Great video. 7mm-08 is my “go to” whitetail cartridge. It’s great to see this efficient cartridge getting its due. I chuckle when I hear it’s a great youth or a wife’s cartridge. While it is, it’s a great cartridge no matter what, within its range. I love mine.
I’m w/ya! For me, it’s the 7mm-08 or I grab one of my lever actions just for the fun. Being in SC, I’ll never need a different high-powered rifle than a 7mm-08. For the few chances I get to go out west to hunt, the 7mm-08 will work just fine.
I have two 7-08's alongside a 7mag and 7 wsm, 06, 6.5-284 and a few others in that range. I routinely grab my favorite 7-08. Reliable, accurate, easy handling, easy to reload, forgiving, and whole host of other positive adjectives describe the 7mm-08, in my opinion. I think more people should stop thinking/wishing/hoping the next whiz bang wonder cartridge is going to make them a better shooter or hunter and start practicing and fine tuning with a great cartridge like the 7-08
I was all in on 308 till the late 90s. Jumped in on the 7mm-08 and never looked back. Deer, moose, bear, coyote, and hog so far. Glad for the vid to me it's a cartridge that deserves more love.
@@Liamisdead99 went with partitions, first one ran maybe a total of 50 yards, second about the same I guess. No pass through on them. 1st laid down and was in final moments but sent a second shot to ensure the harvest. Second was expired by the time we walked up. Penatration was excellent. I've seen and know of a few others with same experience. I've seen a moose take 3 mortal hits from an 30/06 and run half a mile. Sometimes it's luck of the draw. Both were less than 100 yard shots.
I had to come back to this video because I wasn’t sure if I thanked you , you replied to me before with helping me with scope rings. Thank you so much for taking the time to help all of us hunters. We are all looking for the best tools and time to spend in the woods with her family and friends and be successful.
Shhhh!🤫 Please stop telling folks this is a superb caliber. Let them think the 6.5 CM and the .30 cal are the best. Getting ammunition and reloading components is tough enough without more competition. It’s like telling folks where you hunt and fish! 🤗🤫😶😉
Too late. I'm seriously considering this over a Creed or a PRC style cartridges. Based on this video, the 7mm-08 has been around for 60ish years, whereas these newer cartridges are still in the teething stage...lol
I like to think whenever you fire the 7mm-08, you're paying homage to Paul Mauser and his venerable 7x57 Mauser cartridge and rifle. As much as I love the 30-06, the 7mm-08 just hits that sweet spot of energy transfer, efficiency, and light recoil.
Been using this cartridge since it came out. In my opinion this is one of, if not the best medium range medium game cartridge ever invented! Mild recoil, great terminal performance on game, extremely accurate and also very easy to reload! I can not give this round enough praise! Fantastic hunting cartridge! And I have a lot of experience with many of the other rounds in this class.
Have used about all of the more popular calibers from 7 mag down over about 50 years of hunting. Can't think of one I would say is better than the model 700, 7-08 I have had for the last 15 years or so. Great gun, great caliber.
Quite frankly, the 7mm-08 is my favorite rifle caliber that I don't own. UPDATE 3-24-23: If I listen to this video often enough, I may just get motivated enough to go buy one. If I find a heavy barrel Rem 700 in it, it's mine.
@@DuckersAI Yea, just not as many choices of over the counter commercial loadings as the 08. I won't custom load unless I can't find a commercial load that shoots .75 MOA or better.
Your content is more than worthy for my subscription. Honestly my favorite firearms channel. No tactical BS , no talking out of your butt … its from actual hunting experience. I appreciate you also being honest and speaking out against long-distance target shooting at animals. God bless you and yours.
I’m watching your video two years old and most of all I just want to thank you for taking your time and providing your knowledge with us. Thank you,I don’t think you realize how much you are helping all of us and I just want to thank you for providing your information, I Suspect, this is your passion and thank you for blessing us all for it
I absolutely love the 7mm-08! The worst thing to happen to this cartridge was gun writers painted it into a corner. They wrote that it's a great cartridge for youth/ladies mostly due to recoil. They do NOT write this about the 243 Winchester and the 6.5 Creedmoor as much as the 7mm-08 Remington! The best thing to happen is all the hype about the 6.5 Creedmoor has made a lot of people think that if you do NOT have one you're living under a rock. Which leads knowledgeable hunters to gravitate towards the 7mm-08 Remington :)
@@greatlakespowerstrokefx4 anyone that looks at a ballistics chart can clearly see that there's a lot of cartridges that you could lump into one. The 7mm-08 Remington lies in the middle of the 6.5 Creedmoor and the 308 Winchester. To me.. that's not a bad place to be :)
@@blackie1of4 its not at all. 7 has always towed the line between terminal performance and external ballistic performance. 30 is well renowned as a great animal stopper. .264 has long provided great external ballistic performance. 6.5 sweed and 264 win mag have long proved that and 260 rem. Where the 264 falls short is the entrance wound and exit wound diameter and usually the wound channel. Velocity plays a roll too in shock but there is a whole can of worms with terminal performance we could all go on endlessly about. I agree, 7-08 is a great place but i dont own one. I only own one 6.5 creed and i got it because of the gun it was in and thats why i like it. I generally appeal to 30’s 270’s and 6mm’s and 25’s. 264 just doesnt give me what i really want in most cases. I like all cartridges though. They are all great in their own way
I have used this cartridge for nearly 20 years. I only reload. I load 100 grain as the lightest for foxes etc and reduced loads for my two little girls with trail boss. I use 308 cases and resize as they are cheaper and this calibre never ever fails from vermin to deer. Can't go wrong it's so versatile for everything. I even know ppl hunting water buffalo with this calibre here in Australia very successfully.
Glad to see some credit for the 7mm-08. Had a PRS rig built on this cartridge before the 6.5 trend and never looked back since. 162 ELDs at 2745fps. It hits really consistent at my elevation out to 1200m and I have made shots at a mile with it. Solid performer in the wind
As I get older and more experienced I’ve gravitated towards lighter weight and lower recoiling rifles as well as lower magnification scopes. I really like the 7mm-08 or the 260 for deer topped with a 2-7 power scope for most applications. My first hunting rifle at 14 years old was a 30-06 with 180 grain bullets. Of course I still have that rifle and love it but haven’t hunted with it for years. I haven’t taken that rifle into the woods in probably in 35 years. Maybe this year I will just for nostalgic reasons.
My first rifle was a 700 30-06, which was my first hunting rifle as well. For the reasons you mentioned, I recently purchased a 7mm-08. A good friend has a 700 Classic 30-06 but favors his 7mm-08 for the same reasons. I was planning on using the lighter 7mm-08 for elk, but after DD's recommendation, I might use the old 30-06 instead.
I picked up a Savage 110 in 7mm-08 last spring. It's my wife's gun, with intentions of having my kids use it too. I'm trying to keep my jealousy in check, I just got a new 30-06 last year that I really like, so I need to give that more love before I go jonesing the 7-08 too much. I do think they are great companion cartridges though, and I like having both. I too have not seen much ammo for it, but I also started reloading just before I bought it, and that has eased my concerns for ammo supply issues. Great cartridge, great review. Thanks
My 17 year old daughter is going in her first elk hunt this year. She has been using a 243 for mule deer since she was 10. I needed to choose a cartridge for elk with least recoil. I chose 7mm-08 and purchased her a ruger in this caliber. Your video confirmed my decision was the right choice for younger hunters that are recoil sensitive. Thanks
For uniform excellence in a RUclips channel imparting wisdom on ethical hunting,firearms,and ballistics, you have two: DESERT DOG OUTDOORS and RON SPOMER OUTDOORS. Thanks for all of your hard work in producing such exceptional content creation and your love of sharing & teaching.Be safe & Happy Trails,phil
I have been looking for a 7mm-08 rifle for a while. I have my heart set on a Winchester model 70 Featherweight. It's just a matter of getting my local gun shop to order me one. Of course they are back ordered. For deer there is something magical about a 140gr running at 2800fps. No excessive meat damage easy on the shoulder. It's trajectory is flat enough for a long poke. I run a 7mm Rem mag Winchester model 70 all Weather I do load the ammunition down to 7x57mm/7mm-08 ballistics. For bigger stuff like bear, elk and hogs I run normal 7mm Rem mag loads. I do want something more handy for a deer/woods/mountain rifle.
