I am stuck. I had a seven mag for a few years and loved it, but I recently traded it for a 221 fireball in order to quiet down my calling efforts. I want to get another one in a Stevens 200, but am not sure if I would rather have the mag or the 08. My predicament is this. I live on a ranch in west Texas and the need for a magnum caliber is not too dire. However, I live on an open ranch that requires some long shots. Like last year when I shot a buck at 428yds. running with my 7mag. Furthermore, the 08 would be more sensible for whitetail and my fiancee can shoot it without losing teeth. I have a 30-06 which I can effectively shoot to 400 yds. Any suggestions would be great and much appreciated.
7mm rem mag or 7mm-08
- Thread starter snakeman
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Ifishsum
Member
I really like the 7-08 myself. It's a more comfortable rifle during long shooting sessions at the bench, and I really like to shoot my rifles a lot. I figure I'll burn less powder and have less recoil to deal with, so I'll probably shoot it more and therefore get better with it. I finally broke down and bought one last year (in a Savage) and so far it's been everything I wanted it to be, and it bagged two whitetails last fall - one at 275 yds and another at 180.
Snapping Twig
Member
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I'd get the 08.
Then again, I like a .260 for the same case and a 6.5 bullet.
7mm bullets have a good BC and SD, they seem to reach out and touch things handily.
If you reload, you can dial them in real nice too.
A more pleasant shooting experience compared to a mag and longer barrel life in the bargain.
Then again, I like a .260 for the same case and a 6.5 bullet.
7mm bullets have a good BC and SD, they seem to reach out and touch things handily.
If you reload, you can dial them in real nice too.
A more pleasant shooting experience compared to a mag and longer barrel life in the bargain.
Regolith
Member
The 7mm-08 is only marginally less powerful than the .308. It has about the same range and capabilities. I'd say it'd have no problems with whitetails out to 400 yards.
My family has used it for mulies in the desert for about twenty or so years with no problem.
My family has used it for mulies in the desert for about twenty or so years with no problem.
The 30-06 is so close to the 7 mag I see no reason to own both. The 7-08 would be fine. If you reload I would consider the .308 since it would simplify buying bullets. Even if you don't reload I would still consider it because you can find bulk ammo in .308 cheaper.
Auburn1992
Member
I would definetly take the 7mm-08 for the situation you described. But the ammunition is still the same cost as 7mm Mag. Unless you reload, the cheapest I've found in stores is $25/20.
I say get the 7mm-08 for no better reason than either cartridge will do the trick and you have not had the 08 yet. Not like it costs a year's pay or anything.
Wish I lived out in west texas and could do all the coyotew callin'.
Freakin North Carolin-fornia
Wish I lived out in west texas and could do all the coyotew callin'.
Freakin North Carolin-fornia
Shawnee
member
+1 for the 7mm/08.
(.260 would be an excellent choice too.)
(.260 would be an excellent choice too.)
MachIVshooter
Member
Why don't you split the difference and get a .280?
Or, if deer are the intended game animal, a .25-06?
Both of those have more reach than the 7mm-08, without the punishing recoil of the 7mm RM.
Or, if deer are the intended game animal, a .25-06?
Both of those have more reach than the 7mm-08, without the punishing recoil of the 7mm RM.
Hokkmike
Member
This (non)superdelegate cast yet another vote for the 7mm .08!
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
As near as I can tell, the 7mm08 is a .308 with ten grains less bullet, and maybe 50 or so ft/sec less muzzle velocity. That's not enough difference to care about, particularly if Texas whitetail are the intent.
My father has had witnesses on at least three 500-yard deer with his '06, one running. My longest was about 450, with my '06. I wouldn't worry at all about any advantage gained from a 7mm Maggie...
I'm happy with my 7mm08, and wouldn't hesitate to take a 300-yard shot, at least not from any ballistic standpoint.
My father has had witnesses on at least three 500-yard deer with his '06, one running. My longest was about 450, with my '06. I wouldn't worry at all about any advantage gained from a 7mm Maggie...
I'm happy with my 7mm08, and wouldn't hesitate to take a 300-yard shot, at least not from any ballistic standpoint.
RonE
Member
Why not get another 30-06? Sure keeps the ammo issue simple. Your girlfriend can probably handle 165 grain loads and it will shoot anything from about 90 gr to 220 gr. If recoil is an issue, look at the Rem 740 series which can be had used at very reasonable prices.
Thnks guys. I have a 308 but it is an old pump action that will only shoot hollow points well. I do reload so the ammo availability is no issue to me. As for the recoil of the 06' i know she can't handle it she has only been shooting for a few months now and I don't want it to cause a flinching problem. The .260 is a good caliber as some of you mentioned I just personally like the 7mm bullet and the way it carries its weight so well. I found a 270 wsm on gunbroker last night but can't afford it yet, so I just looked up the reloading data and it looked pretty nice.
s2brutus
Member
I'd go with the 7mm-08.
