Heres my dilima first of all i have alot of rifles for deer hunting and just plain range shooting . My 2 favorites are a 243 cal in a model 700 and a 7mm rem mag in a vanguard. And im wanting a 7mm08 cal but really dont need it cause aint the 243 cal and 7mm08 just about the same in the deer hunting role plus the shells for the 7mm08 ammo is expensive. well thats it just got the wants i guess
243 Cal Vs 7mm08
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7mm08 factory ammo isn't that expensive (~$20/box for Remington/Federal). At MidwayUSA, the .243Win is $19.29 for 100gr Core-Lokt and the 7mm08 140gr Core-Lokt is $25.99, so there is some difference I guess. (I figure $20/$25/box isn't that bad because 7mmRM Core-Lokt is the same price)
I'd argue that the 7mm08 is a better deer gun than the .243Win but I don't want to get into a religious discussion
I'd argue that the 7mm08 is a better deer gun than the .243Win but I don't want to get into a religious discussion
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For deer sized game I would choose the 7mm08 over the 243 any day of the week. Not based on velocities but based on bullet size and weight. Around here both are popular for smaller shooters and kids, although the 243 is easier to find ammo for. If you really want a 7mm08 then buy one.
7mm-08 ammo has to be cheaper than 7 mag, by a bunch.
I can tell you that you don't want to get a 7-08 as it will do everything that you 7mag will do, except kick and dot your-I (cut you). The bullets carry well (high Ballistic Coefficent) and it is very accurate. The whole family is very accurate. Once you see how well that "little" 7mm shoots, you'll chuck that 7mag.
BTW, as a side note...Jack O'Connor's wife hunted side by side w/him, the world over w/a 7x57 and he thought that it was a pretty darn good gun. She knocked all sorts of critters doa. Also, as a side note, his loads for her were way off the chart. Those loads were a twin to the 7-08... or a bit more. She shot Mtn goats, antelope and probably African game w/it.
The .243 is plenty up to any deer sized critter and long range shooting. Accurate, high fps, and easy to shoot.
Now, the one that is possibly better than both...right smack dap in the middle...260. The bullets carry exceedingly well nad the 120 grainer is used in Europe for all manners of beasties for crtters up to 500# as the 6.5. But, not every manufacturer builds ammo for it.
You haven't mentioned the range...Eastern deer, or Western deer. Out to 100 yards...who cares. Out to 300, who cares. Farther than that, it matters...a bit. If you hit em square, they still fall over dead.
You have the .243 and really need another gun...go get the 7-08.
I can tell you that you don't want to get a 7-08 as it will do everything that you 7mag will do, except kick and dot your-I (cut you). The bullets carry well (high Ballistic Coefficent) and it is very accurate. The whole family is very accurate. Once you see how well that "little" 7mm shoots, you'll chuck that 7mag.
BTW, as a side note...Jack O'Connor's wife hunted side by side w/him, the world over w/a 7x57 and he thought that it was a pretty darn good gun. She knocked all sorts of critters doa. Also, as a side note, his loads for her were way off the chart. Those loads were a twin to the 7-08... or a bit more. She shot Mtn goats, antelope and probably African game w/it.
The .243 is plenty up to any deer sized critter and long range shooting. Accurate, high fps, and easy to shoot.
Now, the one that is possibly better than both...right smack dap in the middle...260. The bullets carry exceedingly well nad the 120 grainer is used in Europe for all manners of beasties for crtters up to 500# as the 6.5. But, not every manufacturer builds ammo for it.
You haven't mentioned the range...Eastern deer, or Western deer. Out to 100 yards...who cares. Out to 300, who cares. Farther than that, it matters...a bit. If you hit em square, they still fall over dead.
You have the .243 and really need another gun...go get the 7-08.
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Do yourself a favor and get the 7-08 and sell your 7mm Rem Mag, you wont tell the difference on game. You will tell the difference in cheaper ammunition cost and less recoil/muzzle blast.
Or, at the risk of sounding like a broken record (my kids say, "record? what's a record"?) learn how to reload! The 7RM accomplishes, with 20 grains more powder, 200fps more velocity, when using 140gr bullets. This is roughly a 45% increase in powder for a 7% increase in velocity.
Learn to reload, and it matters, not! You can create "youth" loads for the 7RM that go all the way down to 7-30 Waters-level or stick some 160 or 175gr pills in it and stand on the throttle. (Glad it's your shoulder, not mine!) Point is, magnum cartridges really only shine in being able to push larger bullets just as fast as standard cartridges push medium-weight bullets. With both the 7mm-08 and 7RM shooting 140 grain bullets, the smaller cartridge is remarkably more efficient. Someone who already owns a 7RM really doesn't need a 7-08, unless they don't reload their own ammo and aren't willing to learn.
Learn to reload, and it matters, not! You can create "youth" loads for the 7RM that go all the way down to 7-30 Waters-level or stick some 160 or 175gr pills in it and stand on the throttle. (Glad it's your shoulder, not mine!) Point is, magnum cartridges really only shine in being able to push larger bullets just as fast as standard cartridges push medium-weight bullets. With both the 7mm-08 and 7RM shooting 140 grain bullets, the smaller cartridge is remarkably more efficient. Someone who already owns a 7RM really doesn't need a 7-08, unless they don't reload their own ammo and aren't willing to learn.
