Stgraves260
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- Sep 1, 2009
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I didn't mention the 180s. Sorry. I was just comparing grain for grain.
308 vs 7-08 (or other options)
- Thread starter WhiteRubi
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Stgraves260
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2009
- Messages
- 942
I never mentioned the 180s sorry sir. I was only comparing grain for grain. But to comparing the 180s than the 7mm 180 Grain Berger VLDs BC is .674, the 7mm still has 100 more BCs. If you already have the 308 then shoot them both and test them. It's always fun to have an excuse to get out and shoot. LoL like we need one. Berger's reloading book has the FPS on the 7-08 180 VLDs at 2550s. The 308 like you said gets around 2600 FPS with the 180 VLDs. The 308 gains around 50 FPS but you give up .100 BCs. Then there is recoil and my pop is 72 years old. That's why I built him the 7-08. Instead of the 308. The 308 kicks almost like a 7 mag. I got on Chuckhawks recoil forum and it says the 308 Win 180 grain bullet has 17.5 Recoil Energy. The 7 mag is around 21 with a 180 grain. With the 7-08 he has a 150 grain 13.9. He didn't have a 180 grain test for the 7-08. But a 150 grain from a 308 he has it at 15.8 Recoil Energy. If a 308 kicks just 3 Lbs less than a 7 mag then I'm definitely getting a 7 mag. I do have a 7 mag and a 308. When I shoot them I really can't tell the difference between the recoil. I guess that why I never shoot my 308. I just grab the 7 mag. Hope this helps.
Last edited:
greenejc
Well-Known Member
Well, I just checked the Lee manual and it gives about 2450fps as a max for the 180 grain bullet in the 7mm-08. The hodgdon manual doesn't even list a 180 grain load, and neither Speer or Lyman list the 180 grain loading in 7mm-08. They all list 175 grain loads, but nothing gets more than a maximum of 2630fps. The .308, however, has load data for the 180 grain bullet with B.C.s of .505 (Sierra GKs) and .545 (Speer BTSPs) that top 2680fps as a maximum, making it possible to achieve around 2550fps from a 20 inch barrel and 2600 from a 22 inch barrelled rifle. Also, you may need a specialty twist to stabilize the Berger 180 grain .284 bullet, because it is quite long for caliber. But the standard 1 in 10 twist of most .308 Winchester rifles will stabilize a 180 grain or 200 grain bullet easily. You might have trouble with a 1 in 12 twist, though. Also, the new Speer manual lists a maximum velocity of over 2850fps with their 165 grain boattail and several loads in the 2800fps range with this bullet, which has a BC of .520. Out of a 20 inch barrel, you'll still get 2650 or so, and from a 22 inch barrel, around 2700 to 2750fps. That's going to give good, flat for cartridge trajectory out to 600 yards, with little if any lost to the 7mm-08 and Burger bullets. I use both grain weights in my .308 Winchester rifles, but I favor the 180's due to sectional density and bullet mass. They penetrate better and tend to penetrate in a straight line. Please note that my information is given from the Lyman 50th edition, Speer Number 15, Lee Modern Reloading Second Edition and the 2019 Hodgdon's Annual Reloading Manual. I go by these manuals and others because they've done the research for the two cartridges and I can reasonably expect the loads to be within safe perameters for firearms chambered for both cartridges. Also, with comparable bullet weights/charge weights and velocities, the recoil for either of the cartridges is the same in rifles that weigh the same. Caliber has no effect. Recoil energy is calculated from projectile and powder weight, velocity achieved, and weight of the rifle. That's why I like a rifle and scope combination that weighs at least 8 lbs.
Colin78
Well-Known Member
I just recently went thru this same dilemma for a custom build relatively short barrel hunting rifle. I narrowed it down to 308 and 7-08. Ended up going with 308. It turned out wonderful. All I have done so far is the ladder test with the 152 hammer hunter bullets but it looks like I'm going to be around 2900fps
