Why is 7mm-08 ammo so expensive?

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chains1240

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I know that expensive is a relative term so relatively speaking, why is 7mm-08 ammo so expensive? Is it because less of it gets sold? I can get ammo for .308, 30-06, .270 etc. for $17-20 a box for remington core-lokt. That same ammo is $30 a box at the only LGS that carries it. I first wanted a 7mm-08 but with ammo prices and sketchy availability I am going to get a .308.
 
How many .308's, 30-06's, and .270's are out there, versus 7mm-08's? That might have something to do with it...

Have you considered reloading? I think it's the only logical tactic with (m)any obscure or non-military chambering.
 
If you don't plan on shooting it a lot (plinking, target shooting vs. hunting) then go ahead and get what you want (7mm-08).

If you do plan on shooting a lot....then of course...less expensive ammo makes sense.

Presumably, you have no interest in hand-loading?

Flint.
 
My wife's grandfather actually hand loads and owns all of the equipment for it. He shoots competition at the local gun club and across the states. I would just have to purchase the dies and consumables. I do not think I would have the time to hand load with my schedule right now. Perhaps purchasing hunting ammo this year and saving the brass for reloading next year?
 
Dies are cheap. Ask him if he'll load you something to factory specs, then teach you to do it. You'll be cheaper than factory 308 fer sure.
 
as good and effective as 7mm-08 is, the ammo selection is still small. dont know why but I usually wind up buying a few boxes a year on line or when I go to Cabelas, you aint gonna find it everywhere, damn shame.
 
I haven't purchased store bought 7-08 for over a decade, but at the prices you're mentioning, I would reload if I was going to do more than shoot a few deer per year. Personally, I like a Nolser 140 BT in my 7-08
 
In case you have not noticed, all ammo prices have risen sharply. With
the hunting ammo, and the uncertainy of our political scene- I think that
persons that only bought one box of ammo year before last; purchased
multiple boxes [particulary in popular calibers like the 7mm-08] in an
anticipation that ammo would be hard too get. For instance, we are
getting $27.95 per box of 20 count Remington Core-Lok 140 grain PSP;
that is when we can get it ourselves~! Just be glad you don't shoot a
Weatherby cartridge - as its absolutely out of sight~! :eek: ;)
 
I would think the low demand like anything else is going to raise the price. While a good little cartridge, it's not that popular..the same can be said about the 260 Rem.
 
Thanks everyone. I was looking at the .308 also because it will mainly be used for deer with the possibility that someday I could hunt elk with my father in Colorado. I see that Federal makes a Hot Core in 150 grain. Would a 7mm-08 to the vitals be just as effective on an Elk as say a 150-165 grain from a .308?
 
Would a 7mm-08 to the vitals be just as effective on an Elk as say a 150-165 grain from a .308?

Yes.

Personally I would limit my shots to 300yards on elk with the 7mm-08 though. I would do the same with the .308.

The 7mm-08 has a slight edge ballistically over the .308. The 7mm bullets have better BC's and shoot a bit flatter, have better retained energy at longer range, and better sectional densities for better penetration. The 7mm-08 actually beats the .308 energy-wise around 250yards, depending on the load, of course. The 7mm-08 also has less recoil, maybe 15% less depending on the load. However, these advantages are not very large and some would probably say they are relatively insignificant. Downside to 7mm-08 (vs. 308) is ammo cost and availability. That said, I have not had much trouble finding 7mm-08 and usually for just $2-4 more per box unless one of the pre-hunting season sales on the common five cartridges is going on (30-30, 30-06, .308, .270, .243). Anything other than these five will be more expensive.

If you are worried about ammo availability and cost, just get a .308.
 
i plan to pick one up when i get out of school. my niece got one for her first deer rifle and i love it.

i think the best thing for you would be to buy loaded ammo, save the brass, and then slowly accumulate material for reloading.
 
It s a great caliber. I wish i got it instead of the .243 but it was a no brainer on the cost per box for me.
 
I have the whole family; Savage 12fv in 243, Stevens 200 and Savage 11F in 7mm-08, and a Remington SPS Tactical in 308

My favorite to shoot is the Savage 11f in 7mm-08

I reload for all three so cost really isn't a factor I consider....Seems brass is more expensive for the 7mm-08 but I get at least 10 to 12 loadings out before they are recycled or show neck stress

I say get it and enjoy the 7mm-08 is the perfect balance between the three
 
I bought one of each for my 2 sons. The eldest wanted a .308 700 SPS T. I tried to caution him about the weight when used for hunting, but he wouldn't budge. The first time he went walking with it, he realized ol' dad might have been right. It does, however, drive tacks.

I bought son #2 a 7-08 Remington B&C edition. Not as accurate as the SPS, but infinitely better balance and quick target aquisition. He's not as avid a shooter as Son #1, so he's totally OK with the minor accuracy deficit compared to the .308. As long as it kills on the first shot, that's all that matters.

I handload everything, so the cost of new ammo is rather academic - except as a source of new fireformed brass.
 
For right now I would be limiting myself to about a 250 yard shot. I would not have any landscape barriers for over a thousand yards but I only feel comfortable in the 200-250 yard range. I will look up Graff and Sons too. I have seen Privi ammo for about $18 a box when it is available. Out of stock at the other vender I was looking at. Note: Everything for 7mm-08 is out of stack at Graff until you get up to the $35 a box flavor.
 
I have the whole family; Savage 12fv in 243, Stevens 200 and Savage 11F in 7mm-08, and a Remington SPS Tactical in 308

You don't have a 260 Rem or a 338 Fed :D

I love my Savage in 260, and am building another rifle in the same caliber (thought briefly about the 6.5x47 Lapua but everything about that cartridge other than powder use is even more expensive than a 260), but if I had to buy factory ammo for it I would have built the gun in a more common caliber.
 
I think Midwayusa has Prvi 7mm-08 for like $12-15/box. Used to anyway.
 
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