Head to head 308 Win vs 7mm-08 Rem

Robert101 · Jan 4, 2013

Head to head 308 Win vs 7mm-08 Rem

The deciding factor b/n these two rounds is not ballistics or energy in my opinion. Why? Because there really is no significant difference. Its like arguing 9MM, 40 S&W or 45 automatic. For me the difference is brass availability (cheap brass), and bullet selection. I like the 308 Winchester due to these factors and find the mainstream to work to my advantage in cost and quantity of reloadable ammo. I can always move my scope a click or two more or select a different mil dot for the 308. I use virtually the same powder all the time as well: Varget. No I don't think I boring.

Kachok · Jan 4, 2013

rcmodel said:
You "might" be using the wrong bullets.

rc

That was a 165gr Game King at 2800fps, I think the hole would have been a little smaller had it not made fragmentation device out of the spine on the way out the base of the neck, I'll try and upload some pictures when I get home. I would load them down a hair but my hunting buddy hunts with my 06 more then I do, and he loves the overkill so I will continue to load them for him.

Art Eatman · Jan 4, 2013

Kachok, if that Game King was the HPBT, it was just a hand grenade waiting to go off. Below 2,500 or 2.600 they might not do as much ruination, but I guarantee you that at around 3,000 they do make a mess.

I was going for a neck shot on a doe at maybe 30 yards one time, cross-body from a tree blind, and she took a step just as I pulled trigger. The bullet took the full upper "ball joint" from the off foreleg. Fist-sized exit wound. (Max load, '06, 26" barrel.)

Ky Larry · Jan 4, 2013

Let me stop the turnip truck for just a moment. If I understand the OP, in a hunting situation on deer, there is very little difference between the .308 Win and the 7mm-08. I thought we had all agreed that Shot selection, bullet choice, and bullet placement were more important than crunched numbers. Oh well, carry on.

Kachok · Jan 4, 2013

Art Eatman said:
Kachok, if that Game King was the HPBT, it was just a hand grenade waiting to go off. Below 2,500 or 2.600 they might not do as much ruination, but I guarantee you that at around 3,000 they do make a mess.

I was going for a neck shot on a doe at maybe 30 yards one time, cross-body from a tree blind, and she took a step just as I pulled trigger. The bullet took the full upper "ball joint" from the off foreleg. Fist-sized exit wound. (Max load, '06, 26" barrel.)

No that was the 165gr SP, I do have a box of the HPs but after seeing what the SP did I am afraid to use them. The shot only passed through about 6-7" of deer (very small doe) so it had enough time in target to expand but not enough to slow down, combine that with hitting spine and you have the perfect storm of exit wound, mind you that load already give some impressive wounds (2-4" wide) even if it does not strike any heavy bone.

dvdcrr · Jan 5, 2013

If you neck down but keep bullet weight constant you have a longer projectile. This takes up case capacity which partly why speed is reduced. Seat out farther with a long throat and it's moot. Necking down helps by putting a lighter skinnier spitwad in front of all those grains.

kludge · Jan 7, 2013

Kachok said:
... but let's look at some real numbers...

Nosler #6 as a reference point.

168gr Ballistic Tip 308 Win 52.5gr Big Game 2910fps (24" barrel) w/.490BC

Please post pics of the chronograph. I might believe 2800fps.

Kachok · Jan 7, 2013

kludge said:
Please post pics of the chronograph. I might believe 2800fps.

That is the listed speed, seems a bit fast to me too as does the 140gr 7mm-08 at 2953fps. I had to use max load data or someone would be raising hell at me for not being fair LOL. I have both of those loads but have yet to get a chance to chrono them. The 52.5gr Big Game load is very much a compressed load, in fact I cannot use it with boat tail bullets in anything but Winchester brass, I tried in Federal and the boat tail was pushing powder out the neck before the bullet would seat. Nosler lists it at a 114% compressed load!

R.W.Dale · Jan 7, 2013

I wouldn't believed that speed till I saw it on a digital readout from my 30" 308. From a 24" barrel its another reloading manual farie tale

posted via that mobile app with the sig lines everyone complains about

Abel · Jan 7, 2013

I think that Game Kings are perfect for 22" barrels and non-max loads. In 30-o6, MV of 2650 is plenty to make them do what they do.

Gtscotty · Jan 7, 2013

Stand-in for Kachok's promised Gameking pic (Graphic)

That was a 165gr Game King at 2800fps, I think the hole would have been a little smaller had it not made fragmentation device out of the spine on the way out the base of the neck, I'll try and upload some pictures when I get home.

