Correction: toward the end of the video I mentioned the 7mm-08 had killed thousands of elephants. This was a reference to the 7mm Mauser, its ballistic twin, not the 7mm-08.
You are of course referencing the famous or infamous white Hunter Kara mojo Bell. He did Kill a large number of Elephants With ,7x57 Mauser. He was not A sport hunter. He was paid Government hunter. The game Populations in his day made life Difficult to impossible for native Populations. .
@@Sivyis333 not exactly. One Rogue elephant is capable of Destroying a village in a few Minutes. Elephant hunting is Legal and encouraging in Some areas of Africa due to Overpopulation. Hunter's pay Sizable fees to the government And all meat is consumed by The local populace. I'm not An Elephant hunter and believe They should be protected when Populations are threatened by Poaching.
This is the cartridge I'm choosing to build my next hunting setup around this winter. I'm looking forward to putting more content out to the public, on my channel for the 7mm-08.
After my daughter got her 7mm-08 Rem, I am enjoying the load work ups. With that said, I never really had an application for it in my shooting. Especially since I had other cartridges to use. As life moves on, I find myself gravitating towards the 275 Rigby, the UK version of the 7x57 Mauser. Good luck, and stay safe!!! 😉😉😉
I've never found a easier cartridge to reload. Large speed nodes with multiple powders, and bullet combos. Not particular about seating depth. I load for 2 6.5 cm and 2 7mm 08. The 7's were dialed in with minimal effort, much less load development than the CM's. Great all around cartridge.
The 708 can be surprisingly fast at longer ranges. The Hornady ELDx 150 grain goes 2045 fps @ 500 yards with 1392 ft-lbs of energy. That’s only 80 fps slower than my 270 win at the same range with my chosen bullet in that caliber, the 136 grain Terminal Ascent. The 708 also has a tic more energy and a couple of inches less drop when those two factory loads are compared.
I bought a 7-08 this year to use out west for antelope and mule deer. It's my first experience with that cartridge and I'll tell ya, it's impressive. Mild recoil, fantastic velocity, components are easy to find and it's darn accurate. Yeah, the 7 mag is faster, but takes a near 40% increase in powder for a 9% increase in velocity. No thanks.
For what I do, if I was just starting out and had a 7-08 it would be a great all around choice! I appreciate your objectivity in recognizing that almost all cartridges have a niche and you don't put down the other choices!
Thanks for the excellent content , this week has been very enjoyable as I’m a 7mm-08 aficionado myself. Not sure if you knew this , but the 7mm-08 actually began life south of the border down in Mexico as a “ long range “ steel silhouette target wildcat cartridge. It was highly revered for its ability to retain enough energy to knock down the steel silhouettes out past 500 yards and beyond , shoot flatter and less wind drift , less recoil and better accuracy than its parent .308 Winchester cartridge . Yep 👍 😉 this is where it all began . It is my all time favorite short action cartridge superseding the .243 by a slight matter of preference for me due to its well balanced utility for hunting a wide variety of game as you stated ( coyotes to elk …and even moose ) in fact more moose have fallen to the 6.5x55 Swede in Europe than any other cartridge, and is still a very effective and widely used cartridge for moose hunting today in the European countryside where most folks only have one rifle to do it all . And I’d say the 7mm-08 is a better big game cartridge than the 6.5x55 Swede as it can lunch much heavier projectiles. It has gained a great deal of popularity over the years and I’m happy to see it making a comeback , and flexing its muscles with new shooters as well . There’s a lot like about it , and it absolutely is a great choice for those who can only afford one rifle / cartridge to take care of their hunting / target shooting needs . My favorite all time long action cartridge is the .30-06 and my all time favorite magnum cartridge is the .300 WSM … although I have a great desire to get acquainted with the 6.8 Western which I think could surpass my favoritism for the .300 WSM as a favorite magnum , I’ve yet to get a rifle in my hands and try it out in the field on a hunt .
The 7mm-08 is the answer to the question of what you need in terms of bullet weight and sectional density and adequate velocity. Basically it is a 7 X 57 Mauser with the record that WDM Bell used it for most of his elephant ivory collection to build his wealth.
Good morning - excellent insights, and from my perspective, valid insights. I'm an old man, 74, with lots of health issues. I still shoot, reload, and occasionally hunt, and I cannot think of a finer all-around cartridge than the 708. I limit my shots (while hunting) to 250 yards, and my Tikka T3x consistently shoots about .6 - .8 MOA at that distance with at least three separate loads - what is not to like? The largest game I hunt is Whitetails in Northern Missouri, so the gun and the distance limitation is near perfect for me in that environment. And - it loves 140 Accubonds and Varget powder.
Yes its true that the 7mm Rem Mag is shooting a 150 grain bullet 300 ft per second faster than the 7mm-08 but the magnum is takung something like 41% more powder to get a 9%-10% increase in velocity. At normal hunting ranges a deer or elk isnt going to know the difference.
On that point of balancing, comfortable to shoot. With accuracy. A guy that shoot a 243 more accurately, due to lack of recoil abuse. That man is more lethal, than the guy flinching at his big magnum.
I gave my son my 270 win when he moved out. I went to hunting with a 308win. I was wanting new rifle and was very close to getting 7mm08. But I got a new 270win just because I love it new it well for handloads. But I think the 708 is very good caliber and good rounded caliber.
I like it to the point I built an AR10 in it. With the longer than normal barrel (22" instead of the more common 16" for the AR10) it is on the hefty side (12lbs.) but the recoil is just about nonexistant.