I know we all say 30-ought-6 but I believe this is the first time I've ever heard someone use the terminology 7mm-ought-8. I have only heard this cartridge referred to as the 7mm-oh-8. Call it what you want, it is a great cartridge but not any better than the 7x57. The only problem with the 7x57 is its name and the fact that commercial ammo here in the US is loaded light due to the liability issues with older mausers. Handloaded 7x57 is actually a better cartridge than the Ought8 (lol). I prefer the watered down 7x57 velocity (2650fps) for the type of hunting I do (deer and hogs less than 150yds). Recoil is so light. What a joy to shoot. Outstanding review of the 7mm-08 and including mentioning of the 7x57. The 30-06 case was developed from the 7x57, so quite a lot of history behind the 7x57.
I agree ,,, the longer action means nothing to me , 7x57 will handle heavier bullets better,,,, and i handload for everything,,, i like the 7mm08 to but it has nothing on the 7x57 that matters to me , when people tell me the 7x57 is about like the 7mm08,,, i tell them no the 7mm08 is about like the 7x57 😊
Great video on a great cartridge. I had a 7mm-08 about 10 years ago, just a cheap Marlin XS7 but that thing was unbelievable. It shot factory ammo into 1/2" groups easily. I wish I had it back now for my son when he gets old enough.
I bought a 7-08 two years ago and I love it. I hunt deer with it I use a 120 grain bullet. I was planning to use it on moose but had trouble with the rifle. I’m surprised that you never mentioned the 280 Remington. People compare the 280 with the 7mm08. Good video lots of information.
That’s what I prefer ! .280 Remington is my GoTo rifle. The light 140 grain stuff is just as light recoiling as the 7mm-08 , and if you want to step your game for elk, moose , bear 🐻 just load it with some 165-175 grain stuff … way more versatile than the 7mm-08
Its funny how things happen. Decades ago I inherited a 742 in 30-06 and hunted with it quite a few years. Later when I made more money I started looking for a lighter bolt action rifle to allow for more shooting and practice and would be better suited for deer hunting. The local gun shop had a 788 in 7mm-08 that caught my eye but I didn't know anything about the relatively new 7mm-08. A week of research convinced me it was just the caliber I was looking for. I kept looking in various small stores and was ready to walk out with a Vanguard in 7mm-08 when a slightly more compact Sako caught my eye. It had iron sights and when I shouldered it, it fit like a glove. It came with rings but I traded them for a low set. Mounted a Leupold 2-7 Compact and really like it. I reloaded for it and had worked up 3 loads for it. One with Barnes bullets for quick shots in the woods. One with Nosler ballistic tip bullets for hunting choppings, power lines and longer shots. The third was 160 Nosler partition for Moose. When more factory loads became available many of which were as accurate as my reloads. I stopped reloading for it. 4 years ago my sister got a moose tag and she wanted me for second gun. I had some old style 160 grain Grand Slams I'd never loaded so I quickly worked up a reasonable load. Got her moose with a snap broadside shot that wasn't exactly where I wanted it but she was found about 75 yards away. The two years later my cousin asked me to be second rifle for his moose license and I shot a second moose with the same load at 200 yards quartering to me with a careful steady rest. It fell right there. My worries about the 7mm-08 not being quite powerful enough disappeared. I was actually surprised how fast she dropped. Never took a step and only lifted her head briefly before expiring. Do I think there are better calibers for moose, certainly. My old 742 for one. But I still prefer using the 7mm-08 within its limits. I was limiting myself to roughly that distance unless it was a perfect broadside presentation but even then I wanted to keep shots under 250 yards. I'm presently trying some 160 grain Federal Trophy Bonded Tips hoping to gain another 50 yards effective range for moose. That's in case I ever have a chance to hunt them again. BTW I even won a hunting rifle match with it against fairly stiff competition. Ironically the second place also had a Sako in 308 and he was very disappointed he hadn't won.
Got my first 7-08 in 1991. A Remington model 7 from custom shop. I fell in love with this cartridge for whitetail deer. Have taken at least 50 deer with it and 90% were instant kills. The ones that ran never went further than 50 yards. Have never lost a deer with it. Have purchased 3 more rifles chambered in it since 1991. There’s just not a better whitetail cartridge in my opinion. I really like the Hornady Superformance 139 gr. GMX (now called CX) Very accurate and mushroom well and maintain practically all of their weight.
Same here. A mod 7 caught my eye early in an 18 In barrel. Ultra lightweight but totally deadly on deer/ black bear at ranges to 200 yds. If you can see that far. I got teased a lot when I first got it but not now.
Darn you Desert Dog! Just bought a 6.5CM, & might have to sell it for a 7-08. Great job putting the video and ballistics chart together to support your consensus.
They are so close ballistically speaking, if you want to hunt different game get something bigger like a 28 nosler or a win mag, taking short action they are almost identical
I got my first 7-09 in 1981.. it was a Remington 700 Varmit and it shot incredible with 168 gr. sierra matchkings! …but it wasn’t for hunting.. i shot it in high power silhouette competition.. I didn’t have a way to measure the group but my load printed a 5 shot group that honestly looked like one shot at 100 yards.. and when zeroing for the state match in ‘82 i put 4 rounds through the hole under the rams horn.. that would have been a sub 2” group at 547 yards.. Now i have one to hunt with .. it’s a 700 mountain rifle and i shoot 120 barnes TTSX’s out of it at around 3200 fps which printed a 1 1/2” group at 300 yards a couple weeks ago.. love your channel! keep up the good work!
I am a big fan of the smaller calibre cartridges. I have been shooting a 6mm Remington for over 40 years. And have taken many deer out to 315 yards and moose out to 125 yards But bullet placement is key. I have used a 7mm Remington mag for 38 + years as well . It’s my go to gun the 7mm is a great calibre for North American game But now I am 66 And recoil is starting to take its toll. So I am really thinking of the 7mm08 And after watching you video I am convinced it’s the right choice for me. Great videos keep them coming. Cheers Lawrence Z
I have a 7mm-08 and love it. I originally got it for my son as his first center fire rifle. Now, I end up taking it hunting when he is not using it and leave my .30-06 at home. I use Hornady Full Boar factory ammo with 139 gr. GMX projectiles.
I have been deer hunting for over 30 years and have shot many deer with a 30/30, 30.06 and .50 cal muzzleloader. I switched to a Remington 700 chambered in 7mm08 this year. I shot 2 nice bucks at 85-100 yards and neither deer took a step. This rifle is super accurate, light enough to carry in the woods and has minimal recoil. I can’t see me hauling the 30.06 back into the mountains.
I recently bought a Tikka T3X Superlite 7mm-08 and was having my doubts about using it for elk hunting, but after watching your video, I have more confidence in taking it on my hunt. I have an old 700 30-06 that I was going to use but like the light weight of the Tikka. However, I've been only able to find Hornady Whitetail and Normal Whitetail but not any premium factory ammo for elk, so I might still end up taking the 30-06. Your videos are very educational, and I learn something new from each one. Thanks!
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 Thanks for the recommendation. I just ordered some Barnes Tipped TSX 168 gr ammo. I watched your other video on this ammo and the bullets spinning and called the manufacturer and was told that was normal for copper bullets. It was the only premium ammo I could find at this time and the Federal Nosler Partition and Trophy Bonded Tip that I have aren't very accurate out of my rifle. The original wood rifle stock has been glass bedded and a trigger job was done as well. I'm going to give it a good cleaning following your suggestions in your Hunting Rifle Cleaning video and maybe that will help improve accuracy. I've only used Hoppes and patches, so a thorough cleaning is in order. Thanks again and have a good day!
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 They said it was within tolerances and won't affect accuracy. There isn't much of a choice for premium factory ammo, and I don't reload, so I hope this is fresh ammo and that issue has been corrected. Thanks for the reply and have a good one!
I just got done watching your video and I myself got a Ruger American 7mm 08 for my daughter a youth model I fell in love with that caliber and now I own a Remington model 700 BDL 7mm 08
I fell in love with this cartridge many years ago. Not much information was available and factory rounds were hard to find then. I have harvested many Deer and coyote. You cannot part me from it. I know what it can do and do well. Nice to see the world is catching up finally.
