7mm-08 Suitability

[SuperstitionCoues]

I know that the 7mm-08 is a great deer cartridge.  How does it shape up for Elk?  Because of it's light recoil and 5 operations since 2004, I am thinking about getting one in a Ruger Hawkeye.  Your thoughts please.

[wareagleguy]

I have two rifles in the caliber.  One is a Browning Micro and the other is a Sako finlight.  The Browning has been used over the last 16 years and has killen MANY white tailed deer.  I would say it will kill elk but I would not try and shoot an elk at long distance with it.  Manybe a 200-300 max yards for elk.  Ever thought about a 270?  I think the recoil would be close.  Adding a little weight and it would be almost the same and would give you a little more distance.  I went on an elk hunt in 04 and my buddy killed a nice 5x5 at about 400 yards with his 270.

[beemanbeme]

I have never shot an elk with a 7-08 as I have better choices, however, if a 7-08 was my only rifle, I'd load it up with some 160's and go elk hunting.  And I would certainly keep the range under 200 yards.  The problem is as you raise the weight of metal the recoil is going to mount.  I have shot some 160's in my 7-08 just to see how it would handle them.  While the recoil was no problem to me, it was certainly greater than shooting a 140. 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Take your time and make the right shot----and you can drop most anything with any caliber-----a botched shot causes things to go fubar.

[22rimfan]

Here is a table that Quick pointed out to me once, it shows recoil force and velocity http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm  The 7-08 recoils with 12.6 pounds of force while a 30-30 hits with 11.0.  Also the velocity of the rifle coming back to you plays a role in how recoil is felt.  As for a 7-08 taking out an elk.  I think it could, I've never killed an elk, but I think it's possible.  Shoot 140+ grain bulles and get close and I'm sure you'll make meat.  Hope this helps.
Aaron

[Zachary]

A 7mm-08 will work just fine for elk, but within certain parameters.

First, shot placement is very important.

Second, use premium bullets that retain a substantial amount of their weight.  Such bullets include - Barnes TSX, Swift-A-Frame, Trophy Bonded Bear Claw, and other similar bullets.  If you do not handload, consider Federal's 140 grain Nosler Partition load.

Third, use weights of 140 or more.

Fourth, keep shots as close as possible.  I myself would not like to use a 7mm-08 on elks for shots over 200 yards.

Zachary

[mikedb]

Try a larger caliber but get a Limbsaver or similar premium recoil pad, maybe porting the barrel.  I shot a 338 win mag that had a Limbsaver equivelent pad and was ported and it felt like a 243 off of sand bags.  You can get the recoil pads as slip on so you could try them on your buddies guns and see what you can handle.

[Slamfire]

Since the parent cartridge, the 7x57 Mauser has taken every kind of big game in the world, why wouldn't the modern version handle an elk? There are a lot of folks who cast doubt on the 7mm-08 who have never used one, let alone on elk. 160 grain bullets at 2700 or there about ought do ggod. 

[TC2]

I know that the 7mm-08 is a great deer cartridge.  How does it shape up for Elk?  Because of it's light recoil and 5 operations since 2004, I am thinking about getting one in a Ruger Hawkeye.  Your thoughts please.

Take a look at the 6.5x55 Swede.  If you compare it with the 7mm-08 you will find them to be very close in ballistics (at least with some factory ammo).  However the 6.5 produces less recoil. 

[si72]

Imho the 7mm projectile is superior to either the 270 or 30cal bullets. I have used the federal cor lokt 150gr 7mm 08 on red deer and it has proven to be a brutal stopper the penetration was impressive to say the least. many trophy elk have been taken here in nz over the years and alot of them were shot with old 303's .

I just think that bigger is not always better find a rifle/ calibre combination that you shoot well and stick with it. If I was faced with the trophy wapiti of a lifetime I would rather use a rifle I had shot over and again than a seldom used magnum whatever.

There is an old saying "beware the man with one rifle as he will know how to use it"

Whatever you choose may it bring meat to your table and a swell to your chest.

si