Great video as always! 7mm08 is my favorite cartridge. Several truckloads of white tails taken with it. My 6.5 Creedmoor is for targets and my 708 is for hunting!
Thank you for the thoughtful video. 708 is at the top of my list as well. IMO 7mm-08 has been hamstrung by too slow a twist in production rifles. Usually 1-9.5….and that’s a little slow to shoot the 150s and 160s accurately. I believe the heavier projectiles need 1-8 or 1-8.5 (which ruger is doing now in their gen2 American) I ❤ 708 for deer w a 120gr Barnes TTSX. Very effective.
Morning man! Back in the day. (Probably remains) Mr. Whitetail: Larry Weishuhn, had called the 7/08 the perfect/ultimate whitetail cartridge. I dont think he was wrong.
A lot of people say they like 7mm-08, but still underrated as evidenced by the fact that ammo costs more and is harder to find in stores than 243, 308, 30-06, ... (supply & demand). It's a great cartridge for most US hunting situations.
For now but more and more shooters hunters are starting to use the 7mm-08 supply and demand. Remington did not put as much effort in the promotion of their 7mm-08 as Hornady did/does. Same story for the RSAUM..... I am 100% into the 7mm-08
Can you get ammo shipped to you? if so, midwayusa carries a plethora of 7mm-08 and you can stock up when they offer birthday/sale pricing. I count 28 different rounds available right now on their site. Im spoiled and live a few miles down the road from their distribution center so I drive to the front door and pick it up on demand Nosler released a cheaper jacketed soft point round this year and Browning has released a polymer tip. Hopefully a sign that demand is picking up.
Since I own 6 rifles in 708 I guess you could say it is absolutely my favorite cartridge. My other favorites is 358win, 35rem, and fast becoming my second favorite is my 6.5prc. Darren
IMO - all of the cartridges based up the .308 are a great balance of power and recoil. It is why the 6.5CM became popular and why the 7-08 is a great cartridge. I know the 6.5CM casecame from the TC, but it is essentially a modified 308 case. I picked it over the 7-08 soley b/c of ammo/component availability.
My next two rifles will be a 7mm-08 and a 6.8 Western. I have and reload for the 270, 7mm rem mag and 308. I love each one of them so it only makes sense for my next adventure in reloading to go in that direction. One thing about the 7mm-08 is its efficiency. The same things that make the 308 so great are inherent in the 7mm-08. The interest in the 6.8 Western for me stems from the ability to shoot heavy .277 bullets. Prior to the introduction of the 6.8 I had considered getting a custom rifle made in .270 with a faster twist but the 6.8 solves the problem and I can just buy a factory rifle.
I feel like the 708 is having a slight resurgence as people are getting off the Creedmoor Kool-Aid. But the seven rim Mac is two steps up in power the real one to look into is the 280 Ackley
The 7s have never really interested me. I am in the camp of and still like the 6.5 creedmoor with a 127 LRX for lighter duty work. I like a 270 or 30-06 for heavier duty work.
Also, I think on game at reasonable hunting ranges, the 6.5 and 7 are essentially identical in terms of terminal bullet performance. I haven’t used the 7, but I have used the 308, and its performance is very similar to the 6.5, when using the lighter side of bullets in the 308.
@@phild9813 Not a challenge, just curious, but what would you consider to be a reasonable hunting range for a given animal with those cartridges? From what I have seen (not a big hunter myself, more a target shooter), 6.5 has a bit of a consistency issue even inside of 200 yards on things like whitetail deer so I'm curious what your experience and/or opinion on that is For context, most of the consistency issue discussed is RARELY deer actually getting away, but more in the vein of "sometimes it drops em immediately, other times on near identical shots they get to run away and need to be tracked a bit"
I hunt/load/shoot 3 different cartridges; .280AI, 7-08, and 7SAUM. My favorite is the .280AI but when I’m whitetail hunting in the SE USA it’s awfully hard not to reach for my Browning X-Bolt in 7mm-08. I have 3 different loads for it; 120gr Hammer Hunter, 140gr Nosler BT, and the 150gr Barnes TTSX all ignited by Varget with Lapua brass and CCI 200 primers. You definitely made the right choice in the Tikka 7mm-08. Thanks for the series. Looking forward to your hunting results with the ‘08!
Do you like the 708 better than the 280AI and if so why. I think the 280 is on my short list and would like input from someone who has both. Thx in advance I appreciate your thoughts. I have thought about the 708 for a long time before I realized there was factory offerings in 280 ackley.
In New Zealand 7mm08 is used a lot. Great 300yd (+) deer rifle. Goes great in a light short bush rifle. Little more hunting punch than the creed- and no man bun required to operate
Comparing the 7mm-08 to the 30/06 the 7mm shooting a 160 grain bullet and a 30/06 shooting a 180 grain are both going 2800 fps and both have the same sectional density so the 7mm-08 is a better 30/06 replacement than a 308 Winchester.
Never been around a 7mm 08. Never hunted with anyone that used one. I went from a 30 06 to a 7mm mag. Then down to a 280 Rem. Been happy with it. I am a big 7mm bullet fan. I thought about getting my wife a 7mm 08 rifle. So I can get my 280 back.
Good analogy. The whole debate over what’s “best” is a no win debate for anyone. Everything is subjective to the needs, wants, personal preferences and personal bias of each individual. If I was looking for another rifle in the 7MM category it would be between the 7x57 Mauser and the 7MM-08. Currently I don’t have a 7mm of any flavour.
