.308 Or 7mm-08

[jyeomans]

I have settled for a x bolt browning, I was going to get a .308 caliber, I have heard some great praise for the 7mm-o8 on the forum, I plan to use the gun for deer new hampshire maine upstate new york, also trips to wyoming for whitetail & mule deer. Would the 7mm-08 be OK for elk. Iwould appreciate any hrlp with this. Thankyou John

[Rider]

My personal opinion is the 7mm-08 is a slightly better round. Less recoil, flatter trajectory and nearly identical ballistics. Less choice of ammo, but there is enough selection to get what you want, you just have to look around.

[oldpilot]

As far as deer is concerned, they are pretty much equal, with the .308 having a much larger selection of ammo and likely less expensive, as well. When you mention elk then the .308 becomes the clear choice, having 180gr NP LM/HE rounds available along with other great bullets such as TBBC, TSX etc. The LM and HE loads in a .308 equals a typical '06 load using 165-180gr bullets and no 7/08 load comes close, IMO.

[tjen]

If you plan on hunting elk the 308win is a better choice with more bullet options. A 165gr plain jain will take deer perfectly and with a bullet like the 165gr to 180gr partition it will handle both.

[browningx44x]

id go with the 308 better all around id think

[quackquackbang]

7mm-08 will take a moose no prob so you shouldnt have any problem taking a elk!!! at reasonable distances(0-300yards)!! Seen it done! i just bought one today!7mm08 all the way!

[joeyhunter]

I just bought an A-bolt 7mm-08. Ilove it. I also have a savage 7mm-08. Great caliber!!!!

[new2shoot23]

I am looking at purchasing either a browning, either an x-bolt or an a-bolt. What attracted you to the X bolt?

[32 Special]

I shoot a Savage 7mm-08 and I don't have anything bad to say about it. I think it is a great all around gun. Works on anything from a jack rabbit to an elk

[Lodiman]

I would highly recomend a model 7 Rem in 7mmo8. It's a light gun, good looking, functions perfectly, we get MOA groups withthe one factory load and two diff. handloads we put through it. Low recoil, and shoots flat. Like comparing a 270 to a 3006. It's also made in america by american workers with primarily american parts and supports a traditionally american Company. I call it economic loyalty and nationalism. Anywyas, we really like ours. Kwik to point as well. I looked at abolts, tikkas, rugers, and savages and the model 7 felt the nicest when I handled them with a close second to the Tikka for smoothness of action. I don't like how the Tikka is bedded or where it's made though. When your neighbor is out of a job, give it to him rather than some finnish fellow. I have nothin against fins though. Hardworkers, smart, etc.

[Fequalsma]

I have the Savage and love it. Great round. Can shoot and shoot without feeling beat up.

[JC in WVa]

Don't know why but 7mm-08 ammo will cost you more than avg 308 Win ammo will--for about what they want 7mm-08 ammo you can buy std Rem 7mm Mag 150gr Corelokts not premium bullets in the mag but std ones The 7mm-08 shouldn't be as costly an ammo as what it is---thats my only point! Set down the 243---308 and 7mm-08 ammos of same brand---the 7mm-08 will be the highest priced! All from the same parent case!---JC

[njmarek]

As tjen mentioned, I have an original Remington Model Seven with 18.5" barrel in 7mm-08. It's about the best deer rifle I've ever owned......short, light, accurate and fast handling. The problem is that once you get above 140gr bullets, you really need to handload. Ballistics start to suffer above 160 grains, though, even with handloads. I also have a .308 which is a very versatile caliber. The 150gr is great on deer and the 165gr and 180gr loads will do fine on elk, caribou, and moose within reasonable yardages. Given the choice, I'd easily opt for the .308 because of the bigger, heavier, deep penetrating bullets you can get for it. Just my opinion.
Norm

[MGTEXAS]

here is another vote for the 7 08. Ive got a rem model 7 stainless. shot several whitetails with it and they went down just like the old 270 does. it is great in a deer blind due to its short length. like someone else mentioned the tikka is an outstanding value and super shooter. got one in 270wsm and it is awesome. killed two hogs with it a month ago.

[elkhunter]

I consider either caliber minimual for elk unless you have perfect conditions at 200 yards or less in the hands of the average hunter.. They really comparable ballistic wise and whatever a 180 gr. .308 dia bullet will do a 175 .284 at similar velocity will do also. I prefer the ,308 I guess because I already own one. But I don't hunt elk with it nor would I with a 7mm 08. Great deer rifles, you pick which ever you like the best after handling the rifle.

[geese22]

i personally like a 30-06 it is a very good all around gun, if your looking for more distance then i would consider a 270.

[freimuth]

If you load your own I would go with the 7mm/08...a good 150 or 160gr would be ok for elk.Otherwise, I would get the 308.

[bearhunter]

For what you've said your going to hunt, the 308 fits the bill perfectly. It is (IMO) the ulimate mice to moose gun. Just my opinion. I'd use mine on moose any day, any time with 180gr partitions; and you can load it with 150gr SP's for mulies, deer and game of similar size. And I think the perfect elk bullet for this caliber is the 165gr TSX.

Not saying the 7mm-08 isn't good. Just that it isn't as versitile.

[lwaters]

The 308 and the 7m/08 are great rounds for a quick handling rifle. I like about any round based on the 308 case. But if you do much hunting for the elk-moose type game you will want a more powerful round. It is not to say they won't do the job and alot can be said about using the same rifle for everything. Elk hunting is addictiing and I bet anything if you do much of it you will buy another rifle. Of course I am a gun nut and think I need a different rifle for everything.

[cstink]

Around here 308 is about 9 or 10 bucks a box cheaper than 7-08 for the same brand. Use that savings and buy more .22 's to practice with. Either one is a great choice though.

[Savage99]

I suggest that you buy a gun made in the USA. We need the work and jobs and you will be proud of it then.

As for the cartridge get what you want however there is a lot of overlap between the two. The 308 is a US military round and far more popular.

[Lodiman]

My vote goes for a Rem. model 7 or a Savage in 7mm08. One of the finest cartridges out there. Of course, handloading really makes it shine. If you don't handload you will find more ammo variety in the 308. Buy american if you can. Ruger is made here as well. My daughters model 7 is sweet though. My .02

[tjen]

Try H4350 and a Speer 145gr Grand Slam bullet for a one load does all. Or a 140gr Accu-bond if your pushing the 7mm08's outter ranges.