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My 2 sons use both cartridges. Both have shot 2 deer each at roughly the same range, 85 to 130 yards. The .243 kills them just as dead with 100 gr. Bullets but has not had a pass through. The 7-08 with 140 gr. Nos. Bal. Tips have passed through on both deer. Works more like a .308 or 06. I like both but I would choose the 08 over the 24 for everyday deer hunting.
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As some know I am a fan of the late Jack O'Connor and have most of his published books so I'm in his camp on rifles. My go-to rifle is a Winchester Model 70 Featherweight in .270 Winchester and while I do reload for it, the Remington Core-Lok 130gr factory ammunition has served me very well.
When the time came for me to rebarrel a custom rifle I had I considered long and hard the various .308 based cartridges that would fit my receiver. I chose the 7mm-08 from all the others. Factory ammo is less available than .270 but I reload for it and it has taken almost a dozen alligators for me in the last 3 yrs. I've yet to regret the 7mm-08.
When the time came for me to rebarrel a custom rifle I had I considered long and hard the various .308 based cartridges that would fit my receiver. I chose the 7mm-08 from all the others. Factory ammo is less available than .270 but I reload for it and it has taken almost a dozen alligators for me in the last 3 yrs. I've yet to regret the 7mm-08.
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Not to derail this thread a ton but what bullet are you shooting with the .243 that you have not had any exits? i ask because i've yet to recover any of mine over the last few years once i switched to Fussions. i also got plenty of exits with core-loks too.
3O8 brass is quite inexpensive. The 7mm-08 came into being from sizing down 08 brass to 7mm. You may need to turn the necks after resizing as they'll be thicker. The 7mm-08 will shoot a bit flatter, but as far a versatility just a plain old 308 has the benefit of a 30 cal. with a wider range of bullet weights available. .243, 7mm, 7mm-08, 308, they're all great calibers. You could load down your 7mm to match 7mm-08 ballistics; it'd kick less. If you reload, then cost of ammo isn't such an issue after you've purchased your brass. One can often find used presses for reasonable prices.
I would pick the .243 over the 7-08 all day, as it is clearly superior for deer. In fact, I did pick the .243 over all others.
I have had a lot of deer with no exits, both with partitions and cup and core. It has not been a problem, as no internal organs have been unshredded and the deer have gone nowhere.
Back to the original thread, If you want the 7-08, buy it. It is a cool round, and wanting it is all the reason you need to buy it. If the question is do you NEED it, than no you don't. The two calibers you have cover everything in North America except maybe the big bears.
. In fact, I did pick the .243 over all others.I have had a lot of deer with no exits, both with partitions and cup and core. It has not been a problem, as no internal organs have been unshredded and the deer have gone nowhere.
Back to the original thread, If you want the 7-08, buy it. It is a cool round, and wanting it is all the reason you need to buy it. If the question is do you NEED it, than no you don't. The two calibers you have cover everything in North America except maybe the big bears.
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I had my son using Hornady LMags with 100 gr. Interlocks. They don't hold togeather. Now using Nos. Part. In handloads.
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I can't agree with that. The 7-08, loaded with 150 Partitions or 160 Partitions or A-frames is a bona fide 300 yd Elk gun. The .243 simply isn't. Both will kill deer everytime, but the 7-08 clearly has more usefulness on Big Game. You could shoot bear, big hogs and Moose with one too.I would pick the .243 over the 7-08 all day, as it is clearly superior for deer
As one other poster mentioned, the 260 will out do both. Aready having a 243 and a 7mm Mag, and was wanting something between, it would be the 260 hands down. Since the 260 is only available in a very limited number of production guns, if one of those didn't fit your fancy, look at the 6.5x55, very close to the 260. Tikka T3's are available in that one here in the states and they make a very nice shooting rifle without a large outlay of cash.
Then I would get my reloading equipment and make all three rifles realy shine. All three of those offer great potential when you can build your own loads.
Then I would get my reloading equipment and make all three rifles realy shine. All three of those offer great potential when you can build your own loads.
Pick up a copy of the new "RIFLE" magazine. On page 20 is an article on the 7-08 and I think everyone would find the information interesting.
One bit of data is that the 7mm Mag launching a 160 grain bullet at 3,000 FPS and zeroed at 200 yards will hit 1.2 inches higher at 300 yards than a 7-08 pushing the same bullet at 2,700 FPS and zeroed at the same 200 yards.
It's a well written piece and makes the 7-08 appealing IMO.
One bit of data is that the 7mm Mag launching a 160 grain bullet at 3,000 FPS and zeroed at 200 yards will hit 1.2 inches higher at 300 yards than a 7-08 pushing the same bullet at 2,700 FPS and zeroed at the same 200 yards.
It's a well written piece and makes the 7-08 appealing IMO.
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Are you sure a 7mm-08 is pushing a 160 grain bullet 2700 FPS? Doesnt sound very likely...
I agree that seems optimistic but that's exactly what the article says. If the author is incorrect, it wouldn't be the first time a writer misspoke or said something wrong. I'm sure I'm not the only one with a copy of the magazine so maybe someone can verify that what I said is an accurate quote.
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