Don't see why not. I use to drive the 165gr hpbt gamekings at 2550~ out of a 16" bbl with 2208 so with 2206h, cfe223 etc I reckon it is not outlandish.
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My 2 cents worth as I went down this track couple years ago , ended up with 308 with 20 inch barrel and DPT , I have a small 10 power nightforce scope for reliable dial up , obviously the 308 has its limitations for longer range type shooting but i set a personal limit of 400 so it’s fine , really no difference in Calibres in that set up just personal choice , what ever you choose and after you nailed your first couple animals and gain confidence with it you will be happy with either I’m sure .
708 softer flatter shooting with a bit more projectile choice. 140gr Berger vld good up close and out to 500m. Chopped to 18inch
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I wouldn't be too concerned about which of those two cals more than which rifle feels, handles and you shoot better with.
They are not different enough in the real world to notice any huge practical difference caliber wise.
Far out Hamish, now tell me how you carried both of those out.
Guessing there is two/three other guys on the other side of the camera
So shot both rifles today. Both comfortably shoot sub MOA. The 7mm08 was a recent acquisition simply to get the scope (vx5hd). The plan was to flick the 7mm off and put the vx5 on the bushpig to have reliable dialing for longer shots. However I do wonder if the 7mm with its 20" barrel maybe slightly more versatile alrounder....
Anyone managed to crack 2700fps with 150gr projectile out of a 20" barrel in 7mm08? As was suggested earlier RE17 might do it?
Go back to the shadows young man lol.
There is my drop chart, using 2209, I would say 2700 is doable
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My Tikka 7mm08 had a 20” barrel and shot the 150 ELD-X at 2700fps. It was bloody accurate too. Was fine in the bush and stretched its legs on a couple of occasions with a VX5 on top.
Is that with 140 Berger? Using CFE223 my 18" A7 is 2800fps with them and groups very well so they can perform alright. Ive only ever shot one deer with that combo though, preferring the 120NBT at 3K (for no good reason though). Ive shot deer out to 525 yds with the 120 (did Craig tell you that James shot one at 391 yds with it on Monday night with me - he got 2 with it).
@stagstalker what was the load details for your eld-x load if you dont mind me asking?
I reloaded for a mates 708 and managed 2660 with 2206h and 162eldx from an 18" bbl. Was warming up but was accurate and good out a long way
I think the question is answered by what manufacturers produce as standard. there is a reason that most factory rifles don't come with 16" barrels, that is more specialized to short range country where lengh of rifle is more important. Your 20" 708 is an all rounder, I have shortened mine to be a short range gun as I have long range rifle.
@Mauser308 the 7mm BC are much better than the 308. It is BC that effects wind drift, not bullet weight. A 160 gr 7mm will have a similar BC to a 200gr 308 and will have similar wind drift.
@William that is a very valid point. I guess by reloading we can stretch the envelope somewhat however.
We can argue this one 'til the cows come home, then leave again.
FWIW @Hunty1, the best thing I ever did to my Tikka .308 was cut it from 22" to 18", suppress it, and go from 150gr to 165gr. It shot good before, but now its a handier carbine with heavier hitting killing power out to whatever you're confident shooting. It's knocked over a few reds between 300-350m, and has taken over now as the goto rifle for hill country deer. Thing is, the hill country borders the forest...
What I like about the .308 Win the most is that I can carry the normal 165gr ammo for standard 100-400m shooting, duck into the bush for some stealthy action with 151gr subs if the opportunity arises, and if I get onto a batchelor mob of reds in the woods and a chance for a really heavy, close range red stag, slip in a 180gr RN ProHunter... And the BDC reticle takes care of the rest.
Its such a versatile cartridge, the .308 Winchester.
@Flyblown makes alot of sense. Never have run 165's in my 308 but have taken game out to 350m and punched paper to about 450 with 150gr (was still sub MOA at 450).
Curious as to your reasoning to go 18" rather than the often touted magic 16"? You want the slightly higher MV or find the balance better at 18"?
