7X57 or 7mm-08 or 308

[CBH Australia]

Another .308 seems like the easy path for this assignment

I have a 20” barreled 7mm-08 and I am a big fan of the cartridge.

I like the idea of a 7x57 but would prefer that in a traditional looking rifle

 

[rookhawk]

Looking at getting a new lightweight hunting rifle mainly for deer,hogs, and potentially Africa plains game in the next decade. I recently went to Africa with my 308 Bergara and it did great but it was in the heavy side although not unbearable. Anyways I’m looking at a 16” 308 or 16” 7mm-08 and a Winchester model 70 7X57 that I’d have threaded (I know threading it would ruin the value of the gun but if I can help it I’m going to shoot suppressed no matter what) does anyone have any experience with these guns in these configurations? More so asking about the 16” guns as I know the 7X57 would do great but just figured I throw that bit of info in there for context.

You give up velocity and powder options by shooting a 7x57 in a short barrel. Not sure what you're accomplishing with a suppressor on a 7x57? Quieting it down a bit of course is a benefit, but the recoil is a mere 14lbs so you don't need recoil reduction.

For maximum performance in a 7x57 you want a 21"-23" barrel to make the most of the cartridge.

 

[CastShooter]

16" barreled rifles are going to be classified 2 ways. Those that shoot with them and fall in love with a handy excellent suppressor host that's great for everything you plan to shoot within a reasonable distance, and those who have never used a suppressor and think you lose too much ballistically with a short rifle.

I'm in the 1st camp, I'll take a 16" rifle any day, with proper loads I'll hang with any other hunter out to decently ethical ranges 300-350 yds.

On to your question, in a 16" I'd stick with a 7mm-08 or 308 with a slight nod to the 308. I shoot a 130 gr TTSX at close to 3000 fps. That dog will hunt. If you go 7mm-08, shoot the 110 or 120 gr TTSX at roughly the same speed and you'll never tell the difference. Those will get you the flattest trajectory out to 350.

Or, go the other way. I also have a load for a 200 gr Accubond that is plugging along at 2375 fps but penetration is excellent and is a swift killer. A 7mm-08 load with a 160 gr Accubond would do roughly the same. You could sub in a heavy Hornady ELD-X as well just for the ease of expansion.

Enjoy your new rifle, be it 308, 7mm-08, or 7x57 and don't worry about barrel length, it isn't as limiting of a factor as people make it out to be.

 

[CaribouLu96]

Have a look on the NZ forums they cut their rifles down there as the bush is so thick. Do you know how long the mod is that’s going on the front?

7 inches.

 

[CaribouLu96]

You give up velocity and powder options by shooting a 7x57 in a short barrel. Not sure what you're accomplishing with a suppressor on a 7x57? Quieting it down a bit of course is a benefit, but the recoil is a mere 14lbs so you don't need recoil reduction.

For maximum performance in a 7x57 you want a 21"-23" barrel to make the most of the cartridge.

I wouldn’t get a 16” 7x57 but I would thread it if I were to get one.

 

[CaribouLu96]

If you are interested I have a Browning Stainless Stalker in 7mm-08 with a Swarovski Z3 3-9x36 duplex reticle on it I'm considering selling. PM me if you want photos and we can discuss pricing.

Still thinking about options. I like the input everyone has given me. I’m still probably a couple months out from getting a gun. I appreciate the info!

 

[CaribouLu96]

Another .308 seems like the easy path for this assignment

I have a 20” barreled 7mm-08 and I am a big fan of the cartridge.

I like the idea of a 7x57 but would prefer that in a traditional looking rifle

I really like the idea of a traditional looking rifle as well.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Looking at getting a new lightweight hunting rifle mainly for deer,hogs, and potentially Africa plains game in the next decade. I recently went to Africa with my 308 Bergara and it did great but it was in the heavy side although not unbearable. Anyways I’m looking at a 16” 308 or 16” 7mm-08 and a Winchester model 70 7X57 that I’d have threaded (I know threading it would ruin the value of the gun but if I can help it I’m going to shoot suppressed no matter what) does anyone have any experience with these guns in these configurations? More so asking about the 16” guns as I know the 7X57 would do great but just figured I throw that bit of info in there for context.

