.308 or 7mm 08? Newish hunter for deer/tahr

Hi,
I'm sure 'what rifle to buy' is well worn question here, but I couldn't find an answer....
I have some hunting experience but haven't owned a rifle before.
Currently leaning towards a tikka 308. Seem like a light accurate rifle and a calibre that is well proven and will do the job on any hunt, plus wide selection of available ammo.
However if what I have been told is right, the 7mm 08 has better long range shot credentials...or Tahr or longer range shots it may prove useful?
I must say when look at the barrel length of them side by side the 7mm is vastly longer which makes sense in my mind for accuracy of distance.
Any feedback will be gratefully accepted.
Thanks

308 all the way. But 30-06 better.

I’ve got both a 308 and 708. Shot more tahr with the 708 but they are both the same and what ever fits you will work well.

Calibre debates are often lengthy and leave you wondering why you asked.. but I’ve used both calibres your thinking about a lot.
I feel you will be happy which ever you choose as long as you put the practice in on the range and get to know your limits and how the round performs making sure it groups well first and follow up by shooting and noting the actual drop at specific distances, as opposed to the theoretical drop a good tip is, writing it down and taping it under some clear tape on your cheek piece or on top of the bell of your scope for quick reference. Best of luck with what ever you choose

Thanks... good advice.

If you are not going to reload then out of the 2 308 will give you more choice in factory ammo and more chance of always being able to find some in the shops.
Animals won't know the difference between them and I suspect neither will you.

300wsm is nice but like the 6.5Creedmore factory ammo can be hard to find and limited choices as they are both very popular

It sounds like you might have been comparing between the 510mm and 600mm barrel lengths, so not really comparing apples with apples. The decision may then be as much about the shorter barrel giving a rifle that is handier in the bush at the loss of some velocity, as much as the differences inherent between the calibres.

End of the day....doesnt matter. Either works.

Ask the dead animal if it works better when you decide which one

Both are great, but there's no doubt you'll have more ammo availability and choice with .308. Go .308.

308 and the reason I say that is due to the ammunition supply and demand issues where it’s harder to get 7mm08 atm.

What MB said.

In the past the 7mm08 vs 308 debate has been a perpetual cosmic giant killer, 7mm08 is more popular in NZ than overseas.
At present ammunition manufacturers in the states are struggling to keep up with demand.

https://www.hornady.com/

This leads to a tendency for them to concentrate on their more main steam markets like .308. Shutting down production lines to switch out to the more niche calibers like 7mm08 is happening less as they try to avoid downtime. Upshot is it can be hard to get 7mm08 lately.


Barrel length contributes to velocity but not necessarily accuracy.
In the old days of open sights longer barrels gave longer sight radius which gave better accuracy. On a scoped rifle a 22” .308 barrel is not necessarily any more accurate than a 16” .308 barrel. Theoretically it can be less accurate due to increased option for recoil vibrations/harmonics.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by longshot

What MB said.

In the past the 7mm08 vs 308 debate has been a perpetual cosmic giant killer, 7mm08 is more popular in NZ than overseas.
At present ammunition manufacturers in the states are struggling to keep up with demand.

https://www.hornady.com/

This leads to a tendency for them to concentrate on their more main steam markets like .308. Shutting down production lines to switch out to the more niche calibers like 7mm08 is happening less as they try to avoid downtime. Upshot is it can be hard to get 7mm08 lately.


Barrel length contributes to velocity but not necessarily accuracy.
In the old days of open sights longer barrels gave longer sight radius which gave better accuracy. On a scoped rifle a 22” .308 barrel is not necessarily any more accurate than a 16” .308 barrel. Theoretically it can be less accurate due to increased option for recoil vibrations/harmonics.

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@HCPC. YOU SEEM TO HAVE A GOOD IDEA OF THE 2 .
Plenty of good answers from all

Both could do what you want. I have both.

I have a soft spot for the 7mm-08 and the .308 is the practical choice if it's a one and done hunting rifle.

.308 as a rifle chambering is common as muck but still a good choice.
I like the 7mm-08 for having that something unique and because the concept of the cartridge appeals to me.

Tough decision.