One thing that makes me want it is its efficiency , economy, moderate recoil, ballistic performance, and the light weight compact firearms that are chambered for it. I wish I had got a model 7 Remington or Ruger international with the mannlicher gun stock back in the day. The subcompact Winchester feather weight looks good.
I own at least a dozen & a half rifles from 30-06 down to 6 ARC and almost everything in between, but my favorite is the 7mm-08 & I actually have two rifles chambered in that cartridge. I also have a 6.5 PRC, two 6.5 Creedmoors, and 6.5 Grendel, but the 7mm-08 is the most versatile in fitting most of my specific uses in more better ways.
So many great options to choose from. I have met hunters who will only hunt with a cartridge if they can get premium brass such as ADG, Lapua, Peterson, Alpha to load. Low and behold at the moment I typed this you mentioned Erik Cortina being on team Lapua. For hunting, I have put together loads using Starline, Winchester, Federal, Nosler, and Norma brass that are quarter minute and better but not often in cartridges such as 280 Rem and 270 Win. My 4 Tikka sporter contour 7mm ACE barrels should arrive Wednesday. 1 will be for my first 708 build on a Tikka action. I'm also planning a tour of Peterson brass when I go pick up the 2 rifles that should be done soon as it's nearly on the way.
I think it's a better general purpose cartridge than the 308, it's a shame military adoption decided their relative popularities in the wrong direction, especially since .308 was quickly relegated to a role it was ill-suited to. Even 7mm is a little too much bullet for the short action DMR/sniper role, .257 or .264 are probably the ticket. There's no distance too short, barrel too short, or animal so big, that I'd take a 308 but not a 7-08. So that's the sense in which I say 7-08 is better, not that 308 wouldn't be better in certain situations, but that it's advantages close-in are not, in the words of our recently departed friend, "enough of a difference to make a difference".
For me it all depends on the distance you’re shooting at. The further away your shots more velocity you need. The trade offer is gonna be recoil cost of ammunition, barrel, life, etc. But a few hunt where there are woods in your shots are 200 yards max there are zero need for anything larger than a short action. There are caveat to that depending on what you’re shooting deer game that statement I stand behind
The 162 will have more drop at distance. So no, they are not the same but I get your point. Either way, I’m grabbing the 7mm-08 every time over a 6.5 Creed. Just my preference.
Hi sir, it looks like your series on the 7mm-08 may be over, but I would love to see a video on the 90 grain Hammer Hunter in the 7mm-08. 😊 Their website is saying 3500 fps with this projectile in this cartridge!
Love the 7-08 bought one for my oldest son for his first rifle but my youngest sons first rifle will be the 6.5 prc more factory ammo and a little flatter
🤠 I Was At The Sporting Goods Store and Ran Into My Former Teacher/Coach! He Has a 30-06, But Has Now Gravitated To The 7mm-08 For Elk Hunting! He is NOT the 1st Person to Tell Me That Either! 😯 Hummm... 🤔
I still would rather have the old stand by favorite wait for it 270 win. Ron we all know what the others can do but after 60+ years of hunting reloading and collecting hundreds of rifles there is a reason old Jack choose the 270🙌👏👊
@edwardabrams4972 I Agree! It's Too Bad It Takes Most People 50 Years To Figure Out The "Right Balance" and "Real Value". All The Young Kids Want "The Fastest Hotrod", But That Comes at a Price. Older Folks Come To Appreciate Reliability, Consistancy, and Longevity. That Logic Applies To Cars, Rifles, and Women! 🤣
140 gr pill, 42 gr of varget. I load for 2 different rifles. Not a world beater, but exactly as you stated Jack of All Trades. It's a wonderful "1st centerline rifle" recoil kids can handle, bang steel with the creedmoors, and capable of taking all North America game at ethical distances.
Hi, just a consideration about lead mushrooms... Winchester made a study a few years back, took all the bullets made an shot them at different velocity's. Upon impact for lead mushrooming the best. Velocity at impact is 2400 to 2550 FPC. Faster impact decinigrates the lead, an slower impact velocity doesn't mushroom lead as well...
I swap to a 7085 years ago and it is awesome and I highly recommend it I have gotten some others that are Oddball it's just for fun but the 708 is very good!
This "little" cartridge should currently be the single most popular 7mm hunting cartridge today because of what it actually is and can do as opposed to what people imagine it is or think it can do. The average numbers it delivers have been well proven even before it showed up in the late 70s.
I love the,7mm/ 08. Unfortunately I am a six millimeter Freak. But if I only have to pick one cartridge. My heart is bent to the 45-70 😊 Truly that cartridge can do it all. And yes I do own a 7mm/ 08
The 708 was wildcat for target shooting as you could get better bc projectiles compared to the 308 without having to shoot heavy 30 cal projectiles. So IMHO unless you're chasing elk or something large it has many benefits. I have 7mm rem mag for throwing 168's and a 708 for 140's . The 708 handles everything in Australia except Camels and Buffalo for which i drag out the mag .Enjoyed the video and you spoke common sense. The benefits of the needmore are only for targets, at extended ranges where the needmore benefits from high bc it has NO power to kill animals, and you shouldn't be shooting game at those ranges .
