In between 7mm-08 & .308

[cjl2010]

7-08ai

 

[CBH Australia]

7-08ai

@the blur

I have both in Tikka rifles and I've had 2 other .308 sporters.

My brother has a Browning X Bolt timber stock and is has a short sharp kick.

I've shot all sorts of projectiles from my .308 up to 180gn soft point factory rounds.

I run a Limbsaver recoil pad and I think it makes a lot of difference onany rifle.

My brother has had a Brake fitted and it reduces recoil and increases the perceived blast at least what the shooter hears. I sat near one at the range , Yey. I don't think .308 need them.

Consider running lighter copper bullets in lieu of heavy bullets for Elk.

Consider a Limbsaver.

Consider his hearing if you choose the brake option.

I reload I have used plenty of 125 Nosler BT from the .308 as I was aiming at faster and flatter with low recoil for shooting from a vehicle targeting pests up to hog size every chance I got.

The shorter Tikka CTR is the truck gun now but maybe it's just the right .308 with the right load you need.

 

[wv270wsm]

.30 caliber Elk rifle is the plan. The 7mm-08 is mostly limited to 140's. I've seen some 150's out there, not many. The .308 has a wider range of heavier bullets.

I completely understand the whole bigger bullet bigger hole in said animal especially an elk. But in all honesty I don't believe between the 7 mm08 and the 308 on elk sized game there will be much difference. Now if you increased the case size as to say going up to 30-06 or bigger that there would be substantial difference.
If it were me I'd get me some of them there hammer bullets for the 7 mm08 and let them babies eat . They will hold together better and you can run them very hard to keep velocities up, and the way everyone praises them they kill exceptionally well

 

[LVJ76]

.30 caliber Elk rifle is the plan. The 7mm-08 is mostly limited to 140's. I've seen some 150's out there, not many. The .308 has a wider range of heavier bullets.

The 7mm-08 is not at all limited to 140gr or 150gr bullets, if you reload that is.

We shoot 160gr, 162gr and 168gr bullets out of our 7mm-08's, with the higher BC's they outrun the 308 Win.

 

[Goose71]

7-08 is a wonderful cartridge. From 120 + bullets.

 

[MAD10]

The 7/08 with the right bullet hands down is a much better cartridge and the recoil even with a 162 ELDM is very mild… provided you have a correctly configured stock and weight ratio

 

[schmi015]

6.5 prc

 

[JMB 1911]

Go to a long action gun maybe .280?? or 30/06 it will generally be a slightly heavier gun so have less felt recoil then the .308 or install a break

 

[Will Gray]

Have your son shoot more. Be sure he knows how to hold the gun to reduce recoil effects: pull the gun into your shoulder -- take the slack out of the body, have a good stock that does not slap his cheek. Get a jacket with a shoulder pad.

 

[thwatson2]

Just reduce recoil on 308. Heavy stock, muzzle break, mercury reducer, light loads, etc. both 7-08 and 308 are great rounds.

 

[xsn10s]

Is there something in between a 7-08 and .308? My son wants bigger, but the .308 has too much kick.

You know one option might be to use a 308 with a 24 inch standard weight barrel. Add a laminated stock which will be heavier than a light synthetic stock. Also IMO a wood stock absorbs some of the recoil where a composite kevlar stock transmits the recoil more due to being stiffer. Add a nice recoil pad like a limbsaver and see how that works. Buy some reduced recoil ammunition, or load some if you reload.

 

[JAYgs8163]

Run some 130-140 Hammer Hunters and watch the kick disappear. I'm building a 7-08 and 308 switch barrel as we speak. 18" 308 barrel and a 24" 7-08 Barrel on Kelbly action.

 

[Another Casual]

I have no qualms shooting elk with a 7mm-08 TSX factory load that would be solved by shooting a 308. They're just so close it's not worth the expense to switch.

 

[fmuguira]

Anyone else notice that OP hasn't weighed in since all the activity and requests for info ??