7mm-08 or 308

[PA BEN]

Well, I just don't think there's much difference in recoil between the 7/08 with a 140 grain bullet and a 308 with a 150 grain bullet. They both use the same case, with the same amount of powder, so the recoil should be so close I don't think a person could tell the difference.

Have you ever shot a 7mm-08? So, with what you said, a 243 should kick like a 308 because it uses a 308 case. Look at the diameter of a 30 cal. bullet and the diameter of a 7mm cal. bullet. Next time you drive down the road stick your hand out the window, open your hand then close it. It weighs the same but when you make your hand bigger theres more resistance, hence more recoil.

[bobcat]

I don't think you understand how recoil works. It's determined by the weight of the bullet, the velocity of the bullet, and the weight of the powder. NOT the diameter of the bullet.

Or try this:  http://www.beartoothbullets.com/rescources/calculators/php/recoil.htm

[PA BEN]

All I can say is, shoot a 150 gr  factory load out of my heavy semi auto 308 and shoot a 150 gr factory load out of my youth 7mm-08. You will feel the difference.

[yorketransport]

I've never owned a 7mm-08, but I plan to in the nea future. I looks like such a great caliber. One of the neat things about the Marlin XS7 is that barrel swaps are relatively easy, like on a Savage. So if you don't like the caliber you initially choose you can just switch barrels. Good luck with your choice.

Andrew

[PA BEN]

Here's a quoit out of my NOSLER book. By Payton Miller. He needed a hunting gun for his 16 yr old son. "So I bought him a Remington Model Seven Stainless in 7mm-08. With it we took several hogs using 140-grain Noslers, which clocked around 2,700 fps and change from the Model Seven's 20-inch barrel. The 7mm-08 then, as now , struck me as the perfect "California cartridge," able to handle anything in California. So, of course, could the .308, but the slightly higher velocity potential and flatter trajectory_not to mention the reduced recoil_gave the .284 bore size a special appeal. Not a small consideration considering my son's size at the time."

[bobcat]

PA BEN,

Well I guess it's me you're trying to prove wrong with that quote.

You know, I never said the 7/08 wasn't a good cartridge and that it doesn't have a slight advantage over the 308 with its flatter trajectory and less recoil. I just like to always point out to people that the advantages that are claimed for it aren't as great as many make them out to be. I would bet that if you had one of each in an identical rifle you would not be able to tell the difference in recoil, if you were using similar bullet weights.

You're talking here about a cartridge for someone who is a new hunter and inexperienced. They are likely not going to take a shot longer than let's say 250 yards. Well out to that range there will not be any noticeable difference in trajectory between the 7/08 and the 308, or even the 270. See, in my mind the 308 is just as good as the 7/08 in a practical sense, with the benefit of cheap and more readily available ammo. I am sure you can buy decent 308 ammo for $15/box. I don't know what 7/08 would be but I would guess it might be hard to find it for less than $30/box.

So as has already been said by some in this thread, I feel the 7/08 is great for someone who reloads, but if not a reloader I feel they should definitely consider the 308 instead. Or, the 270, which if the shooter is really recoil sensitive, you can buy the "reduced recoil" loads that are available with a 115 grain bullet. Actually I believe the 308 also has these reduced recoil loads as an option.

[PA BEN]

Well I guess it's me you're trying to prove wrong with that quote.
I'm not trying to prove anybody wrong. Everbody is thrying to sell this guy on 308's and 270's. I've owned and hunted with my 308 for over 30 years. Matter of fact most of the hunters arround shot 30-06's. My girls shot my semi auto, BTW, recoil is less with a semi auto and it's a very heavy gun. I purchased a 243  win. mod 70 youth and a 7mm-08 win. mod 70 youth. Had the 7mm-08 for 20 yrs. Never had a problem finding factory amo for it. And the kids love shooting it. The question by this man was he's looking for a gun, 308 or 7mm-08 for his girl friend. BTW, my good hunting buddy baught the same youth mod 70 in 308 for his wife. Kicks the crap out of her.

[bobcat]

Hmm...that's weird that it would kick that much more. It might have to do with the load that he's having her shoot too. I don't know. If you shoot a 180 grain out of a 308 then of course it's going to kick more. I don't know, I just go by the numbers. They shouldn't be that much different. I have never shot a 7/08 but have shot a 308. And I mainly hunt with a 270. I guess if recoil was that much of a concern I wouldn't even be looking at the 7/08. I'd be looking at the 243 or the 260.

[Jamieb]

I'd buy this rifle again.
Rem 700 mountain guide in 7mm-08, leupold 3.5x10/M1's in Taley low LW rings. Shooting 120gr nosler balistic tips at 3000fps with little recoil. It's my backpacking/deer/bear rifle.

[Buckblaster]

Lets just say, sometimes it just boils down to each with their own preference. Period!

[gunnarnewt]

    I own a 308 and I bout the 7-08 for my daughter. Needless to say I'll never shoot the 308 again. That little 7 is a great gun for plinking, and is great for kids and girls. Almost zero recoil.

[addicted]

the best advice is to get both.

[shag]

Kids and girls?  hardly.  great for every hunter alive from the biggest to smallest. 

7mm-08 is one mean killing machine.

[308ME]

I shoot a 308 marlin express and i'm very happy with it. if you have never shot a lever action rifle I would look into it just a thought.   

[MountainWalk]

308,, better and more bullet choices, and more frontal area. Both are fine though.