Go to your local ammo supplier and check what's available for both calibers in both factory ammo and reloading components.....should make your decision pretty simple :yaeh am not durnk:

Danny B is right - ammo will be concern for some time sadly - so on that score .308 will win hands down -pity cause if you were offered a nice early sako cheap in say 7x57 i would not turn my nose up at it - so if its a nice rifle and comes with ammo well worth consideration - really .308 .270 7mm08 30.06 .280 270WSM 300WSM all will do the job -get an accurate rifle that suits you- your choice -now I am going to get ugly looks here but I would steer clear of .243 and the 6.5 calibers - bit light really especially if you had thar in mind - I have always been a .308 man but I am a big fan of .270 as well - 30.06 never taken of in NZ but damn fine caliber

Dirty 06 would be my pick a bit more thump than 308 and still good supplies of ammo.
But yeah of the 2 calibers asked about really whether one is better or not doesn't really come in to it it at all its purely down to get what you can still buy ammo for plane and simple...:psychotic:

They'll both do the job. Pretty much a "do you prefer marmite or vegemite" situation :)

In a light rifle like a tikka id be leaning toward the 7mm08 for a little bit less recoil for the High BC bullets
they are so much of a muchness its not funny (same case and a 7.6mm bullet vs a 7.2mm)
either is great, both are winners

I own both... my advice for what its worth get an 18" 308 and go hunting! You can't go wrong.

Get what makes you happy. Neither you or you quarry will know the difference.

either or, 7m08 will have slightly less recoil than a 308 and more than a 243.
smaller caliber = lighter bullet at higher speed hence flatter shooting but typically less energy on target.
( modern VLD bullets and fast twist barrels are upsetting this a bit now with a 243 now able to carry over 1000ftlb energy at 500 mtr but that's hand loading)

at ranges that are ethical for a new shooter 100-200 mtr, maybe 300 after some range time and you have had a few animals on the deck to reduce the buck fever, anything in the 308 family will work, from 243 to 358.

Don't start thinking about long range shooting until you have shot a few deer, 200 mtr in a field setting is often a long shoot, bad rest, uneven ground, wind, long grass all add a level of complexity not found at the range.

So that comment above about going to your local gun shop and asking them what they stock the best range of and is an A line stocking item for them could well the the deciding factor.
Even different shop of the same net work can favour different calibres. I can think or 2 about 3hr drive apart, 1 all ways has lots of 243's on the shelf the other favours 7m08.
Z

You won't by shoulder feel the difference in recoil between a 7mm08 and a .308. And at the other end the animal won't notice a difference if you park the pill in the right place...

Biggest thing for a newer shooter is becoming used to the noise of the muzzle report - on that note, I would really recommend whichever rifle/caliber you decide to go with get it supressed.

243

Shot placement matters more than a big hole blown into the rocks/dirt...

7mm08 and 308 is kinda like splitting hairs, really not much in it. If you can't decide then go for the 308 based on ammo availability. As above 243 is a cool wee round too.

I highly recommend a surpressor.

243win wouldn't be my advice to a relatively new hunter chasing Tahr.

Got any mates with either of those calibres? Have a shot through them if possible and decide which you like best. Your either a 30cal fan or a 7mm fan as they will both do what you want.

Decide on action length. Short action you have 243, 708, 308. Long action 270,280, 3006. As said 243 is great but better for lighter game under 300yds. 708 only wants to be a 308 when it grows up. But it doesn't and a 308 can do everything a 708 can but not the other way around. 708 can't push the heavy high bc bullets fast enough to take advantage of the extra bc and we aren't talking reloading anyway. A 7saum can in a short action , but you have to reload so that's out. 270 has probably more choice of ammo off the shelf than a 280. Both are great. 3006 if you feel you need to get into the heavy weight bullets and are starting to shoot at ranges that a beginner shouldn't.
I'd say most game is shot under 300yrds (under 300yds bc is irrelevant)and most of it by factory ammo in the 100-150gn weight range.
So again, acton length. Long action for the longer cartridges which generally need longer barrels to get the most out of them. Or short action with the more efficient rounds and shorter barrels.
In a tikka it makes no difference as there is only one action length. Only the barrel length changes. Due to ammo shortages, I'll stick my neck out and go 308 or 270. Both proven to medium ranges. Plenty of ammo choices, power , but lacking the glamor.

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