308 win vs 7mm rem mag

[Brbpuppy]

Just curious; which caliber would you choose and why? I have a 2 week long hunting trip coming up for white tail, hopefully find elk, and am torn between which rifle I should bring. I prefer shooting the 308 win, and find its much lighter and more maneuverable, but at the same time I am aware of the extra power the 7mm rem mag can provide... The areas I hunt, I normally never get a shot outside 300 yards.

So under 300 yards...Is the 7mm rem mag really going to have much benefit, or not? I know at longer distances it has the obvious advantage.

Appreciate any feedback, thanks guys.

[58thecat]

The 308 seems to be what you are more leaning towards…..and if you do your part you are not under gunned!


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[Dean2]

Originally Posted by Brbpuppy

Just curious; which caliber would you choose and why? I have a 2 week long hunting trip coming up for white tail, hopefully find elk, and am torn between which rifle I should bring. I prefer shooting the 308 win, and find its much lighter and more maneuverable, but at the same time I am aware of the extra power the 7mm rem mag can provide... The areas I hunt, I normally never get a shot outside 300 yards.

So under 300 yards...Is the 7mm rem mag really going to have much benefit, or not? I know at longer distances it has the obvious advantage.

Appreciate any feedback, thanks guys.

I own both. The 308 with 150 Grain bullet is every bit the equivalent of the 7mm with 150s to 300 yards. Both will spit them out at 3000 fps, so except for the slightly better B.C. of the 7MM, which helps after 500 yards, there is no effective difference in killing power. Anyone who says there is never used one or looked at the ballistics charts for them.

[Brbpuppy]

Originally Posted by Dean2

I own both. The 308 with 150 Grain bullet is every bit the equivalent of the 7mm with 150s to 300 yards. Both will spit them out at 3000 fps, so except for the slightly better B.C. of the 7MM, which helps after 500 yards, there is no effective difference in killing power. Anyone who says there is never used one or looked at the ballistics charts for them.

Nice, this is what I thought... Although I am using 180 grain, most of my shots are under 100 yards.

[Dean2]

Originally Posted by Brbpuppy

Nice, this is what I thought... Although I am using 180 grain, most of my shots are under 100 yards.

Even with 180 grain bullets, the 7 MM would only be about 150 fps faster and very few people actually use bullets that heavy in a 7mm. The "Magical" word Magnum has sold a lot of guns and ammo, but it is predominately marketing, at least at the ranges 95% of guys hunt at.

[catnthehat]

I prefer the smaller capacity cartridges as opposed to the bigger ones because if recoil.
The 308 size of case works perfectly for my needs, which are animals under 400 meters.
A 308 does just fine as does my .303 chambered Ruger which I run at 308 velocities .
Cat

[Dick284]

I’d go .308Win given the choices.

Belt, you don’t need no stinking belt……..

[obsessed1]

Another vote for 308. Great bullets in 150-165 range kill fantastic out to 400. Guns are generally lighter, shorter, handier....pontificating over which caliber is better between any big game cartridge over the next within " usual" hunting distances is redundant.....spoiler they ALL work just fine on deer sized game. Platform if said rifle for Said purpose makes much more difference on how enjoyable/ well the hunt goes.
Once distances increase or critter size increases caliber selection becomes a bit more important.

[Stinky Buffalo]

Where's the "All of the above" option?

.308 would suit most of my hunting needs.

However, I sure do like the 7mm.

[Twisted Canuck]

I also like the .308. And the 7mm RM. And then I traded my .308 for a 7mm08, and that worked too. I'd say for your ranges, take the rifle you like shooting more. I find myself always reaching for my 7mm08, but sometimes take the RM out just because it works too.

No right or wrong answer here, either is more then adequate.

[buckman]

Originally Posted by Brbpuppy

Just curious; which caliber would you choose and why? I have a 2 week long hunting trip coming up for white tail, hopefully find elk, and am torn between which rifle I should bring. I prefer shooting the 308 win, and find its much lighter and more maneuverable, but at the same time I am aware of the extra power the 7mm rem mag can provide... The areas I hunt, I normally never get a shot outside 300 yards.

So under 300 yards...Is the 7mm rem mag really going to have much benefit, or not? I know at longer distances it has the obvious advantage.

Appreciate any feedback, thanks guys.

The 7 mm outperforms the 308 at range. More ft lbs,flatter and the recoil is very bearable.For Elk its a better cartridge,they are 3-4 times as big as deer and very hard to kill unless you are within the calibers capability.The 7 gives you more of what you want for Elk.

[Dean2]

Originally Posted by buckman

The 7 mm outperforms the 308 at range. More ft lbs,flatter and the recoil is very bearable.For Elk its a better cartridge,they are 3-4 times as big as deer and very hard to kill unless you are within the calibers capability.The 7 gives you more of what you want for Elk.

You are incorrect. Two 150 grain bullets with a muzzle velocity of 3000 fps have exactly the same killing power, at least to 300 yards, regardless of caliber. The slightly better B.C. and S.D. of the 7mm will make zero difference to 300 yards. Deer, elk, moose or bear, the 7mm does NOT kill better under 300 yards.

