I have three magnum centerfire rifles/barrels (.257 WTBY Mag, .300 Win Mag, & .375 H&H Mag)I use for hunting and wanted to get a medium non-magnum rifle barrel for just fun shooting and sharpening my shooting skills. It would also have to be economical and I was thinking the .308. I could even use it for deer/exotics hunting when a magnum is not necessary. Would this cartridge be a good choice for me? I'm not familiar with it. I'm hoping the felt recoil is less than a .30-06 as well or maybe less than a .270 Win..

Personally I love my remington 700 bdl vs. I can reload cheaply for it. Last summer 300 yards was easy pickings as far as target shooting with hornady 110 grain v-max. A 125 grain nosler ballistic tip will take down a whitetail deer. (with due consideration for shot placement) With either of these bullets the .308 wont kick harder then a 30-06. Using 150 grain noslers also means no kick like a 3006. Hope this helps.

You might feel less felt recoil with a 7mm-08, both great rounds though. The 708 is my favorite, and is a very accurate round from my experiences. Jay

Thanks Jay. I was just looking at that round and was wondering about it too. My wife may even be able to shoot it comfortably. I have a buddy who swears by the 7mm-08, but I have never shot his.

The 308 is a great round. Cheap ammo and easy to shoot. It is a good hunting round too. I had one that I used on a moose and a black bear up here.

The .308 will do just about anything an 06 will do up to 180gr bullet. You give up about 50-75yds but in real world hunting, not a problem. Recoil isn't bad as long as you don't go ultralight, then I would look @ a 7-08 or even a .260.

quote:

Originally posted by Dthfrmbv:
Thanks Jay. I was just looking at that round and was wondering about it too. My wife may even be able to shoot it comfortably. I have a buddy who swears by the 7mm-08, but I have never shot his.

Another vote for the 7mm-08. Light recoil, accurate as hell and last year my son got his elk using 140 gr. FailSafes. A very versatile cartridge.

I do like the 308 but have you considered a 260 Remington? kind of a short actioned 6.5x55mm would certainly be mild to shoot and quite hard hitting

Too many years ago I wouldn't have walked across a street for a free rifle chambered for in .308 Win. Some twelve years ago I wanted a lightweight mountain rifle for hunting the Rocky Mountains. I reasearched the heck out of what would be the "perfect" caliber. Now I own a Featherweight in .308 Win. This rifle will shoot .5 MOA all day long, and I get velcoity that is disbelieving; e.g., 165 grain Light Magnums at over 2900 FPS!

After the short magnums made their debut, I looked into getting a .300 WSM. After researching it again, I figured I might get a velocity gain of about 100 FPS (To my way of thinking, a mountain rifle should have a barrel lenght of no more than 22".) while compromising astounding accuracy. To make a long story short, I have yet to find a better combo for hunting all ungulates in the Rockies! I expect my Featherweight .308 Win to always remain with me!


Take care,

Tom

I would vote for the 7mm08 also. You do not mention if you hand load. If you do and can find one , a .257 roberts might be an even better choice. As far as I am concerned the only real difference between the .308 win and the 7mm 08 is recoil. Lots of people want to say the 7mm is flatter shooting, but certainly not enough to matter. I like the .308 alot too but if you want less than a .270 in recoil then a 7mm08 .260 .243 .257 R or 6mm would be the way to go...tj3006

I wouldn´t hesitate and just take the .308 Win, plenty of power, accurate, reliable and a better light kicking cartridge is hard to find.

Thank you all for your replies. To answer the handloading question, I do not. I wish there was someone around me that could show me how to and help me get set-up. I wouldn't even know what to buy at first to get started.

quote:

Dthfrmbv: for just fun shooting and sharpening my shooting skills. It would also have to be economical and I was thinking the .308

I can't think of a better choice.

quote:

Originally posted by Dthfrmbv:
Thank you all for your replies. To answer the handloading question, I do not. I wish there was someone around me that could show me how to and help me get set-up. I wouldn't even know what to buy at first to get started.

Since you don't reload the .308WIN would be at the top of my list also.

Now for reloading. You don't need anybody there with you to get you started. There are a lot of folks on this board more than willing to help a new guy out. It's not hard to learn and and it is very rewarding to take an animal with ammo you made.

If you would really like to get started I would buy a SPEER brand reloading book. The front section of the book is the best "how to" I've ever read for beginners. Read it, then read it again. You'll find out real quick this isn't rocket science or over your head stuff.

After you've read it and would like to try it but not spend a lot on the front end, I would suggest a Lee Anniversary Reloading Kit. You can buy these for $70. You'll need that, a set of dies W/shell holder, a caliber and a Lee case length cutter. You'll have everything you need to start reloading for about $120. That's how I started about 15 years ago. Of course you can spend a lot more on a Lyman, RCBS or Hornady kit and you will have nicer equipment, but you can build quality ammo with the Lee kit for a fraction of the cost and decide if this is something you want to pursue. It's a lot fun, very rewarding and you won't be confined to military cartridges to shoot cheap ammo.

