Looking at getting one of these for next season. I was thinking the 7mm-08 since I have a bad shoulder but the .308 is a great round (Dislocated several years ago and partially torn rotator cuff). I have not hunted in 10 years so these will be factory loads. What would you get for Texas hunting?
Marlin XS7: .308 or 7mm-08
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between those two with factory loads I would go with .308 just due to availability of different loads at cheaper prices. The recoil will not be that different between the two. However, if you handloaded I would go 7mm-08 as it is an awesome cartridge and retains energy out a good ways.
I don't think your shoulder will ever notice the difference in recoil. On paper the 7-08 is a slightly better round. The 308 is easier to find ammo for and at better prices. I could be happy with either, but use 308 because of ammo.
GooseGestapo
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Having owned several .308's, .30/06's, ect. ect...
I prefer the 7mm08.
I can't tell the difference in the deer hit with it. It kicks a little less (hard to relate with 7lb rifle-Rem. Mod7 w/20"bbl).
At 300yds and beyond, the 7mm08 wins the ballistics contest. Even with a 20"bbl, my rifle gets advertised or better velocities for standard 24"bbls per my and other chronographs. Sufficient for me to forego rebarreling to either .284win or 6.5-284 as was my original intents when buying the gun. Made "mistake" of shooting it, and chronographing factory and handloads...
Although accuracy isn't too great with this gun (a fluke, others I've shot and loaded for are tackdrivers....), call it a 1.5-2.5moa rifle, it's a "keeper" nonetheless...
I like the 140gr for all uses I've had occasion to use it for, including elk. (Nosler Partition 140gr).
If I could only have One rifle, this would be it........
Be sure not to "scrimp" on the scope, and don't get too much magnification. I've got a Leupold Vari-X III in 2.5-8x on my Rem M7 7mm-08, and it's my favorite scope. I've also got two Vari-X II in 2-7x and they are close 2nd's.
However, if you're trying to save a little money (hence the XL7), I'd get the Nikon Prohunter in 2-7x, or 3-9x. Nothing cheaper than this, though......(Much prefer these to the Leupold "Rifleman" and VX-I's).
I prefer the 7mm08.
I can't tell the difference in the deer hit with it. It kicks a little less (hard to relate with 7lb rifle-Rem. Mod7 w/20"bbl).
At 300yds and beyond, the 7mm08 wins the ballistics contest. Even with a 20"bbl, my rifle gets advertised or better velocities for standard 24"bbls per my and other chronographs. Sufficient for me to forego rebarreling to either .284win or 6.5-284 as was my original intents when buying the gun. Made "mistake" of shooting it, and chronographing factory and handloads...
Although accuracy isn't too great with this gun (a fluke, others I've shot and loaded for are tackdrivers....), call it a 1.5-2.5moa rifle, it's a "keeper" nonetheless...
I like the 140gr for all uses I've had occasion to use it for, including elk. (Nosler Partition 140gr).
If I could only have One rifle, this would be it........
Be sure not to "scrimp" on the scope, and don't get too much magnification. I've got a Leupold Vari-X III in 2.5-8x on my Rem M7 7mm-08, and it's my favorite scope. I've also got two Vari-X II in 2-7x and they are close 2nd's.
However, if you're trying to save a little money (hence the XL7), I'd get the Nikon Prohunter in 2-7x, or 3-9x. Nothing cheaper than this, though......(Much prefer these to the Leupold "Rifleman" and VX-I's).
Art Eatman
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My legs quit on me, so I loaned out my pet '06 and bought a 700 Ti in 7mm08. Fully dressed, it's 6.5 pounds. It fits me nicely, and recoil at the benchrest is not bothersome. Noticeable, but nowhere near painful. I have arthritis in my right shoulder, plus a slightly torn rotator cuff. But, no problem.
I load a 140-grain bullet to around 2,800. I figure it'll work on mule deer, but I won't play Ma Bell like I might with my '06. No big deal...
I load a 140-grain bullet to around 2,800. I figure it'll work on mule deer, but I won't play Ma Bell like I might with my '06. No big deal...
rangerruck
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i personally love a 7. with a 120 grainer, recoil is just plain light.
paintballdude902
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no4 i got lucky with my shoulder
i had 2 dislocations (ac join and something else) broken clavical and partially torn rotator cuff but its in my left shoulder
so my shooting shoulder is still good the biggest problem i have now is if i try to go prone using a sling it all gets agrevated
id go witht he .308 just a personal thing and man you will love the x series my xl7 in .30-06 is great
i had 2 dislocations (ac join and something else) broken clavical and partially torn rotator cuff but its in my left shoulder
so my shooting shoulder is still good the biggest problem i have now is if i try to go prone using a sling it all gets agrevated id go witht he .308 just a personal thing and man you will love the x series my xl7 in .30-06 is great
XS7 .308 Wonderful
I bought this gun a couple months ago. I too have degenerative joint disease and am a 50% DV, due to it.
The generous recoil pad on the marlin really soaks up the bang. When I finished sighting mine in, just wearing a T-shirt (99 deg. day), I didn't even hint at a bruise.
I was shooting 150 and 165 grain Remingtons and Winchesters and all seemed to keep us in the 1.5" range at 100 yards. You can get even lighter loads for the 308, but shouldn't need them with this rifle. I think that .308 rounds are the most reasonably priced ammo out there, so you can shoot much more and practice much more with it, over the 7mm-08 ammo, which cost quite a bit more.
I am going to buy another one in .270 Winchester, I am so impressed with it!!
Hope this helps.
I bought this gun a couple months ago. I too have degenerative joint disease and am a 50% DV, due to it.
The generous recoil pad on the marlin really soaks up the bang. When I finished sighting mine in, just wearing a T-shirt (99 deg. day), I didn't even hint at a bruise.
I was shooting 150 and 165 grain Remingtons and Winchesters and all seemed to keep us in the 1.5" range at 100 yards. You can get even lighter loads for the 308, but shouldn't need them with this rifle. I think that .308 rounds are the most reasonably priced ammo out there, so you can shoot much more and practice much more with it, over the 7mm-08 ammo, which cost quite a bit more.
I am going to buy another one in .270 Winchester, I am so impressed with it!!
Hope this helps.
jpwilly
Member
If you're shoulder is messed up you may want to try the .243 out. But between the two you mentioned the 7mm-08 will have slightly less recoil (only if shooting lighter loads). My choice would be the more common 308 for ammo selection.
I still havent had time to go pick one up, but I am 95% certain it will be a .308 since I dont reload. I purchased a pump shotgun about a year ago without even thinking about my shoulder so now I need to get rid of that and get a semi-auto that will help with the recoil. Glad i didn't shoot it and find out the hard way.
jpwilly
Member
^^^ look into 20ga instead of 12ga.
Maverick223
Member
Good choice (not going Mossberg)...7mm-08 would be my choice, but either should serve you well.
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