Here's a pic taken yesterday showing similar damage from almost the same load you used. This doe was shot at about 20 yds with a 165 gr Gameking running 2900-ish fps. The bullet hit the leg bone on exit and opened up a decent hole. I really like these Gamekings, that's just kinda what happens when you hit bone.

p.s.~ I actually tagged a 100 lb hog with the same load on Saturday... it was a good weekend!

p.p.s~ The shot was angled sharply downward, hence the low exit.

kludge · Jan 7, 2013

Kachok said:
That is the listed speed, seems a bit fast to me too as does the 140gr 7mm-08 at 2953fps. I had to use max load data or someone would be raising hell at me for not being fair LOL. I have both of those loads but have yet to get a chance to chrono them. The 52.5gr Big Game load is very much a compressed load, in fact I cannot use it with boat tail bullets in anything but Winchester brass, I tried in Federal and the boat tail was pushing powder out the neck before the bullet would seat. Nosler lists it at a 114% compressed load!

I was just bustin' your chops, I know it's a book load.

Ramshot lists 49.0gr max and 200fps less - THAT I believe.

114% compressed ? LOL! :what:

HOOfan_1 · Jan 8, 2013

Gtscotty said:
Here's a pic taken yesterday showing similar damage from almost the same load you used. This doe was shot at about 20 yds with a 165 gr Gameking running 2900-ish fps. The bullet hit the leg bone on exit and opened up a decent hole. I really like these Gamekings, that's just kinda what happens when you hit bone.
.

I just shot one Saturday at 70 yards with a 150gr. Gameking from my .30-06 2850-2900 fps (estimated)....hit the leg and completely severed the bone. Tore a big chunk out of the brisket too.

My load is 52 grains of IMR 4064.

Kachok · Jan 8, 2013

Once me and my friend get the same day off I want to chrono those loads, my bet the 308 will come in 120fps lower then advertised. 60 fps because of my short 22" barrel and the other 60 from not being shot under labratory conditions. Just my wild guess, I know they are both noticably faster then factory because they group higher at 100yd, and the recoil is a tad more.

Kachok · Jan 9, 2013

Nice shot scotty but check out the hole my 06 made LOL. 57gr of 4350 and a 165gr Game King, I think the 06 or any high powered 30 cal is a bit much for whitetail but as long as you keep it out of the tasty parts why not. Sorry it took so long to post I had to wait for my friend to send it to me off his phone since the camera on mine sucks.

shaggy430 · Jan 9, 2013

I see no real world advantage to the 7mm-08 over the 308.

Dthunter · Jan 9, 2013

And I see No "dis"advantage of the 7mm08rem. Over the .308

I have shot a pile of animals with both cartridges, and Cant say I have noticed one out performing the other.

I will continue to shoot either caliber to suit my mood more than anything. I do however wish more TACTICAL platforms were available in 7-08. That would save me from having to custom make another rifle. I hate waiting for custom work!

Paul7 · Jan 9, 2013

Kachok said:
Really??? How about a 35 Whelen vs the 280 Rem? I would run the numbers for you but they are laughable to say the least.
Truth is that there are ideal ratios of case capacity to bore for a given situation, and please understand that a 35 Whelen or 338-06 will in no way compete with a 280 or 6.5-06 for long ranged trajectory. I am not knocking the 35, it is a fantastic cartrage for real world hunting ranges (under 300 yards) but if you are shooting 500 or better it is easily outclassed by the 120+ year old 6.5x55.
I own and hunt with a 30-06 as well, but for deer class game my 6.5x55 shoots flatter, faster and more efficiently with alot less recoil and no deer has ever lived long enough to notice the difference between the two, that is why it is my favorite. I highly doubt anything larger then a 25-06 or 6.5x55 (120gr @3000fps with either) could kill a deer any faster, but for larger game my 30-06 with 165-200gr bullets gets the nod, not that my Sweed could not do the job but because a 30 cal is more appropriate and ethical.

What would you think about a 6.5x55 for cow elk?

Kachok · Jan 9, 2013

Paul7 said:
What would you think about a 6.5x55 for cow elk?

Not my first choice but it will do the job for sure, they sure use them enough in Europe for that purpose, moose too. I am no elk hunter but if I had a chance to go my Savage 30-06 would be close at hand, my 200gr Accubonds will do a number on anything shy of brown bear.
If you use a 6.5x55 for larger (CXP3) game be very picky about your choice of bullets seeing as many of them are designed for old Mauser speeds (2500ish fps) and would overexpand/underpenatrate on thicker boddied game. Nosler Partitions are a proven bullet at moder Sweed speeds their 140gr is dang near perfect when deep penatration is required.

Head to head 308 Win vs 7mm-08 Rem

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