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. . .

 

[JG26Irish_2]

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!

Dankie Meneer

 

[Firebird]

Have read in several of Craig Boddington’s decade books where his daughters have taken numerous game animals with the 7mm-08. I want to say they were using the swift scirocco 2 but I would have to dig through to check that.
Seems like one of the rifles even had a lovely pink stock. . .

 

[JG26Irish_2]

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.

Thank you for your kind input. I know the 7mm Mag is superior from a strict ballistics point of view. But mine has a 26" bbl and combined with the longer action, it is just a bit unwieldly. And it does not fit well in my hard case when sardined with my heavy gun. That was what got me looking at the 7/08 once again. It has a short action and a 22' bbl which makes it nice to carry in the bush and after my last range session, I realized how truly accurate it is out to 400y. Last Safari I was using a nice 308 and with 180g Fusion bonded ammo, it was a complete pass thru on a Gemsbok at 202y (this all I can ask for) and resulted in a one shot kill on all animals. The beast ran only 60y and died. The only reason I am swapping rifles is this trip is cause I will be in some more open territory part of the time and I was advised by my PH to bring a PG rifle capable of 300-400y. This leads to my only question:

I always view the theoretical max range of a rifle to be the distance where the projectile down range velocity drops to 2000 fps. I figured that is still fast enough to expand adequately and penetrate to the vitals in most cases. For really large or tough animals like Zeb or WB, I would seek to be closer and should be able to do so. My actual max range is always limited to my ability to hit a vital zone off sticks except for special cases where I may be able to go prone off a bag. My sticks limit is about 300y with both these.

Question: Still, why would you limit the 7mm/08 to only 150y max? At 400y, I am still at 2102 fps with a 150g Swift Scirocco. Bill Hober at Swift advised me personally that the Scirocco was a better bullet for any African PG or North American big game and that an A-Frame was only necessary for DG. My 140g Barnes TSX loads which despite being lighter will usually penetrate deeper are running 2133 fps at the same distance. I can also hit a 6" plate consistently with those two loads without adjusting the scope from bench or prone. To me that is a solid 400y rifle for things like Blesbok, Springbok, Impala, etc all of which are no larger than a Whitetail or Mulie deer. My plan is to attempt to stalk within 300y as a rule but if I want to take a 400y shot and can get into a solid rest (not sticks) off a ruck or other rest, be able to take it. For my Kudu hunt the ranges will be <100y due to the terrain and bushveld in Limpopo being less open and the Kudu preference for heavy cover. WB and Zeb would be limited to 200y and honestly if conditions warrant, I would use my 375 on both of those. I can shoot a pie plate off sticks at 200y with the 375. Might use it on the Kudu as well. Still noodling on that. Again, Tanks for the input it helps to confirm what I thought I already knew. The 7/08 is bascially a short action 7x57 and will be effect as I can make it.

 

[JG26Irish_2]

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. . .

Good luck on Safari Sir! Where will you be hunting? If it is Limpopo or Free State, I will try to leave a few critters for you, lol. By July, I will be home with a big smile on my face, lol.

 

[JG26Irish_2]

Have read in several of Craig Boddington’s decade books where his daughters have taken numerous game animals with the 7mm-08. I want to say they were using the swift scirocco 2 but I would have to dig through to check that.
Seems like one of the rifles even had a lovely pink stock. . .

10:4. Even with a 6lb rifle, the felt recoil is only slightly more then a 243. Makes a great rig for hunters who may be recoil sensitive. Ladies, kids, etc. I noticed that my old tried and true 270 Mauser is getting only 2108fps with 150g loads at 400y. That rifle has been a hammer for me. Only once has it ever required more than one shot. I would have taken it but it has not got the precise accuracy of some of the other rifles when using the heavy bullets. It likes the 130g pills much better but I thought those too light for Africa. I know they would work but not perhaps as well.

Thanks to all for each of your comments. Especially those of you with 7/08 hunting experience.

 

[Wiley64]

Didn’t Ruark basically throw his 7 mm 08 off a cliff on his safari for its lack of killing power? If you have a 7 mag, you should definitely bring that instead. The 7 mm 08 is VERY similar to a 6.5 creedmore. Even with quality bullets like Barnes tsx.. why chance it? Buy another case they are dirt cheap at harbor freight…. On 2nd thought you should leave them both and just bring the 375.

 

[Ryan]

@Heeler75 the 30-06 was based on the 30-03, and the 30-03 was based on the 7X57 Mauser. I love my two 30-06, but that is a basic historical fact. The US did not create the cartridge blindly.
@Wiley64, Ruark had nothing to do with a 7mm-08, which didn't even exist when he died in 1965. He did hate the 220 Swift. And he did like 7x57 enough to gift Harry Selby a rifle in it. W.D.M. 'Karoamojo' Bell's Rigby. Selby's daughter actually took an elephant with it.

As for my experience with a 7mm-08. 120 grain TTSX wallops deer sized game, black tail deer and blackbuck antelope recently dropped with ease. I use 140 grain for caribou and had no issues. I recall Craig Boddington's daughter using one in southern Africa quite effectively. Proper shot placement will have all of your animals in the salt.

 

[Firebird]

Bought the first one for teenage girls and bought two more since then. Have taken elk and mtn goats and mule deer and antelope with them. One favors the 120 ttsx and one favors the 150 Accubond long range. One favors the 100 grain sierra pro hunter but that rifle is a “trainer.”
I will be in the east cape and have a list from buffalo to duiker to play with-
I’ve had that same conversation with Mr. Hober but have limited personal experience

 

[Taylorz1]

Didn’t Ruark basically throw his 7 mm 08 off a cliff on his safari for its lack of killing power? If you have a 7 mag, you should definitely bring that instead. The 7 mm 08 is VERY similar to a 6.5 creedmore. Even with quality bullets like Barnes tsx.. why chance it? Buy another case they are dirt cheap at harbor freight…. On 2nd thought you should leave them both and just bring the 375.

Well Ruark died 15 years before the 7mm-08 came out so thats fake news. 7mm-08 will do great. Does everything a 7x57 does with the same bullets but in a short action. Ignore the nonsense and shoot it confidently.

 

[DrBob]

@Heeler75 the 30-06 was based on the 30-03, and the 30-03 was based on the 7X57 Mauser. I love my two 30-06, but that is a basic historical fact. The US did not create the cartridge blindly.
@Wiley64, Ruark had nothing to do with a 7mm-08, which didn't even exist when he died in 1965. He did hate the 220 Swift. And he did like 7x57 enough to gift Harry Selby a rifle in it. W.D.M. 'Karoamojo' Bell's Rigby. Selby's daughter actually took an elephant with it.

As for my experience with a 7mm-08. 120 grain TTSX wallops deer sized game, black tail deer and blackbuck antelope recently dropped with ease. I use 140 grain for caribou and had no issues. I recall Craig Boddington's daughter using one in southern Africa quite effectively. Proper shot placement will have all of your animals in the salt.

Most present day cartridges are just repackaged older designs and ballistics. Mauser. Jeffrey, H&H, Rigby.