7mm-08

[4 point]

I picked up a new Ruger 7mm-08 mainly to get my 13 year old grandson into deer hunting. He has shot a .22 semi automatic and a .22/410 over and under. He is deadly with the .22. I’ll be using it as well. Put a Leupold scope on it I had. Took it out and sighted it in so all good there.

Any pointers anyone has on using this calibre, factory ammo, shot placement etc. mainly for deer and also on moose if a LEH tag is ever received. Thanks for any replies.

[warnniklz]

stick with premium bullets (partitions, accubonds, GMX, TTSX, E-Tip, CX) you'll be fine.

Just make sure he gets some trigger time.

[john-brennan]

I use 140gr accubonds for ungulates up to the size of moose, put it in the lung heart area they are done.

[oddsix]

I use 140gr accubonds for ungulates up to the size of moose, put it in the lung heart area they are done.

x2 for the Accubonds

[Greenthumbed]

My hunting partner picked up a 7-08 a couple of seasons ago. He’s impressed with it. He took a bull elk at 260 yards last season with 140gr Nosler Accubonds.
I think it is a very versatile cartridge.

[Redthies]

It’s a 7mm. Just like a 7mm Rem Mag. Less powder, sure, but also way easier to shoot accurately due to the almost irrelevant recoil. At most “normal” ranges it is a parallel to .308 for energy. There is no reason to question its ability to take any game we have in BC given practical ranges. I know guys that take big bulls out to 400 yards with their 7-08. I limit myself to 250-300 yards, but that’s true with any caliber as I don’t get enough practice with any of my guns to be confident past that range.

[mastercaster]

My Sako 85 SS 7-08 is my favourite, my "go to" rifle. I have two loads for it ,,,,my original is 120 gr. TTSX with 43.5 grains of Varget. Deadly accurate and 2900 fps. Have shot at least a dozen and half deer and one moose with that load,,, no follow up shot needed on any of them. I'm developing a 139 gr. Barnes LRX load right now for it that I expect big things from for 300+ yd. shots.

[Ron.C]

I shoot 140g ttsx out of my 7mm08 and its my primary hunting rifle for everything (deer, elk, bear, hopefully bou or moose this year). My best friends daughter shoots 120g ttsx out of hers.( he uses a a She has killed bears and deer with hers, no issue.

Ive also shot a couple deer with hornady american whitetail factory ammo, worked just fine. I only shoot for heart/lungs. I actually reload the hornady interlock bullets as my plinking ammo. They are cheap, shoot well and not hard to find

[guywitha270]

Most underrated caliber there is. 120 gr. TTSX for bears, moose, deer, everything. It's a devastating little round.

[Salmon Belly]

If you’re reloading look at Barnes 139gr LRX. Nechako has them in stock right now (act fast). You won’t find 140gr Accubond anywhere for awhile

SB

[Quesnel Kid]

I absolutely love this caliber. I have a Winchester extreme weather that I lengthened the free bore on to allow loading longer bullets without impacting powder capacity. I have a load developed for a 160gr Partition that’s at about 2700 fps with sub MOA accuracy. Deadly on moose and bears so far. I have played around with the 120 TTSX with promising results too.

Every time I take this gun out I ask my self why do I still have a 300wsm sitting in the safe? Will I ever use it again?

[justachip]

I will second the 120 ttsx load.My son shoots it very good results .

[wallz]

I aquired a 2nd 7-08 for this year. A dedicated rifle for the teen. My wife shoots a 7-08.

I have had great success shooting the 150 gr hornady eldx, with deer and moose. Going to be using the 145 gr LRX this year for them. Both shooting sub moa out to 550 yrds.

[Redthies]

I aquired a 2nd 7-08 for this year. A dedicated rifle for the teen. My wife shoots a 7-08.

I have had great success shooting the 150 gr hornady eldx, with deer and moose. Going to be using the 145 gr LRX this year for them. Both shooting sub moa out to 550 yrds.

Two questions: Which make/model(s) do you have, and why don’t YOU shoot 7-08 since you have obviously found success with it?

[Bugle M In]

It’s a good caliber, and just like the 270, the reduced recoil makes it a great choice for many folks as they will shoot better because of that.
Premium bullets, and I like accubonds, but then again, someone mentioned their lack of supply.

[wallz]

Two questions: Which make/model(s) do you have, and why don’t YOU shoot 7-08 since you have obviously found success with it?

I acquired a kimber Adirondack for the wife, few years back. Small, compact, and light. I have been known to take it and use it on occasion. The teens started using it as well.

I traded my fierce down to a savage 116 in 7mm-08, so my teenage son has a dedicated "own" rifle, so I could set it up for him to shoot. Cheaper rifle so it can take a bit of abuse that the teens put it through and not bat an eye. It has turned out to be quite accurate, and he has been shooting it out to 550 yrds now.

Yea, I down traded the fierce. It was in 300 WM, and was going to be too much gun for the teenagers. I had a custom built on the defiance anti action in 6.5 PRC, sitting in an XLR magnesium chassis for myself. So I upgraded optics and rifle for myself, and was able to fill a gap for the teens. was looking for the 7-08 specifically as I already new its capabilities, and now reloading, so it makes my life a little easier with less calibers to source components for.

[XPEIer]

I bought a Winchester XPR Compact in 708 a couple of years back and I love it,,, it is short, light and great for tight spots that I hunt. The caliber is fine (the shooter not so much), but when I do hit them they go down right away. I have not tried it on larger game such as Elk or Moose (no seasons) and will stick to my 3006 for moose just to be certain.
Ammo, like all ammo right now is tough to find. If you find one you like and can get lots of it, but it now and stock up. I have had to order from all over Canada to get what I wanted.

XPEIER

[REMINGTON JIM]

I aquired a 2nd 7-08 for this year. A dedicated rifle for the teen. My wife shoots a 7-08.

I have had great success shooting the 150 gr hornady eldx, with deer and moose. Going to be using the 145 gr LRX this year for them. Both shooting sub moa out to 550 yrds.

What brand model 7-08s Are you Shooting ? Getting sub MOA groups at up to and 550 yards is pretty FANTASTIC for a hunting rifle ?

Also what brand - type ammo or reloads do you use ? Please Share ! Thxs. RJ

[wallz]

What brand model 7-08s Are you Shooting ? Getting sub MOA groups at up to and 550 yards is pretty FANTASTIC for a hunting rifle ?

Also what brand - type ammo or reloads do you use ? Please Share ! Thxs. RJ


Like all recipes, this is working for me and you should check to your rifle, yada, yada disclaimer.

RL16 charge @ 42.2 gr, 145 LRX bullet, CCI 250 primers, in Lapua brass. My cartridge to ogive length is 2.3000 set with my instruments.

I guess I got really lucky, that they are both shooting the same reloads with very close to the same accuracy. Considering the savage is with a longer barrel, I still hit both harmonics with the same charge. Me, I prefer the kimber, as I really do not enjoy the savage accu-triggers.

Rifle info is in post above.

[tuffteddyb]

Awesome caliber! 120ttsx !

[4 point]

Thanks for all the reedback!

[mod7rem]

It is a great round. My adult son has one and has used it on Black Bear, Pronghorn and Mule deer. I also handload for a friend that has one.
Don’t get hung up on premium, costly, hard to find bullets for the 7-08. At its modest velocity’s any hunting bullet will work great.