@CaribouLu96
Person I think a 16" barrel is a waste of time. Increased muzzle blast and decrease of around 200fps in muzzle velocity. To me the trade off may be fine in close quarter combat but not a hunting rifle
There are some fine light weight 308 & 7-08 rifles out there.
My sons Howa and mates tikka 308s both weigh under 8# with scope, sling and full mag. What's not to like. Light, accurate and in a versatile cartridge.
Bob

 

[R eight]

The Kiwis love their bush pig rifles. This is a T3X in 308 Win. 16 inch barrel, plenty good enough for 300 meter shots in the paddock.

 

[R eight]

@CaribouLu96
Person I think a 16" barrel is a waste of time. Increased muzzle blast and decrease of around 200fps in muzzle velocity. To me the trade off may be fine in close quarter combat but not a hunting rifle
There are some fine light weight 308 & 7-08 rifles out there.
My sons Howa and mates tikka 308s both weigh under 8# with scope, sling and full mag. What's not to like. Light, accurate and in a versatile cartridge.
Bob

Hey Bob, I thought just like you until I tried out a few rifles with 16 inch barrels. All were either 308 or 7/08. All were suppressed! If you can’t have a suppressor then what you said holds true. The suppressor is the difference.

In that video I posted I was shooting some OSA 165 grain factory loads. No issues with noise or muzzle blast and I was hitting steel easily at around 300 meters.

 

[CBH Australia]

Hey Bob, I thought just like you until I tried out a few rifles with 16 inch barrels. All were either 308 or 7/08. All were suppressed! If you can’t have a suppressor then what you said holds true. The suppressor is the difference.

In that video I posted I was shooting some OSA 165 grain factory loads. No issues with noise or muzzle blast and I was hitting steel easily at around 300 meters.

He can’t have a suppressor. I have met him.

It’s not permitted for individuals to have them for hunting in Australia.

New Zealand is like South Africa where it is not a controlled item and you are not paying a premium because it’s restricted to professional use.

We even have manufacturers here that do produce them but we also import these because government agencies experts deem them to be the best option

 

[R eight]

He can’t have a suppressor. I have met him.

It’s not permitted for individuals to have them for hunting in Australia.

New Zealand is like South Africa where it is not a controlled item and you are not paying a premium because it’s restricted to professional use.

We even have manufacturers here that do produce them but we also import these because government agencies experts deem them to be the best option

I’m from Queensland mate.

 

[Tucketed]

Winchester Extreme Weather model 70

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

16" barrels are very short why not 20" all the calibers you have mentioned do not have heavy recoil why make them louder and bring down the ballistics to marginal out of a 16" barrel.
A well constructed premium bullet in 150gr weight would take on most plainsgame at 2500-2600fps

Something like a howa 1500 with a hogue stock would be a perfect candidate most models come with 22" barrels and you could even opt for a stainless all weather model.

@Frederik
My son has a Howa 1500 in 308.
Loaded with 50gn of CFE223 and 150gn accubonds it groups 0.3" and has a velocity of 2,900fps. Light and fast handling as well as accurate to go with it.
To me limiting the barrel to 16" you may as well just get a 30-30 as the velocity won't be that much better.
Ultra light weight may be good to carry but try holding it steady. A bit extra weight helps with the hold in my book.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Have a look on the NZ forums they cut their rifles down there as the bush is so thick. Do you know how long the mod is that’s going on the front?