Terry

The fact that you are not a reloader opens and shuts the case for the 308 Winchester.

Just in case anyone needed a reminder about the cartridge's capability, a few weeks ago a US Army sniper killed a terrorist in iraq at 1200 meters using a Remington M24 chambered in none other than the good ol 308 Winchester.
http://portal.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news...01/01/ixnewstop.html

quote:

Originally posted by HP Shooter:
The fact that you are not a reloader opens and shuts the case for the 308 Winchester.

Just in case anyone needed a reminder about the cartridge's capability, a few weeks ago a US Army sniper killed a terrorist in iraq at 1200 meters using a Remington M24 chambered in none other than the good ol 308 Winchester.

Yes! He lobbed it in morter fashion. Holding a little higher than the 12' over target, that he did, he could theoreticly have done the same with a 250-3000.He even surprised himself with that shoot. roger

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:

quote:

Originally posted by HP Shooter:
The fact that you are not a reloader opens and shuts the case for the 308 Winchester.

Just in case anyone needed a reminder about the cartridge's capability, a few weeks ago a US Army sniper killed a terrorist in iraq at 1200 meters using a Remington M24 chambered in none other than the good ol 308 Winchester.

Yes! He lobbed it in morter fashion. Holding a little higher than the 12' over target, that he did, he could theoreticly have done the same with a 250-3000.He even surprised himself with that shoot. roger

Your comments are so stupid and ignorant that they don't even merit a reply.

I have a rem 700 vs in 308 win. Very little recoil. very accurate. cheap to shoot. before i started reloading i was shooting military surplus(Portuguese 7.62 nato)ammo through it with good results. now i load everything from varmint loads to elk loads for it.

For your use, and considering you don't handload, the .308 is a superb choice. You'll find alot more choices in factory fodder than the 7-08, and best yet is cheap milsurp for practice.

The 7-08 does hold a slight edge in reduced drop and retained velocity at longer ranges, but the 308 slings bigger pills. If you fail to cleanly kill an animal out to 400 yds with a .308, it isn't due to lack or power.

TC1 - I'm going to purchase that manual and read it. It may make sense for me to reload since my .257 Weatherby ammo isn't that cheap and I'm confined to only factory Weatherby ammo. How come it seems like everytime I post here I end up spending more money. Now, when my wife asks, I'm blaming you guys

quote:

HP Shooter: Your comments are so stupid and ignorant that they don't even merit a reply.

HP, why do you take every opportunity to flame people on these forums?

My vote goes for the .308 as well. If you can find a copy of the latest HANDLOADER Magazine, there is an excellent article on the .308 in that one. It's the February 2006 issue #239.
I don't necessarily agree that the .308 is limited to bullets no heavier than 180 gr. in weight. In a 22" barreled Winchester M70, I have gotten 2300 FPS with the 220 gr. Sierra round nose bullet. 2250 FPS is easily attained from most rifles in .308, which is certainly a step above to 30-40 Krag which was always considered a good elk rifle in it's day.
Personally though, my choice for an all round bullet in the .308 is the 165 gr. Speer Hot-core. Every deer I have shot with that bullet has been a bang/flop, and I've only recovered one bullet. As much as I like my 30-06s, I end up going to the .308 90 percent of the time. It just flat out works./
Paul B.

quote:

Originally posted by fla3006:

quote:

HP Shooter: Your comments are so stupid and ignorant that they don't even merit a reply.

HP, why do you take every opportunity to flame people on these forums?

I think I can answer that, I have a Master's degree...


HP Shooter
one of us
Posted 20 January 2006 06:17
quote:
I have an educational and career background that matches yours, and exceeds it in some ways.

Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum
Posts: 891 | Registered: 06 February 2005

Buckshot, Now I'm lost.

It was nothing special Jason, just a cut & paste from another post to mock HP.

I was pretty much the same way, about the
crusty old .308 Win, until about 5 years ago,
when I purchased a Savage Striker, in .308 Win.
I purchased it, since it suffers less of a velocity
loss, when compared to the .243 Win, and the
7mm-08, in the 14" barrel of the Striker.
I finally understood why .308 Win.s are said
to be inherently accurate. I was so impressed,
that my future Browning BAR purchase, which
was either going to be a .25-06, or a .270, turned
into a .308 Win. This purchase was intended
to be for a fast swinging, fast shooting, whitetail
brush gun, where shots would be from 10 to
250 yards. Best move I ever made, getting it
in that crusty old .308 Win. The gun swings
fast, shoots sub-MOA accurate, and with my
130 gr. Barnes XBT load, is MORE than enough
gun for the intended purpose. I have a battery
of rifles in other chamberings, but that old
crusty .308 Win, has found a home with me
in several firearms in that battery. And it
is one of those chamberings that will probably
follow me home again, even though I really
don't need another one, just because they
are so much fun to shoot, and are easy to
get great accuracy out of.

