7mm-08 vs 7mm rem mag vs .308 PRICE

[superking75]

I am starting to do research on my next rifle and I would like to get an idea of now expensive they will be comparatively.

7mm-08 vs 7mm rem mag vs .308 vs 30-06

If you can in factory ammo and just the bullets for loading

[Rancid]

308 is probably the least expensive as far as store bought (thinking surplus gunshow stuff), but if you handload there is not much difference in any of them except the cost of brass. I no longer own a 308 but load for several '06's. I have a 7mm-08 but it is only used for hunting so it only gets a dozen rounds or so through it during the season. I buy a box of Federal 140 BTips for it every couple of years. But I'm saving the brass, just in case. It depends on what you wish the rifle to do?. A 7mm-08 will outperform the 308, while the 7mm mag will outperform the '06.

If you want to punch paper, then go with the 308. If you want to hunt deer at average distances, especially in a light rifle, go with the 7mm-08. If you want to hunt (or shoot paper) further out (600 yards plus) go with the 7 mag. If you want to do it all, get the '06.

[superking75]

My intentions are to hunt whitetail at semi close to mid range 250 yards max.
But also target shoot at long ranges, more or less as far as i can get the chance to shoot (hopefully at least 500-600)

[brasscollector]

The 308 will hold a slight energy advantage over the 7mm08 inside of 300 yards (typical whitetail distances). Once past 300 yards the 7mm08 shines as the higher BCs takeover at that point. The 7mm mag spanks the 30-06 ballistically speaking, I'd still rather have the 30-06.

Ammunition is all going to cost about the same except for the belted magnum. Cheaper ammo you may not see a big difference price-wise but once you opt for the better stuff the magnum ammo is about $5-$10 more per box.

Bullets for reloading are going to cost about the same between 7mm (.284) and 30 cal (.308). 30 cal has more options, 7mm has better BCs.

[Mobuck]

I own and have shot deer with each of the rounds mentioned but, due to physical limitations I no longer use 7mm mag or 3006 regularly. The bigger rounds are going to be harder to control recoil wise, therefore possibly less accurate.
For the uses listed, either 7mm08 or 308 will be adequate and less expensive to reload. Cost of bullets, cases, and primers will be similar for all but the "08" cases will use 10-15% less powder reducing the cost. Case life MAY be better with the "08" brass also.

[jmr40]

If you hand load it is pretty much a draw. The 7 mag will end up costing a little more because each case needs more powder. With factory loads the 308 wins easily. You can sometimes find bulk ammo in 308 much more reasonably priced. The 30-06 will be 2nd cheapest. With factory loads both of the 7mm will be pretty close n price. The 7-08 is an excellent round, but not especially popular. Finding ammo is a little bit of a challenge. 7mm mag is much more common, most stores carry ammo, but it will cost more. It is one of the cheapest magnum rounds though.

A 308 or 7-08 will easily get you to 600-700 yards for targets. At those ranges you don't need anything else. They can be used out to 1,000 yards, but there are better choices at that range. The 6.5's are the hot round right now for target shooting at long range. 30-06 used to be popular for long distance shooting, 7 mag just doesn't offer any advantages for long range target shooting and has never been commonly used.

If debating between 308 vs 308 or 30-06 vs 7 mag it is a virtual tie. With similar bullet weights the 308 leaves the muzzle slightly faster than 7-08. But because the 7mm bullets generally have slightly better aerodynamics at longer ranges they end up shooting slightly flatter and hitting with slightly more energy. With the best loads a 7-08 has 1" less drop at 500 yards and about 25 ft lbs more energy. The ability to shoot 200+gr bullets and easier to find ammo gives the nod to 308 for me.

You see similar results with 30-06 vs 7 mag. But in this case the 7 mag will shoot similar bullets about 50-100 fps faster at the muzzle. The difference at longer ranges is a little greater with the 7 mag shooting flatter and hitting harder. But you have to get out to 400-500 yards to see any real advantage.

