Just Bought a 7-08 - Page 2

Wendyj · September 12, 2015, 01:24 PM

I managed to stay under an inch with the 160 flat base Speers. The 150 NBT done so so. I'll oat another picture. It only lets me do one.

Wendyj · September 12, 2015, 01:26 PM

I cleaned the barrel before the flyer on the 150 to the shot on the left. I've got to get some 140s and try them. Still think the 160s grouped better.

std7mag · September 17, 2015, 05:41 PM

Wendy,

Are you sure, you and my g/f aren't related??? You both seem to enjoy having the bullet holes touching..
Wish I could accomplish that!!

Wendyj · September 18, 2015, 05:48 AM

Lol. I used to think if they hit an inch or two I was ok. I'm wanting them in the same hole but that isn't happening yet. My husband has been training my breathing and heart rate for 6 months now to get better. Of course reloading hasn't hurt anything.

Saltydog235 · September 18, 2015, 07:56 AM

Try that Nosler 150grn BT over 45.5grns H4350 set about .010 off.

Wyosmith · September 18, 2015, 09:52 AM

Windy I would like to offer 2 prospectives to think about.

First from the hunter’s point of view.

The old 7X57 Mauser is one of the greatest cartridges ever designed. It was a wild success for many years in many countries for many types of game all the way up to elephant (in the hands of W.D.M. Bell) I have used it myself and hunting with 4 others friend that used it in the last 40 years. I have seen many many animals killed with it from 75 to 700 pounds and all were handled very well by the round. Most of my friends used 160 grain bullets. In my old 7X57 I used 175 grain bullets. The old 7X57 Mauser was originally loaded with 175 and 173 grain military FMJ and the twist was 1-9.5" They are accurate with any bullet weight up to and including 180 grain. The old models of Mauser like the 91 and 93 models were not as strong as the later M-98 so the loads are usually kept on the low-pressure side. It is also the round that was used in more Remington Rolling block rifles and their copies than we can count.
The 7-08 is the equal of the better high pressure factory 7X57 loads, so what's not to like?
You and your husband are NOT under-gunned.

Next the gunsmiths prospective;

As stated above, the old twist for the 7X57 was 1-9.5" and that what Remington uses too.
The case capacity of the 7X57 is a bit better than you 7-08, but in factory loadings the 7-08 is more powerful because there are no older weaker rifles chambered in it. Case capacity of the 7-08 is 3.32 CCs The 7X57 has a capacity of 3.68 CCs. That means if both round were loaded with the same bullet at the same pressure with the same powder, the 7X57 would edge out the 7-08 but only slightly. Bolt heads and bolt faces are the same so bolt thrust is identical in the case of both shells attaining the same pressure.

So from the gunsmith’s point of view the 260 Remington is the American version of the 6.5 Swede and the 7-08 is the American version of the 7X57.
It is true that in strong actions the older shells will drive their bullets a bit faster, but not enough faster to concern yourself.

Look at the 100 year long history of the 6.5 Swede and the 7MM Mauser and lay any concerns you may have had to rest. You have excellent rounds for hunting any animal you wish to hunt. Magnums give a bit flatter trajectories and have a bit less hang time (so less wind drift) but in my hunting experience I have not found my magnums to out perform my old 7mm Mauser or my 270, by enough of a margin to worry about. I have hunting in many states and a few other countries and have killed and seen killed many many animals. More than I can count and I am not exaggerating at all. I have been a guide in 3 states also and I have seen more deer elk and antelope killed than most.
When I tell you that your 7-08 is good for hunting anything up to and including big bull elk, I am not simply giving an opinion bases on a little experience and a lot of reading. My statement is based on a lot of actual first hand experience.
I do recommend tougher bullets that will not come apart, but I think for hunting anything that weights over 150 pounds that is good advice no matter what shell you shoot.

Use a good bullet and shoot with 100% confidence. Your rounds will be just fine.

Unlicensed Dremel · September 19, 2015, 08:45 PM

Outstanding, Wendy - congrats. Wyosmith speaks wisely.

hseII · September 19, 2015, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldscot3

I shot a 708 for years back in the 90s... not sure now why I quit. My favorite load was a speer 145 gr. flat base over 760.

I still have a full box of Winchester 140 gr. Fail Safes in 708 though I never tried them in my gun. If they work like my '06 Fail Safes they should be awesome; my brother still has his Model 7 708 maybe someday I'll try them in his gun.

I wish they still offered them.

