Also, ballistics can vary from lot to lot with the same brand and type load. For quality hunting cartridges, the .30-06 is also $5 to $10 cheaper for a box of 20. 7mm mag vs 308win To upgrade or not to? The 7mm Rem Mag is a great all-around caliber. The added penetration and kinetic energy that these cartridges offer make them the superior choice for ethically harvesting the great bears, Cape Buffalo, and even elephants. The 7mm Mauser also saw extensive use in big game hunting. JavaScript is disabled. Answer that question and youll know which rifle to take on your next hunt. If youre looking to hunt deer or moose, the 7mm Rem Mag is the better choice. Which ever way you take, it will be a fun and engaging journey. Most shooters and hunters simply dont spend enough time on the ranges training for these longer shots. The price was too good to pass up. That said, if I were shopping for a rifle and found one that fit me well, and I loved, but was chambered in 7mm-08 Remington instead of .308, Id be bringing it to the checkout counter without hesitation. Mag. At 700m, a 308win load as described above will drop a further 7 inches from 700-710m! If you like to handload as I do, then component availability is something to consider. Through our ladder testing we actually found out this to be the best 308win load in < 50 rounds. The overlap between these two rifle cartridges comes when we enter the realm of deer hunting. relatively. A higher BC means the bullet is more streamlined, can resist crosswinds more effectively, and are less susceptible to wind drift than bullets with a lower BC. If youre going to tackle an elk or mule deer with a 180-grain bullet at around 2,900 fps, the 7mm version in that bullet weight will shoot flatter, drift less, and put more energy on target than the .308 version. Founder of Rifletalks.com. You can see the similarity in trajectory with the 165-grain .308 load, as both the 140-grain 7mm bullet and 165-grain .308-inch bullet share the same sectional density at .248. On the other hand, the 7mm Rem Mag is a powerful, long-range round that offers excellent energy down range. The Boone & Crockett Clubs Generation Next Youth Awards, amid the organizations 31st Big Game Awards, included a remarkable 132 great animals entered. Ultimately, it is up to the hunter to decide which caliber is best for their needs. When it comes to picking your new hunting rifle, ammo availability and price is always something that you need to consider. In truth, a 308 is a bit too much bullet for small game. All in all, the choice between these two calibers depends on your individual hunting needs and preferences. But in reality, this is not necessarily the case. 308 vs 7mm Remington Magnum ballistics chart shows that the .308 has a slightly flatter trajectory and less recoil. 308 is .480 while the 7mm Remington Magnum has a of .510. Now does that mean that Im going to recommend 7mm-08 for very large or dangerous game? Chamber pressures are the basically the same (both around 63K rated capacity), but it burns more powder (83 or 85 grains of water case capacity versus 56 grains for the .308 - my lapua brass held 54.7) and pushes it through a smaller bore opening .284" versus .308". So much so that the NRA had to shrink the bullseye on their high-power rifle targets to avoid ties between 308 shooters. If you are looking for a great cartridge for your next hunting rifle, then you need not look further than the 308 Winchester and the 7mm-08 Remington. Reload data is also a bit more plentiful for 308 as it has been around longer and reloaders have experimented with it more. Both of these rifle cartridges will serve you well in the forests of North America to the plains of the Serengeti. Smart choice. WebBallistics Performance Comparison of 30-06 vs 7mm Rem Mag Cartridges. Now we come to the topic that ties all this ballistic performance data together Hunting! The 7mm-08 is simply a necked down 308 Winchester to accept a 7mm bullet. Your email address will not be published. A 300 Norma Magnum loaded with 215 Bergers at 3250ft/s. The 7mm-08 gives better ballistic coefficient and sectional density values when comparing bullets of the same weight, the .308 will offer a greater frontal diameter. I also added a Rifle Basix Sav-2 Trigger, and recently a new stock. The 308 Winchester was released in 1952 and was designed as an upgrade to the 30-06 Springfield. We measure trajectory in terms of bullet drop at specific distances. Choosing between these two rounds comes down to personal preferences and intended use. Both are popular choices for hunting applications, but which one is better? Drop file here, 284 Winchester 190 Hornady A-tips on test above: 284 Winchester barrel block chassis clamping on [], 300 PRC The Italian Job Conquers Extreme Shot Italia II, 2000m 300PRC conquered the 2000meter [], KING OF 1 MILE: King