I didnt realise that the 7mm also had a suppressor.
In that case id still use the 20" 7mm without a suppressor, for ballistic superiority, while keeping the rifle a comparable overall length to the suppressed 16".
Im not really in the mood to run numbers, but I would think that the .308 would indeed carry more energy (terminal performance) to 500, but I have no doubt the 7mm will have better external ballistics which may aid with actually hitting the target as distance increases.
I think there is nothing in it at closer ranges. The .308s energy advantage will not be of much benefit, just as the 7mm's improved ballistics also will not be of much benefit.
But as you start to stretch it out a little the 7mm will pull away in terms of energy and ballistics - making it the better all rounder in this scenario.
Is the deer going to know the difference between a 30 cal pill hitting it at 2000fps vs a 7mm hitting the same target at 2200fps? Probably not.
Will the 7mm allow a little more margin for error ballistically for longer shots? Yes, probably. And that's why a 20" 7mm will make a better all rounder than a 16" .308
Basically, they do the same thing at closer ranges, and at longer ranges the 7mm has slightly better external ballistics = better all rounder.
PS I don't own a 7mm-08 but I do own a .308![]()
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