16" is a bit too loud for me, even suppressed, 18" is do-able with a good suppressor and no ear protection as long as its open country. As soon as you're in heavy timber though, look out. Yes velocity is a consideration. I run the 165gr Speers at 2,550fps and am happy with the drops and killing power. I ran the numbers for the shorter barrel and that 50-75fps loss up front counts for a shit load downrange. You start to run into unburnt powder problems if you're not careful, with the 16" and shorter.
Having said that, I was impressed by what some of the guys are doing with short, fast twist .308s, with heavy 200gr+ bullets. For me though, the 180gr ProHunter does the job no problem, proper heavy deer bullet that.
@Hunty1 it was just factory Hornady Precision Hunter ammunition. Was before I reloaded. The rifle is now a 284 superpig. Some days I do miss how simple and accurate it was for a plain jane rifle with factory ammo. (Do bloody love my 284 though).
Hunty1 has a tough decision to make. I bumped into him at the range on Saturday, both rifles shooting very well indeed.
If I was wanting a really a good "all-rounder", I'd keep the 7mm08. Not because 7mm is "better" than .308, just the rifle is in a better configuration for what, as I understand it, Hunty1 is trying to achieve.
@Hunty1 what load was the 7mm08 shooting the other day?
You will always be left wondering what being a full man feels like if you go 708 ;)
@Dama dama 7mm08 load was 139 SST with full load of 2208 (unknown velocity), 308 was the 150 BT's with 2206H. Both stupidly accurate!
Im thinking as an all rounder for my needs the 7mm08 wins, main plus's being:
-Significantly quieter than the 16" 308 (gotta be better for me and the dog) Really noticed it at the range at the weekend.
-Easier on the suppressor, full loads of fast powder will be working it pretty hard
-on paper fractionally better ballistics (tho i doubt any difference in the real world)
-can use factory ammo if needs be without really leaving any performance on the table
-I'm a terrible for tinkering.... 7mm barrel opens up options of .284win down the line if someone will re-chamber the tikka barrel....
will give some thought for a few days yet, no need to rush these things eh!
Personally id go with the 20" 7mm-08.
I think the fact that the .308 only has a 16" barrel moves it away from being an-all rounder, and into a slightly more close range/bush gun category.
The 20" 7mm on the other hand could really be considered an all-rounder.
The 20" 7mm will do that, and be slightly better ballistically.
It'l probably be shorter or at least comparable in length to a 16" + suppressor as well.
Personally ill take a couple extra inches of barrel over a suppressor. Sure you could shoot the 16" with no suppressor to equal or better the handyness of the 20" 7mm, but then you are left with something that is brutally loud and still not as efficient ballistically.
Whatever floats your boat. Everything is a trade off.
So you have had to drop the suppressor off to make it comparable, doesn't sound like much of an all rounder to me, be loud af and unbalanced imo :P The terminal performance to 500 between your 20" 7mm and my 16" 308 spitting 165s at 2650 will be slim to f all and perhaps even in my favor
how about a 6.5x55 :D and wheres that popcorn gone
I didnt realise that the 7mm also had a suppressor.
In that case id still use the 20" 7mm without a suppressor, for ballistic superiority, while keeping the rifle a comparable overall length to the suppressed 16".
Im not really in the mood to run numbers, but I would think that the .308 would indeed carry more energy (terminal performance) to 500, but I have no doubt the 7mm will have better external ballistics which may aid with actually hitting the target as distance increases.
I think there is nothing in it at closer ranges. The .308s energy advantage will not be of much benefit, just as the 7mm's improved ballistics also will not be of much benefit.
But as you start to stretch it out a little the 7mm will pull away in terms of energy and ballistics - making it the better all rounder in this scenario.
Is the deer going to know the difference between a 30 cal pill hitting it at 2000fps vs a 7mm hitting the same target at 2200fps? Probably not.
Will the 7mm allow a little more margin for error ballistically for longer shots? Yes, probably. And that's why a 20" 7mm will make a better all rounder than a 16" .308
Basically, they do the same thing at closer ranges, and at longer ranges the 7mm has slightly better external ballistics = better all rounder.
PS I don't own a 7mm-08 but I do own a .308 :D
Who gives a toss, get off your arse and just go hunting!