308 vs 7-08 (or other options)

[WhiteRubi]

Hey folks looking for some input. About a year ago I got a great deal on a R700 in 7-08. I bought it with the intention of building a short barreled rifle . its been sitting for a while and I'm thinking its time to start building it. I want something in the 16-18" barrel range. That said, what caliber would you do for general hunting (whitetail deer, pronghorn, etc) as well as plinking? I've already got a custom built 24" proof barreled 6.5 creedmoor that great but with the Razor HD II I want something lighter and a different caliber. So fire away, what would you do and why?

 

[cjl2010]

Factory ammo or reloading?

 

[WhiteRubi]

Factory ammo or reloading?

reloads

 

[Canhunter35]

7 saw
7-08ai

 

[Jud96]

What ranges do you plan on shooting with it?

 

[WhiteRubi]

What ranges do you plan on shooting with it?

I'd say hunting will be under 500 (max). banging steel, I don't really care

 

[WhiteRubi]

7 saw
7-08ai

what does the 7 SAW do in 16-18" barrel that the others won't do?

 

[Canhunter35]

what does the 7 SAW do in 16-18" barrel that the others won't do?

Lol probably nothing but I would choose the one by how you want to fireform cases.
I'm still a bit of a 308 guy so in a short barrel I'd probably just go with a standard 308

 

[WhiteRubi]

Lol probably nothing but I would choose the one by how you want to fireform cases.
I'm still a bit of a 308 guy so in a short barrel I'd probably just go with a standard 308

I loike the idea of NOT fireforming cases and buying off the shelf ammo if I have to. I'm not opposed to buying some more exotic brass, foreforming, etc if I have to get achieve the goal but I'd rather not. I guess I've always leaned towards the 16-18" 308 because its a little more proven. Just throwing some feelers out to see what others have done

 

[Jud96]

For your range and barrel length, I think the good old .308 is hard to beat. The 7mm-08 is also a good choice. It seems the .308 works better in shorter barrels than other similar cartridges.

 

[Canhunter35]

With a max of 500 I think a 308 or 7-08 should serve. Why not cut the existing barrel down and try it

 

[WhiteRubi]

With a max of 500 I think a 308 or 7-08 should serve. Why not cut the existing barrel down and try it

because I can't leave well enough alone. HAHA. in all seriousness its a VERY cheap 700 ADL I bought brand new for $260 for nothing more than a donor action. I never had intentions of leaving it as is.

SO all that said what would you guys do barrel twist and bullet combo for 308 or 7-08?

 

[Jud96]

For a .308, I would do a 10 twist. The shorter the barrel, and slower the velocities, the more twist you need to stabilize bullets. I would run 168-185s in the .308 and call it good. For the 7mm-08, I would do a 9 twist and shoot 160-168s in it.

The 180 Berger Elite Hunter for the .308 has a BC of .576 and is an awesome mid weight .30cal bullet. If you go 7mm-08, I would try the 162gr ELDs or 168gr Berger VLDs.

 

[Canhunter35]

I agree 10 twist for 308
I use 168 eldm for hunting.
For targets and plinking I would try the 200.20x