Decisions - Choosing between 7-08 or 308

[436]

Neither is a bad pick I've used both over the years, with that said I find myself in the end always gravitating back to the .308 Win... just my 0.2 Cheers

 

[VinceMule]

~30% less bullet drop and wind deflection with the 7/08 with the right bullets, coming from a huge 308 fan.

Barrel life on a 308 is approx 5000 rounds, 7/08 is approx 3000-3500, depending on what you call accurate.

A 6.5 on a 308 case would trump the 7 and 30 but would have lower barrel life(same powder charge in a smaller bore), which would also apply to a 25 caliber even more.

Trial and error will determine a "Happy Place" for your wants and needs. Remember, impact velocity matters.

 

[Jim’s Hunt]

7-08 better ballistics with the same weight of bullet

 

[Jim’s Hunt]

~30% less bullet drop and wind deflection with the 7/08 with the right bullets, coming from a huge 308 fan.

Barrel life on a 308 is approx 5000 rounds, 7/08 is approx 3000-3500, depending on what you call accurate.

A 6.5 on a 308 case would trump the 7 and 30 but would have lower barrel life(same powder charge in a smaller bore), which would also apply to a 25 caliber even more.

Trial and error will determine a "Happy Place" for your wants and needs. Remember, impact velocity matters.

Why not a 277-08 or Fury

 

[hseII]

So.... Recently built my 22Creedmoor ... but i have the itch to build an upper for it.

Then Proof Research just sent some 1/8 twist CF barrels to their Texas distributor (I'm a newsletter recipient). I had previously been thinking of a larger bore caliber to use for OK/NM/TX elk, mule deer, and for nilgai hunting in South Texas.

I have an older 308 barrel in my bin of parts, which is 18" in length. But I could just build a Pistol for a parts bin shorty barrel, which is a 12.5" 308 barrel... I was talking with a friend who built a 20" 7mm08 that he uses for pig killing in Central Texas as well, and he got me to thinking maybe I just leave the shorty 308, and do a 7mm-08 instead....

So here I am... trying to figure out, which might be the best option. the 8 twist 308 will be capable of shooting subs, but also 170-180gr mag length 308 loads, including the new Hammers. If I decided to go the 7mm-08 route, I was going to have to purchase a special order 7-08 barrel from XCaliber in carbon fiber, and would opt for the faster twist as well. The cost of the X-Caliber and that of the Proof is marginally the same. The biggest question, to me at least, is which would be the most ideal to shoot.

Which would you pick, if you were using a gas gun for the above scenarios? Longest ranges would be on the Elk and Mule Deer populations 300-400 yards is my most comfortable range currently due to the lack of areas for me to practice easily or affordably. Our south Texas Nilgai are generally within 150 yards. No subsonic shooting at all, just true brute terminal ballistics with heavier projectiles.

And.... if you were to choose one over the other, what would you think might be the ideal bullet weight to load up for it?

Honestly curious what others opinions are for this scenario.

Hornady offers the 7mm-08 loaded ammunition with the150 ELDX.

But you just leave that & the 7mm-08 components on the shelves at those LGS & buy the 308 stuff that sits right beside the 7mm-08.

You'll have a more popular choice in 308 but with a less efficient setup.

You leave that 7mm-08 SRP Aplha Brass at Blue Collar alone too- you don't need no metricing mess to muddle up your American 30 cal collection.

308 is more popular because it's been better supported than the 7mm-08.

More Prevalent doesn't equate to Superior.

 

[hseII]

Why not a 277-08 or Fury

Other than just being completely custom or Bougie, there's no advantage to a 6.8 based 308 except for more limiting in bullet choices.

 

[xsn10s]

I just bought a 7-08 Howa Superlite. But if I was building an AR10 I'd build it 308 Win, especially for hunting 300-400 yards max. AR10's in 308 Win have been reliable feeders and not finicky. Some of the 6.5 CM in AR10s have had issues. I haven't heard of issues with 7-08 in AR10s, but I haven't heard much of anything about them in AR10s. So I'd go with a 308 Win, it's a known killer of deer and elk with the right loads.

 

[wild_musk]

Also, unlike bolt rifles…Altering bullet weights to have light fast 120-130's can definitely affect the gas operation.
My S&W M&P10 tells me so.

Yes, everything he asked about would have to be tuned. I didn't have issues with any of mine with 130g, but I think the 12.5" barrel would.

 

[rcg5076]

I own both 7mm-08 and 308. Go with 7mm-08. I shoot a X-Caliber 18 inch barrel and it is very accurate. Love the 7mm-08 better than the 308win.

 

[UCzO___]

7mm-08 (1:8" twist) all the way. I have 2 bolts and an AR-10. It is a great cartridge if you reload, but factory ammo neuters it.

 

[Roughrice]

Yes, everything he asked about would have to be tuned. I didn't have issues with any of mine with 130g, but I think the 12.5" barrel would.

You are right.
I'd definitly NOT do a 12.5 pistol 308 or 7mm-08!
I CAN tell you how unpleasant and inaccurate that is.
OP did say he had an 18" which is what I would use being he wants to shoot to 300-400.

 

[JAYgs8163]

He says he saving the 308 barrel he currently has to build a pistol at a later date and is going to by a Proof for the 308 or X-Caliber for the 7-08.

 

[wild_musk]

He says he saving the 308 barrel he currently has to build a pistol at a later date and is going to by a Proof for the 308 or X-Caliber for the 7-08.

Ok, now things make better sense. RTFQ, sorry...

 

[Caulder]

Vote for 308 here. Built a shorty 308 mostly for kicks and now it's all I use out to 400 yards.