7mm-08 -- the forgotten caliber

[DaddyFlip]

I stumbled on this hunt video that FEATURES a 7mm-08 with a backstory, a lefty who shoots righty rifles, an interesting jam at 6:50 with FULL case head separation, and a 346 yard shot on Springbok. The client had all one-shot kills on nine animals; three with 375 Weatherby (Warthog, Buffalo, Ostrich) and six with the 7mm (Kudu, Impala, Springbok, Nyala, Bushbuck, Duiker). The video is fantastically shot, showing several aspects of safari; I enjoyed the whole thing, though I normally would not watch a video this long.

 

[Firebird]

Soooo-that is my video and there is a written hunt report on this site as well, which probably has more value than the video. It shares the same title as the video does.
There were also some cull/management animals that were not included in the movie but were also one shot kills. (Kudu cow, impala ram, warthog and blesbok). There was one miss I still cannot come up with an excuse for! I believe they edited out lots of content to keep the movie in a time or size allowance, so sadly much was lost. I loved the video and am glad I did it, thought they did a great job making it!

The head separation was the only one of that hunt, I have a theory, but it is surely my fault. We extracted the case that evening and soldiered on. . .

When I grew up my parents did not recognize I was left handed. So I became adept with both hands OR as in the video, a combination of both left and right handedness. I prefer right handed actions but shoot them left handed.

I am not a good shot in running animals-European hunters are dominant in that arena. But shooting some distance is very comfortable for me. My ph did a nice job getting us as close as possible without spooking the animals. Here at home I often shoot farther and think nothing of it. Often we have some wind and I won’t shoot distance when the weather gets wierd!

I was shooting 150 gr. Accubond Long Range bullets in the video and I or my kids have used them for several years now on other, local species with good success. This rifle really likes them, both accuracy and velocity.

Thanks for watching the video and bringing it to this thread, the written report is also long but worth the time to read-

 

[DaddyFlip]

Soooo-that is my video and there is a written hunt report on this site as well, which probably has more value than the video. It shares the same title as the video does.
There were also some cull/management animals that were not included in the movie but were also one shot kills. (Kudu cow, impala ram, warthog and blesbok). There was one miss I still cannot come up with an excuse for! I believe they edited out lots of content to keep the movie in a time or size allowance, so sadly much was lost. I loved the video and am glad I did it, thought they did a great job making it!

The head separation was the only one of that hunt, I have a theory, but it is surely my fault. We extracted the case that evening and soldiered on. . .

When I grew up my parents did not recognize I was left handed. So I became adept with both hands OR as in the video, a combination of both left and right handedness. I prefer right handed actions but shoot them left handed.

I am not a good shot in running animals-European hunters are dominant in that arena. But shooting some distance is very comfortable for me. My ph did a nice job getting us as close as possible without spooking the animals. Here at home I often shoot farther and think nothing of it. Often we have some wind and I won’t shoot distance when the weather gets wierd!

I was shooting 150 gr. Accubond Long Range bullets in the video and I or my kids have used them for several years now on other, local species with good success. This rifle really likes them, both accuracy and velocity.

Thanks for watching the video and bringing it to this thread, the written report is also long but worth the time to read-

I'm going to find the report now! I also wanted to recognize and commend you for being the first client I've seen in a video who did not sweep his PH or trackers with the muzzle. Unless they edited that out also , I don't think I noticed one instance. Well done!

 

[Philip Glass]

I don't know why the 7mm-08 has gotten such a bad rap. It's a "girl's" gun or a kid's first gun, all true. The light recoil is almost confounding compared to the cartridge's capability. If you like the 6.5 creedmoor, you should LOVE the 7mm08. If you like 7mm bullets, again, I feel this is a worthy choice. If you love your .308, the 7mm08 can - with modern bullets - do about everything the .308 can do.

I own a 7mm-08 in a Steyr Scout rifle and it is lights out the rifle I shoot the best...or close to it (I have a favorite .300 win mag that I shoot as well or better).

With all these new chamberings (I see a 7mm PRC in my future), I think the forgotten 7mm-08 is a cartridge worthy for a revisit if you want to kill game. If you want to push holes in paper, the 6mm and 6.5mm may be better.

What say you?

True

 

[atrious]

I have 2 7-08s and 3 6.5 CMs, they are 2 of my favorite 3 cartridges (6.5x284 the other), if their is an advantage to either it would be the heavier bullet option for the 7-08 but that also comes with more recoil. In the 140gr class, the 6.5 CM is a tough to beat combination of light recoil, high retained down range energy/speed, and sectional density. I love both cartridges and I’m not trying to sound like a 6.5 CM band wagoner. Both are great deer cartridges.

 

[BFaucett]

I thought this article might be of interest.

The 7mm-08: A Stellar Performer ​

by Finn Aagaard​

from the book: Finn Aagaard On Hunting Rifles & Cartridges (1990)​

Publisher: National Riffle Association​

Here's the first page of the article. The full article (4 pages, jpg files) is contained in the attached zip file. The jpg scans are approx 2500 x 3300 pixels.

Cheers! Bob F.