Decisions - Choosing between 7-08 or 308

There is a very nice range(1000 yard) down the road a bit from you at WTO in Brownfield. Not sure what if any use fee, but owner is a very competent 'smith, and all around good guy
 
Thanks everyone... Still lots to consider. Going to have to run some more figures on the projectiles that I'm thinking of running. My shorty 308 and other barrel is 1/10 twist, so running those using the 168s will already be easy to do...

But yes, to affirm, I am thinking 16-18" barrel carbon fiber, either 308 or 7/08. The "heavy" 7mm projectiles I was thinking was into the 150-160, as i'm not sure that the 170s would benefit me at mag length... The Hammers I was looking at would be the 145gr, using the fast twist barrel from X-Caliber... that "should" be equivalent to roughly the 165TGK that Sierra has put out. If that's the case, then comparatively I'd be looking at the 308 in 175gr or higher for the 308 with respective BC and bullet length. I may be slightly off base there, but the intention would be the same.

I was opting for the heavier end of the spectrum to try and get as close to the G7of these projectiles, but I know I'm pushing the envelope a little. If I look over the last 40 or so replies, I'm thinking of maybe just staying in that 140gr range of .284 projectiles, and just focus on the higher BC ones out of that sample size.

My range is limited just mostly to practicality, and yes, there is a nice range in Brownfield. It's a little costly, and my time would be limited to only on Saturdays. Just not economical sense for me yet. If I lived a little further that direction, it might make it more worth it, but it's about a 40 minute drive from my door step.
 
Only going out to 400 yards, just go 308. At "long range" say 600 and moreso 1000, 7mm would pull ahead w less wind drift (w right bullets of course). Not huge difference tho, and 308 is just going to hit harder, esp out to 400 yards. Bigger heavier bullet, and close up enough a smaller bullet w better bc hasnt had time to pull ahead yet... differences would be bigger if you were talking 6.5 variant vs 308...

Ballistically either one would do fine for what you want, no huge difference. Real world availability of parts, components, 308 pulls way ahead. Decently popular round (7-08) vs one of the worlds most popular calibers (308)

Oh yeah, just looked up nilgai hunting, sounds like they can be tougher than elk to put down?? Id definitely go with 308 in that case. Bigger heavier bullets just kill better, as long as you can keep them at a reasonable speed (and 308 can out to 400 yards).
 
My son-in-law uses his .308 bolt gun on Nilgai and hasn't lost one yet. He shoots hog and deer with .223. Sometimes he'll use the .308 on deer. It just depends on what's with him at the time.
 
I'm a Texas and Oklahoma pig hunter AR man! :) Barrel length is free Horse Power. My two builds are 20 and 24 inch SS fluted barrels. The 24 inch is non threaded. I load to full on 60,000 psi. 308 win. Don't build some phoney 308 service rifle pressure AR. 30 cal rounds are cheaper to shoot than 7 mm. I've tested all kinds of rounds on hogs.

It's no problem getting 125 TNT varmint hollow point rounds going 3100 out of a 20 inch and 3200 out of 24 inches. They just take out pigs without having squealers that you have to shoot twice. Heart lung at any angle. I'm big on getting two pigs with one round when they are side by side.

150 FMJ are cheap plinking rounds. Or there are nice 150 and 168. In the military I used 173 gr out of 308 tactical bolt guns and m-14's.

You didn't ask, but the 260 remington or 260 AI are just wonderful calibers in this day of the 6.5mm rage and can take on any 65 creed. I just run 308 range pickup through a full length resizer and trim to length.

I used to get these 500 rounds for 1/2 of the modern price. I've gone through 1000's


Fixed rifle stock and 8X32 60mm for low light shooting. I use Laser illuminators for night hunting.

24 inch.jpg
 
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