30-06verus .308&7MM-08

[nhdeerchaser]

ORIGINAL: Everyday Hunter

Shaman's advice about reloading is good. I'm a handloader, but if it were me I wouldn't reload for just one caliber.

If you have the money for a new rifle, my advice is to get the 7mm-08. It will do everything you want it to do. I have recommended it to lots of people, and every one of them have loved it. Mine is a Remington Model 7 stainless. If I could have only one rifle, I think that would be it.

Good luck.

Steve

I have to agree with Steve. I think that the 7mm-08. has to be one of the finest deer cartridges out there.
I tried for years to buy one off my friends dad. When he passed, he willed the rifle to his son, thus eliminating any chance I would have to buy it. So I bought the next best thing, my buddies 7600 .308.

Mike

[GTOHunter]

I bought the Remington "Managed recoil" shells and I was very impressed with them,I sighted my older Remington 30-06 bolt-action at 50 yards and had it hitting dead center...then I went over to the 100 yard range/target and without adjusting the scope I was putting 3 shots in a small circle no bigger than a circle the size of an 8 oz drinking cup.The recoil was less or equal to a .243 Rifle and the accuracy was very good since the majority of the recoil was dimished!


This Fall I bought a Savage 7mm-08 Bolt-action Rifle with the Accu-trigger and it still has a little recoil to it...not as bad as the regular 30-06 but still a little felt recoil.This is with using 140 grain shells...I tried to get the "Managed Recoil" shells is this caliber also but they were on Back-Order for over a month and I had to get the 7mm-08 sighted in before Rifle Deer Season.Opening day of Deer Season I shot a nice Doe broadside that ran about 50 yards and fell over,then later in the week I shot a nice 8-Point Buck...didn't like my shot placement choice but it dropped the Deer in his tracks with no tracking needed!I was sitting in my 17 foot ladder stand when he approached me coming down-hill off the logging road,I stood up,turned and I was looking down over the top of him as he walked slowly at me eating acorns...when he bent down for his last bite I pushed the safety off,put the coss-hairs on top of his shoulders just behind his head and "BOOM" he went down not taking another step!After I field dressed him back at Camp we hung him up on the meat pole and my Buddy said he felt something along the Bucks rib cage....I felt along the rib and with a light pressured cut I pulled out the mushroomed 140 grain bullet that went all the way thru the top spine,lungs and chest and was caught between the last piece of skin and hair! [:D] [:)] 

[tbonecpa]

Save the money and buy the managed recoil loads. My young sons (11,13) shoot them through my Model 70 30-06 and my Savage 300WM easily and accurately. They cost about the same as full power loads and let you shoot the guns you are used to. For $30 you could also put a limbsaver recoil pad on it. I added a slip-on pad to my 300 WM and it really tamed down that gun nicely.

[CB on the run]

I reload for all 3 of the aforementioned calibers.
 
If you like your guns, take them to a gunsmith and have a limbsaver or R3 recoil pad installed.  I did on my 760 .308 and it makes a big difference.  Then either get the managed recoil factory rounds or fine someone who can handload for you.
 
If you just want another gun but like the pump action Remington, there are several 7600's for sale on gun broker.com in the 7mm-08 which was a special run.  The 7mm-08 is a great round for deer. I have a recently recovered 140 grain Nosler Accubond that I handloaded for my son(37 grains IMR 4895 & Fed 210 primer) which performed flawlessly.  It was a hard quartering shot that penetrated about 22"-24" before coming to rest.  The deer went about 5 yards.
 
My next gun will be a lightweight/ ultra light bolt action in a 7mm-08.  A 6 1/2 lbs gun with recoil pad in this caliber will kick less than your current 8lbs gun with standard loads.  Good luck.
 
CB

[smwbwk]

proven fact the 308 does everything the 06 does just alittle better  with considerably less recoil

[Pink]

I just bought a 7mm-08 this fall, and LOVE it. I have only shot 1 deer with it so far, but it dropped in its tracks (at 100 yards)with a 139 grain bullet. VERY light recoil and very accurate to 300 yards (have not shot any farther than that)
I was shooting a Browning A Bolt 300, and was also sick of the recoil - no worries anymore! If ya have the money I would say go for it.

[jyeomans]

I have just bought a browning xbolt .308& a zeiss conquest rifle scope,I am looking for advice on ammo & gr wgt. I hunt NH/MAINE for whitetail deer Iwould appreciate any suggestions. Thankyou for all the previous advice. John  

[shaman]

Start with the Remington Corelokts in 150 grain and if those don't group well, try 165 grain . If that doesn't work try Winchester. Bottom line:  start cheap and work up.

[jyeomans]

Thankyou for all your advice,I will go w/the corelocks 150-165gr. I have a pump 30-06 for bear @ 180gr. Thanks again John

[cullbuck]

I like the 7mm-08. It is a dream to shoot. Always puts the deer down fast.