7mm-08 For Youth Deer

[3boys]

I am looking for a versatile gun for my son for his upcoming deer hunt. I don't know much about the 7mm-08 but a couple of dealers said it would be fine for a youth when it comes to kick and stopping power for a deer. Any thoughts?

[robodad]

I think it would be fine, sort of a cross between a .243 and a .308  I had to use a break action 20 guage with slugs when I grew up, can't be any worse then that !!

[bobcat]

That's a great cartridge but if it were me I'd get either a 243 or a 308.  Ammo is just more available and much cheaper. That's about the only real reason, but the 7/08 has no advantage over either the 243 or 308 when it comes to deer. If you think your son may ever use that same rifle for bigger game like elk then go with the 308. The 308 just can't be beat for versatility and the availability of a good variety of low priced ammo.

[1arrowfromhotstreak]

This is a great gun for deer for youth or an adult.  I use if over my 300 rem ultra mag.  Light weight, very accurate with little to no recoil.  140 grain bullet at 2800 feet per second.  Can not beat that.  I would choose the 7mm-08 over a 270 win for the ease of shooting and the accuracy. The 7mm is a great caliber for deer.

[GEARHEAD]

That 7mm-08, is a great cartridge, ya can't go wrong with it. i've taken 8 deer with mine (rem 700). i added  a bdc dial to my scope for the round i use, (factory 140gr 3000fps) Hornady, and almost no recoil.  i hunt pretty open areas and have taken deer as far as 306, 321, 402 and 456 yards with it. i absolutely love it.
i worry that a .308, as versitile as it is,and it really is a tried a proven round, may pack abit of a punchrecoil. With that 7mm-08, ya can watch the bullet smack the target, with that gentle recoil.

[bobcat]

The 308 with a 150 grain bullet has very mild recoil and shoots plenty flat for shots out well past 300 yards. Not saying there's anything wrong with the 7/08, just that the 308 is not inferior to the 7/08 as many people seem to think.

[MountainWalk]

the 7 ought eight is fine, but those other folks are right, the 308 is better ie more usefull.
those kids dont stay small for long

[cohoho]

My kids used a .243 for almost everything including Moose, one shoots a .308 now and likes it alot better, he isn't a big kid either for a just turned 15.  Got a couple friends that got the 7-08 for their kids but then sold them when they got a bit bigger???  Personal preference is what should be considered cause either are good light/mid weight calibers for anything in this state.....  I know the only gun I'll carry within Washington is my .308.... for my hunting style and preference...

[Gutpile]

I would not hesitate on the 7mm-08. It would be a great deer cartridge for an adult or youth. With the bullets available today it'd be fine for anything up to and including moose. 7mm is .284" in diameter which is only .024" smaller than a .308 winny.

I think a kid should get a low recoiling rifle to start with and the 7mm-08 would be a great choice. I bought my daughter a .260 only because I thought it'd kick less than a 7mm-08. Thats a great cartridge too but ammo selection is poor.

Frankly I'm a little surprised at the negativity about the 7mm-08 on this thread. It'd be a great choice. Flat, fast, powerfull, with a modest recoil.

[shag]

The 7-08 is a killing machine!!!!  Piled up over a dozen deer for my son and I.    140 partitions is what we use.   If you handload  a good choice would be 120 TSX's at 3000fps.   I'm currently looking for another one.    Hopefully my son will get his first elk this year with his.   The 7-08 is the real deal.   Has taken deer as eaisily as any I've shot with an -06 and possiblely better.   The only problem with buying one is that you'll probably end up getting one for yourself also!!!    I'm after a Kimber Montana in 7-08!   Weights less than 5 and a half pds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MountainWalk]

i wouldnt say a 7'08 is a bad round.. but it cannot shoot 180 or heavier bullets. lotta places dont carry the seven.. if i were to pick a seven for a person scared of kick,, i would take a 7x57 any day over the 08.  i think folks worry too much about kick. they make kick pads for that.

[Vek]

If I were starting from scratch and building a lightweight, short action rifle, 7-08 would be a top contender.  it's not just a "youth gun". 

Some rounds aren't too comfortable to touch off in a sub-6.5lb rifle.  My 6.25-lb 30-06 is right at the limit. 

Choosing an adequate deer/elk chambering (270/280/260/7-08/7x57/30-06/308) that you can practice with for cheap (narrows down to 308 or 30-06, if you don't handload) is substantially more important than buying a 300WSM/300RUM/300WM/7mmRM/loudenboomers but not being able to afford practice ammo...

[Curly]

i wouldnt say a 7'08 is a bad round.. but it cannot shoot 180 or heavier bullets.

These days a guy doesn't have to go with 180 gr or heavier bullets, even for elk.  I wouldn't be afraid to hunt elk, moose, or black bear with a 7-08.  I'd just load it up with 140 gr Barnes TSX.  Lets say you use a 180gr Nosler PT or similar and you can get 70% weight retention; .7 x 180 = 126........at 95% or so retention of the 140gr TSX you're looking at more retention of the 140gr vs. the 180gr.  And a 140gr bullet will kick you less than a 180gr, therefore a guy could use lighter bullet if he's wanted less recoil as long as he uses some of the newer bullets that retain their weight.

[MountainWalk]

i dont think the 180's kick that much to begin with.       if your dead set on getting a 7mm08, do it. i myself wouldnt have either one really..

true, he doesnt have to shoot 180's.  but the 308 bore is infinitly more adaptable-125's,150's,165's,168's,180's and 200's.  and im afraid i would take a nosler partition anyday over the barnes. dont think the barnes is a bad bullet.

[cabin308]

The 7mm-08 should be a very nice gun for your youngsters to cut their deer hunting teeth on.  Managable recoil, good ballistics, light weight.  With proper shot placement and adequate bullets it should be fine for short- to medium-range elk, too.
IMHO I agree with bobcat, I'd get a 308 Win and start with lower recoil loads like Remington makes or handload if it's an option. 

That's a great cartridge but if it were me I'd get either a 243 or a 308.  Ammo is just more available and much cheaper. That's about the only real reason, but the 7/08 has no advantage over either the 243 or 308 when it comes to deer. If you think your son may ever use that same rifle for bigger game like elk then go with the 308. The 308 just can't be beat for versatility and the availability of a good variety of low priced ammo.

I shot my first deer at 12y.o. with my Dad's handloaded 150gr 308 at 30-30 velocity and a recoil pad.  Still shoot 308 to this day with full house loads, even got my first elk with it.  Plus you can find the ammo at almost every small town gun shop.  That's a big factor for me is availability to find the load should you forget to pack it.   
It is a personal preference for the caliber but think about adding a good recoil pad, helps big time. 
  Sims makes a great one, I use it on a very lite weight 300WSM.  It gives very little felt recoil for the amount of BOOM that thing makes.  No I'm not a Sims dealer, just think they make a great product.