[T. O'Heir]

Factory hunting ammo in those are all pretty much the same. Except for the highly over rated 7mm Mag. That starts at roughly $35 per 20.
Go here. http://www.midwayusa.com/rifle-ammunition/br?cid=690
Or here. https://www.grafs.com/
Or here. http://www.cabelas.com/
"...250 yards max..." Forget anything that has the word 'magnum' in its name. Either the .308 or .30-06 will kill any game in North America using a 165 grain bullet. The 7mm-08 isn't really far behind, but it might be a bit marginal for big bears.
No Matchkings, A-Maxes or anything that has the word 'Match' in its name for hunting.
500-600 yards is mid range for target shooting. Short range is 300 yards. Long is above 700. You need to learn to read the wind too. Go to a few local NRA matches and/or match shooting clinics. Shooting matches is great fun and you'll meet some fabulous people who will go out of their way to help a new guy. Including letting you shoot their rifles.

[William T. Watts]

It's what ever you like, my first encounter with a rifle was a 30/06 (M-1 Garand) thanks to the U.S. Army, I loved it!! Of the calibers available to the hunter today in my opinion there's not enough difference between the .270 - .280 - .30/06 to argue about, if the round happens to be belted I prefer a 7mm Remington mag. Any of these calibers are enough to take up to elk size animals, I do not have a need for anything more powerful than these plus ammunition is available virtually everywhere.. William

[Rmart30]

My intentions are to hunt whitetail at semi close to mid range 250 yards max.
But also target shoot at long ranges, more or less as far as i can get the chance to shoot (hopefully at least 500-600)

With that description for me its the 7mm08 with the 308 a close 2nd.

The 7mm08 does everything my 06 used to do with less recoil.

I was for a few years hesitant to get a 7mm08 because of all the internet lore of unavailable high priced ammo. But since then I now have 3 and had no problem getting and stocking up 7mm08 ammo at good prices.
Pretty easy to pick it up on sale a few times a year for as low as $13 a box (HAW)... Federal fusions for $15, or even found federal premiums on sale for under $20.

[Pathfinder45]

They are all at their best with hand-loaded ammo. But if you simply must buy factory ammo, the best price and availablity is with 30-'06 Springfield, 270 Winchester, 308 Winchester, and 243 Winchester. They all four are priced the same for basic deer-hunting ammo. 7mm08 is fine for those who handload or order their ammo online, well ahead of needing it. Otherwise, it can cost half-again more than the others and with limited availability. It comes reasonably close to a 270 Winchester in performance.

[tobnpr]

Delete

[drjjpdc]

hn

[Buzzcook]

All those cartridges will reach 600yds no problem. All of them will take deer out to 300yds no problem.

.308 will be slightly less expensive off the shelf. All will cost about the same reloading.

[jrothWA]

bought a 7mmMag when livinging WA, came back to MI where whitetails rule, so no need for 7mmMag. talked with Sierra Techs' and asked if I used differnt powder could I get 7X57 Mauser velocities. Now, I use IMR4064 with the Sierra 160gr 7mm over 46 grains of 4064. Unfortunely, no whitetail has "vo,inteered" to be test subject.

Have couple .308 and 30-06's.

[bamaranger]

Of the cartridges mentioned, I think the cheapest to load, or shoot, will be .308, no question.

One reason being bulk .30 cal FMJbT slugs like those available from Wiedners. Those bulk mil spec slugs are accurate enough for 100-200 yd casual practice, and worlds cheaper than any other option. Another being the availability of some fired GI brass, which, with some attention to detail, can be worked over to serve just fine for sport use. Lastly, depending on propellant chosen, the .308 will use a bit less powder than the others shot to shot, and over the long run save you a bit more.

Not much mind you, think on the terms of 2 free shots per 50 rd box. Or.....every 500 rds, you get a 20 rd box free!

[Mr. Hill]

The .308 is a great deer caliber for your intended use. But all 3 calibers will work fine. Get the rifle you like in any of those calibers. The factory hunting ammunition will all be close in price, the 7mm mag can cost more. Don't know about the reloading costs.

But for what you want, I'd stick with the .308/7mm-08, less recoil, lighter weight, less expensive ammunition.