Hunting: "What's the best cartridge" is a bad question because there is no such thing. It should be "What's the best cartridge for me". 300 yards is my ethical range, that it. There are a bunch of cartridges that will hit that range with 1000 ft-lbs and then some. And sighting for maximum point blank range at 6 inches eliminates the elevation guess-work. It's good for 1500 ft-lbs at that range for elk. The 7mm-08 is not the best. But it's plenty good enough (for me) without beating the snot out of me on recoil. At 70+ years of age, recoil becomes a very serious concern not to mention the weight of the rifle. "The best" is not absolute, not even for the individual. That changes with age. The 7mm-08 was "my best" for a long time but there is another I find myself migrating to as the years tick by and destroy my body. All I can suggest is, as you get older, you will discover a bunch of "the bests". Enjoy the ride.
Fusion ammo is showing really good performance in recent testing. As an elk specific ammo/bullet I'm not sure. I suspect it's extreme expansion might limit its penetration on truly big animals.
It was just noticed and posted on Facebook Tikka 308 are now showing 1/10 and not 1/11 twist rate. I check the 708 and it’s now showing 1/9 where it used to be 1/9.5. What does yours show?
@@leoncolwin8645 here in the states its way more available than those cartridges. You can hardly find rifles chambered in those cartridges, and the ammo is harder to find. You might have known that, but I guess you were ignorant.
🕵♂️ Revisiting An Earlier Discussion I Had With You Previously - My Favorite Designed "Main Stream" (Sammi Approved) and "Readily Available" Cartridges For Hunting Antlered/Horned North American Big Game Species (Crediting The Origional Parent Case and Not Any "Offspring"): 1) 30-06 2) 308 3) 6.8 Western (You've Convinced Me) 4) 300 wsm 5) Still Undecided (Losts of Good Choices Though)! 🥳
@@hopefulballistics I Meant To Post This Comment Swiching From The 30-06 To The 270! Eric Cortina Say That His Favorite 2 Hunting Cartridges Have Been The 7mm-08 and 280AI! 🥳
![[ENGSUB] UNPRODUCTIVE DAY ใช้ชีวิต (เปื่อยๆ) ด้วยกัน 1 วัน! | OUROAD CLOSEFRiEND SS2 EP.9](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/pyYKZ3kra9w/mqdefault.jpg)
I think it’s been a sleeper cartridge for years. With today’s projectiles and powders I could see it being an outstanding cartridge.
Very true
100%, nowadays we can make it even better than it was naturally
150 162 180 grains
Simple or double base powder
24" 26" 28"
I absolutely love the 7mm-08. So I'll agree with you 110%,
Awesome! Thanks
Finally somebody said what needed to be said! It’s the most underrated cartridge of all time in my opinion.
Thank you! Very underrated.
From Moose on down, we have been using the 7mm-08 and the 140 Barnes for years.
Awesome! With success, I assume?
@@hopefulballistics Absolutely!
Yes those TTSX/LRX bullets penetrate…I’ve pushed several 120 TTSXs through, out of my 284 Winchester.
…toying with the idea of a 7mm-08 AI.
@@MIDNIGHTSUNALASKA 284? Nice!
140 tsx is a bad dude. Did you get a good exit wound on that moose? We don't have anything that tough where I'm at.
Correction: toward the end of the video I mentioned the 7mm-08 had killed thousands of elephants. This was a reference to the 7mm Mauser, its ballistic twin, not the 7mm-08.
You are of course referencing the famous or infamous white
Hunter Kara mojo Bell. He did
Kill a large number of Elephants
With ,7x57 Mauser. He was not
A sport hunter. He was paid
Government hunter. The game
Populations in his day made life
Difficult to impossible for native
Populations.
.
@@billbertagnoli4226they did the same thing to the American bison to starve the natives.
@@Sivyis333 not exactly. One
Rogue elephant is capable of
Destroying a village in a few
Minutes. Elephant hunting is
Legal and encouraging in
Some areas of Africa due to
Overpopulation. Hunter's pay
Sizable fees to the government
And all meat is consumed by
The local populace. I'm not
An Elephant hunter and believe
They should be protected when
Populations are threatened by
Poaching.
This is the cartridge I'm choosing to build my next hunting setup around this winter. I'm looking forward to putting more content out to the public, on my channel for the 7mm-08.
Awesome! I’ve watched some of your 6.8 Western content. Good stuff.
Fell in love with the cartridge the first time I shot it. For hunting, from 120's to 162's it's fantastic. Great video!
@@tyrelsimpson152 right on, thanks!
Great conversation thank you
Glad you enjoyed it
After my daughter got her 7mm-08 Rem, I am enjoying the load work ups. With that said, I never really had an application for it in my shooting. Especially since I had other cartridges to use. As life moves on, I find myself gravitating towards the 275 Rigby, the UK version of the 7x57 Mauser. Good luck, and stay safe!!! 😉😉😉
You as well!
I've never found a easier cartridge to reload. Large speed nodes with multiple powders, and bullet combos. Not particular about seating depth. I load for 2 6.5 cm and 2 7mm 08. The 7's were dialed in with minimal effort, much less load development than the CM's. Great all around cartridge.
"There are those that say a faster cartridge is better"
Me: Guilty as charged
😂
So for you it is, everyone is different.
Man I like both! I like my 30-06 with a 180 copper bullet going 2750 as much as I like my 270wsm with a 130 grain copper going 3200+!
Depending on your criteria, you're not wrong!
The 708 can be surprisingly fast at longer ranges. The Hornady ELDx 150 grain goes 2045 fps @ 500 yards with 1392 ft-lbs of energy. That’s only 80 fps slower than my 270 win at the same range with my chosen bullet in that caliber, the 136 grain Terminal Ascent. The 708 also has a tic more energy and a couple of inches less drop when those two factory loads are compared.
