7mm-08 Big Enough for black bear & boar

[Stevel]

I'm going to be buying my first deer rifle (currently use shotgun and flintlock). I have an opportunity at a very good condition inexpensive 7mm-08. Initially I was thinking of 308 or 30-06 which I'm comfortable would cleanly take the game I'm considering.

The areas I hunt in PA also have black bear which I'm not planning on hunting now but may in the future. I also hunt in SC where they have boar in addition to dear, coyote etc. I'm looking for opinions on what the biggest game you would feel comfortable taking with a 7mm-08.

 

[priv8ter]

Should

I have heard of people that reload using 175gr bullets in 7mm-08, and then using it on Elk, so that answers 'the biggest game question'.

Unfortunetaly, I have very little bear hunting experience. As in NONE. From what I understand, while an elk will weigh more than an average black bear, the bear may be built more sturdy.

I would think, if you reload yourself, and pick a nice broadside shot, you should be okay.

greg

 

[Al Thompson]

Anything I'd shoot with a .308, I'd do with a 7mm-08. Just use good bullets with high SD.

One of the folks here uses his for elk with Barnes X bullets.

 

[Art Eatman]

My reloading handbook that I've used for my 7mm08 sez that you can readily send a 140-grain bullet out at around 2,900 ft/sec, which is close to standard performance from a 150-grain '06. Ten grains of bullet weight and 100 or so ft/sec won't make any notable difference, one way or the other.

Art

 

[HSMITH]

What Art and Al said rings VERY true.

 

[Stevel]

Thanks. I didn't take the 7mm-08 but wound up getting a Ruger M77RSI in 30-06. A pretty rifle. It will come in early next week. I'm thinking of topping it with a Leupold 4x. Should be pretty sweet.

 

[Mannlicher]

the 7mm/08 is every bit as good as the venerable 7mm Mauser. I have taken whitetail, black bear, and hogs aplenty with my 7mm Mauser.