7mm-08 vs. .308 deer hunting?

[BirdDog123]

I've always heard that the 7mm-08 outshines the .308 when it comes to deer hunting. Many people I talk to do not like the .308 for deer hunting for various reasons.

When I did a quick lookup on the energy each cartridge delivers... it seems a slight edge was given to the .308?

Does anyone know why the 7mm-08 might perform better or have experience with both cartridges? My first thought may be bullet expansion.

Below was my reference for energy:
http://www.chuckhawks.com/rifle_ballistics_table.htm

 

[Jcalder]

Little flatter trajectory and options of lighter bullets suitable for deer. Also the 7mm line has better bc than 30 cal bullets. The energy probably pertains to the fact that most 308 bullets are 150-165gr compared to 120-140gr in the 7-08. That's not match bullets but for hunting purposes. Match bullets for both tend to go higher. Had I done my homework before I bought my 308 I would own a 7-08.

 

[pressfit]

Many people I talk to do not like the .308 for deer hunting for various reasons.

I have never heard of anyone who didnt like a 308 for deer...
I have both 7/08 and 308.. both do a wonderful job.. if I had to pick one.. it would be the 308

 

[DCA-DEER]

Don't own a 308 but bought a 7mm 08 killed four deer with it awesome gun.

 

[7mminatree]

The deer don't know the difference.

 

[knightrider]

6 one way, half a dozen the other. deer will never know or care which one kills it

 

[Rackseeker]

6 one way, half a dozen the other. deer will never know or care which one kills it

This true but I really like my 7mm08. I have never hunted a .308 but I'm sure its a fine caliber. Shot placement is the more important factor, rather than caliber.

 

[Deer Assassin]

motor oil is motor oil


i like 7mm projectiles better tha 30 cal

the case is same

so 150 gn .284 or 150 gn .308 same same

the advantages of 308

heavier bullets

ammo can be bought any where


advantages of 7/08

less recoil
284 bullets are the best

cause i like it

 

[7mm08]

7mm08
Best of both military engineering. Germans with the bullet, Americans with the casing. But the deer hate both equally!

 

[280longshot]

I have two 7-08's, one 7x57, one .280..
Hummm must be something I like about the .284

Nothing wrong with the 308 though.

The average hunter, shooter will not notice any difference..

 

[stik]

wife shoots a .308, son shoots a 7mm08. both kill deer.

 

[Deer Assassin]

I have two 7-08's, one 7x57, one .280..
Hummm must be something I like about the .284

Nothing wrong with the 308 though.

The average hunter, shooter will not notice any difference..

7/08 7 saum 280 here lol

 

[hunter0925]

I have both and have shot deer with both and never noticed a difference if I did my job. I wouldn't choose one over the other.

 

[dmonty]

Like everyone else said deer will not know the difference,but unless you reload you certainly will when you go buy ammo,at least 10.00 per box difference in price of factory loaded stuff.

 

[Lost Lake]

Anything based on the .308 case is great. That 7/08 is a great ladies cartridge!!

 

[landman]

I like 30 Cal Better

Snipers like 30 Cal Better

308 number # 1 Sniper Round

 

[BlountArrow]

I think this topic was banned from discussion back in 2011.

 

[KPH]

Anything based on the .308 case is great. That 7/08 is a great ladies cartridge!!

I agree anything base on the 308 is great. 243,260,7-08,308,338 fed., and 358 win. All great rounds, all use the same case just necked up or down.

 

[Kimberman]

I have or have owned .243, .308, and .358. I am getting one of my .243s rebarreled to a 260 before next season. They will all do their part when put in the right spot. I would rather have the 308 over the 7-08 for ammo and brass availability. I like the 260 better than the 7/08 mainly because it has more varmint bullets and still can handle anything on the upper end that the 7-08 can do. The 260 is pretty much a handloaders round.

 

[redblood]

have both. both great rounds. same case and powder capacity. deer will never know the difference.

 

[Sako]

as one put it 6 of one, 1/2 dozen of the other... weight of bullet is a non issue if you reload...you can get 30 cal light just like the 7mm...... Trajectory is not an issue at anything close to a reasonable range to be shooting at a deer...

 

[Barnes Ridge Rambler]

I've never owned a 7mm-08, but did grow up shooting a 7 mm mag and am a fan of how well that worked. However, I have become a huge proponent of the .308 in the last 2 deer seasons. Killed 3 decent bucks and one of which was over 220 yards. My farthest kill on a deer to date. I will say that bullet selection is key. My rifle has a 20" barrel and thus doesn't produce as high velocities so I use softer tipped bullets like a Partition. A harder nose bullet like a Sierra Gameking HPBT won't give u the expansion you need in time on a deer.

 

[infoman jr.]

I like 30 Cal Better

Snipers like 30 Cal Better

308 number # 1 Sniper Round

Define "#1"

 

[BigPete357]

I like 30 Cal Better

Snipers like 30 Cal Better

308 number # 1 Sniper Round

Define "#1"

#1 - As in the [color:#FF0000]1[/color]st "Sniper" movie ;)

 

[UPSman]

Any time you start necking the suck out of a 308....you are headed in the right direction.

...a friends signature line on another website.

 

[landman]

I like 30 Cal Better

Snipers like 30 Cal Better

308 number # 1 Sniper Round

Define "#1"

There a more Sniper guns in 308 than Any other
Caliber, period . Yes the Military are now using
A couple more , but overall it's this the number
#1 choice

 

[7mm08]

I like 30 Cal Better

Snipers like 30 Cal Better

308 number # 1 Sniper Round

Define "#1"

There a more Sniper guns in 308 than Any other
Caliber, period . Yes the Military are now using
A couple more , but overall it's this the number
#1 choice

Well it's not like those bullets (.308) haven't been around since 1906.....they must have a kazillion of them somewhere.

 

[jakeway]

First, you should get into hand loading so that you have all the flexibility to maximize the round for your uses.

Secondly, pick the bullet weight and the velocity you want for your target animal. You said "deer", so we can eliminate any bullets less than 100 grains and more than 150. For deer, I think the optimum is 120 to 140.

Now, compare the ballistics of the same weight bullet in 308. 7mm-08, and 260 REM. You'll probably find that the 308 has very few options below 150 grains, and their sectional density and ballistic coefficients are inferior to the 7mm and even more so than the 260.

Bottom line, when talking strictly deer hunting, the 260 (or 6.5x55 or 6.5 Credmore)is the best of the three, with the 7mm-08 a close second.

If you don't handload, and you're worried about the price and availability of ammo, get the 308.