Definitely it’s my favorite cartridge.❤
@@8126926 awesome!
I bought a 7-08 this year to use out west for antelope and mule deer. It's my first experience with that cartridge and I'll tell ya, it's impressive. Mild recoil, fantastic velocity, components are easy to find and it's darn accurate. Yeah, the 7 mag is faster, but takes a near 40% increase in powder for a 9% increase in velocity. No thanks.
Well said!
For what I do, if I was just starting out and had a 7-08 it would be a great all around choice! I appreciate your objectivity in recognizing that almost all cartridges have a niche and you don't put down the other choices!
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Thanks for the excellent content , this week has been very enjoyable as I’m a 7mm-08 aficionado myself.
Not sure if you knew this , but the 7mm-08 actually began life south of the border down in Mexico as a “ long range “ steel silhouette target wildcat cartridge. It was highly revered for its ability to retain enough energy to knock down the steel silhouettes out past 500 yards and beyond , shoot flatter and less wind drift , less recoil and better accuracy than its parent .308 Winchester cartridge . Yep 👍 😉 this is where it all began .
It is my all time favorite short action cartridge superseding the .243 by a slight matter of preference for me due to its well balanced utility for hunting a wide variety of game as you stated ( coyotes to elk …and even moose ) in fact more moose have fallen to the 6.5x55 Swede in Europe than any other cartridge, and is still a very effective and widely used cartridge for moose hunting today in the European countryside where most folks only have one rifle to do it all . And I’d say the 7mm-08 is a better big game cartridge than the 6.5x55 Swede as it can lunch much heavier projectiles.
It has gained a great deal of popularity over the years and I’m happy to see it making a comeback , and flexing its muscles with new shooters as well .
There’s a lot like about it , and it absolutely is a great choice for those who can only afford one rifle / cartridge to take care of their hunting / target shooting needs .
My favorite all time long action cartridge is the .30-06 and my all time favorite magnum cartridge is the .300 WSM … although I have a great desire to get acquainted with the 6.8 Western which I think could surpass my favoritism for the .300 WSM as a favorite magnum , I’ve yet to get a rifle in my hands and try it out in the field on a hunt .
I didn’t know that, thanks. You have great taste in cartridges. I appreciate the comment!
30-06,300wsm🙌👊👏
Love the 08. Taken bear,whitetail and have taken coyotes at 300 plus yds. As you pointed out, a very versatile round.
Exactly! Thanks for commenting that!
The 7mm-08 is the answer to the question of what you need in terms of bullet weight and sectional density and adequate velocity. Basically it is a 7 X 57 Mauser with the record that WDM Bell used it for most of his elephant ivory collection to build his wealth.
@@jeffreylocke8808 I appreciate the comment
Your point is valid, 7/08 is very versatile...tunable. alot like the 30/06, 270, 308...its a family thing!😊 people love the .284 bullets.
Yep! Thanks
Good morning - excellent insights, and from my perspective, valid insights.
I'm an old man, 74, with lots of health issues. I still shoot, reload, and occasionally hunt, and I cannot think of a finer all-around cartridge than the 708. I limit my shots (while hunting) to 250 yards, and my Tikka T3x consistently shoots about .6 - .8 MOA at that distance with at least three separate loads - what is not to like? The largest game I hunt is Whitetails in Northern Missouri, so the gun and the distance limitation is near perfect for me in that environment. And - it loves 140 Accubonds and Varget powder.
Awesome! I appreciate it!
Yes its true that the 7mm Rem Mag is shooting a 150 grain bullet 300 ft per second faster than the 7mm-08 but the magnum is takung something like 41% more powder to get a 9%-10% increase in velocity. At normal hunting ranges a deer or elk isnt going to know the difference.
@@rogerf7265 well said!
On that point of balancing, comfortable to shoot. With accuracy. A guy that shoot a 243 more accurately, due to lack of recoil abuse. That man is more lethal, than the guy flinching at his big magnum.
I gave my son my 270 win when he moved out. I went to hunting with a 308win. I was wanting new rifle and was very close to getting 7mm08. But I got a new 270win just because I love it new it well for handloads. But I think the 708 is very good caliber and good rounded caliber.
Right on, I appreciate the comment.
I like it to the point I built an AR10 in it. With the longer than normal barrel (22" instead of the more common 16" for the AR10) it is on the hefty side (12lbs.) but the recoil is just about nonexistant.
Right on!
I’ve been thinking of doing the same. Is it a challenge to get the spring/buffer/gas system working right?
What specific barrel?
Great video as always! 7mm08 is my favorite cartridge. Several truckloads of white tails taken with it. My 6.5 Creedmoor is for targets and my 708 is for hunting!
@@jimanderson1154 I appreciate that!
Thank you for the thoughtful video.
708 is at the top of my list as well.
IMO 7mm-08 has been hamstrung by too slow a twist in production rifles.
Usually 1-9.5….and that’s a little slow to shoot the 150s and 160s accurately. I believe the heavier projectiles need 1-8 or 1-8.5 (which ruger is doing now in their gen2 American)
I ❤ 708 for deer w a 120gr Barnes TTSX. Very effective.
Thanks for watching!
Morning man!
Back in the day. (Probably remains) Mr. Whitetail: Larry Weishuhn, had called the 7/08 the perfect/ultimate whitetail cartridge. I dont think he was wrong.
