7mm/08 for Plains Game? Good or Bad?

[JG26Irish_2]

Who on our forum has used the 7mm/08 in Africa? or for large game (Elk, Deer, Moose) in North America? How did it perform? What bullets did you use? and would you recommend it for African plains game up to and including Kudu, Black WB or Zebra (I will have a 375 available for anything too big). I have two identical rifles that both shoot very well and recoil is not a consideration. One is in 7mm Mag and the Other in 7mm/08. At the range recently, I found the 7mm/08 to be surprisingly accurate with 140 & 150g bullets out to 400y but have zero experience on game with it. The 7mm Mag was ballistically not that much flatter but it was with 160 and 175g bullets. I had planned on taking the 7mm but found that it does not fit well in my hard case and rather than try to stuff it in, I would have to buy a new case if I take it. The 7mm/08 is much shorter, lighter by about 3/4lb and seems to hit the tgts well. I would be using it on Springbok, Blesbok, Kudu, Zebra, Black Wildebeest and Warthog. My concern was with the larger beasts like the Wildebeest or the Zebra and maybe the Kudu. I would be using Barnes 140g TTSX or Swift 150g Scirooco's. Both shoot to same POI out to 400y so can be swapped. Hunting ranges would be from 50y out to about 300y and could go out further in some limited cases. I know the Mag is better but, I am pretty sure the 7mm/08 would do fine but wanted to ask of any collective experiences out there with the 08? Thanks.

 

[KCSafari]

Should work great on all those animals. We have had hunters use the caliber and killed everything up to Eland. I’d personally use the heavier bullets. Shot placement is very important on Zebra and Wildebeest so be comfortable with taking the shot.
Good luck!

 

[dneaster3]

1892 : 7x57 Mauser
1906 : 7x57 is lengthened and necked up to make .30-06 Springfield
1952: : .30-06 is shortened down to make .308 Win
1980 : .308 Win necked down to 7mm to make 7mm-08 Rem

So it took 90 years to come full circle on what was originally a very, very effective 7mm short(ish)-action cartridge.

For apples-to-apples comparison, MidwayUSA has 150gr Norma ammunition for both 7mm cartridges.

Norma Whitetail 7x57mm Mauser (7mm Mauser) Ammo 150 Grain Jacketed

Norma’s Whitetail line of ammunition is loaded with the highest quality brass that meets and exceeds the standard set forth by reloaders....

www.midwayusa.com

Norma Whitetail 7mm-08 Remington Ammo 150 Grain Jacketed Soft Point

Norma’s Whitetail line of ammunition is loaded with the highest quality brass that meets and exceeds the standard set forth by reloaders....

www.midwayusa.com

Interestingly the older Mauser round is loaded to 150fps less muzzle velocity than the newer 7mm-08 because the former is SAAMI/CIP certified at a lower pressure than the latter. No matter, the 7x57 has an unimpeachable record in Africa, so a little velocity boost in your newer 7mm-08 will only gild the lily further.

For plains game you'd be golden with either cartridge provided... as always... that you put a good bullet in a good location.

 

[Mountaineer]

My daughter uses 140 nosler partitions in her 7mm-08 to kill elk. Just keep the shots under a couple hundred yards and use heavy bullets.

 

[Heeler75]

1892 : 7x57 Mauser
1906 : 7x57 is lengthened and necked up to make .30-06 Springfield
1952: : .30-06 is shortened down to make .308 Win
1980 : .308 Win necked down to 7mm to make 7mm-08 Rem

So it took 90 years to come full circle on what was originally a very, very effective 7mm short(ish)-action cartridge.

For apples-to-apples comparison, MidwayUSA has 150gr Norma ammunition for both 7mm cartridges.

Norma Whitetail 7x57mm Mauser (7mm Mauser) Ammo 150 Grain Jacketed

Norma’s Whitetail line of ammunition is loaded with the highest quality brass that meets and exceeds the standard set forth by reloaders....

www.midwayusa.com

Norma Whitetail 7mm-08 Remington Ammo 150 Grain Jacketed Soft Point

Norma’s Whitetail line of ammunition is loaded with the highest quality brass that meets and exceeds the standard set forth by reloaders....

www.midwayusa.com

Interestingly the older Mauser round is loaded to 150fps less muzzle velocity than the newer 7mm-08 because the former is SAAMI/CIP certified at a lower pressure than the latter. No matter, the 7x57 has an unimpeachable record in Africa, so a little velocity boost in your newer 7mm-08 will only gild the lily further.

For plains game you'd be golden with either cartridge provided... as always... that you put a good bullet in a good location.

30-06 and 7mm Mauser are nowhere near related. 30-06 was based on the 30-03.

 

[Tom Leoni]

I love the 7mm-08. It's a splendid cartridge. The only reason why I don't own one is that it didn't exist in the era of the rifles I like. Only potential drawback I see compared to other 7mm cartridges is that its short neck makes the use of the splendid 175gr bullets a problem.

But with (say) a nice Swift A-Frame 160-grainer I wouldn't hesitate using it on any kind of plains game. Not fast enough? Velocity doesn't kill--penetration does.

 

[Bandera]

The 7-08 should do a fine job, I might would opt for the 7mm Mag and shoot heavier bullets.
I would want to be 150 yards or closer with the 7-08.

 

[Red Leg]

I have used the 7x57/.275 pretty extensively, and you will be armed more than adequately with the 7mm/08.

 

[meigsbucks]

I’ve been using the 7mm-08 since its introduction. Mine only has an 18.5” barrel and I’ve never really taken anything at long range or large, but would not hesitate to take it to Africa for a second. Initially, I used Sierra 140gr Pro Hunters but when the Barnes TSX came out, I switched to that and never looked back. I’m getting 2665fps. I wouldn’t hesitate to shoot anything up to ~500# out to 250yds with that combo.
I’ve been considering getting a 22” or 24” barreled rifle. I’m afraid to, as I’m afraid a lot of my rifles will become safe queens. For Africa, I’d probably stoke it with 160gr Swift AF or Nosler AB’s.

 

[Firebird]

I’m taking my 7mm-08 this July for plains game for kudu and smaller. I’ve used it in the states and find that with a bullet that is bonded, it is extremely effective.
I’ll have my .375 as well, but that’s for bigger prospects. . .