Is my 7mm-08 enough?
- Thread starter B. Miller
- Start date
Jack O'Connor said he had probably seen more game killed with fewer shots with the 7x57 than any other cartridge.I think your friends are confusing recoil and/or high energy with killing power.Just because a gun doesn't knock your teeth loose doesn't mean it wont get the job done.The 7-08 is a great cartridge!
GregW
New member
Originally Posted By: B. MillerWhat's up fellas!
Today I was talking to some fellow hunting buddies at school as we all prepare for the upcoming rifle season. When I told them what gun I had (7mm-08) and what grain (135) they all said it wasn't enough. To quote one, "The 7mm08 is a good beginner gun but you gotta move up to an .30-06"
Now I never had a problem with any deer I shot as they were all heart shots, but what if I am off? The deer around me have quite big bodies. I am now wondering if there is enough oomph behind it to take down a big bodied buck that I will hopefully see this year
If you agree with my friends, would you recommend moving up to 145 grains? Getting another gun isn't really an option.
Classic misinformed idiots who think they know it all...
Your 7-08 is one of the perfect WTD cartridges...
Today I was talking to some fellow hunting buddies at school as we all prepare for the upcoming rifle season. When I told them what gun I had (7mm-08) and what grain (135) they all said it wasn't enough. To quote one, "The 7mm08 is a good beginner gun but you gotta move up to an .30-06"
Now I never had a problem with any deer I shot as they were all heart shots, but what if I am off? The deer around me have quite big bodies. I am now wondering if there is enough oomph behind it to take down a big bodied buck that I will hopefully see this year
If you agree with my friends, would you recommend moving up to 145 grains? Getting another gun isn't really an option.
Classic misinformed idiots who think they know it all...
Your 7-08 is one of the perfect WTD cartridges...
Super White Hunter
New member
"The 7mm08 is a good beginner gun but you gotta move up to an .30-06"
it sounds like your friends are beginners with just enough experience to talk out of there you know what.
Just keep knocking the deer down, nobody can argue with that.
it sounds like your friends are beginners with just enough experience to talk out of there you know what.
Just keep knocking the deer down, nobody can argue with that.
The Famous Grouse
New member
Your buddies have their heads up their backsides. Tens of millions of deer have been taken with the old .30-30, which the 7-08 betters by a pretty significant margin in terms of performance and bullet selection.
Also, I thought the .270 was pretty much the quintessential eastern moose caliber. But a 7-08 is under-gunned for deer? How doest that work?
Don't say anything, just go hunting and hope you score a big buck. Then you can look at their rifles and suggest that maybe they're overcompensating.
As other posters have suggested, I'm sensing--errrm how to put this delicately?--you buddies may have other issues that aren't related to caliber. If you know what I mean. Tell them to do what the commercials say and ask their doctor about. . .
Grouse
Also, I thought the .270 was pretty much the quintessential eastern moose caliber. But a 7-08 is under-gunned for deer? How doest that work?
Don't say anything, just go hunting and hope you score a big buck. Then you can look at their rifles and suggest that maybe they're overcompensating.
As other posters have suggested, I'm sensing--errrm how to put this delicately?--you buddies may have other issues that aren't related to caliber. If you know what I mean. Tell them to do what the commercials say and ask their doctor about. . .
Grouse
bigsky_songdogs
Active member
Hey now, i shoot a 300, i have a full size truck, but no boat. What's that say about me? LOL
NdIndy
New member
Originally Posted By: zorro700That's exactly why I personally hate 30-06's. THE PEOPLE THAT OWN THEM! A 222 or 223 is a "beginner" gun. A 7mm-08 is about perfect for Pa deer. Ask him if a 270 is a "beginner" gun. Then tell "inform" him that a 270 is smaller than your 08. Rediculous comment to make. If you like your 7mm-08 then keep it. If you want an excuse to get another gun on the other hand PM me and I'll delete this post incase your wife reads it. Just don't get a 30-06, if you want to "up grade" I'd go with the 300 win mag or 300 wsm. Then you can tell you're buddy HE needs to up grade.
I've got, if memory serves, 3 of them. Do you hate me 3x as much?
I've also got a 7.62x54 that pretty much mimics the 30, a .444 that hurts like [beeep] on my side of the gun, a .45-70 that puts the .444 to shame...
Of course the only rifles I hunted this year have been 25's and .223's. Which reminds me I was supposed to pick up 4 animals from the processor a week ago, the lady that works the desk is going to yellllllll at me.