@@cw2a morning! It’s on that short list for sure.
A lot of people say they like 7mm-08, but still underrated as evidenced by the fact that ammo costs more and is harder to find in stores than 243, 308, 30-06, ... (supply & demand).
It's a great cartridge for most US hunting situations.
@@m444ss agreed!
For now but more and more shooters hunters are starting to use the 7mm-08 supply and demand.
Remington did not put as much effort in the promotion of their 7mm-08 as Hornady did/does.
Same story for the RSAUM.....
I am 100% into the 7mm-08
Can you get ammo shipped to you? if so, midwayusa carries a plethora of 7mm-08 and you can stock up when they offer birthday/sale pricing. I count 28 different rounds available right now on their site. Im spoiled and live a few miles down the road from their distribution center so I drive to the front door and pick it up on demand
Nosler released a cheaper jacketed soft point round this year and Browning has released a polymer tip. Hopefully a sign that demand is picking up.
Great info; thanks.
You bet!
I have always liked this cartridge on paper. really enjoy watching this series
@@brianperiso674 thanks!
Since I own 6 rifles in 708 I guess you could say it is absolutely my favorite cartridge. My other favorites is 358win, 35rem, and fast becoming my second favorite is my 6.5prc. Darren
That’s awesome!
IMO - all of the cartridges based up the .308 are a great balance of power and recoil. It is why the 6.5CM became popular and why the 7-08 is a great cartridge.
I know the 6.5CM casecame from the TC, but it is essentially a modified 308 case. I picked it over the 7-08 soley b/c of ammo/component availability.
I agree!
My next two rifles will be a 7mm-08 and a 6.8 Western. I have and reload for the 270, 7mm rem mag and 308. I love each one of them so it only makes sense for my next adventure in reloading to go in that direction. One thing about the 7mm-08 is its efficiency. The same things that make the 308 so great are inherent in the 7mm-08. The interest in the 6.8 Western for me stems from the ability to shoot heavy .277 bullets. Prior to the introduction of the 6.8 I had considered getting a custom rifle made in .270 with a faster twist but the 6.8 solves the problem and I can just buy a factory rifle.
@@justinappling614 you have great taste in cartridges!
I feel like the 708 is having a slight resurgence as people are getting off the Creedmoor Kool-Aid. But the seven rim Mac is two steps up in power the real one to look into is the 280 Ackley
The 7s have never really interested me. I am in the camp of and still like the 6.5 creedmoor with a 127 LRX for lighter duty work. I like a 270 or 30-06 for heavier duty work.
Also, I think on game at reasonable hunting ranges, the 6.5 and 7 are essentially identical in terms of terminal bullet performance. I haven’t used the 7, but I have used the 308, and its performance is very similar to the 6.5, when using the lighter side of bullets in the 308.
@@phild9813 Not a challenge, just curious, but what would you consider to be a reasonable hunting range for a given animal with those cartridges? From what I have seen (not a big hunter myself, more a target shooter), 6.5 has a bit of a consistency issue even inside of 200 yards on things like whitetail deer so I'm curious what your experience and/or opinion on that is
For context, most of the consistency issue discussed is RARELY deer actually getting away, but more in the vein of "sometimes it drops em immediately, other times on near identical shots they get to run away and need to be tracked a bit"
I hunt/load/shoot 3 different cartridges; .280AI, 7-08, and 7SAUM. My favorite is the .280AI but when I’m whitetail hunting in the SE USA it’s awfully hard not to reach for my Browning X-Bolt in 7mm-08. I have 3 different loads for it; 120gr Hammer Hunter, 140gr Nosler BT, and the 150gr Barnes TTSX all ignited by Varget with Lapua brass and CCI 200 primers. You definitely made the right choice in the Tikka 7mm-08. Thanks for the series. Looking forward to your hunting results with the ‘08!
I appreciate it, thanks!
Do you like the 708 better than the 280AI and if so why. I think the 280 is on my short list and would like input from someone who has both. Thx in advance I appreciate your thoughts. I have thought about the 708 for a long time before I realized there was factory offerings in 280 ackley.
In New Zealand 7mm08 is used a lot. Great 300yd (+) deer rifle. Goes great in a light short bush rifle. Little more hunting punch than the creed- and no man bun required to operate
@@abbeybremner4162 great comment, I appreciate it!
Well said
Comparing the 7mm-08 to the 30/06 the 7mm shooting a 160 grain bullet and a 30/06 shooting a 180 grain are both going 2800 fps and both have the same sectional density so the 7mm-08 is a better 30/06 replacement than a 308 Winchester.
I just never cared for the .308.
Me 7mm08 and 7rem mag and 30-06 nothing else I need for sambar deer 🦌 😊
I agree, you’re good with those cartridges.
🙌👊👏
Never been around a 7mm 08. Never hunted with anyone that used one. I went from a 30 06 to a 7mm mag. Then down to a 280 Rem. Been happy with it. I am a big 7mm bullet fan. I thought about getting my wife a 7mm 08 rifle. So I can get my 280 back.
@@ozark_trapper I appreciate the comment
I love the 7mm-08
@@anthonyfairbanks2952 awesome!
I like your content..and your style Or presenting it.
Great Channel.
@@MIDNIGHTSUNALASKA I really appreciate that, thanks!
Good analogy. The whole debate over what’s “best” is a no win debate for anyone.