The right bullet choice with a 7mm/08 can hunt and kill all big game world wide. A 180 grain gilded metal jacketed tungsten core bullet will penetrate as deep as any dangerous game bullet in the 7mm/08. Cutting Edge Bullets will make a safari solid 160 grain copper bullet if you want 200 or more made. Anything the 7 X 57 has accomplished the 7mm/08 will match. Great topic sir.
Wow, thank you for your information on the 7 mm 08 I just bought a Winchester model 70 compact for my son but this gun might be mine and he’s gonna have to grow up to it. I’m in Wisconsin and the compact model 70 is perfect. Usually you have a lot of heavy gear on and you need that short Stock 20 inch barrel for shooting Treestand hunting or ground blinds. I’m glad I bought that 7 mm 08 I’m just getting ready for set up.
I never understood how the 6.5 CM took off when the 7mm-08 is just so much better for hunting. I started my kids off with the 243 Win, because they were only 8, and I wanted to keep the recoil as light as possible with a center fire. I will disagree on one point. If you step down from a magnum, there just isn’t anything better or more “practical” than a 270 Win. In the South, the 7mm-08 is one oddball cartridge. Thanks for doing this review DD, this is really one great caliber that more people should know about. I couldn’t agree more, this is a wise choice when you’re starting off kids, or even something the wife can handle without any problems. I always remember O’Conner’s wife was big on the 7x57, and he was amazed at how good it was on a trip to Africa. The 7mm-08 could be the best of the 7mm’s.
I really think the 6.5 took off because of the name. I would take 7mm08 over CM any day. I now have a .270 which I absolutely love, in fact I you actually helped me decide to go .270 a couple of years ago on another channel. But I had a 7mm08 about 10 years ago and I really miss it too. Fantastic cartridge.
@@NCWoodlandRoamer I have a 7mm-08, it's still in the box, five years now. My go to, since mid 80's, the Rem. 700 BDL in .270. On it is a Denver, USA Redfield Illuminator in 3x9. Before that, I used a Rem. 742 in 30-06, but the 700 fits like a glove. The author gives conflicting reasoning. He started talking hunting rifle, but quickly switches to a heavy barrel, (after a light stock) for rapid firing accuracy. If it's a hunting rifle, then I want a thin, light barrel, no bull barrel. Imo, the 7mm-08 is not some bench long range accuracy platform. Nothing wrong with the 7mm-08 for hunting, it'll take most game hunted in America, but not best for all. I've got 6.5 Creed and 7mm mag. The .270 just keeps them in the box they came in.
@@boogerdog5247 the 7-08 I had was a hunting rifle as is my .270 that I now have. As much as I miss the 7-08 I wouldn't trade my .270 for it either. I'm launching 140 grain bullets accurately at almost 3000 fps with it.
Desert Dog isn’t going to like all this loving on the 270, he “thinks”the 30-‘06 is better 🤣🤣🤣 Rise of the 270 Win bots 🤖 Thanks DD, great cartridge video!
@@falba1492 hahaha! 270 270 270 270 270 270 270 270. Just kidding Desert Dog! Actually if I was forced to have only one hunting rifle for the rest of my life it would be a 30-06.
I started out with the 7rem mag when I was 12 almost 30 years ago then started using the .270 win for everything I hunted. I’m currently enjoying the .280AI it seems to have hit a sweet spot for me. When my daughters were both old enough to hunt I started them both on the 7mm-08 and they’ve taken deer, black bear and bull elk with them. I absolutely love the 7-08 I’ve been wanting to get myself one. I really liked this video and 100% agree with your opinion on the ethical distances that you have posted.
Another great video. Thanks! Also, I really appreciate your rational and informed approach to ethical hunting distances. I've just left for a two week fishing/hunting trip and I'm bringing a new Winchester Model 70 dark maple, stainless in 7mm-08 I just bought. It's the first 7mm-08 I've ever owned. I've mainly used .308's but have always been interested in the 7mm-08. I hope I'm fortunate enough to get a chance to use it to harvest a nice Blacktail this year. Please keep the terrifically informative videos coming.
For me I’ve always considered the 7-08 as probably the 2nd best whitetail cartridge ever designed. With 1st being the 270 win. When people ask me for a deer rifle I always say 7-08 or 270 win. Which I usually follow up with there are so many good ones just take your pick 😂
I wonder if 7mm-08 would be good for moose... I live in Quebec where we usually dont take long shot, we call and bait them. lots of people here hunt with 300 + calibers. But I noticed that too many of them are poor marksman, that get drunk during their hunt. Since I dont, and practice a lot, I wonder if a 7mm would do the trick.
@@adamelam6385 totally agree with you. I have a 7_08 and 2, 270s. Got the 270s cheap or I wouldn't even have them. If you want something besides another middle of the road caliber, jump on up to 7 mag or bigger. Don't need a bunch that you can't tell any difference in.
I fully agree. I've been using it for 10 years and recently started hand loading for it. I have also recently picked up a 338 federal. It's not common but for a short action packs a punch and I'm crazy about it. I will always recommend the 708 because it is so we'll balanced in every category
I honestly believe that the 7mm-08 270 Winchester and various 6.5 cartridges are nearly equals. It may come down to personal preference to make your pick but for me they all play into that perfect medium game caliber while being considered by most experts the minimum considered for large game. I believe that one of these cartridges paired with a 338 Winchester 35 Whelen or a 375 cartridge is just about right for all North American big game hunting.
I absolutely love your cartridge videos. Yes, they are informative and entertaining. Glad to be a subscriber, and you deserve many more than you have. In the early days, I hunted close range whitetails with a borrowed 30-30. The only deer rifle I bought was a .270 Savage 110e with a synthetic stock, new for $200. I never regretted it, but was always intrigued by the 7mm-08. If I could have one more rifle, I think I'd go for it.
Tough time finding factory ammo. I used Sportsman’s Warehouse too, but my store has a lot less selection, and loading supplies is not easy to find either. The 7mm-08 is a fun cartage to shoot. Thanks for the video.
Was my first own new hunting rifle cartridge. Fantastic shooter and a lot of animals on the ground. If I was going to drop down from a Magnum again I wouldn't hesitate.
Love the practical information in your video. soooo many people just look at what is popular and think they are gonna shoot a 6.5 Creed at 1000 yards and get 1" groups and the fact of the matter is that most people really want an accurate load at HUNTING distances. I shoot a 7mm08 and have for 25 years. I have a couple model 7's that shoot completely different with different bullet weights. One is a one hole shooter with only a couple loads and the other shoots 1 to 1.5 inches at 100 yards with anything you put through it. I also have an encore rifle and pistol. Funy thing is that the rifle likes lighter bullets and the pistol likes 160 grain bullets. Anyhow I really enjoyed watching your video and am like minded with your statements. Thank you very much for putting it out there
This is the best and most informative information I have seen on this cartridge. You have a new subscriber just threw out the 6.5 creedmore I was going to buy
I watched this a second time. I’ve been a hobbyist ballistician since I was 14 years old. (53yo now). I own a Remington 700 in 7mm08. It has a 20” barrel. Ive been using Barnes TTSX 120gr bullets. I easily get 2900fps. Absolutely devastating on any whitetail. I use Varget mostly. Nothing is perfect but this combo is pretty close.
Great topic! Now I MUST scope up my new Tikka T3X in seven-oh-eight! Going with a Leupold 3-9X33 Ultralight. Have a new box Lapua brass ready to go. Way to go, DD!
As you've probably found out, the Tikka has a lot of free bore for the 7mm-08. You can basically load it as a 7mm Creedmoor. Only problem is that the factory mags are too short to long load the rounds. Get a .270 magazine and it can handle quite a bit more powder than factory.
Love my 7mm08. The cartridge is easy to load and super accurate out to 600 yds. It is fast and flat enough for anything I need it to do. Barrel life is several thousand shots (3000 to 5000) or more compared to the 6.5 speed burners that burn out a barrel in 1500 shots.
If I was looking for a new deer rifle the 7mm -08 would be a cartridge to consider for sure. In the meantime I’ll happily keep using my trusty .270 Win Tikka. Thanks for your knowledgable understanding.
If you already own a 270, 308, 6.5CM, I would say there is no reason to buy a 7mm-08 to do the same job just well. But after having a 7mm-08, I would say if you don’t have any of them, buy the 7mm-08. It’s so very accurate and a pleasure to shoot.