I've got, if memory serves, 3 of them. Do you hate me 3x as much?
Of course the only rifles I hunted this year have been 25's and .223's. Which reminds me I was supposed to pick up 4 animals from the processor a week ago, the lady that works the desk is going to yellllllll at me.
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Brandon Sneed
Active member
Originally Posted By: GregWOriginally Posted By: B. MillerWhat's up fellas!
Today I was talking to some fellow hunting buddies at school as we all prepare for the upcoming rifle season. When I told them what gun I had (7mm-08) and what grain (135) they all said it wasn't enough. To quote one, "The 7mm08 is a good beginner gun but you gotta move up to an .30-06"
Now I never had a problem with any deer I shot as they were all heart shots, but what if I am off? The deer around me have quite big bodies. I am now wondering if there is enough oomph behind it to take down a big bodied buck that I will hopefully see this year
If you agree with my friends, would you recommend moving up to 145 grains? Getting another gun isn't really an option.
Classic misinformed idiots who think they know it all...
Your 7-08 is one of the perfect WTD cartridges...
I'm with Greg here. My buddy shoots a .30-06 and I can't get him away from it. He's 6'2", weighs 300 or so... and range day with his (Rem 700 SPS/ADL Synthetic, pencil barrel) lasts maybe 10-20 shots max... by the end, he's tired, and sore.
Personally, having shot it, and my .270 (which I no longer own for this very reason) I do not own or want to shoot them. My other friend owns a Browning A bolt with Walnut stock... and I love to shoot that gun. The difference is perceived recoil. I would much rather shoot a .308 or a 7mm08 any day of the week over my first friend's -06.
Sometimes I think guys out here in West Texas use too much gun for these puny deer. A .243 or a 2506 would do wonders on a 150 pound buck. But I've seen many deer blown to smithereens with these larger calibers because they think they're not men if they shoot anything less than that at a White Tail buck to put on the wall.
I don't shoot or own a bolt action any longer, and will stick to my 6.8spc for white tail though. But that's just me.
Today I was talking to some fellow hunting buddies at school as we all prepare for the upcoming rifle season. When I told them what gun I had (7mm-08) and what grain (135) they all said it wasn't enough. To quote one, "The 7mm08 is a good beginner gun but you gotta move up to an .30-06"
Now I never had a problem with any deer I shot as they were all heart shots, but what if I am off? The deer around me have quite big bodies. I am now wondering if there is enough oomph behind it to take down a big bodied buck that I will hopefully see this year
If you agree with my friends, would you recommend moving up to 145 grains? Getting another gun isn't really an option.
Classic misinformed idiots who think they know it all...
Your 7-08 is one of the perfect WTD cartridges...
I'm with Greg here. My buddy shoots a .30-06 and I can't get him away from it. He's 6'2", weighs 300 or so... and range day with his (Rem 700 SPS/ADL Synthetic, pencil barrel) lasts maybe 10-20 shots max... by the end, he's tired, and sore.
Personally, having shot it, and my .270 (which I no longer own for this very reason) I do not own or want to shoot them. My other friend owns a Browning A bolt with Walnut stock... and I love to shoot that gun. The difference is perceived recoil. I would much rather shoot a .308 or a 7mm08 any day of the week over my first friend's -06.
Sometimes I think guys out here in West Texas use too much gun for these puny deer. A .243 or a 2506 would do wonders on a 150 pound buck. But I've seen many deer blown to smithereens with these larger calibers because they think they're not men if they shoot anything less than that at a White Tail buck to put on the wall.
I don't shoot or own a bolt action any longer, and will stick to my 6.8spc for white tail though. But that's just me.
The Famous Grouse
New member
Originally Posted By: bigsky_songdogsHey now, i shoot a 300, i have a full size truck, but no boat. What's that say about me? LOL
Oh dear. We have LOTS of issues that need to be addressed. Lots and lots of issues.
The explanation for the .300 is obvious. Classic overcompensation for--aaaah hemh--caliber issues and, ummm, other "shortcomings". I'm sure you follow. Also some deep-seeded envy issues and then there was that thing with your grade-school teacher that is still unresolved.
The full size truck and the lack of a boat. Wow. I think everyone sees where this is heading. We've got some REALLY complex issues here. This'll take a long time to sort out.
Grouse
Oh dear. We have LOTS of issues that need to be addressed. Lots and lots of issues.