Everything is subjective to the needs, wants, personal preferences and personal bias of each individual. If I was looking for another rifle in the 7MM category it would be between the 7x57 Mauser and the 7MM-08. Currently I don’t have a 7mm of any flavour.
@@aberhan true, thanks for watching!
Big fan of all the.284 cartridges and the 7mm-08 is excellent, highly underrated!
Indeed it is!
One thing that makes me want it is its efficiency , economy, moderate recoil, ballistic performance, and the light weight compact firearms that are chambered for it. I wish I had got a model 7 Remington or Ruger international with the mannlicher gun stock back in the day. The subcompact Winchester feather weight looks good.
I agree!
I own at least a dozen & a half rifles from 30-06 down to 6 ARC and almost everything in between, but my favorite is the 7mm-08 & I actually have two rifles chambered in that cartridge. I also have a 6.5 PRC, two 6.5 Creedmoors, and 6.5 Grendel, but the 7mm-08 is the most versatile in fitting most of my specific uses in more better ways.
That’s cool, thanks!
So many great options to choose from. I have met hunters who will only hunt with a cartridge if they can get premium brass such as ADG, Lapua, Peterson, Alpha to load. Low and behold at the moment I typed this you mentioned Erik Cortina being on team Lapua. For hunting, I have put together loads using Starline, Winchester, Federal, Nosler, and Norma brass that are quarter minute and better but not often in cartridges such as 280 Rem and 270 Win.
My 4 Tikka sporter contour 7mm ACE barrels should arrive Wednesday. 1 will be for my first 708 build on a Tikka action. I'm also planning a tour of Peterson brass when I go pick up the 2 rifles that should be done soon as it's nearly on the way.
Awesome, let me know how you like those rifle setups.
I've also been hand loading for about a year and a half and I have gotten really good results out of the 150 Scirocco for my 708
Sweet!
I'm really enjoying your 7mm-08 series. I don't have one (yet) but I'm hoping to get one in the not too distant future. 🎯🎯
Thank you! I think you’ll be happy with it.
I think it's a better general purpose cartridge than the 308, it's a shame military adoption decided their relative popularities in the wrong direction, especially since .308 was quickly relegated to a role it was ill-suited to. Even 7mm is a little too much bullet for the short action DMR/sniper role, .257 or .264 are probably the ticket.
There's no distance too short, barrel too short, or animal so big, that I'd take a 308 but not a 7-08. So that's the sense in which I say 7-08 is better, not that 308 wouldn't be better in certain situations, but that it's advantages close-in are not, in the words of our recently departed friend, "enough of a difference to make a difference".
@@phillycheesetake 308 vs 7mm-08. Very hard to pick a winner. I appreciate your comment.
For me it all depends on the distance you’re shooting at. The further away your shots more velocity you need. The trade offer is gonna be recoil cost of ammunition, barrel, life, etc. But a few hunt where there are woods in your shots are 200 yards max there are zero need for anything larger than a short action. There are caveat to that depending on what you’re shooting deer game that statement I stand behind
I appreciate the comment
The 162 will have more drop at distance. So no, they are not the same but I get your point.
Either way, I’m grabbing the 7mm-08 every time over a 6.5 Creed. Just my preference.
Hi sir, it looks like your series on the 7mm-08 may be over, but I would love to see a video on the 90 grain Hammer Hunter in the 7mm-08. 😊 Their website is saying 3500 fps with this projectile in this cartridge!
@@MisterBrewer cool, I need to get some of those
Love the 7-08 bought one for my oldest son for his first rifle but my youngest sons first rifle will be the 6.5 prc more factory ammo and a little flatter
Right on!
🤠 I Was At The Sporting Goods Store and Ran Into My Former Teacher/Coach! He Has a 30-06, But Has Now Gravitated To The 7mm-08 For Elk Hunting! He is NOT the 1st Person to Tell Me That Either! 😯 Hummm... 🤔
Interesting
I still would rather have the old stand by favorite wait for it 270 win. Ron we all know what the others can do but after 60+ years of hunting reloading and collecting hundreds of rifles there is a reason old Jack choose the 270🙌👏👊
@edwardabrams4972 I Agree! It's Too Bad It Takes Most People 50 Years To Figure Out The "Right Balance" and "Real Value". All The Young Kids Want "The Fastest Hotrod", But That Comes at a Price. Older Folks Come To Appreciate Reliability, Consistancy, and Longevity. That Logic Applies To Cars, Rifles, and Women! 🤣
140 gr pill, 42 gr of varget. I load for 2 different rifles. Not a world beater, but exactly as you stated Jack of All Trades. It's a wonderful "1st centerline rifle" recoil kids can handle, bang steel with the creedmoors, and capable of taking all North America game at ethical distances.
@@patleddy6837 awesome!
Hi, just a consideration about lead mushrooms... Winchester made a study a few years back, took all the bullets made an shot them at different velocity's. Upon impact for lead mushrooming the best. Velocity at impact is 2400 to 2550 FPC. Faster impact decinigrates the lead, an slower impact velocity doesn't mushroom lead as well...
@@funnyfarm62 that’s interesting. There would have to be a difference between monolithic, bonded, and cup and core.
I swap to a 7085 years ago and it is awesome and I highly recommend it I have gotten some others that are Oddball it's just for fun but the 708 is very good!
My 7mm 08 hunting rig with a simple scope zeroed at 200 is in the vitals from 10m to 280m. Plenty of energy, light short rifle, low recoil
Sweet!
AND you can turn brass from .308 Winchester on down into 7mm-08 if things get really tough, with little effort.
