If you're into hunting, long-range shooting, or even just a firearms enthusiast, you might have found yourself torn between the 7mm-08 Remington and .308 Winchester cartridges. Both have a storied history, solid performance metrics, and a dedicated following. But how do they stack up against each other in various categories such as recoil, knockdown power, and effective range? In this comprehensive blog post, we'll delve deep into the 7mm-08 vs .308 Winchester debate, looking at ballistics, history, and ideal applications for each caliber.
What is 7mm-08?
The 7mm-08 Remington cartridge is a .308 Winchester case necked down to hold a 7mm bullet. With its roots in the late 1950s, the commercial introduction of the round came later in the 1980’s. The round produces a light recoil impulse and flat trajectory and can be an ideal choice for those who prioritize accuracy and reduced recoil in a versatile cartridge. Since its introduction, the cartridge has become a popular hunting cartridge, especially when paired with purpose-built bolt action rifles. End users have found it to be a very handy deer hunting cartridge which is easily used by shooters of all types and skill levels.
What is .308 Winchester?
The .308 Winchester cartridge, born in the early 1950s, has been one of the most popular calibers for hunting and tactical shooting. Known for its reliable performance and substantial power, it is often the go-to choice for various shooting applications. After its introduction, the cartridge has become a mainstay for a variety of tactical and practical use cases. Everything from hunting to long-range shooting and battle rifle use can be accomplished with the .308 cartridge. Notably, the cartridge served as the basis for the 7.62x51 NATO cartridge, a round which has been utilized by various battle rifles, sniper rifles, and light machine guns around the globe.
Which Has Less Recoil?
The 7mm-08 typically has less recoil than the .308 Winchester, making it a better option for younger or recoil-sensitive shooters. On paper, the 7mm-08 Rem produces about 13-19 ft-lbs of recoil while the .308 produces roughly 16-22 ft-lbs of energy. This means that the 7mm-08 Remington has about 20% less recoil than the .308 Win.
Which Has the Best Knockdown Power?
While both calibers offer excellent performance, the .308 Winchester usually takes the crown when it comes to knockdown power, especially with heavier bullets. It is more popular for hunting bigger game like elk and moose. This is not to say that the 7mm-08 is a slouch in the field by any means. The 7mm-08 Remington is capable of adequate levels of penetration due to its better sectional density, lighter projectiles, and high velocities.
What is the Effective Range for Each Caliber?
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7mm-08 Remington: The effective range for hunting is around 400-500 yards.
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.308 Winchester: This cartridge offers an effective range of up to 800 yards, making it more suitable for long-range shooting.
Which is Better for Reloading?
Both cartridges are good for reloading, but the .308 Winchester may have a slight edge due to the abundant availability of various bullet weights and powders.
Which Caliber is More Accurate?
Both cartridges are capable of accurate fire. The .308 Winchester benefits from a wide range of specialized loadings which are optimized for long range shooting and hunting. Of course, the round also has a The 7mm-08 possesses some advantages over the .308 such as a flatter trajectory.
Best Use for 7mm-08
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Medium-size game hunting like deer and black bear.
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Target shooting.
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Use by recoil-sensitive shooters.
Best Use for .308 Winchester
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Large game hunting.
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Long-range shooting.
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Tactical applications.
Ballistics
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7mm-08: 2,800 to 2,900 fps (feet per second) muzzle velocity.
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.308 Winchester: 2,600 to 2,800 fps muzzle velocity.
Which is Best for Hunting?
For medium-sized game, 7mm-08 Rem is excellent, but for larger game, the .308 Winchester is generally better. Put plainly, while the 7mm-08 can be used to great effect, especially by the recoil sensitive, the .308 is simply a more versatile hunting cartridge at the end of the day.
Types of Firearms
At this point in time, there are far more firearms available in .308 than there are in 7mm-08. Bolt action rifles in various forms can be found in either caliber, providing shooters with solid manual action firearms. When it comes to semi-automatics, the .308 Winchester dominates this field and can easily be found in the form of rifles like AR-10s, M1As, and other battle rifle type designs. Put plainly, shooters will have more variety and diverse firearms to choose from with the .308 Win as opposed to the 7mm-08 Rem.
Conclusion
The best caliber between 7mm-08 Remington and .308 Winchester depends on your specific needs. For less recoil and better long-range accuracy, go for 7mm-08 Rem. If you're after stopping power and versatility in hunting larger game, .308 Winchester is the better choice. We hope this 7mm-08 vs .308 Winchester guide has been helpful in making an informed decision. Both are exceptional cartridges with unique strengths and weaknesses, so the "best" choice will always be subjective.