of 1 Mile USA Statistics behind the shooters and [], 33XC Rifle, First date! A forum community dedicated to Sharpshooters and Sniper enthusiasts. It has relatively low recoil for a rifle cartridge, making it easy to shoot accurately. Lets look at the pros and cons of both cartridges, to see what they do and dont have to offer. With comparable muzzle velocities (the 7mm-08 is a bit faster with the 140-grain load) the difference in holdover is negligible. The .308 vs. 7RM is like a 71 Lincoln Continental to a 71 Mach 1 Mustang. The proliferation of the 308 is beginning to decline with the rise of the 6.5 Creedmoor and the 300 Win Mag. The cheapest 7mm Rem. While the 308 is a good option for a smaller rifle, the 7mm Rem Mag is a better choice for hunters who need more power and accuracy for longer shots. A 308 vs 7mm rem mag ballistics chart can help you compare the two and decide which one is the best for your needs. Mag. You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website. Both will get you there, but in very different ways. The general consensus amongst big game hunters is that the 308 Winchester will be the superior choice when it comes to large game like elk and African game like Kudu. Lets lock and load! Come join the discussion about optics, modifications, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! Hopefully I won't be noob bashed too much :wink: Compared with the .308, the 7 RemMag has a shorter barrel life. They determined that they needed a select-fire battle rifle that could accept detachable magazines. It's high desert rolling hills, frequent high winds, and very little cover. This way, you can get a feel for how it kicks and decide if it is right for you. This tells me one important thing when it comes to big game hunting: Shot Placement Trumps Caliber Selection. To compare the ballistics of these two cartridges, it is worth examining a 308 vs 7mm rem mag ballistics chart which shows the differences in the performance of the two cartridges. I'm not a rich man by any means, but this rifle didn't break the bank. That being said, even out to 700 yards, the 308 bullet has dropped approximately 138 and the 7mm-08 has dropped approximately 126. And, does the increase in felt recoil of the .308 Winchester make a difference? It shot fantastically well and regret selling it although it was a little too heavy and I have since opted for a lighter 308win, also on a Surgeon action, theyre awesome field-use actions. Consider you often get wind gusts or let offs and you may have a hard time making your first shot in If youre hunting in thick brush, a bullet that breaks up on impact is a good option to ensure you dont lose your game in the vegetation. The differences in muzzle velocity, bullet weight, and barrel length can give you an idea of how each round will perform in the field. semi-auto vs. bolt-action) The .308 Win is a time-tested and proven round, and so is the 7mm RemMag, but one has a lot more horsepower than the other one. 300 mag just matches the 7 mag or adds a little more including recoil. The extra case capacity of the 7mm Rem Mag allows it to propel bullets at much higher velocities than the .308 Winchester. If longer shots are what you will be encountering as with our hunt in the mountains, a 7 mm mag may just be your ticket to happiness or the precursor before you get sucked on to another magnum! Think along the lines of .35 Whelen, .25-06 Remington, .22-250 Rem, and the .257 Roberts, just to name a few. Comparing the muzzle energy of the two popular cartridges, the 308 Winchester has a muzzle energy of 2,637 ft-lbs, while the 7mm Remington Magnum has a muzzle energy of 3,265 ft-lbs. *They are at different elevation as we didnt want the two groups to overlap. Typically, heavier bullets will have a higher BC. Extreme Shot One Mile Italia 22-26 September 2021. factory vs custom rifle, check out this post here, Our 308Win handload basically replicates the Eldx 178gr load, training weekend of Extreme Shot One Mile Italia, My Extreme Long Range Shooting Story Meet Gene Nowaczyk. The other reticle shows the FMA-2 an MOA based reticle with 1 MOA increments. Now add the wind component and youll start understand how difficult that shot can be when you have only one round to make it count. In this blog post, we will compare the 7mm Rem Mag vs 308 cartridges and see which is more powerful! The rimless case uses a 20-degree shoulder for headspacing, and has a neck measuring 0.303-inch, or just short of one caliber, sufficient to hold bullets in place without needing a heavy roll crimp. Above: Not a surprise, during our hunt in the mountains, we encounter a French hunter sporting a Blaser R8 in 7 Rem mag! In North America, these five species make up the vast majority of big game animals that are harvested each year. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. But is either ammo type better at harvesting deer? You can easily find 308 practice ammo here on Ammo.com for under $1/round. 308 is .480 while the 7mm Remington Magnum has a of .510. While the .308 is generally considered to have a flatter trajectory and less recoil, the 7mm Remington Magnum has the potential to deliver higher velocities and greater terminal performance. Would love to see a comparison with the 7mm mag 7mm Ultra Mag and The 7mm STW.. The actual ballistics obtained with your firearm can vary considerably from the advertised ballistics. You can pretty much plan on throwing the stock away though. Bottom line: both the 308 Win and the 7mm-08 Rem have spectacular ballistic coefficients and will resist wind drift effectively. The wildcatters get to work. 7mm-08 is a bit more difficult to come by in terms of acquiring brass as most people who shoot it are likely going to reload it as well. When we look at the Ballistic Tables below, we note that the 7mm-08 and the 308 have almost identical bullet drop at 400 yards when comparing bullets of similar weight. The .308 will be slower, but a more comfortable ride. So, lets take a closer look at the 308 vs 7mm rem mag ballistics chart to see what information it can provide. If you are looking for a powerful round for hunting large game, the seven magnum is an excellent choice. The cost of 7MM Ultra Mag ammo, which is a really hot round is costly. For some people, a seven millimeter magnum will feel like a powerhouse, while others might find it to be on the mild side. Both of these cartridges will be exceptional when it comes to harvesting whitetail, mule deer, or pronghorn. It's faster, flatter, and the 7mm bullets typically will have better BC's. The two rounds have a range of advantages and disadvantages that can affect the accuracy and performance of a shot. In Africa, the seven millimeter magnum is also a popular choice for hunting dangerous game such as cape buffalo, lions, leopards, and rhinos. 7mm-08 vs .308 Caliber Comparison: A Long Range Shootout, 300 Win Mag vs 338 Win Mag vs 338 Lapua Mag, 450 Bushmaster vs 458 SOCOM vs 50 Beowulf. In general, 308 bullets will have a slightly higher BC than their 7mm-08 counterparts, but again we are splitting hairs here. Most target shooting clubs and ranges start off new shooters on club guns chambered in 308win. Simply put, both the 308 Win and the 7mm-08 Rem are going to give you sub-MOA groups if you do your part. On the other hand, the 7mm Rem Mag part of the name should give you a clue as to the main advantage of the 7mm Rem Mag over the .308. If youre looking for a versatile hunting rifle that can handle just about anything, the seven millimeter magnum is a great option. Lets start off by taking a look at the differences between each cartridge case and their SAAMI Specifications. the fluted sendero and the 1" leup are fairly light. On the other hand, the 7mm Remington Magnum has a higher muzzle velocity, more energy, and more power, making it better suited to longer-range shots and larger game. They were shooting a 30-06 and a 6.5creedmoor. Photo Gallery Ive used that rifle for factory ammunition testing, as well as developing dozens of handloads for it. But when it comes to ballistics, theres no denying that the 7mm Remington Magnum has a clear advantage in terms of velocity, energy, and trajectory. The deer are very educated and shots never seem to present themselves closer than 350 yards. Brass is cheap and plentiful, dozens of powders can be tried, and a wide variety of 30 caliber bullet options are available. The 308 is also a great caliber, but its better suited for smaller game. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. This is extremely important for game hunters who need a bullet that can punch through thick hide, bone, and sinew. Now lets compare that to the 7mm-08 Hornady Superformance SST 139gr bullet which has a higher BC of 0.486. However, as I mentioned earlier, this is more of a reflection on the shooter and not the cartridge itself. You will easily be drawn into believing this is the next big thing up your alley. The maximum upload file size: 256 MB. The Hornady 7 PRC is a new long-range hunting and competition cartridge that slides neatly into the gap that exists between the 6.5 PRC and 300 PRC. Thats about 20% less recoil when comparing the 7mm-08 to the 308, and that is significant! Comparing the ballistics of the .308 Winchester and the 7mm Remington Magnum can be a daunting task. For many years, this wildcat cartridge was referred to as the 7mm/308. This in itself is probably the size of the kill zone. And thats part of the reason 7mms are so popular. Just a few years after the introduction of the .308, the wildcatters mated the case with 7mm bullets. To illustrate this, consider the following chart which compares the two cartridges side-by-side. I find diminishing