Squeeze

Add me to the 7mm-08 advocates. You want to use the rifle for practice and perhaps an occassional deer. 7mm-08, or 7X57, may just be the perfect Deer caliber. It shoots relatively flat, is accurate and, for some reason, is hell on Deer. It has little recoil; go from a 30-06 to a 7mm-08 and it will feel like you are shooting a 22lr. All the more reason to use it for practice. If you reloaded I'd suggest the 7X57, but if you are going to stick with factory loads, go with the 7mm-08.

TerryR

quote:

Originally posted by HP Shooter:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by bartsche:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by HP Shooter:
Your comments are so stupid and ignorant that they don't even merit a reply.

And yet you did? You know H.P. you really don't sound like a happy man. Does it sadden you when people don't respect you? Does your condition stem from low selfesteem? What is your quest? Can those of us here help you in any way? Would you like to sit on my and talk about it? Minimum charge of course to one of the brotherhood. roger

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:

quote:

Originally posted by HP Shooter:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by bartsche:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by HP Shooter:
Your comments are so stupid and ignorant that they don't even merit a reply.

And yet you did? You know H.P. you really don't sound like a happy man. Does it sadden you when people don't respect you? Does your condition stem from low selfesteem? What is your quest? Can those of us here help you in any way? Would you like to sit on my and talk about it? Minimum charge of course to one of the brotherhood. roger

Fuck it, charge him full price.

I've had the .308 and the 7mm-08, both great cartridges. Find a rifle you like in either caliber and go shoot the rifling out of it.

For Eastern hunting you'll do fine with either.

Second the vote on the Speer manual, it's not the end all of reloading manuals but it's the best starting point for a new loader.

squeeze,

quote:

Originally posted by squeeze:
I was pretty much the same way, about the
crusty old .308 Win, until about 5 years ago,
when I purchased a Savage Striker, in .308 Win.
I purchased it, since it suffers less of a velocity
loss, when compared to the .243 Win, and the
7mm-08, in the 14" barrel of the Striker.
I finally understood why .308 Win.s are said
to be inherently accurate. I was so impressed,
that my future Browning BAR purchase, which
was either going to be a .25-06, or a .270, turned
into a .308 Win. This purchase was intended
to be for a fast swinging, fast shooting, whitetail
brush gun, where shots would be from 10 to
250 yards. Best move I ever made, getting it
in that crusty old .308 Win. The gun swings
fast, shoots sub-MOA accurate, and with my
130 gr. Barnes XBT load, is MORE than enough
gun for the intended purpose. I have a battery
of rifles in other chamberings, but that old
crusty .308 Win, has found a home with me
in several firearms in that battery. And it
is one of those chamberings that will probably
follow me home again, even though I really
don't need another one, just because they
are so much fun to shoot, and are easy to
get great accuracy out of.

Squeeze

You're right on target. It seems like the .308 Win is/has replacing/replaced the venerable '06 as the big game rifle most commonly used by hunters.

While it ain't much to look at and its ballistics are shy when compared to the modern magnums that are all the rage, it is about the most accurate cartridge available to big game hunters and it merely routinely brings home the bacon w/o killing shooters' shoulders at the range! Yeah, I just can't figure out why it's so damn popular.


Take care,

Tom

I love the .308. Mine were a Model 70 FTW, and a Browning BAR. Their felt recoil was noticeable, more than a .270 Win. and not noticebly less than a .30/'06. But a lot less than any .30 Magnum!

The .308's performance on game is likewise not noticeably less than a .30/'06. Shooting the same bullets, you will never be able to distinguish any difference between the wound channels made by the two.....

Dthfrmbv, you recieved many good answers except for one,the 308 would be a fine choice i''d say its a little more versital then the 708, recoil is going to be much the same when loaded up. iv''e loaded many of both, the 30 cal has many more bullet weights to choose from. yes you should start reloading buy an RCBS reloading starter kit comes with manual and what you need to get started ,manny companies offer help 800 phone numbers, read all you can ask questions read so more and put it all to good use, its a great hobby and you''ll save your self a bunch of greenbacks. good luck and regards to everyone jjmp...

dthfrmabv, I second what jjmp says, it really isn't that much more for the RCBS kit, and it is really much better gear. You also will need a set of dial calipers in short order, there cheap enough--can get em at Home Depot....

I like using good tools and there are a lot of them you can end up with in reloading/handloading. Reloading to save money is probably crazy, but if you don't go wild on gear--which most of us do--you can actually justify it if you reload for a Weatherby. That damn ammo is just crazy $ nowadays, as is some for the big bores, I have actually done some quick math, and I just started loading for a 375 H&H and a 416 RM, and it won't take a whole lot of shooting to justify a fair bit of my reloading gear!

It is a great indulgence, and very rewarding.

Take the plunge--there are a lot of great guys in the game who will help--especially here at AR.