I've had a 7mm Rem. mag. for about 10 years now, but it's gotten uncomfortable to shoot with a nagging shoulder problem I've had for the last few years. I'm seriously thinking about trading "down" to a 7mm-08 or maybe .260 Rem.
7mm-08 actually has greater long range accuracy potential than the much vaunted .308. Everything else being equal, a 150 gr. 7mm pill has a better BC than a 150 grainer in .308.
Something else to consider......
I've had a 7mm Rem. mag. for about 10 years now, but it's gotten uncomfortable to shoot with a nagging shoulder problem I've had for the last few years. I'm seriously thinking about trading "down" to a 7mm-08 or maybe .260 Rem.
7mm-08 actually has greater long range accuracy potential than the much vaunted .308. Everything else being equal, a 150 gr. 7mm pill has a better BC than a 150 grainer in .308.
Something else to consider......
Schleprok62
Member
Add another to the 7mm-08 tally sheet. I have one, in the Stevens model 200, and I love it. 1.5" @ 200 yards... I'm sure it can do better... I'm not the greatest shot and that was just off a sleeping bag rolled up...
Stevens Model 200 7mm-08 and Taurus 24/7 .45 ACP
Now, To the guys who have mentioned the .308 Win... according to all of the ballistics comparisons I have been able to find, the 7mm-08 flies flatter, drops less, skitters along at a faster pace, and has considerably more energy out past 500 yards than the afformentioned .308. Keep in mind, I am one of those guys who does like the .308, and used as fair a comparison as possible... i.e. same weight and style bullet where possible. I'm sure if you took .308 MATCH ammo and compared it to, say generic Remington Express 7mm-08 ammo... there will be a difference...
I reload my own and have great success with them...
Stevens Model 200 7mm-08 and Taurus 24/7 .45 ACP
Now, To the guys who have mentioned the .308 Win... according to all of the ballistics comparisons I have been able to find, the 7mm-08 flies flatter, drops less, skitters along at a faster pace, and has considerably more energy out past 500 yards than the afformentioned .308. Keep in mind, I am one of those guys who does like the .308, and used as fair a comparison as possible... i.e. same weight and style bullet where possible. I'm sure if you took .308 MATCH ammo and compared it to, say generic Remington Express 7mm-08 ammo... there will be a difference...
I reload my own and have great success with them...
MMCSRET
Member
Until 2 yrs. ago I had never owned anything in 7mm, decided it was time, had a new 7mm A&B barrel standing in the corner for 5 years and a 1909 Oberndorf intermediate length mauser action all ready trued and ready to receive a barrel. Had a 7-08 built, 20" carbine. Simple 4x scope. Cannot understand why this rifle shoots as well as it does. Remington 140 gr. psp c/l over Imr4895 in mixed brass. Wonderful!!!!
What about a .243? They have proven their mettle on many benchrest competitions, are a good choice for deer (especially southern deer, which tend to be smaller than the buckzillas that live up north), and you could still use it against the yotes, and its kick is like that of a pee-wee soccer player. That, and the bullets are VERY easy to find, and pretty cheap compared to other center-fires.
woof
Member
As said, the .260 Rem is the better long range cartridge but not available in the Stevens 200. In fact the .260 is not available in nearly enough rifles *&%^$#. So if it has to be the 200, I vote for the 7mm-08
Schleprok62
Member
Woof...
But the Stevens is affordable enough you can get a good aftermarket barrel for the Savage action and chamber one in anything you want... and still be in under $500... as much as I think I like the .260 Rem... tha OP said he wants a 7mm something or other... I agree with whoever posted about splitting the diff and getting a .280 Rem...
But the Stevens is affordable enough you can get a good aftermarket barrel for the Savage action and chamber one in anything you want... and still be in under $500... as much as I think I like the .260 Rem... tha OP said he wants a 7mm something or other... I agree with whoever posted about splitting the diff and getting a .280 Rem...
i like the 7mm rem mag.
i reaload so when i dont need a magnum load you can easily load the magnum down to 7mm/08 levels
now if you have a 7mm/08 you cant load up to remington magnum levels.
but if you dont think you will ever need that power the remington magnum offeres then sure go with the 7mm08 but if there is the chance you need the extra punch of the remington magnum then i would say go with the remington
i reaload so when i dont need a magnum load you can easily load the magnum down to 7mm/08 levels
now if you have a 7mm/08 you cant load up to remington magnum levels.
but if you dont think you will ever need that power the remington magnum offeres then sure go with the 7mm08 but if there is the chance you need the extra punch of the remington magnum then i would say go with the remington
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