Great recap on the 7mm-08. REM You came to the same conclusion I did. Cut my hunting teeth on the 30-06 too. Started my boy off with a 7mm-08 in the Weatherby Vanguard compact as a boy. He’s now a 6’4” a 220lb teenager with a choice to reach for a lot of bigger options from my safe. Yet, he still most often reaches for his 7mm-08 compact he’s killed most of his big game with.. Especially if we’re leaving the low country for the mountains. All he needs now is a slip-on recoil pad to give him the full sized length of pull for his new height to make it the perfect lifetime all-around hunting rifle AND starter rifle to pass down to his kid. Can’t recommend this cartridge and setup with any higher praise. Great choice!!
I've seriously considered getting that same rifle for myself and switching out the stock to a Bell and Carlson. I think it would make a sweet little rifle.
Well , I just found this video again after about a year ago, and I’ve always contemplated over getting a 7mm-08 . Funny that you stated how guys who’ve been hunting for years with their big magnums and .30-06’s have set them aside to embrace this 7mm-08 cartridge, and here I am 😂 I just picked up a Tikka T3x Hunter in 7mm-08 , waiting for the Leupold scope to arrive, and I picked up some various Hornady ammunition ( American whitetail 139 gr interlocks and Superformance 150 gr ELD-X as well as some Superformance 139 gr CX ) I’d like to find some Swift Scirocco II 150 gr , but I can’t seem to find any yet .
7mm-08 is a fine cartridge to be sure. I ought not swap it for my 3 aught 8, for hunting purposes. I am a fan of 7mm cartridges however. Thanks for the presentation!!
Few years ago with all the new whiz bang cartridges coming to market I sat down and crunched the numbers from my reloading manuals and ballistic tables. For hunting I came to a simple conclusion for my needs. 30-30 for short range. 308 or 7mm-08 pick either for medium range. 270 or 30-06 pick either for long range. That gets me out to 400 yards. For an extra 50 yards 7 mag or 300 mag once again pick either.
This is my FAVORITE caliber. I have taken everything from ground hogs to elk with it. I have used most 120-160gr bullets you can reload for it. I have settled on the Speer 160gr BTSP for all of my deer hunting my current powder is IMR 4551 but I have also used 100V, IMR 4350 and Ramshot Hunter under this bullet. For bigger heavier game I like the 145gr Barnes LRX over Ramshot Big Game. The only thing that sucks with this caliber is the cat is out of the bag and some times rifles and the brass (Norma, Lapua and Peterson) I prefer are harder to find. Awesome round and in my opinion better than the parent 308 and the 6.5 Creedmoor hands down.
7mm08 is my deer/hog rifle; some folks snicker and say it’s a girls cartridge, but I keep driving back to camp with animals strapped to the back of my ATV; h4350 and a 140 Sierra pro hunter @ ~2900fps is all you need; RL17 will sling a 150 partition @ 2830fps (both 1/2”)
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 exactly - it amazes me how 80% of people believe marketing and don't think for themselves - BC inside 300 yards is not a significant factor
A 7mm 08 makes a fantastic thousand yard Target gun. As well as a great hunting rifle. If you want a mild recoiling do it all done with a variety of bullets and you're willing to hand load and utilize a variety of powders there is really nothing you couldn' do with a 7 mm 08. It's not the perfect gun for every situation but it's the perfect gun for all situations
Thanks for the video on this cartridge, I don't own a rifle chambered in it but some of my friends do and they love it. This was very informative . I started my son at age 12 with the 260 remington which honestly has been deadly on deer. I've never been interested in the 6.5 creedmoor because as a hunting round I didn't see it doing anything my 260 couldn't do at the ranges I shoot. 👍👍
Yep, from a hunting standpoint; the 260 does everything the 6.5CM does, but you can squeeze a little more velocity out of the 260 with most hunting bullets.
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 I think the biggest difference is in the leade. Creedmoor was designed from the ground up for super-long heavy for caliber target bullets. .260 isn't as efficient with those, but with regular big game bullets they perform about the same.
Way2go, I think the 7 mm 08 really deserves the love that you're giving it. My first big game rifle was an 8 mm Mauser. No complaints but I was new to the game and I would have been better suited with a 7 mm 08. That was almost 40 years ago
Your statement at the end about the magnum rounds is exactly how I feel and luckily, I haven't bought in to the go big or go home mentality. If I was hunting Grizzly bears or in Grizzly territory then that would be different but I am a whitetail hunter that takes a week trip to Southern Colorado for elk every year. My .308 has been perfect, I did just buy a 7mm-08 but it was for the good deal on a modified gun that drew me to it, can't wait to shoot it and see how my kids like it.
Love the 7MM-08, just sold mine though. You see I’m a lefty and love CRF rifles and I just happen to have a 308 Hawkeye in left hand. So every time I go to the vault and pull out a gun to go hunting, you can about guess which one I pull. Oh well. Can’t say a bad word about the 7MM-08.
I wanted to get a rifle in this cartridge but just worried I wouldn't be able to find ammo going forward . where I live it's not popular so finding rifles and ammo was hard so I chose a creedmoor . The reason the creedmoor and 7mm-08 are similar is good performance for less recoil .
I have a custom 7mm-08 built with a Remington Model 7 action and 21" Lilja barrel and trigger. I hunt whitetails here in Alabama and I'm well pleased with it.
Great video. 7mm-08 is my “go to” whitetail cartridge. It’s great to see this efficient cartridge getting its due. I chuckle when I hear it’s a great youth or a wife’s cartridge. While it is, it’s a great cartridge no matter what, within its range. I love mine.
I’m w/ya! For me, it’s the 7mm-08 or I grab one of my lever actions just for the fun. Being in SC, I’ll never need a different high-powered rifle than a 7mm-08. For the few chances I get to go out west to hunt, the 7mm-08 will work just fine.
I have two 7-08's alongside a 7mag and 7 wsm, 06, 6.5-284 and a few others in that range. I routinely grab my favorite 7-08. Reliable, accurate, easy handling, easy to reload, forgiving, and whole host of other positive adjectives describe the 7mm-08, in my opinion. I think more people should stop thinking/wishing/hoping the next whiz bang wonder cartridge is going to make them a better shooter or hunter and start practicing and fine tuning with a great cartridge like the 7-08
I’m glad to see this cartridge getting its due credit.
I was all in on 308 till the late 90s. Jumped in on the 7mm-08 and never looked back. Deer, moose, bear, coyote, and hog so far. Glad for the vid to me it's a cartridge that deserves more love.
How did it perform on the moose
@@Liamisdead99 went with partitions, first one ran maybe a total of 50 yards, second about the same I guess. No pass through on them. 1st laid down and was in final moments but sent a second shot to ensure the harvest. Second was expired by the time we walked up. Penatration was excellent. I've seen and know of a few others with same experience. I've seen a moose take 3 mortal hits from an 30/06 and run half a mile. Sometimes it's luck of the draw.
Both were less than 100 yard shots.
I had to come back to this video because I wasn’t sure if I thanked you , you replied to me before with helping me with scope rings. Thank you so much for taking the time to help all of us hunters. We are all looking for the best tools and time to spend in the woods with her family and friends and be successful.
Shhhh!🤫 Please stop telling folks this is a superb caliber. Let them think the 6.5 CM and the .30 cal are the best. Getting ammunition and reloading components is tough enough without more competition. It’s like telling folks where you hunt and fish! 🤗🤫😶😉
Too late. I'm seriously considering this over a Creed or a PRC style cartridges. Based on this video, the 7mm-08 has been around for 60ish years, whereas these newer cartridges are still in the teething stage...lol
I like to think whenever you fire the 7mm-08, you're paying homage to Paul Mauser and his venerable 7x57 Mauser cartridge and rifle. As much as I love the 30-06, the 7mm-08 just hits that sweet spot of energy transfer, efficiency, and light recoil.
Well said.
Yes...the7-08 is a favourite of NZ deer hunters...
Been using this cartridge since it came out. In my opinion this is one of, if not the best medium range medium game cartridge ever invented! Mild recoil, great terminal performance on game, extremely accurate and also very easy to reload! I can not give this round enough praise! Fantastic hunting cartridge! And I have a lot of experience with many of the other rounds in this class.
