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7mm.08 vs .308 for deer

dantheman
I am STILL trying to decide on a caliber for whitetail deer in md/pa.
I thought i had it nailed down to the 7mm.08 until i started looking at local shops for ammo. The selection wasn't spectacular. How does the .308 compare to it? recoil wise? etc. ? I've been pouring over the ballistic charts ad nauseum and they seem pretty close 140 gr (7mm) vs 150 gr (308). I do like the selection of .308 ammo and price from what i'm seeing, but it seems so many people like the 7mm. Since sniper rifles use the .308 I'm assuming its a pretty accurate round. How do the two compare?? thanks again. p.s. I selling my 30.06 because it doesnt shoot well and i dont like the recoil so dont suggest the .06 please.
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11 comments

Date Votes
  • gskyhawk
    having owned and shot deer with both cartridges, I can say from what I have personally see the 308 does a little better job than the 7mm-08, but its really not much difference and I really don't think you could ever shoot enough deer to say for sure which is the better deer cartridge. having said that the 308 has more felt recoil than the 7mm-08 does in my guns any way, and if your buy ammo off the store selves them you will find the 308 has a lot larger selection and is cheaper. chances are if the recoil of your 30-06 is too much them the recoil from the 308 will be too. go with the 7mm-08 and try Hornaday 139 spire point bullets, darn good round, good luck
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  • JustC
    your splitting hairs with these two. I like the 7mm-08 and the 308, so either would be fine with me. They are both VERY accurate cartridges by design. Ford or chevy,...pick one and don't look back.

    The 308 surplus ammo is cheap, but why shoot surplus ammo in your hunting gun? Your not going to hunt with it, so that's not even a consideration. JMHO

    I'm a man,....but I can change,.....If I have to,......I guess.
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  • dantheman
    any more comments?
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  • I.Shute
    There IS no felt recoil when shooting at animals.
    Adrenalin rush takes care of that.
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  • Pelican
    With proper bullet placement - the deer won't know the difference
    The Almighty Himself Entrusted the Future of All Living Creatures to a Wooden Boat. The ARK was built by a lone amateur. The Titanic was built by a group of professionals "Audemus jura nostra defendere"
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  • 22WRF
    Not nickles worth of difference, but if you want a bigger selection of factory loads condsider 30/06 it makes them just as dead

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  • Nighthawk
    I like the.308 best mainly because you can hunt Elk with it as well.Most guides will tell you not to use anything under .308.Its also a good varmit gun as is the 7mm-08.


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  • Sunray
    .30-06 and the .308 are virtually identical ballistically. The only difference is the 06 can use heavier bullets. As to the 08, it's a matter of finding ammo, if you don't reload. If you get out to Upperrubberboot to hunt and find your ammo isn't with you, you wil be able to get some .308 in any place that sells ammo. Likely not with the 08.
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  • clays
    I've not seen any mention of rifle weights, as this is a very determining factor of felt recoil. I once owned a winchester feather weight in .308. The recoil was so punishing I was never able to zero a scope & sold it. I now have a browning A-bolt in 7-08 & nothing could make me part with it. As for the ammunition availability, I purchased a case (10) boxes from a mail order dealer & expect that will last me a life time for this rifle. Just my opinions
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  • aglore
    Not a deer in North America could tell you the difference between either one of these 2 with the right bullet in the right place. And I'm speaking of Moose on down to the smallest deer in North America.

    AlleninAlaska

    http://www.outdoor-o-rama.com

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  • martzkj@msn.com
    Hi, I live in central PA. hunted here all my life with my dad. My dad, in his older years decided he didn't like the recoil of his 30-06 after 30 years of hunting with it. Tried several cal. and decided on the 7mm08. He liked the way it shot and the recoil. He's taken several deer with it and never a problem. He has the Remington 700 that was made a few years ago with the synthetic stock and the camo finish.
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