The explanation for the .300 is obvious. Classic overcompensation for--aaaah hemh--caliber issues and, ummm, other "shortcomings". I'm sure you follow. Also some deep-seeded envy issues and then there was that thing with your grade-school teacher that is still unresolved.
The full size truck and the lack of a boat. Wow. I think everyone sees where this is heading. We've got some REALLY complex issues here. This'll take a long time to sort out.
Grouse
bigsky_songdogs
Active member
Grouse,
You sure know how to cut to the core of me.
LOL
And as far as the grade school teacher......she was really hot, so no isues there
And the 300 is good medicine on elk
Fin
You sure know how to cut to the core of me.
And as far as the grade school teacher......she was really hot, so no isues there
And the 300 is good medicine on elk
Fin
bigsky_songdogs
Active member
Butcher,
that's a heck of a buck
Fin
that's a heck of a buck
Fin
P Side
New member
I don't own a 7mm-08. If I did, I would use it on deer. That is a good cartrage. I do own a 30-06, that is a good cartrage too. The only the advantage the 30-06 might have, is it is one of the most common rounds around. You can buy them anywhere.
There are a growing number of people that are going smaller. A lot of kids start with a .243, to hunt deer. If it kills a deer for a kid, why wouldn't it work for an adult? There are also a lot of people using a AR-15 for deer. A .223 does work with a quality bullet and good shot placement. So by all means tell your friends to shut up, unless you want a 30-06. I just don't think you need a 30-06.
There are a growing number of people that are going smaller. A lot of kids start with a .243, to hunt deer. If it kills a deer for a kid, why wouldn't it work for an adult? There are also a lot of people using a AR-15 for deer. A .223 does work with a quality bullet and good shot placement. So by all means tell your friends to shut up, unless you want a 30-06. I just don't think you need a 30-06.
DGW
New member
At range last weekend a father, who'd brought his thin framed 12-13 year old son, was checking zero on his deer rifle. Heard Dad tell son he'd be getting his own deer rifle soon. First thing son said, "I want a 30-06." I had to chuckle at kid wanting a 30-06, thinking too much cartridge for the kid, that a 7mm-08 with its lower recoil, would be just fine for deer hunting.
I sure hope the 7mm-08 is good for whitetail. I just finished a rifle in 7-08AI for the sole purpose of hunting WTD and maybe a yote or two. Gosh, I hope I'm not undergunned. Maybe these Okla. whitetails are using steriods and I need like a 50BMG.
When the idiots start talking crap, just nod your head, smile and then run, run fast!!
When the idiots start talking crap, just nod your head, smile and then run, run fast!!
GC
Well-known member
Well, for clarity there is absolutely nothing wrong with the good old .30-06. The 06' kills stuff dead, as several million Germans, Japanese, and North Korean soldiers would attest too... if they were alive. And the tons of game killed by the .30-06 would be staggering if an accurate count could possibly be made. The point being it just isn't needed for whitetail deer really and a less powerful cartridge like the 7mm-08 isn't just "a good beginners gun" as the dudes said. The 7mm-08 is perfectly adequate and very well may fall into the real short list of ideal cartridges for typical whitetail hunting.
With that said Missouri's gun deer season opens this coming Saturday and one of my two .30-06 rifles is going on the trip with me this year. I haven't used either of my 06's for several years and I decided to dust the moth balls off one of them this year "just because." Would one of my other "deer rifles" work as well? You bet, but having a few choices around is fun and this year the 06's came up in the rotation.
With that said Missouri's gun deer season opens this coming Saturday and one of my two .30-06 rifles is going on the trip with me this year. I haven't used either of my 06's for several years and I decided to dust the moth balls off one of them this year "just because." Would one of my other "deer rifles" work as well? You bet, but having a few choices around is fun and this year the 06's came up in the rotation.
2muchgun
New member
I killed my first deer with a '06. Then didn't use one for quite some time. A few years back, I took out a 1953 Model 70 '06 and took a couple of deer with it. It remains an excellent all around cartridge.
That said, the 7mm-08, as I've been saying for years, may be THE best whitetail cartridge out there IMO.
Haven't used one in about 3 years. Sighted one in with some 120 TSXs this morning.......
That said, the 7mm-08, as I've been saying for years, may be THE best whitetail cartridge out there IMO.
Haven't used one in about 3 years. Sighted one in with some 120 TSXs this morning.......
mark shubert
New member
As much as I love the "ought six", the last mule deer i killed was with a 243. I've also witnessed several elk killed with a 243 or 6mm Rem.
Mark
Mark