returns with the recoil of a 300. You are using an out of date browser. This is another category where 308 has the advantage over the 7mm-08. The 7mm Remington Magnum debuted in 1962, chambered in the brand-new Model 700 rifle. They renamed the cartridge the 308 Winchester and it quickly became hunting ammo of choice for whitetail enthusiasts and other big game hunters. Get 'em straight to your inbox. Interested in the latest precision rifle updates? The CZ 600 Trail proved to be a handy rifle that can down game in hard-to-find places, all without alerting everything with fur that you have moved into the woods. Copyright 2023 National Rifle Association, Women On Target Instructional Shooting Clinics, Volunteer At The Great American Outdoor Show, Marion P. 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Mag., and cooks along about 200 fps faster than the .308 Win. Compare that to 17 ft-lbs of felt recoil for the 7mm-08 Rem. I prefer a data driven approach so heres some drop data to start with. Id say its a dead heat and a winner cannot be called, it all comes down to which cartridge you prefer or what rifle you own or are most comfortable with. Not so fast that it destroys meat. The 7mm Rem Mag overall length is slightly smaller than the .300 Win Mag 3.34 inches against 3.29 inches. It all comes down to ballistics. WebThe 7mm-08 has lighter, more aerodynamic bullets that shoot flatter and faster, and with a lighter recoil. Scopes, guns, boots and other tactical stuff in-between. Its lighter chamberings make it easy for recoil-shy shooters to field and makes it ideal for target work, too. WebIn general, the 308 Winchester will fire heavier bullets than the smaller 7mm-08 Remington. Still shoots plenty flat for the distances I have any business shooting at animals. The 7mag does not kick bad unless you're recoil sensitive, it's rather easy to load accurate ammo for, even though the 308 is less picky and shoots nearly anything, and the barrel should have adequate lifespan for a hunting rifle. What advantage does the 7mm mag bring to the wind-game? Very few of the deer I've killed with these three were over 300 yards. Are you wondering which round is the best for long range shooting: the .308 Winchester or the 7mm Remington Magnum? Feel free to email me. WebIn most loadings the 7mm will have higher velocity and deliver greater energy -- to the target and to your shoulder. Ultimately, understanding the ballistics of both cartridges can help you make an informed decision on which cartridge is best for you. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Now lets discuss larger game, like elk and bears. Both are are easy to shoot, can be housed in easy-to-carry, lightweight rifles and neither cartridge requires a country mile of barrel length to get the best performance. I was looking for a little less magnification on the low end but I ended up paying $279 for that as well. I was raised on a .303my Dad has shot the same Mossberg Model 100A in .308 since he got out of boot camp in 1969and with a proper bullet, it can do just about anything youd ask it to. 7 rem mag gives you higher velocity, higher energy, flatter trajectory, and longer effective range. Using the same .473-inch case head diameter of the Springfield (which in turn was borrowed from the 8x57mm Mauser, the Patrone 88 design), the .308 Winchester uses a case measuring 2.015 inches, in comparison to the Springfields 2.494 inches. My 7mm Rem Mag has less recoil than my 30-06, but it has a bull barrel so it is also heavier. Mid-size Caliber 7mm bullets are perfect for hunting elk Highest BC Bullets Very Poor Rifle/Ammo Availability (Still new) .300 PRC Magnum Action Length Comparable to the .300 Win Mag Very High Recoil Usually chambered in a heavy rifle and a brake/can is used. I have spent decades behind the trigger of a .308 Winchester, having used my Ruger 77 MKII since 1993 for all sorts of hunting here in New York and abroad, as well. Regardless of which you choose, both will get the job done at a longer range so long as you do your part. Following the Korean War, the U.S. Military was looking to upgrade their main battle rifle to keep pace with the Russian AK-47. The 7RM will be a bit rough and louder, but you will get there faster, meaning less drift, and harder hitting. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. What came from this task force was the 7.62x51mm NATO that was accepted along with the M14 in 1958. Their muzzle velocity (fps), trajectory, ballistic coefficient, and sectional density are virtually identical between both cartridges (within a few percent). The 7mm mag wins when it comes to ballistics at long range. The 308win probably being one of the first cartridges that many shooters picked up at some point perhaps due to the large number of rifles chambered in it, a natural choice for their first rifle.