@Sideshow
Those New Zealanders are a mad mob.
They cut the barrel down to 16" to make it handier in think bush, then add a 12" suppressor to quite it down
WHY not just leave it at 22" instead of cutting it down so you can turn the barrel into a 28". Just don't make sense to this Aussie.
My brother in law did that and said he cut it down to make it better in the bush. When I explained it to him he had a Homer Simpson moment just saying DOH.
Not the brightest move but hey that's New Zullenders.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I’ll be attaching a suppressor so I want the shorter overall length that a 16” barrel would give me. 20” barrel plus a 7” suppressor starts to get a little long.

@CaribouLu96
I run a 25" barrel in my 35 Whelen and have never had a problem carrying in any bush, enen thick stuff.
I just can't understand why people want such short barrels so they can add a suppressor to make it longer than it was originally. An over barrel suppressor I can understand as it only adds a few inches but a standard one where's the logic. Just stick with a 20-22" barrel.
My old brain just can't understand such logic.
Bob

 

[Sideshow]

@Sideshow
Those New Zealanders are a mad mob.
They cut the barrel down to 16" to make it handier in think bush, then add a 12" suppressor to quite it down
WHY not just leave it at 22" instead of cutting it down so you can turn the barrel into a 28". Just don't make sense to this Aussie.
My brother in law did that and said he cut it down to make it better in the bush. When I explained it to him he had a Homer Simpson moment just saying DOH.
Not the brightest move but hey that's New Zullenders.
Bob

Some of the North Island and west coast South Island bush is pretty thick. Crawling through monkey scrub and supplejack for an hour or so and you soon lose your sense of humour. Deer at 3 meters and you don’t need a long barrel. That’s why I had a BLR, I left before all this other short short became the craze. But the old 303 Jungle Carbine and M1 used to be popular (M1 not so much terrible ballistics performance on Deer and pigs okay on goats though) here’s a clear patch before more thuckstuff

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I wouldn’t get a 16” 7x57 but I would thread it if I were to get one.

@CaribouLu96
WHY????
Recoil is mild, velocity in a standard length tube is fine. Having trouble understanding people's logic. You do get velocity loss vith short barrels in most cases and in some cases by shortening the barrel to 16" you will lose upto 200fps it's just the physics
Bob

 

[Sarg]

@Sideshow
Those New Zealanders are a mad mob.
They cut the barrel down to 16" to make it handier in think bush, then add a 12" suppressor to quite it down
WHY not just leave it at 22" instead of cutting it down so you can turn the barrel into a 28". Just don't make sense to this Aussie.
My brother in law did that and said he cut it down to make it better in the bush. When I explained it to him he had a Homer Simpson moment just saying DOH.
Not the brightest move but hey that's New Zullenders.
Bob

Bob Bob you need to get out more & not in the Ute-Bakkie !

I didn’t like suppressors either until Everyone had one & a lot of properties won’t let you on without them as it doesn’t scare the shit out of stock AND game wink wink !

I was using a 15in Sako 75 308Win with 10in over barrel suppressor when I was doing control work, using crappy PPU factory (as was supplied) I shot near 1000 animals, Deer & Pigs 425m was dead first short my longest on that job was 620m.

I ranged them with the Geovids & used the Mil-dot.

wouldn’t have got half those without the muffler !

Actually this is even worse this is a 15in 270Win I got by accident (don’t like 270 either) but with 145gr ELD-X & Superperfomance powder is still more than a 7mm08 in standard barrel !

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Hey Bob, I thought just like you until I tried out a few rifles with 16 inch barrels. All were either 308 or 7/08. All were suppressed! If you can’t have a suppressor then what you said holds true. The suppressor is the difference.

In that video I posted I was shooting some OSA 165 grain factory loads. No issues with noise or muzzle blast and I was hitting steel easily at around 300 meters.

@R eight
We can't have suppressors in Australia unless you have a very very good reason.
I don't like short barrels on centre fire rifles. On a 22lr fine.
The noisiest bitch I ever shot was a 93 Spanish Mauser carbine in 308. That thing made my ears ring for days. It was an evil little thing.

Bob