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After 14 years with a 270, I wanted something "new and shiny" and after seeing my bro in laws shooting with a .308 I went that way. Mainly cos my good mate has a 7mm08 so I couldn't give him the satisfaction of me going to "his" calibre :thumbsup:
After a year with the 308 Kimber, I love it.
I'm going to see if I can use this 5 times in 1 week ... hmmm ... I've modified it a little.
For one calibre to do a lot of different forms of (deer) hunting I would go with what a mate & master marksman told me ...
North Island >> .308
South Island >> .270
If you come from Ponsonby, Arrowtown & Torbay >> 7mm08
I have a .308 (& .243 cos I can) and I would happily own any/all three of the above. Spend as much as you possibly can ... you only need one rifle for life. Spend around 60% on the rifle, therefore 40% on the scope. Sako are good ... Sauer are the bomb! Keep an eye out on trademe. Keep safe in the hills!
Do you use only factory ammo....... 308
Do you want to shoot animals past 400... reload and use 708
Do you want to shorten to 16" with a suppressor ...reload and use 308
Its the wrong question anyway...
Choose a projectile (based on intended use)
Choose a speed to fling it at (based on intended use)
Choose an action length (based on utility eg. weight length suppressor etc and intended use)
Choose a calibre (fits into action and flings the pill at the selected speed)
Choose an action style (bolt ,semi lever etc)
Choose a rifle (best fit and function)
or choose a 6.5x55, 708,308, 270 that fits and just be happy...
Tangible pros of .308 over 7mm-08
-Cheaper ammo
-More easily available ammo
-Cheaper projectiles if reloading and better selection.
Tangible pros of 7mm-08 over .308
-Hmm
I have one of each and not one animal has known the difference, they both go boom and are a joy to use, problem being I just dont get out enough to fully appreciate them.
http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/z...blecompare.jpg
These are for Nosler accubond - same bullet design - taking representative middle of the road loads from the Nosler site Load Data who I assume won't favour one cartridge over another. You can go there to compare kinetic energy and wind drift if you like. Also consider recoil if you want a light rifle.
7-08 has infinitesimally better performance for NZ hunting between 200 - 400m so why not take advantage of it.
308 is vastly more widely used internationally.
Many calibers significantly outperform both but mostly with longer action length or more recoil.