Have used about all of the more popular calibers from 7 mag down over about 50 years of hunting. Can't think of one I would say is better than the model 700, 7-08 I have had for the last 15 years or so. Great gun, great caliber.
Quite frankly, the 7mm-08 is my favorite rifle caliber that I don't own.
UPDATE 3-24-23: If I listen to this video often enough, I may just get motivated enough to go buy one. If I find a heavy barrel Rem 700 in it, it's mine.
You should really look into the old 284 Winchester
@@DuckersAI Yea, just not as many choices of over the counter commercial loadings as the 08. I won't custom load unless I can't find a commercial load that shoots .75 MOA or better.
Don't forget about not trying the .257 Roberts AI
Great article, keep up the good work. 👍
Me too, until today. I will recommend you get one too.
Your content is more than worthy for my subscription. Honestly my favorite firearms channel. No tactical BS , no talking out of your butt … its from
actual hunting experience. I appreciate you also being honest and speaking out against long-distance target shooting at animals. God bless you and yours.
I’m watching your video two years old and most of all I just want to thank you for taking your time and providing your knowledge with us. Thank you,I don’t think you realize how much you are helping all of us and I just want to thank you for providing your information, I Suspect, this is your passion and thank you for blessing us all for it
I absolutely love the 7mm-08!
The worst thing to happen to this cartridge was gun writers painted it into a corner. They wrote that it's a great cartridge for youth/ladies mostly due to recoil. They do NOT write this about the 243 Winchester and the 6.5 Creedmoor as much as the 7mm-08 Remington!
The best thing to happen is all the hype about the 6.5 Creedmoor has made a lot of people think that if you do NOT have one you're living under a rock. Which leads knowledgeable hunters to gravitate towards the 7mm-08 Remington :)
The power of marketing
@@greatlakespowerstrokefx4 anyone that looks at a ballistics chart can clearly see that there's a lot of cartridges that you could lump into one.
The 7mm-08 Remington lies in the middle of the 6.5 Creedmoor and the 308 Winchester. To me.. that's not a bad place to be :)
@@blackie1of4 its not at all. 7 has always towed the line between terminal performance and external ballistic performance. 30 is well renowned as a great animal stopper. .264 has long provided great external ballistic performance. 6.5 sweed and 264 win mag have long proved that and 260 rem. Where the 264 falls short is the entrance wound and exit wound diameter and usually the wound channel. Velocity plays a roll too in shock but there is a whole can of worms with terminal performance we could all go on endlessly about.
I agree, 7-08 is a great place but i dont own one. I only own one 6.5 creed and i got it because of the gun it was in and thats why i like it. I generally appeal to 30’s 270’s and 6mm’s and 25’s. 264 just doesnt give me what i really want in most cases.
I like all cartridges though. They are all great in their own way
@@greatlakespowerstrokefx4 what does. 264 have to do with a 7mm08?
had a 6.5 creed sold it nvr fired love my 7-08
Thanks for recognizing this great cartridge. My Remington Model Seven is a nice lightweight game getter.
The model seven is a great gun, I have two, one is .260, the other is .308. I love both of them.
I have used this cartridge for nearly 20 years. I only reload. I load 100 grain as the lightest for foxes etc and reduced loads for my two little girls with trail boss. I use 308 cases and resize as they are cheaper and this calibre never ever fails from vermin to deer. Can't go wrong it's so versatile for everything. I even know ppl hunting water buffalo with this calibre here in Australia very successfully.
Water Buffalo? WOW l wouldn't try it unless they are head shots but for deer and hogs it is my main gun
Oh man talk about xmas time. I just bought a new featherweight in 7mm-08 as my first hunting rifle. Thanks DD!
Buddy I don’t think you could make a better choice
The perfect first big game rifle!!!!!
Definitely hard to beat that combo.
Glad to see some credit for the 7mm-08. Had a PRS rig built on this cartridge before the 6.5 trend and never looked back since. 162 ELDs at 2745fps. It hits really consistent at my elevation out to 1200m and I have made shots at a mile with it. Solid performer in the wind
I’ve had the same experience as Cody William …
What powder and barrel length? I shoot 160 sierra 2660 fps 24" . Same, shot it to a mile but gets ify past 1200.
@@MtQuail 40.5 gr Varget in a 26” bartlein
I totally agree. My 7mm-08 is my favorite hunting rifle. Great video!
As I get older and more experienced I’ve gravitated towards lighter weight and lower recoiling rifles as well as lower magnification scopes. I really like the 7mm-08 or the 260 for deer topped with a 2-7 power scope for most applications. My first hunting rifle at 14 years old was a 30-06 with 180 grain bullets. Of course I still have that rifle and love it but haven’t hunted with it for years. I haven’t taken that rifle into the woods in probably in 35 years. Maybe this year I will just for nostalgic reasons.
My first rifle was a 700 30-06, which was my first hunting rifle as well. For the reasons you mentioned, I recently purchased a 7mm-08. A good friend has a 700 Classic 30-06 but favors his 7mm-08 for the same reasons. I was planning on using the lighter 7mm-08 for elk, but after DD's recommendation, I might use the old 30-06 instead.
I picked up a Savage 110 in 7mm-08 last spring. It's my wife's gun, with intentions of having my kids use it too. I'm trying to keep my jealousy in check, I just got a new 30-06 last year that I really like, so I need to give that more love before I go jonesing the 7-08 too much. I do think they are great companion cartridges though, and I like having both. I too have not seen much ammo for it, but I also started reloading just before I bought it, and that has eased my concerns for ammo supply issues. Great cartridge, great review. Thanks
My 17 year old daughter is going in her first elk hunt this year. She has been using a 243 for mule deer since she was 10. I needed to choose a cartridge for elk with least recoil. I chose 7mm-08 and purchased her a ruger in this caliber. Your video confirmed my decision was the right choice for younger hunters that are recoil sensitive. Thanks
This is my go to chambering. In a Winchester Featherlight, it’s magical. In the lower 48 I don’t need anything more.
For uniform excellence in a RUclips channel imparting wisdom on ethical hunting,firearms,and ballistics, you have two: DESERT DOG OUTDOORS and RON SPOMER OUTDOORS. Thanks for all of your hard work in producing such exceptional content creation and your love of sharing & teaching.Be safe & Happy Trails,phil
@Jess Hadlock I agree Jess
I have been looking for a 7mm-08 rifle for a while. I have my heart set on a Winchester model 70 Featherweight. It's just a matter of getting my local gun shop to order me one. Of course they are back ordered. For deer there is something magical about a 140gr running at 2800fps. No excessive meat damage easy on the shoulder. It's trajectory is flat enough for a long poke. I run a 7mm Rem mag Winchester model 70 all Weather I do load the ammunition down to 7x57mm/7mm-08 ballistics. For bigger stuff like bear, elk and hogs I run normal 7mm Rem mag loads. I do want something more handy for a deer/woods/mountain rifle.
Thanks for sharing, it sounds like a great calibre for real hunting which is under 300 yards.
I know we all say 30-ought-6 but I believe this is the first time I've ever heard someone use the terminology 7mm-ought-8. I have only heard this cartridge referred to as the 7mm-oh-8. Call it what you want, it is a great cartridge but not any better than the 7x57. The only problem with the 7x57 is its name and the fact that commercial ammo here in the US is loaded light due to the liability issues with older mausers. Handloaded 7x57 is actually a better cartridge than the Ought8 (lol). I prefer the watered down 7x57 velocity (2650fps) for the type of hunting I do (deer and hogs less than 150yds). Recoil is so light. What a joy to shoot. Outstanding review of the 7mm-08 and including mentioning of the 7x57. The 30-06 case was developed from the 7x57, so quite a lot of history behind the 7x57.
I agree ,,, the longer action means nothing to me , 7x57 will handle heavier bullets better,,,, and i handload for everything,,, i like the 7mm08 to but it has nothing on the 7x57 that matters to me , when people tell me the 7x57 is about like the 7mm08,,, i tell them no the 7mm08 is about like the 7x57 😊
Great video on a great cartridge. I had a 7mm-08 about 10 years ago, just a cheap Marlin XS7 but that thing was unbelievable. It shot factory ammo into 1/2" groups easily. I wish I had it back now for my son when he gets old enough.