September 12, 2015, 01:24 PM	#26
Wendyj Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2015 Location: North Georgia Posts: 1,372	I managed to stay under an inch with the 160 flat base Speers. The 150 NBT done so so. I'll oat another picture. It only lets me do one. __________________ God is NOT dead!!!! Last edited by Wendyj; June 4, 2016 at 01:18 PM.

September 12, 2015, 01:26 PM	#27
Wendyj Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2015 Location: North Georgia Posts: 1,372	I cleaned the barrel before the flyer on the 150 to the shot on the left. I've got to get some 140s and try them. Still think the 160s grouped better. __________________ God is NOT dead!!!! Last edited by Wendyj; June 4, 2016 at 01:18 PM.

September 18, 2015, 05:48 AM	#29
Wendyj Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2015 Location: North Georgia Posts: 1,372	Lol. I used to think if they hit an inch or two I was ok. I'm wanting them in the same hole but that isn't happening yet. My husband has been training my breathing and heart rate for 6 months now to get better. Of course reloading hasn't hurt anything. __________________ God is NOT dead!!!!

September 17, 2015, 05:41 PM	#28
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	Wendy, Are you sure, you and my g/f aren't related??? You both seem to enjoy having the bullet holes touching.. Wish I could accomplish that!!

September 18, 2015, 07:56 AM	#30
Saltydog235 Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2010 Location: Pawleys Island Posts: 1,563	Try that Nosler 150grn BT over 45.5grns H4350 set about .010 off.

September 18, 2015, 09:52 AM	#31
Wyosmith Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2010 Location: Shoshoni Wyoming Posts: 2,713	Windy I would like to offer 2 prospectives to think about. First from the hunter’s point of view. The old 7X57 Mauser is one of the greatest cartridges ever designed. It was a wild success for many years in many countries for many types of game all the way up to elephant (in the hands of W.D.M. Bell) I have used it myself and hunting with 4 others friend that used it in the last 40 years. I have seen many many animals killed with it from 75 to 700 pounds and all were handled very well by the round. Most of my friends used 160 grain bullets. In my old 7X57 I used 175 grain bullets. The old 7X57 Mauser was originally loaded with 175 and 173 grain military FMJ and the twist was 1-9.5" They are accurate with any bullet weight up to and including 180 grain. The old models of Mauser like the 91 and 93 models were not as strong as the later M-98 so the loads are usually kept on the low-pressure side. It is also the round that was used in more Remington Rolling block rifles and their copies than we can count. The 7-08 is the equal of the better high pressure factory 7X57 loads, so what's not to like? You and your husband are NOT under-gunned. Next the gunsmiths prospective; As stated above, the old twist for the 7X57 was 1-9.5" and that what Remington uses too. The case capacity of the 7X57 is a bit better than you 7-08, but in factory loadings the 7-08 is more powerful because there are no older weaker rifles chambered in it. Case capacity of the 7-08 is 3.32 CCs The 7X57 has a capacity of 3.68 CCs. That means if both round were loaded with the same bullet at the same pressure with the same powder, the 7X57 would edge out the 7-08 but only slightly. Bolt heads and bolt faces are the same so bolt thrust is identical in the case of both shells attaining the same pressure. So from the gunsmith’s point of view the 260 Remington is the American version of the 6.5 Swede and the 7-08 is the American version of the 7X57. It is true that in strong actions the older shells will drive their bullets a bit faster, but not enough faster to concern yourself. Look at the 100 year long history of the 6.5 Swede and the 7MM Mauser and lay any concerns you may have had to rest. You have excellent rounds for hunting any animal you wish to hunt. Magnums give a bit flatter trajectories and have a bit less hang time (so less wind drift) but in my hunting experience I have not found my magnums to out perform my old 7mm Mauser or my 270, by enough of a margin to worry about. I have hunting in many states and a few other countries and have killed and seen killed many many animals. More than I can count and I am not exaggerating at all. I have been a guide in 3 states also and I have seen more deer elk and antelope killed than most. When I tell you that your 7-08 is good for hunting anything up to and including big bull elk, I am not simply giving an opinion bases on a little experience and a lot of reading. My statement is based on a lot of actual first hand experience. I do recommend tougher bullets that will not come apart, but I think for hunting anything that weights over 150 pounds that is good advice no matter what shell you shoot. Use a good bullet and shoot with 100% confidence. Your rounds will be just fine.

September 19, 2015, 08:45 PM	#32
Unlicensed Dremel Junior member Join Date: February 13, 2014 Location: Flathead Valley, MT Posts: 2,187	Outstanding, Wendy - congrats. Wyosmith speaks wisely.