7mm-08 for elk

42448 Views 112 Replies 26 Participants Last post by wiktor, Aug 30, 2010

BrownTrout

Discussion Starter · Aug 23, 2010

What do you think about using the 7mm-08 for our Pa. elk? Ive been selling off some of my magnums here and there lately and have been kicking around this caliber for quite some time. IMO, where I'd be hunting Pa elk if I'm ever lucky enough to draw-- shots would definately be under 200 yards and probably under or right around 100 yards for that matter. With todays bullets, like, partitions, accubonds, TSX etc. I think it would make a fine Pa. elk rifle with shot placement being critical as with any other caliber. I'm betting the 08 would put the smack down on one through the boiler room. I have a 6.5 swede that I know would put the smackdown on one, but unfortunately were not allowed to use them. I'd love to use the Swede. I'm not going to list my life long injuries, but I'm pretty busted up and I'm liking the magnums in the safe less and less these days. The new swede is my new favorite rifle and caliber to shoot. Unbelieveable accuracy with little recoil and from my understanding devasting on whitetails and european Alg. Would the .338 win mag or any number followed by mag make a better elk rifle? Sure I would say as long as shot placement is still emphasised. Definately out west with longer shots, but I think the 08 with the right bullet would make a nice Pa. elk rifle. Or am I just getting old and soft? What say you on the 08 for our Pa. elk?

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Cold Bore

· #2 · Aug 23, 2010

If you think the 6.5x55 Swedish would be fine, why would there be any question about the 7mm-08?

FWIW, the 7mm-08 is my go-to deer rifle. I'm sure that it would do fine on elk as well at any reasonable range.

burk313

· #3 · Aug 23, 2010

I own a 7mm-08 and I think it is a fine cartridge but I lost a large Virginia buck the other year.I shot it about 50 yards with the 140 grain Remington Corelockt.I tracked it for a mile finding alot of blood but then the blood disappeared.I think I nipped the lungs and I now am trying the Barnes 120 grain TSX beefed up to 2900 FPS.I would say the 08 is light for elk.If you want a light recoiling rifle for elk get a 270 with 150 grain bullets.

mfuff

· #4 · Aug 23, 2010

Premium bullets and pick your shots carefully. Wait till it is broadside and a 140 TSX will put it down.

BrownTrout

Discussion Starter · #5 · Aug 23, 2010

Cold Bore said:
If you think the 6.5x55 Swedish would be fine, why would there be any question about the 7mm-08?

FWIW, the 7mm-08 is my go-to deer rifle. I'm sure that it would do fine on elk as well at any reasonable range.

Basically, I'm fishing for opinions, thats why I asked the question. And was looking for some good and honest input from fellas with experience and knowledge with the cartridge in question. Thanks!

Big Ken

· #6 · Aug 23, 2010

Light but adequate....I have killed a lot of deer with the 7mm-08 that have gone right down at the shot and I have a lot of faith in it...Not saying it's a 300 yard elk rifle but out to around 200-250 yards I would not expect a properly hit elk to go far.

rlyle531

· #7 · Aug 23, 2010

The 7mm-08 worked find on an 800 pound bull moose in Maine last year. As in most things shot placement is the key. If you shoot the rifle well then you should have no difficulties.

Trailcamologist

· #8 · Aug 23, 2010

Without a doubt the 7-08 will do just fine on Elk. Loaded with a quality bullet in 140 or even 160 grains I see no reason at all that it wouldn't get the job done??

Jack

· #9 · Aug 23, 2010

Check this out...

http://sed88.tripod.com/rem7/

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BrownTrout

Discussion Starter · #10 · Aug 23, 2010

We should blacken out the part about flatter than the 06. Moosehunter is going to come unglued. haha

Thanks! When I first looked at the ballistic comparison chart I was like this dude is smoking something serious, but then I realized he was comparing 7mm-08 handloads to 7RM factory loads.

*Moose

· #11 · Aug 23, 2010

I'd like to come unglued. But it appears the 7mm-08 does shoot flatter than the glorious .30-06 by a miniscule amount. The difference is hardly worth mentioning.

great white hunter

· #12 · Aug 24, 2010

moosehunter said:
I'd like to come unglued. But it appears the 7mm-08 does shoot flatter than the glorious .30-06 by a miniscule amount. The difference is hardly worth mentioning.

But, you did mention it mike!

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BrownTrout

Discussion Starter · #13 · Aug 24, 2010

moosehunter said:
I'd like to come unglued. But it appears the 7mm-08 does shoot flatter than the glorious .30-06 by a miniscule amount. The difference is hardly worth mentioning.

Lol. I love it. Glorious, minuscule and hardly worth mentioning haha. Priceless. It still doesn't punch 30 caliber size holes in them you should have added.

OHaraTree

· #14 · Aug 24, 2010

I wouldnt think twice about shooting an elk with a 7-08...Id monkey up a stout handload for it.

BrownTrout

Discussion Starter · #15 · Aug 24, 2010

Ohara, what bullet would you use? And what about you other 08 guys? Would any of you say the old factory green and yellow corelokts do suffice? Or would you go partition, TSX, etc.?????

I think I'm going to be adding an 08 to the collection.

Ghost

· #16 · Aug 24, 2010

7mm-08 is plenty for elk, you stick a 140gr TSX where it should go and the biggest elk on the planet is going down promto. I shot this bull at 60 yards with my 7mm08, it was DRT, hit it with a 140gr Barnes XLC moving at 2915, the bullet went thru both shoulders and out the other side leaveing a 1/2 dollar sized hole. With that rifle and load I wouldnt have hesitated to shoot out to 400 yards.

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b&ghuntre

· #17 · Aug 24, 2010

Moosehunter didn't so i will imo nothing smaller then .308 for pa. elk or where ever. If you guys think pa. elk shots will be close that fine and most likely right but 06 is the least i'ed go with and core-lokt's will do fine in the 180 gr. dose. As hard as it is to win an elk tag here it's goin down and hard IMO...later

b&ghuntre

· #18 · Aug 24, 2010

Ghost that's a nice elk forgot to mention before... Nice...later

mdmlm

· #19 · Aug 24, 2010

yes a 7mm /08 is enough, but in a perfect world which its not, you can have a bad angle shoot that might not have the confidence in with the 7/08, if the magnums are getting to you , which in time they will get to us all, why not go for the 308, just my 2 cents.

mfuff

· #20 · Aug 24, 2010

BrownTrout said:
Ohara, what bullet would you use? And what about you other 08 guys? Would any of you say the old factory green and yellow corelokts do suffice? Or would you go partition, TSX, etc.?????

I think I'm going to be adding an 08 to the collection.

An elk is a big animal with lots of muscle to get through. Core-lokts will kill em for sure with the right shot but I'd load or buy the best ammo I can. There is no sense leaving anything to chance and a TSX, GMX, or any of the bonded core bullets are just added insurance on a not so perfect shot. They will not hurt your chances, only increase them.
I use this example a lot but Karamojo Bell shot over 1100 ELEPHANTS with a 7x57 Mauser. He waited for the right shot and used the best bullet for the job. That 7mm-08 has a little more in the tank than the 7x57 and with a premium bullet it will handle any elk.

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