Thread: Q: 7-08 Ammo

Originally Posted by Bagheera

7mm08 has been crazy popular in NZ as it is slightly flatter shooting than 308 and more powerful than the 260 which was all that was below it a decade ago. Apparently not so popular and just a minor cartridge in USA. Possibly due to deer sizes ?

Ive had better luck with european manufacturers. Used Norma and essentially duplicated their factory load to reload with nosler ballistic tips. This year there have been good supplies of Sako 7mm08, possibly a bit depleted now. Try phoning a few H&F stores. Beretta brought in stocks to sell with their new Sako and Tikka rifles. That manufacturer makes 7 08 rifles and is slow to change its lineup, so paradoxically european supplies might be most stable for factory ammo. Perhaps its a better alternative to their highly regarded 7x57 and 6.5x 55 which need a longer action.

Try outdoor supplies in carterton to pre order ballistic tip projectiles for reloading.

6.5 Creedmore (puff) seems to have cemented a firm place in target tactical and so in in the USA and is said to be more amenable to reloading than the 260 ( what do you think @grandpamac ?)so that would be the main alternative for a new rifle this decade ( not 243 which is totally different with much lower bullet weight)

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Greetings @Bagheara,
The 6.5 Creedmoor is the cartridge that the .260 Rem should have been but Remington saddled it with a slow rifling twist and a case that was too long to allow seating the ogive of High BC projectiles outside the case in a short action. I expect that the .260 Rem will fade away gradually with fewer and fewer manufacturers chamber for it. The 7mm-08 is a different matter. It has replaced the 7x57 for most manufacturers which still chamber it including Tikka, Sako, Bergarra and Ruger etc. I don't see it dissapearing any time soon.
One thing I did note is the number of manufacturers that offer the 6.5x55 these days. The round shades the Creedmoor when loaded to the same pressure but needs a long action.
Regards Grandpamac.