[roper1]

You seem to prefer the 308, probably a bit less recoil & muzzle blast if a back up shot is required. If you think you might be tempted to "stretch the barrel", take the 7MM.

[Smoky buck]

Just because you seem to like the 308 more I say take it

Put the hole where is belongs and you will have a dead elk no matter which one you choose.

[mediumrare]

Never owned a 7mmrem mag so I’m biased .308 shooting 150 grain copper bullets does the trick for me.

[freeride]

Originally Posted by buckman

The 7 mm outperforms the 308 at range. More ft lbs,flatter and the recoil is very bearable.For Elk its a better cartridge,they are 3-4 times as big as deer and very hard to kill unless you are within the calibers capability.The 7 gives you more of what you want for Elk.

At range yes, but as Dean said 300 and under nope.
308 at 300 and under is more then enough.
As well as cheaper, less recoil.

[fps plus]

You won’t go wrong with either one

I owe several hunting calibers but I keep catching myself grabbing my 308 ultralight that weighs 6lbs with a 6x leupold .

[360hunt]

308

I've harvested caribou, elk, moose and deer. All sub 400 meters.

Nothing wrong with 7mm remington mag but never needed it.

[Lefty]

Owned and hunted with both. I would take the one that you shoot the best. If it is a draw then I would take the lightest one if I was doing a bunch of walking.

[marlin1]

slightly less bullet drop for my 7mm than my 308 with fusions . Having said that I think the difference is negligible . I love my 7 but working on a 308 model 70 for this season . my vote is for the 7mm rem mag just because I have used it most

[Ackleyman]

if going for WT and Elk my choice would be 7MM.
7mm with Barnes 145gr LRX is an awesome combo. But that's me, as mentioned .308 is more then capable.

[brewster29]

Originally Posted by Dean2

You are incorrect. Two 150 grain bullets with a muzzle velocity of 3000 fps have exactly the same killing power, at least to 300 yards, regardless of caliber. The slightly better B.C. and S.D. of the 7mm will make zero difference to 300 yards. Deer, elk, moose or bear, the 7mm does NOT kill better under 300 yards.

I won't argue with the foregoing, but a handloaded 308 has a max velocity of about 3000 fps with a 150 gr bullet, whereas handloaded the 7 RM has a max velocity of about 3250. (Numbers from my Nosler manual, both with 24" barrels). Given those velocities all advantages lie with the 7 mag. However at 300 yards or less I doubt any game animal would notice the difference.

[fordtruckin]

I had a 7mag and sold it. Was never a fan of it. My personal opinion is for the small gain in velocity and energy you pay for it in recoil, the necessity to have a longer barrel to actually benefit from the extra powder and of course the cost being a magnum. For me personally it doesn’t make it worthwhile to own one. Now I hunt only with a .308 and have not had any issues. For the animals you mentioned a .308 will be more than adequate no point beating yourself up with a magnum and carrying the longer barrel to get the same results. Of course that’s my opinion only.

[32-40win]

About the only reason I own magnum cartridges anymore are because they were really cool rifles, the cartridge was OK. Shot everything with my 7-08 that I've ever shot with a magnum cartridge. Had some better DRT's in some cases with the 7-08 and 30R as well.

[Brbpuppy]

Appreciate all the feedback. In this case, I will be going with my .308 w/ 180grain Federal Premium Nosler Partitions.

The poll is split even @ 50% - 50% right now lol.

[sns2]

It’s only even because your comments showed you preferred your 308. Just being honest. Having said that, I hunted with a 308 for 15 years. Killed everything I ever did with my 7 mags. These are the two cartridges I have killed 95% of my animals with. Inside 300 yards, I have never noticed a difference in the animal’s reaction upon being hit. Falling down is falling down. With elk on the menu, I would rather be carrying a 7 RM, but would not feel undergunned with a .308. Last thought. 180 grain er out of a 308 is far from being the most efficient load. Good luck.

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by Dick284

I’d go .308Win given the choices.

Belt, you don’t need no stinking belt……..

Only to hold up your pants....like said earlier magnum.....meaning great....it is good but far from great but can make a lot of sales.

OP run that little 308 you might not sound cool around the campfire but look behind what’s hanging on the meat pole

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by Brbpuppy

Appreciate all the feedback. In this case, I will be going with my .308 w/ 180grain Federal Premium Nosler Partitions.

The poll is split even @ 50% - 50% right now lol.

Did you say partitions

Your gonna put the smack down on anything you choose to.....good luck!

[Brbpuppy]

Originally Posted by sns2

It’s only even because your comments showed you preferred your 308. Just being honest. Having said that, I hunted with a 308 for 15 years. Killed everything I ever did with my 7 mags. These are the two cartridges I have killed 95% of my animals with. Inside 300 yards, I have never noticed a difference in the animal’s reaction upon being hit. Falling down is falling down. With elk on the menu, I would rather be carrying a 7 RM, but would not feel undergunned with a .308. Last thought. 180 grain er out of a 308 is far from being the most efficient load. Good luck.

What makes it far from being efficient at sub 300 yards?

[Brbpuppy]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

Did you say partitions

Your gonna put the smack down on anything you choose to.....good luck!

Yessir, I love the Nosler Partitions. Use them with the 7mm mag as well.