"I wish..."
Wishing won't do it.
Kinda like prayer.
If you want it, Make it Happen ! ...
I have owned a 7mm-08 forever. My 7mm-08 atm is a steel receiver Browning blr. I just love the 7mm-08. I also own several other calibers as well.
I'm really contemplating getting a 7mm-08. Seems like a great round.
Another great master shooting class!!! Great video!!!
I bought a 7-08 two years ago and I love it. I hunt deer with it I use a 120 grain bullet. I was planning to use it on moose but had trouble with the rifle. I’m surprised that you never mentioned the 280 Remington. People compare the 280 with the 7mm08.
Good video lots of information.
Subscribe to my channel and watch my 7mm cartridges video. I was trying to keep this one between short actions in the same performance envelope.
That’s what I prefer ! .280 Remington is my GoTo rifle. The light 140 grain stuff is just as light recoiling as the 7mm-08 , and if you want to step your game for elk, moose , bear 🐻 just load it with some 165-175 grain stuff … way more versatile than the 7mm-08
Its funny how things happen. Decades ago I inherited a 742 in 30-06 and hunted with it quite a few years. Later when I made more money I started looking for a lighter bolt action rifle to allow for more shooting and practice and would be better suited for deer hunting. The local gun shop had a 788 in 7mm-08 that caught my eye but I didn't know anything about the relatively new 7mm-08. A week of research convinced me it was just the caliber I was looking for. I kept looking in various small stores and was ready to walk out with a Vanguard in 7mm-08 when a slightly more compact Sako caught my eye. It had iron sights and when I shouldered it, it fit like a glove. It came with rings but I traded them for a low set. Mounted a Leupold 2-7 Compact and really like it. I reloaded for it and had worked up 3 loads for it. One with Barnes bullets for quick shots in the woods. One with Nosler ballistic tip bullets for hunting choppings, power lines and longer shots. The third was 160 Nosler partition for Moose. When more factory loads became available many of which were as accurate as my reloads. I stopped reloading for it. 4 years ago my sister got a moose tag and she wanted me for second gun. I had some old style 160 grain Grand Slams I'd never loaded so I quickly worked up a reasonable load. Got her moose with a snap broadside shot that wasn't exactly where I wanted it but she was found about 75 yards away. The two years later my cousin asked me to be second rifle for his moose license and I shot a second moose with the same load at 200 yards quartering to me with a careful steady rest. It fell right there. My worries about the 7mm-08 not being quite powerful enough disappeared. I was actually surprised how fast she dropped. Never took a step and only lifted her head briefly before expiring. Do I think there are better calibers for moose, certainly. My old 742 for one. But I still prefer using the 7mm-08 within its limits. I was limiting myself to roughly that distance unless it was a perfect broadside presentation but even then I wanted to keep shots under 250 yards. I'm presently trying some 160 grain Federal Trophy Bonded Tips hoping to gain another 50 yards effective range for moose. That's in case I ever have a chance to hunt them again. BTW I even won a hunting rifle match with it against fairly stiff competition. Ironically the second place also had a Sako in 308 and he was very disappointed he hadn't won.
I love my savage 7mm-08 shooting Barnes 120 and 140 gr ttsx. Accurate and deadly.
Got my first 7-08 in 1991. A Remington model 7 from custom shop. I fell in love with this cartridge for whitetail deer. Have taken at least 50 deer with it and 90% were instant kills. The ones that ran never went further than 50 yards. Have never lost a deer with it. Have purchased 3 more rifles chambered in it since 1991. There’s just not a better whitetail cartridge in my opinion. I really like the Hornady Superformance 139 gr. GMX (now called CX) Very accurate and mushroom well and maintain practically all of their weight.
Same here. A mod 7 caught my eye early in an 18 In barrel. Ultra lightweight but totally deadly on deer/ black bear at ranges to 200 yds. If you can see that far. I got teased a lot when I first got it but not now.
Darn you Desert Dog! Just bought a 6.5CM, & might have to sell it for a 7-08. Great job putting the video and ballistics chart together to support your consensus.
They are so close ballistically speaking, if you want to hunt different game get something bigger like a 28 nosler or a win mag, taking short action they are almost identical
I got my first 7-09 in 1981.. it was a Remington 700 Varmit and it shot incredible with 168 gr. sierra matchkings! …but it wasn’t for hunting.. i shot it in high power silhouette competition..
I didn’t have a way to measure the group but my load printed a 5 shot group that honestly looked like one shot at 100 yards.. and when zeroing for the state match in ‘82 i put 4 rounds through the hole under the rams horn.. that would have been a sub 2” group at 547 yards..
Now i have one to hunt with .. it’s a 700 mountain rifle and i shoot 120 barnes TTSX’s out of it at around 3200 fps which printed a 1 1/2” group at 300 yards a couple weeks ago..
love your channel!
keep up the good work!
Hi. What load do you use for the 120 TTSX?
I am a big fan of the smaller calibre cartridges.
I have been shooting a 6mm Remington for over 40 years.
And have taken many deer out to 315 yards and moose out to 125 yards
But bullet placement is key.
I have used a 7mm Remington mag for 38 + years as well . It’s my go to gun the 7mm is a great calibre for North American game
But now I am 66
And recoil is starting to take its toll.
So I am really thinking of the 7mm08
And after watching you video I am convinced it’s the right choice for me.
Great videos keep them coming.
Cheers
Lawrence Z
I have a 7mm-08 and love it. I originally got it for my son as his first center fire rifle. Now, I end up taking it hunting when he is not using it and leave my .30-06 at home. I use Hornady Full Boar factory ammo with 139 gr. GMX projectiles.
I have been deer hunting for over 30 years and have shot many deer with a 30/30, 30.06 and .50 cal muzzleloader. I switched to a Remington 700 chambered in 7mm08 this year. I shot 2 nice bucks at 85-100 yards and neither deer took a step. This rifle is super accurate, light enough to carry in the woods and has minimal recoil. I can’t see me hauling the 30.06 back into the mountains.
Love your videos dude. Educational and practical explanations.
Great content! Love the 7mm-08 cartridge!
As someone who lives out east there is no finer round for eastern hunting than the 7mm-08
And if you get a chance to go out West, it’s still plenty capable.
I recently bought a Tikka T3X Superlite 7mm-08 and was having my doubts about using it for elk hunting, but after watching your video, I have more confidence in taking it on my hunt. I have an old 700 30-06 that I was going to use but like the light weight of the Tikka. However, I've been only able to find Hornady Whitetail and Normal Whitetail but not any premium factory ammo for elk, so I might still end up taking the 30-06. Your videos are very educational, and I learn something new from each one. Thanks!
I think the 30-06 is perfect for elk. Use it.
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 Thanks for the recommendation. I just ordered some Barnes Tipped TSX 168 gr ammo. I watched your other video on this ammo and the bullets spinning and called the manufacturer and was told that was normal for copper bullets. It was the only premium ammo I could find at this time and the Federal Nosler Partition and Trophy Bonded Tip that I have aren't very accurate out of my rifle. The original wood rifle stock has been glass bedded and a trigger job was done as well. I'm going to give it a good cleaning following your suggestions in your Hunting Rifle Cleaning video and maybe that will help improve accuracy. I've only used Hoppes and patches, so a thorough cleaning is in order. Thanks again and have a good day!
@@archstanton9703 That is a horrible answer by Barnes. Copper bullets don't do that; they have a neck tension issue with their machinery.
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 They said it was within tolerances and won't affect accuracy. There isn't much of a choice for premium factory ammo, and I don't reload, so I hope this is fresh ammo and that issue has been corrected. Thanks for the reply and have a good one!
O6 165 2750 7 mm08 160 2600 so come down to 150 know put it down a 26” barrel and it’s almost a match
I own all three as well as 243, 270, 25.06 & 30.06 and my go to is the 7mm-08 every single time.
I just got done watching your video and I myself got a Ruger American 7mm 08 for my daughter a youth model I fell in love with that caliber and now I own a Remington model 700 BDL 7mm 08
I just got a 7mm-08 for hunting this year. I absolutely love this round. I wish it was more popular and ammo was better
7-08 is a great cartridge choice....Lovin that paint scheme you got going on there too!
