ballistics of 7mm-08 & 6.5x284

[MJU]

looking at a rifle for my wife & soon for my son. thinking of a 7mm08 or 6.5x284 but I don't know much on their ballistics. what kind of velocity & down range energy do each product? Thanks for the info on advance.

 

[MudRunner2005]

I think 7mm-08 is the best all-around cartridge for youth and women. I used dad's old .30-30 for years. My first bolt-action deer rifle was when I was 12. It was a Ruger 77 in 7mm-08. Still got that rifle, but for the last number of years, she spends 99.9% of her life in the safe. I have moved on to bigger and better over the last 15 years.

Anyway, I used a 7mm-08 when I was young, and it dropped numerous deer with no issues.

 

[varmintH8R]

+1 on 7-08. You can load it down with good results and as recoil tolerance increases build the load up. A deer dropper for sure.

 

[jesterg]

Another thumbs up for 7-08.. Definatly great for what you want it for.. Deer slayers And very effective on elk as well. Jesterg

 

[BrentM]

From what I can see the 7-08 is an excellent cartridge but it is not in the same league as the 6.5-284. For example you will need to fling a 168 vld to match the 140 vld 6.5 bc. The 7-08 seems to be fine with a 140ish gr 7mm at 2750-2850. The 6.5-284 is quite capable of 2950-3000 with a much higher bc.

Now, the down fall..... the 6.5-284 is either handload or a nosler custom over the counter. The over the counter rounds here are 50.00 plus per box of 20!!!! Clearly I reload.

Another option is a .260 remington. High BC bullet and the same speed as a 7-08. Some guys are getting 6.5-284 performance from the 260 tho.

Always liked the 7-08, just depends on the max range you looking at IMO.

 

[MudRunner2005]

If you want low(ish) recoil, high BC, & range out of a non-magnum cartridge, the 280 Ackley Improved is a great one to look into. My next build will be one for whitetails.

 

[Michael Eichele]

IMHO, they can be dam? near equal at 1k. Comparing bullet type against type such as the 6.5 140 Amax versus the 7mm 162 Amax driven to max potential, they're within just a few inches of wind and have nearly the same energy at 1k. The 7-08 however will always leave a bigger hole with twice the barrel life.

 

[BrentM]

Can you get a 162 to fly 3000 fps out of a 7-08? Also, can this be done in a 24" barrel? Man if so, I might have to consider a selling my 6.5-284 and set up a 7-08 with 168 berger vlds. I thought 3000 fps is 7mm mag levels.

 

[Michael Eichele]

Try doing the math at 2750'sec levels. 162 Amax = higher bc despite less velocity

Compare 162 at 2750 versus the 140 at 2950. You will see how close they are. There
Are exceptions to every rule such as pushing the 6.5 to 3100'sec but you can apply the same to the 708. Running R17 you can reach 2900.

Don't get me wrong, I own a 6.5x284 and love it.

 

[barnesuser28]

Can you get a 162 to fly 3000 fps out of a 7-08? Also, can this be done in a 24" barrel? Man if so, I might have to consider a selling my 6.5-284 and set up a 7-08 with 168 berger vlds. I thought 3000 fps is 7mm mag levels.

No, a 284 win (ballistic twin of the 280 rem) will only push a 162 grain bullet at around 2850-2900 fps from a 26" barrel. I have a 7mm-08 and a 6.5x284, i am building a 284 win to replace the 7mm-08 if that tells you anything.

If i had to choose between 7mm-08 and 6.5x284, 6.5x284 HANDS DOWN. I feel to take it long range with a 7mm, anything less than a 7mm-08 A.I. is wasting your time. The 6.5x284 will whoop a 7mm-08 in the wind, dont believe me? How many 1k f-class open shooters are shooting the 7mm-08? lightbulb lightbulb With the 160 grain 6.5 matrix VLD with its .720 G1 BC...... no comparison.

Riley

 

[Michael Eichele]

And that is anything but apples to apples.

 

[barnesuser28]

And that is anything but apples to apples.

I dont think so, he wants to know how the ballistics of the 7mm-08 compare to the ballistics of the 6.5x284. With the 160 grain matrix at 2800 fps vs the 162 grain amax, the 6.5x284 wins hands down. Now lets say 168 grain berger from the 7mm-08 at 2700 fps vs the 160 matrix from the 6.5x284, again, the 6.5x284 wins with very similar recoil. IMO the 6.5x284 is a far better round as long as you dont plan on shooting a dog town.

 

[Michael Eichele]

The 160 matrix is as heavy a bullet you can get for a 6.5 versus the 162 Amax which is not the heaviest for that caliber. Where do we draw this line. 160 6.5 versus 190 7mm? The results will always be comparable using apples to
Apples. There are always trade offs however. This one has a few inches more or less windage, that one has better or worse barrel life, recoil, size of hole, energy and so on......neither are superior to each other in every category. Some yes but not all. When it comes to ballistics, 'hands down' is a very over used statement. Neither caliber in this case beats the other 'hands down'. I doubt the original poster in the context of the conversation will be looking to matrix bullets but most likely fir the wife and kid will be using more standard bullets/loads. Amax to amax (very standard) these two
Are closer than most would care to take note of.

 

[Good]

I'll throw the 243AI out there. less recoil and equal or better ballistics with the heavies. It will anchor a buck with authority yet is relatively inexpensive to shoot, and can shoot factory ammo if needed. I like that round and will build one for my wife eventually. Get a 1:7 twist tube to shoot the moderate to heavies and fling some lead.gun)