Probably just dreaming but I have 10 chances on a rifle in my choice of calibers.
Would you go with 7mm-08,7x57 or 280Rem.?

Dear RWS2,

Any that you mention would be fine cartridges. However, given those choices the .280 Remington would probably be the best choice.

Tom

They are all good cartridges but I prefer the 7x57 good for all around medium game.

just my 2 cents worth

BD

Since I like short actions, and the 308 family of cartridges, I'd go for the 7mm-08.

Matter of fact, I already have.

I absolutly love the 280 its one of my standards, I would consider the 7X57 but have never owned one, I CANNOT STAND THE 308, OR ANY 308 BASED CARTRIDGE.
take care
smallfry

I would go with the 308, but either of the other two will do fine...

I cannot understand anyone condeming the .308 as a hunting rifle, it certainly works and will do anything the 30-06 will do..the only difference is about 150 FPS if that, and I doubt that deer or Moose would know the difference..I have shot a couple of cape buffalo with one and it worked..although not my choice.

The 7mm is a wonderfully well proportioned and versatile caliber. I think youd do well with any of them. If it were me I would carefully consider the particular rifle that you want it in. I am kind of partial to Mausers and so the 7X57 would be a natural. If you prefer a short action then the 08 gets the nod. I doubt if the performance margin is much at all, espeically between the 08 and the 280. Go with your hearts desire.

The 7X57 is not going to use all of the length that a long action offers but it's ok. The rifle itself in terms of it's weight and balance is more important than the 7/08 vrs 280.

Also important is where you will hunt and what other rifles you may have. For most of us a short action rifle in .308 Win is the best, first choice.

Of the 7MM's I like the 7MM WSM now. It can be loaded down to equal the others mentioned above and it's as short as any of them.

I went with a 7x57 and am very happy.

I'm a fan of the 7mm's myself. Having used a 7 mm rem mag, 280 and 7x57 I prefer the .280. It offers a blend of good velocity and light recoil. Its right on the heels of the 7mag with bullets less than 175grs and uses less powder. I also like that you can stuff 5 rounds of them in the mag.

Ray... you know me I am just not being fair. We all have personal favorites and the 308 is not one of mine. Honestly it is mostly from the notion that I believe the 243 ate up alot of the 250 savage(s) popularity, which is one of my favorite small game guns.
In retro I have always believed our armed forces would have been better off using a 308 based cartridge necked down to 7mm.
Take care
Smallfry

7-08 has the best selection of factory ammo available in my area. If that's not a factor, it's really just a matter of preference. The 7X57 is the most classic.

Depends on which action you want to build on, and whether you like wildcats. Extra short action, 7mm TCU, 7mm X 47. Short action, 7mm-08 or 7mm-08 AI, or 7mm SAUM. Intermediate action (this includes the various 98 Intermediate Mausers and the Win 70 short action) 284 Win, 7 X 57, 7 X 57 AI or 7mm WSM. Standard length action, 280 Rem, 280 AI, 280 JRS, 7mm Gibbs, 7mm Rem Mag, 7mm WBY, 7mm Mashburn, 7mm Dakota. Full length action (375 length), 7mm-300 WBY, 7mm STW, 7mm Ultramag. Extra long mag action, 7mm-378 Wby, 7mm-416 Rigby. - Dan

In a Mauser action I like the 7x57, in a commercial action get a 7mm Rem Mag.

7X57

Domestic commercial 7X57 ammo is a bit mild. If you handload it's another matter.

By all means the 7x57mm Mauser.All are excellent cartridges, but with the 7/08 you get just that, a 7/08. With the .280 you get a cartridge that rivals the 7mm Rem Mag, but one whose gone through more name changes than Elizabeth Taylor. With the 7x57mm you get a powerful, accurate cartride capable of taking almost all game in North American and you are shooting something that is a veritable piece of history. Great round! Tom Purdom

IF and thats a BIG IF I win I'm going for the 7x57
I've got a buddy who has one in a Ruger Number One and he rants and raves what a cartridge it is.He's pulled off some kills with it that I have personally witnessed that just leave me shaking my head in disbelief,he just smiles and says I love this rifle.
What kind of velocitys can a handloader get with 140s and 160s?

rws2: it entirely depends on what twist rate the barrel has on the the rifle. My CZ 550 American has a 1x8.66 twist which is what the European's like for the heavier bullets. I handload for mine using the Hornady 162 grain SST seated to just .01 inch off the lands. The case (RPs)are stoked with 48.2 grains of H414 and I have federal 210 primers. The CZ has a 23.5 inch barrel and chronographs at 2,815 fps average. I get sub .5 moa with this load. I'm still tweaking the loads, but I don't think I'm going to get any better than that. My brother owns a CZ 550 Full Stock in the same caliber. The same handload (taylored to his rifle though in ovderall cartridge length) gives Duffy between .75 inch and one inch groups with an average velocity of 2,765 fps and his little rifle has a 20.5 inch barrel, but the same twist rate. Go to the SST Reloading Room and click on balistics calculator. Run the load out and you'll see that is could be used for quite a ways out there. Hope this helps ... Tom Purdom

280 Rem, probably the most under-rated caliber in years.

280 Rem without a doubt.

rws2

Go for the 7mm-08,preformance is almost identical to the 7x57 but the 7mm-08 ammo will be more readily avaliable & it uses a short action.

The 280 rem is a great calibre but the 7mm-08 will equal or come very close to its performance with lighter projectiles,especially 130 & 140 grainers & with less recoil,the 280 rem has a slight advantage with heavier projectiles 150 grains + but not substantially so.

I think you would be very happy with any of them.

Good luck