I fell in love with this cartridge many years ago. Not much information was available and factory rounds were hard to find then. I have harvested many Deer and coyote. You cannot part me from it. I know what it can do and do well. Nice to see the world is catching up finally.
Interesting post. This versatile caliber has solidified my respect. It's good enough that I feel a bit of regret when using one of my other rifles.
The right bullet choice with a 7mm/08 can hunt and kill all big game world wide. A 180 grain gilded metal jacketed tungsten core bullet will penetrate as deep as any dangerous game bullet in the 7mm/08. Cutting Edge Bullets will make a safari solid 160 grain copper bullet if you want 200 or more made. Anything the 7 X 57 has accomplished the 7mm/08 will match. Great topic sir.
Just ordered a Sauer 100 classic xt in 7mm-08 with Meopta Optikia6. Very excited.
4064 great all round powder for the 7mmO8. Thanks again Desert Dog.
Wow, thank you for your information on the 7 mm 08 I just bought a Winchester model 70 compact for my son but this gun might be mine and he’s gonna have to grow up to it. I’m in Wisconsin and the compact model 70 is perfect. Usually you have a lot of heavy gear on and you need that short Stock 20 inch barrel for shooting Treestand hunting or ground blinds. I’m glad I bought that 7 mm 08 I’m just getting ready for set up.
I never understood how the 6.5 CM took off when the 7mm-08 is just so much better for hunting. I started my kids off with the 243 Win, because they were only 8, and I wanted to keep the recoil as light as possible with a center fire.
I will disagree on one point. If you step down from a magnum, there just isn’t anything better or more “practical” than a 270 Win. In the South, the 7mm-08 is one oddball cartridge.
Thanks for doing this review DD, this is really one great caliber that more people should know about. I couldn’t agree more, this is a wise choice when you’re starting off kids, or even something the wife can handle without any problems. I always remember O’Conner’s wife was big on the 7x57, and he was amazed at how good it was on a trip to Africa.
The 7mm-08 could be the best of the 7mm’s.
I really think the 6.5 took off because of the name. I would take 7mm08 over CM any day. I now have a .270 which I absolutely love, in fact I you actually helped me decide to go .270 a couple of years ago on another channel. But I had a 7mm08 about 10 years ago and I really miss it too. Fantastic cartridge.
@@NCWoodlandRoamer
I have a 7mm-08, it's still in the box, five years now. My go to, since mid 80's, the Rem. 700 BDL in .270.
On it is a Denver, USA Redfield Illuminator in 3x9.
Before that, I used a Rem. 742 in 30-06, but the 700 fits like a glove.
The author gives conflicting reasoning. He started talking hunting rifle, but quickly switches to a heavy barrel, (after a light stock) for rapid firing accuracy.
If it's a hunting rifle, then I want a thin, light barrel, no bull barrel.
Imo, the 7mm-08 is not some bench long range accuracy platform.
Nothing wrong with the 7mm-08 for hunting, it'll take most game hunted in America, but not best for all.
I've got 6.5 Creed and 7mm mag. The .270 just keeps them in the box they came in.
@@boogerdog5247 the 7-08 I had was a hunting rifle as is my .270 that I now have. As much as I miss the 7-08 I wouldn't trade my .270 for it either. I'm launching 140 grain bullets accurately at almost 3000 fps with it.
Desert Dog isn’t going to like all this loving on the 270, he “thinks”the 30-‘06 is better 🤣🤣🤣
Rise of the 270 Win bots 🤖
Thanks DD, great cartridge video!
@@falba1492 hahaha! 270 270 270 270 270 270 270 270. Just kidding Desert Dog! Actually if I was forced to have only one hunting rifle for the rest of my life it would be a 30-06.
I started out with the 7rem mag when I was 12 almost 30 years ago then started using the .270 win for everything I hunted. I’m currently enjoying the .280AI it seems to have hit a sweet spot for me. When my daughters were both old enough to hunt I started them both on the 7mm-08 and they’ve taken deer, black bear and bull elk with them. I absolutely love the 7-08 I’ve been wanting to get myself one. I really liked this video and 100% agree with your opinion on the ethical distances that you have posted.
Another great video. Thanks!
Also, I really appreciate your rational and informed approach to ethical hunting distances.
I've just left for a two week fishing/hunting trip and I'm bringing a new Winchester Model 70 dark maple, stainless in 7mm-08 I just bought. It's the first 7mm-08 I've ever owned. I've mainly used .308's but have always been interested in the 7mm-08. I hope I'm fortunate enough to get a chance to use it to harvest a nice Blacktail this year.
Please keep the terrifically informative videos coming.
For me I’ve always considered the 7-08 as probably the 2nd best whitetail cartridge ever designed. With 1st being the 270 win. When people ask me for a deer rifle I always say 7-08 or 270 win. Which I usually follow up with there are so many good ones just take your pick 😂
I chose the 7-08 over the 270 really for the lower recoil and smaller cartridge. I might try the 270 one day.
@@Verdigris. they are both fabulous. If you need more than the 7mm-08 try a 7mm Remington Mag.
I wonder if 7mm-08 would be good for moose... I live in Quebec where we usually dont take long shot, we call and bait them. lots of people here hunt with 300 + calibers. But I noticed that too many of them are poor marksman, that get drunk during their hunt. Since I dont, and practice a lot, I wonder if a 7mm would do the trick.
I have 270 and 7-08. Both good calibers but I prefer 7-08.
@@adamelam6385 totally agree with you. I have a 7_08 and 2, 270s. Got the 270s cheap or I wouldn't even have them. If you want something besides another middle of the road caliber, jump on up to 7 mag or bigger. Don't need a bunch that you can't tell any difference in.
I fully agree. I've been using it for 10 years and recently started hand loading for it. I have also recently picked up a 338 federal. It's not common but for a short action packs a punch and I'm crazy about it. I will always recommend the 708 because it is so we'll balanced in every category
I honestly believe that the 7mm-08 270 Winchester and various 6.5 cartridges are nearly equals. It may come down to personal preference to make your pick but for me they all play into that perfect medium game caliber while being considered by most experts the minimum considered for large game. I believe that one of these cartridges paired with a 338 Winchester 35 Whelen or a 375 cartridge is just about right for all North American big game hunting.
I absolutely love your cartridge videos. Yes, they are informative and entertaining. Glad to be a subscriber, and you deserve many more than you have.
In the early days, I hunted close range whitetails with a borrowed 30-30. The only deer rifle I bought was a .270 Savage 110e with a synthetic stock, new for $200. I never regretted it, but was always intrigued by the 7mm-08. If I could have one more rifle, I think I'd go for it.
Really did not know that much about the 7mm08 so thanks for the video, educational and informative.
Great show and thank you for the info my friend 👍👍👍💯
Tough time finding factory ammo. I used Sportsman’s Warehouse too, but my store has a lot less selection, and loading supplies is not easy to find either. The 7mm-08 is a fun cartage to shoot. Thanks for the video.
Was my first own new hunting rifle cartridge. Fantastic shooter and a lot of animals on the ground. If I was going to drop down from a Magnum again I wouldn't hesitate.
I love the way you explain things so realistic and to the point, love and respect ,Al Azadi.
Love the practical information in your video. soooo many people just look at what is popular and think they are gonna shoot a 6.5 Creed at 1000 yards and get 1" groups and the fact of the matter is that most people really want an accurate load at HUNTING distances. I shoot a 7mm08 and have for 25 years. I have a couple model 7's that shoot completely different with different bullet weights. One is a one hole shooter with only a couple loads and the other shoots 1 to 1.5 inches at 100 yards with anything you put through it. I also have an encore rifle and pistol. Funy thing is that the rifle likes lighter bullets and the pistol likes 160 grain bullets. Anyhow I really enjoyed watching your video and am like minded with your statements. Thank you very much for putting it out there
This is the best and most informative information I have seen on this cartridge. You have a new subscriber just threw out the 6.5 creedmore I was going to buy
Desert Dog! Thank you so much for shedding some light on my beloved 7mm-08! Truly I believe the most underrated SA cartridge!
Great video. Love the 7mm-08 Rem. I have had some amazing luck with Reloader 17.
I watched this a second time. I’ve been a hobbyist ballistician since I was 14 years old. (53yo now). I own a Remington 700 in 7mm08. It has a 20” barrel. Ive been using Barnes TTSX 120gr bullets. I easily get 2900fps. Absolutely devastating on any whitetail. I use Varget mostly.