That is true
A dream custom is a Savage 99 in 7mm-08....
Nice
This "little" cartridge should currently be the single most popular 7mm hunting cartridge today because of what it actually is and can do as opposed to what people imagine it is or think it can do. The average numbers it delivers have been well proven even before it showed up in the late 70s.
True
Very popular in Australia.
Flattens everything here.
120gr Vmax for kangaroo culling…OMG.
Awesome!
The barrel is a 22" Mcgowen precision. As for the gas system and buffer I'm just useing the stock 308 setup, no modifications
I love the,7mm/ 08. Unfortunately I am a six millimeter Freak. But if I only have to pick one cartridge. My heart is bent to the 45-70 😊 Truly that cartridge can do it all. And yes I do own a 7mm/ 08
@@joelclark2130 thanks for the comment
The 708 was wildcat for target shooting as you could get better bc projectiles compared to the 308 without having to shoot heavy 30 cal projectiles.
So IMHO unless you're chasing elk or something large it has many benefits. I have 7mm rem mag for throwing 168's and a 708 for 140's . The 708 handles everything in Australia except Camels and Buffalo for which i drag out the mag .Enjoyed the video and you spoke common sense. The benefits of the needmore are only for targets, at extended ranges where the needmore benefits from high bc it has NO power to kill animals, and you shouldn't be shooting game at those ranges .
Thank you for watching and commenting!
Need charts and graphs! 😊 to win your point!
@@rustyshackleford2723 I think my video is fine. But I appreciate the comment.
There's never been enough accuracy-based platforms for this cartridge. Every 708 rifle I've seen for decades has a standard profile barrel.
@@tacticalmattfoley true
The 708 and 280ai are pretty interesting to me. The 7mm is a sweet spot in cartridge diameter in imho.
@@Off-target-xy6bx I agree
I've got a rifle that needs a rebarrel. A 7mm-08 with a 8T would be interesting. 195 Bergers is what I'm thinking. Throated to fit the hybrid.
@@Eric--zs6um I believe 1 in 9 will stabilize those bullets. FYI
@@hopefulballistics thanks for the tip
I think it's a better balance of performance than it's parent cartridge
I appreciate that. That’s a tough one. They’re both so good.
*Tis Tis* 408 Cheytac is the besty bestests 😂
@@mot0rhe4d40 hmmmm
@@hopefulballistics Of course you can only chase the faster, bigger and better caliber so far. Then there is much game left at some point.
Seems like I never hear of folks saying “I just can’t get my 7-08 to group.”
True
Hunting: "What's the best cartridge" is a bad question because there is no such thing. It should be "What's the best cartridge for me". 300 yards is my ethical range, that it. There are a bunch of cartridges that will hit that range with 1000 ft-lbs and then some. And sighting for maximum point blank range at 6 inches eliminates the elevation guess-work. It's good for 1500 ft-lbs at that range for elk. The 7mm-08 is not the best. But it's plenty good enough (for me) without beating the snot out of me on recoil. At 70+ years of age, recoil becomes a very serious concern not to mention the weight of the rifle. "The best" is not absolute, not even for the individual. That changes with age. The 7mm-08 was "my best" for a long time but there is another I find myself migrating to as the years tick by and destroy my body. All I can suggest is, as you get older, you will discover a bunch of "the bests". Enjoy the ride.
Thanks for watching and commenting!
the 140 federal fusion a solid choice for elk?
Yeah I think it would be fine.
Fusion ammo is showing really good performance in recent testing. As an elk specific ammo/bullet I'm not sure. I suspect it's extreme expansion might limit its penetration on truly big animals.
It was just noticed and posted on Facebook Tikka 308 are now showing 1/10 and not 1/11 twist rate. I check the 708 and it’s now showing 1/9 where it used to be 1/9.5. What does yours show?
@@mr.mr.3301 1/9
7mm-08AI would be cool
I agree
I'd say 7mm rem mag
more velocity and kinetic energy for hunting big game
Thanks for watching
apples to apples would be a 6.5 cm to a 260 Remington
@@warrenporter302 that’s not the comparison I wanted to make
It's a great cartridge for ignorant people who have never heard of the 7x57 and the 6.5x55mm.
@@leoncolwin8645 here in the states its way more available than those cartridges. You can hardly find rifles chambered in those cartridges, and the ammo is harder to find. You might have known that, but I guess you were ignorant.
Way too long, way too much talking.
.270 is a proven awsome round, 7mm08 is basically a short avtion .270. See, everything you need to know lol
This is a discussion video similar to a podcast. I’ll make the video exactly the way I want, you can watch or not.
@@hopefulballistics🤔😳🤣
🕵♂️ Revisiting An Earlier Discussion I Had With You Previously - My Favorite Designed "Main Stream" (Sammi Approved) and "Readily Available" Cartridges For Hunting Antlered/Horned North American Big Game Species (Crediting The Origional Parent Case and Not Any "Offspring"): 1) 30-06 2) 308 3) 6.8 Western (You've Convinced Me) 4) 300 wsm 5) Still Undecided (Losts of Good Choices Though)! 🥳
🧐 I've Used Similar Logic, Switching Over From The 30-06 To The 270 Winchester!
Good choices!
@@hopefulballistics I Meant To Post This Comment Swiching From The 30-06 To The 270! Eric Cortina Say That His Favorite 2 Hunting Cartridges Have Been The 7mm-08 and 280AI! 🥳
@@ronlowney4700 two good choices