Effective Range 7mm-08 & 6.5 CM

[Bravo 4]

Whatever the range equaled to that it met the minimum performance I expected.
Think about it like this. The 7mm-08 will shoot the same bullets as a 7mm RemMag, just not quite as fast. If you'd shoot an animal at further ranges with the RemMag, why wouldn't you shoot one at closer ranges with the smaller case?
Just an example:
If the bigger case will send out a 160 Accubond at 3050 fps (Nosler load data), I may set the range limit to 800 yards at the altitudes I hunt elk. The 7mm-08 will send that same bullet out at 2750 (again Nosler data), it will have the same velocity/energy at 600 yards as the 7mm Mag load did at 800. If it's the same performance at that shorter range, then why wouldn't I use it and why would I expect a different outcome?

 

[Orange Dust]

Whatever the range equaled to that it met the minimum performance I expected.
Think about it like this. The 7mm-08 will shoot the same bullets as a 7mm RemMag, just not quite as fast. If you'd shoot an animal at further ranges with the RemMag, why wouldn't you shoot one at closer ranges with the smaller case?
Just an example:
If the bigger case will send out a 160 Accubond at 3050 fps (Nosler load data), I may set the range limit to 800 yards at the altitudes I hunt elk. The 7mm-08 will send that same bullet out at 2750 (again Nosler data), it will have the same velocity/energy at 600 yards as the 7mm Mag load did at 800. If it's the same performance at that shorter range, then why wouldn't I use it and why would I expect a different outcome?

Exactly. The 7MM-08 is another cartridge that just doesn't get the respect it should get. Seems like it is a lost stepchild to the new 6.5's. All marketing BS. It is one of the best whitetail cartridges ever invented, and is fine for Elk, just loses a couple hundred yards of range. If I still had mine and wanted to take it Elk hunting I would work up a load with the 150gr ABLR pushing 2900 and be well armed.

 

[seattleman1969]

My max effective range is 4-500 regardless of the cartridge, under real world conditions more like 3-400. The 7-08 can do that easily...

 

[Ernie]

I killed Elk & what-not with 7mm-08 & 6.5CM. Never a problem, but all were within 200 yards.

What is the effective longest range you would hunt with a 7mm-08 & 6.5 CM ?

I'm looking for 400 yards, maybe 500 yards, what do you think ?

540 yards is the longest I have killed a bull in 7mm with the performance level of the 7-08.
As has been said already, look at the minimum impact velocities for the bullets you use. Work within the bullets design and your capability at that moment with the field conditions you have.

 

[Gater]

As a rule of thumb I use 2000fps and 1500fpe for elk. You can kill them with a good deal less, though.

Using handloads, I killed a pile of elk with a 160g Speer Grand Slam load at 2857fps (slow 7mm RM). Took me 20+ years to recover one and that one wrecked both shoulder joints of a nice bull. When we removed the hide it was peeking out of the bone.

Killed my last one with the same load at 411 yards, a 6x5 bull, 4 steps and down.

I shot a 5x5 bull three times with a 7mm mag and he just stood there after the first two didn't take step the third one hit him in the spine then he went down I have two of the bullets 175 grr game kings both where kill shots at about 300 yds that gun is now a .300 mag

 

[Sledhead406]

I limit both the 6.5CM and the 7mm08 to roughly 500 yards on big game. All my rounds are hand loads, and always heavy for caliber. Bullet choice is paramount with both. I knocked down a bull elk with the 6.5CM last year (330yds) and a couple before that with the 7mm08 (~150yds, and 375yds) . While all were one shot kills, and both cartridges are capable, I personally went back to 7mm08.

 

[bigtuna431]

All of the above ballistic info is good for load limitations, but the one thing that's missing is personal ability... One shot..One kill... What's the longest distance you can effectively place a round in a 6" kill radius... every time... That will be your effective personal limitation.. Some shooters can achieve that to the limitations of the load, others need closer distances. My 2¢

 

[Clem Bronkoski]

Here we go!

I'm not even going to respond to this thread but I do like reading what others have to say. I have my own opinion but I refuse to opt in.

 

[Antarcticchamp]

I killed Elk & what-not with 7mm-08 & 6.5CM. Never a problem, but all were within 200 yards.

What is the effective longest range you would hunt with a 7mm-08 & 6.5 CM ?

I'm looking for 400 yards, maybe 500 yards, what do you think ?

For bull elk? 300 for either.

For deer? 450 for 7-08 and 500 for the creed. If 7-08 is a 150gr 500 for both

 

[frankinaustin]

I'll be totting my 22" 708 with Hand loaded 160 NAB leaving at 2723 FPS (SD 11). I think it's 46.8 of big game. I shot .6MOA sitting next to a dude slamming out a braked 338 something. I figure if I can breath and calmly squeeze I can get better groups. The ballistics calculator indicates I'm over 1500 ft lbs out to 450.

If I can see an elk and he's 450 yards AND I can get on my belly w bipod and rear bag then I may put one thru his neck. But that's the thing: seems when I hunt I only see animals when I'm stuck in 5' of high grass.

 

[Slick8]

Some good info above. First off we're assuming you have the ability to place the shot in real world conditions.

I ran some quick numbers using 6.5 140 berger at 2750 at 5000 feet, you're choices don't have the bc so this is just an example. That combo his 2000 fps at 650 yards but tapped out at 1500 pounds of energy at 475. I know most including myself believe velocity is more important than energy as it's key to expansion but imo, you're shooting the minimum sized rounds that one should consider to hunt elk with. Not a place to push the limits.

I agree with the above, while most manufacturers say 1800 minimum impact velocity and some as low as 1300 I want to err on the side of caution when killing an animal. So I use 2000 fps as a minimum impact velocity to help ensure good expansion.

I like both rounds equally, if shooting 140s the 65 has a slight advantage in bullet sd but the 7-08 allow you to shoot the 150-160's.

Best of luck to ya.

 

[David Lindler]

Another great option for the 7mm-08 is the Hornady Superformance ammo with the 139gr SST. This bullet in this cartridge performs great, I am yet to recover a bullet and it turns the vitals to jello.

The SST is a great bullet on deer. I would be leary of shooting an elk with it because they tend to explode when the hit bone. I had one fail on a mule deer at 160 yards. Exploded the shoulder and dropped the deer, but I think the result would have been unfavorable on a elk shoulder. See pic. This was a 130 gr 270

 

[PredatorSlayer]

I killed Elk & what-not with 7mm-08 & 6.5CM. Never a problem, but all were within 200 yards.

What is the effective longest range you would hunt with a 7mm-08 & 6.5 CM ?

I'm looking for 400 yards, maybe 500 yards, what do you think ?

I feel like velocity at impact is more important than energy. As a loose rule tho, I use 1000ft lbs for elk and 800ft lbs for deer. Your elevation will impact those numbers, so the exact effective range is tough to say, but 400-500 yards is no problem.

 

[ducky]

What is the effective longest range you would hunt with a 7mm-08 & 6.5 CM ?

I'm looking for 400 yards, maybe 500 yards, what do you think ?

I think you're fine as long as you put the bullet where it belongs. The answer is more in the person pulling the trigger than the bullet or cartridge used in about 99% of these equations. There is a certain point at which you should consider a different cartridge and or bullet but with the two choices you gave us 400-500 yards isn't it.