Nothing is perfect but this combo is pretty close.
I love the 7mm08
Thank you. Very well done.
Try the 162 grain ELD_X in you 7mm-08.It will turn into a super round. H4350 is the powder for that weight in every rifle we have tried it in.
Great topic! Now I MUST scope up my new Tikka T3X in seven-oh-eight! Going with a Leupold 3-9X33 Ultralight. Have a new box Lapua brass ready to go. Way to go, DD!
As you've probably found out, the Tikka has a lot of free bore for the 7mm-08. You can basically load it as a 7mm Creedmoor. Only problem is that the factory mags are too short to long load the rounds. Get a .270 magazine and it can handle quite a bit more powder than factory.
Great info, this is helping me decide on my next rifle build.
Love my 7mm08. The cartridge is easy to load and super accurate out to 600 yds. It is fast and flat enough for anything I need it to do. Barrel life is several thousand shots (3000 to 5000) or more compared to the 6.5 speed burners that burn out a barrel in 1500 shots.
If I was looking for a new deer rifle the 7mm -08 would be a cartridge to consider for sure. In the meantime I’ll happily keep using my trusty .270 Win Tikka. Thanks for your knowledgable understanding.
If you already own a 270, 308, 6.5CM, I would say there is no reason to buy a 7mm-08 to do the same job just well. But after having a 7mm-08, I would say if you don’t have any of them, buy the 7mm-08. It’s so very accurate and a pleasure to shoot.
Awesome as usual! One of my all time favorite cartridges.
Thanks for all that you do on here, it is greatly appreciated!
I love the 7mm-08 !
The Sierra 7mm 160gr spire point boattail was the best I ever found for my 7mm TCU wildcat ammo for my Thompson Contender 14" silhouette pistol.
Great recap on the 7mm-08. REM You came to the same conclusion I did. Cut my hunting teeth on the 30-06 too. Started my boy off with a 7mm-08 in the Weatherby Vanguard compact as a boy. He’s now a 6’4” a 220lb teenager with a choice to reach for a lot of bigger options from my safe. Yet, he still most often reaches for his 7mm-08 compact he’s killed most of his big game with.. Especially if we’re leaving the low country for the mountains. All he needs now is a slip-on recoil pad to give him the full sized length of pull for his new height to make it the perfect lifetime all-around hunting rifle AND starter rifle to pass down to his kid. Can’t recommend this cartridge and setup with any higher praise. Great choice!!
I've seriously considered getting that same rifle for myself and switching out the stock to a Bell and Carlson. I think it would make a sweet little rifle.
@@NCWoodlandRoamer very accurate shooter. Small & compactor a deer stand. Very lightweight fir the mountains.
Well , I just found this video again after about a year ago, and I’ve always contemplated over getting a 7mm-08 .
Funny that you stated how guys who’ve been hunting for years with their big magnums and .30-06’s have set them aside to embrace this 7mm-08 cartridge, and here I am 😂
I just picked up a Tikka T3x Hunter in 7mm-08 , waiting for the Leupold scope to arrive, and I picked up some various Hornady ammunition ( American whitetail 139 gr interlocks and Superformance 150 gr ELD-X as well as some Superformance 139 gr CX )
I’d like to find some Swift Scirocco II 150 gr , but I can’t seem to find any yet .
Excellent video on the 7mm-08, Thanks!
Great video and great cartridge for Australian game too👍
7mm-08 is a fine cartridge to be sure. I ought not swap it for my 3 aught 8, for hunting purposes. I am a fan of 7mm cartridges however. Thanks for the presentation!!
I was given advice from a seasoned hunter. So I went with the model seven 7mm o8.. works well at all distances.
Few years ago with all the new whiz bang cartridges coming to market I sat down and crunched the numbers from my reloading manuals and ballistic tables. For hunting I came to a simple conclusion for my needs. 30-30 for short range. 308 or 7mm-08 pick either for medium range. 270 or 30-06 pick either for long range. That gets me out to 400 yards. For an extra 50 yards 7 mag or 300 mag once again pick either.
Very informative video. Thank you!
7mm-08 has been my favorite hunting rifle since the mid 90's
Thanks for the sharing bro,keep up the great work.
This is my FAVORITE caliber. I have taken everything from ground hogs to elk with it. I have used most 120-160gr bullets you can reload for it. I have settled on the Speer 160gr BTSP for all of my deer hunting my current powder is IMR 4551 but I have also used 100V, IMR 4350 and Ramshot Hunter under this bullet. For bigger heavier game I like the 145gr Barnes LRX over Ramshot Big Game. The only thing that sucks with this caliber is the cat is out of the bag and some times rifles and the brass (Norma, Lapua and Peterson) I prefer are harder to find. Awesome round and in my opinion better than the parent 308 and the 6.5 Creedmoor hands down.
Another GREAT REVIEW!! Thank you DD, love the content in every way. Rolled out with great info ended with great info can't ask for more than that.
7mm08 is my deer/hog rifle; some folks snicker and say it’s a girls cartridge, but I keep driving back to camp with animals strapped to the back of my ATV; h4350 and a 140 Sierra pro hunter @ ~2900fps is all you need; RL17 will sling a 150 partition @ 2830fps (both 1/2”)
What's crazy, is that people calling it a girls cartridge shoot a 6.5CM!!!! lol
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 exactly - it amazes me how 80% of people believe marketing and don't think for themselves - BC inside 300 yards is not a significant factor
With my daughter taking up hunting ,I bought her a 7mm08, (the kids cartridge).Wow,was I impressed, thinking about getting one for myself.
Great show, Kentucky
A 7mm 08 makes a fantastic thousand yard Target gun. As well as a great hunting rifle. If you want a mild recoiling do it all done with a variety of bullets and you're willing to hand load and utilize a variety of powders there is really nothing you couldn' do with a 7 mm 08. It's not the perfect gun for every situation but it's the perfect gun for all situations
Thanks for the video on this cartridge, I don't own a rifle chambered in it but some of my friends do and they love it. This was very informative . I started my son at age 12 with the 260 remington which honestly has been deadly on deer. I've never been interested in the 6.5 creedmoor because as a hunting round I didn't see it doing anything my 260 couldn't do at the ranges I shoot. 👍👍
Yep, from a hunting standpoint; the 260 does everything the 6.5CM does, but you can squeeze a little more velocity out of the 260 with most hunting bullets.
Remington got the twist rates wrong on the 260 originally. Now all the new rifles I’ve seen are 1:8”, just like the CM.
@@falba1492 Yep, Winchester also does that crap (264win, 284win, 270wsm, etc)
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 I think the biggest difference is in the leade. Creedmoor was designed from the ground up for super-long heavy for caliber target bullets. .260 isn't as efficient with those, but with regular big game bullets they perform about the same.
Way2go, I think the 7 mm 08 really deserves the love that you're giving it. My first big game rifle was an 8 mm Mauser. No complaints but I was new to the game and I would have been better suited with a 7 mm 08. That was almost 40 years ago
I truly appreciate the great information
Your statement at the end about the magnum rounds is exactly how I feel and luckily, I haven't bought in to the go big or go home mentality. If I was hunting Grizzly bears or in Grizzly territory then that would be different but I am a whitetail hunter that takes a week trip to Southern Colorado for elk every year. My .308 has been perfect, I did just buy a 7mm-08 but it was for the good deal on a modified gun that drew me to it, can't wait to shoot it and see how my kids like it.
Love the 7MM-08, just sold mine though. You see I’m a lefty and love CRF rifles and I just happen to have a 308 Hawkeye in left hand. So every time I go to the vault and pull out a gun to go hunting, you can about guess which one I pull. Oh well. Can’t say a bad word about the 7MM-08.
my go to cartridge extremely underrated can shoot further than a 308 and hits harder than a 6.5 creed. honestly has the perfect balance
I wanted to get a rifle in this cartridge but just worried I wouldn't be able to find ammo going forward . where I live it's not popular so finding rifles and ammo was hard so I chose a creedmoor . The reason the creedmoor and 7mm-08 are similar is good performance for less recoil .
I have a custom 7mm-08 built with a Remington Model 7 action and 21" Lilja barrel and trigger. I hunt whitetails here in Alabama and I'm well pleased with it.