Thread: 7mm08 vs 7mmSaum for max 500m Hunting

Originally Posted by Edelweiss

I have 500 Norma 7mm Saum Brass, i collected and allready a rifle in 7mm08 chambered 8,5 lbs without Scope.

I‘‘m thankfull for your friendly way!

If you want light weight rifle (3kgs or less scoped and ready to go) the 7mm08 will be an easier and capable option for your needs.

Greetings @Edelweiss,
Being an old Fudd I would go for the 7mm-08 on the basis of long term availability of brass alone. You will need a longer mag and faster twist barrel than standard though if you want to shoot the long pointy projectiles. I am currently using one shooting 600 yards (550 metres) F class and the rifle and cartridge are not the weak links, it is the shooter. The rifle will be lighter for the same recoil as well.
Regards Grandpamac.

Hi @Edelweiss are you planning to use this in Europe or NZ (or elsewhere).
If you’re thinking about Steinwild or wapiti, 1000 ft.lb (1355 J) at target could be a bit low . For chamois, 7mm08 would be OK.

Have a look at Matunas Optimal Game Weight formula to compare terminal ballistic potential. This gives an output in animal weight and gives more weight to velocity than bullet mass, which seems to match practical experience in longer range hunting. Even so, heavier bullets score better due to higher ballistic coefficients, I think.

You might think that you will fire only a few shots hunting but you will actually need to fire many in practice to achieve / maintain proficiency for 400m shooting. My opinion is that when people talk about shooting past 500m, they are talking about shooting targets, which is sn interest you will develop if you go down this path.

How popular are those two cartridges in Germany ? Do many people still use the 7x64 ? Is the 7mm08 used more than the 7x57 now ?

in Germany we shoot 7x57 and 7x64 thats true ;-) But in Germany people think 7x57 is for 150m and 7x64 is for 250m ;-) for 300m people they need a 300winmag better a weatherby ;-) and discuss if it works on 33pound animal ;-)

some years ago i met a businessman who has ordered a 300 win mag with mouzle break (wrong installed so the hot heat go every time on the left side off and the shooting group went right) and a 25 scoped for hunting roe deer in poland until 200m. was funny to look at him by shooting the scope in. When I told him that I had shot all deer/red stags with .243 for the last 5 years, he didn't believe me.

Originally Posted by Edelweiss

in Germany we shoot 7x57 and 7x64 thats true ;-) But in Germany people think 7x57 is for 150m and 7x64 is for 250m ;-) for 300m people they need a 300winmag better a weatherby ;-) and discuss if it works on 33pound animal ;-)

some years ago i met a businessman who has ordered a 300 win mag with mouzle break (wrong installed so the hot heat go every time on the left side off and the shooting group went right) and a 25 scoped for hunting roe deer in poland until 200m. was funny to look at him by shooting the scope in. When I told him that I had shot all deer/red stags with .243 for the last 5 years, he didn't believe me.

From my experience the same thinking also applies in Austria as I used to hunt with my wife’s uncle over there, he hunted everything with a .300 WM.

I shot my first roe with a 7x64 which is surprisingly small, a .222 / .223 would be ample but isn’t allowed under their hunting laws

Yeah brass availability was a major one for me, saum brass is much harder to come by, and way more expensive

Originally Posted by Mararoa

Yeah brass availability was a major one for me, saum brass is much harder to come by, and way more expensive

Doesn't sound like brass is a problem for @Edelweiss. Maybe he could bring some to NZ when he comes

Originally Posted by Shearer

Doesn't sound like brass is a problem for @Edelweiss. Maybe he could bring some to NZ when he comes

Thats a Good Deal, Hunting chamois and goats and pay with brass & bullets 😇

I run the 162gr Amax @2640fps in my 20" 7/08. 500y is well within it's limits in ideal conditions.

If you’ve got the brass already then go SAUM, you can build a light weight rig just do your homework on choice of action, stock etc. I have a few 7mm’s including 708 & SAUM, in a light weight set up the recoil on SAUM is quite a sharp kick, & definitely a step up on 708. Hence choice of stock is important to help manage recoil & promote accurate shot placement. No point attempting 500 yds if rifle/shooter is not consistently accurate

Personally If doing a proper lightweight platform, I'd go the 7mm08 for shoot ability. 162 at 2600 ish will be great medicine at the intended ranges you are talking about.

Been pretty well covered above -Both will have plenty of horsepower for the ranges you are talking about.
The 7mm08 will be easier to shoot accurately from field positions. The 7saum will require your technique to be "on point" but will buck the wind slightly better at extended range due to extra velocity. You will probably be able to have a single load for the 7mm08 but may need to dual load for the 7saum (close range- tough projectile, long range, soft high BC pill)
7mm08 probably easier to on-sell down the track if that's a consideration...

Was in same boat as you trying to decide
I whent 7prcW (6.5 prc neck up to 7mm)
So plenty of brass options and shooting the 162 elds very well. Simmilar as SAUM
Load development still in progress but I'm very happy so far.

Originally Posted by riflegus

Was in same boat as you trying to decide
I whent 7prcW (6.5 prc neck up to 7mm)
So plenty of brass options and shooting the 162 elds very well. Simmilar as SAUM
Load development still in progress but I'm very happy so far.
Attachment 262771

What powder and projectile are you using?
I'm doing load development with 2209 and 175gr berger elite hunter atm