Thread: 7mm08 as a bushpig/bush style rifle

Team, thoughts and advice on a 7mm08 as a bushpig/shorter barrelled rifle. I know 308 is a common round for this, and I know others have used 7mm08 and 260 as well. I’d just like some thoughts/experience on shorter barrelled 7mm08 please. I know the age old debates between the differing calibers exist but I am operating to a budget and there’s currently a 7mm08 in my range. Thanks Nick

Basically anything will work as a bushpig.
There are guys here running short barrel 284win and 7mm SAUM.
Your are going to loose some velocity but inside of 300m its not going to make much difference.

What length are you looking at most can go 18" with out too much effect my .260 is 18" and has only lost 70fps from it's 22" barrel.
An 18" 7-08 would also loose bugger all if you are a reloader.

Sent from my CPH1903 using Tapatalk

Used a 15 inch 7mm08 for ages works fine. The reason for using the 308 is its slightly more efficient in shorter barrels due to being less overbore (its got a bigger hole compared to case capacity) but in saying that the 6.5 and 7mm projectiles have a higher BC so while they might not quite match muzzle energy or velocity down the line they usually catch up and inside that range all of them kill effectively. I used to get 2500 fps in my 7mm08 with 162 ELD Ms that heaps out to most ranges a non magnum bushpigs planned for. It will work but to be fair depending on what your rifle you own now is you could likely sell it and buy a rifle already cut down for less as they usually sell pretty much the same.

Ive been using an 18" barrelled 708 all summer and have had great results on deer. Im getting 2680 fps with a 140gn ballistic tip. Devastating in close. This stag was shot at 30 paces

This one a yearling hind , Bang flop at 376 yds

This one a large bodied stag at 100 yds the other sunday night

A 7-08 is -fully- up to the job even with a 16"bbl. CFE223 will easily get you 2900fps + with a 120 TTSX and that is death to anything under 350yds, long as you do your bit.

@greenblue
have read of this post https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....39/#post762133

7mm08 will be excellent.

@greenblue

I use a Howa 1500 7mm08 with 16" barrel and Gunworks suppressor for bush hunting. It's pushing the 120g TTSX at 2900fps and getting 0.3" groups at 100yd, which gives me confidence within 250-300yd. If I'm hunting tops I'll usually take my rem mag, but it's good to know if I break the bushline and want to do some tops hunting or come across a decent size clearing, the bush gun with that load will do the job.

Factory Federal blue box 150g gives me 2450 fps and a very similar POI to the TTSX, shooting less than 1" at 100yd, so is a great backup for bush hunting.

Last weekend I tested out the Hornady 139g Superformance ammunition. The box claims 2950fps from a 24" barrel - I was getting 2730 from mine, so losing about 28fps per inch. However, groups were terrible.

Hopefully that helps with your decision, happy to try and answer any questions.

Cheers,
Elliott

I'm running a Kimber 84m in 7mm08. Barrel chopped to 14.2" with a DPT Suppressor.

Does the job brilliantly inside bush shooting ranges with factory corelokt rounds and with a CDS turret, will shoot sika or fallow out to 500yds with handloaded AMAX162s

Use to own a 18” 7mm08 and it worked great out to 400 yards with 139 grain super performance. Am currently thinking about going back to one as i like the short light set up and can still punch out to decent distance on the tops. If its 500 yards away just get 100 yards closer job done. (Should still have well over 1000ft lbs of energy at 500 tho) I say go for the 7mm08 and get into it.

Thanks guys, this is why I ask the questions here, all good information. Anybody had any experience with a weatherby vanguard 2? I understand they are a rebadged howa which seem good. Cheers

Originally Posted by Dorkus

I'm running a Kimber 84m in 7mm08. Barrel chopped to 14.2" with a DPT Suppressor.

Does the job brilliantly inside bush shooting ranges with factory corelokt rounds and with a CDS turret, will shoot sika or fallow out to 500yds with handloaded AMAX162s

Got any pics of it? And did your shorten your forend?

I run a 18inch tikka 7mm08 with a vx6 3-18x44 scope.
Works for me from 10meters out to 600meters on fallow and goats.
Managed a decent red stag at 450meters, all using the 162gr amax, still got 300ish stashed away.

I'm constantly amazed at the potency of modern (last 120 odd years) cartridges.