on crimping for accuracy that is in the mix now! Will post up results on the 162's soon as new scope is on and can get out for some trigger therapy.
And With Butter Bean's article on crimping for accuracy that is in the mix now! Will post up results on the 162's soon as new scope is on and can get out for some trigger therapy.
jskmtd
Well-Known Member
My vote is the 7-08 with the 162 to 168 class bullets. We have killed a couple of elk and several mule deer with that combination.
Here is a link to a mule deer from this past season.
Here is a link to a mule deer from this past season.
7mm08 with 150 ABLR or 150 ELDX.
And I'm not one to talk people out of buying a new rifle. But, your 300 Win Mag would easily fit the bill...
And I'm not one to talk people out of buying a new rifle. But, your 300 Win Mag would easily fit the bill...
They are selling the 150 eldx bullet as a component now.
JD-ODINSON
Well-Known Member
Very true and I've used it as such for a while now. Just wanting to get a rifle dedicated to deer. Plus get a new gun that I can afford to shoot more often. Ive got 5 daughters so I can't afford to shoot the 300 as much as I'd like to and none of the girls enjoy shooting the 300 either.
That is screaming 6.5 Creedmoor to me, even though it's not on your list.
