Schleprok62
Member
I was told that a 7mm-08 was considered too big for varmints... But I see factory made "varmint" class rifles chambered in .308 Win...
What are y'alls opinions?
Thanks
What are y'alls opinions?
Thanks
7mm-08 for Varmints??
- Thread starter Schleprok62
- Start date
- Status
Vern Humphrey
Member
Depends on how you intend to use the rifle. If it's a general hunting rifle, and you want to use it for varmits now and then, it'll be fine.
But if it's a dedicated varmit rifle, you'd be better served with a .223 or .22-250. The recoil is less in these cartridges -- if you're doing a lot of varmit shooting, recoil will tell. Reduced recoil makes it easier for you to spot your shots, too.
Finally, smaller cartridges use less powder and are cheaper to reload in volume.
But if it's a dedicated varmit rifle, you'd be better served with a .223 or .22-250. The recoil is less in these cartridges -- if you're doing a lot of varmit shooting, recoil will tell. Reduced recoil makes it easier for you to spot your shots, too.
Finally, smaller cartridges use less powder and are cheaper to reload in volume.
What kind of varmint hunting? If you just want to remove some pests from the land, then it will be fine. However, if your say going after coyote and want to use the pelt, a smaller caliber would be better. There will probably be alot of pelt damage using the 7mm-08
mrrick
Member
As a dedicated varmint rifle, not the first choice, but....
It will work fine. I've shot lots with a 30-06 using 125gr HPs and SPs. Explosive! Used 110grainers occasionally, but the ballistic coeffient and sectional density is minimal for a .30 cal. projectile.
If hunting for fur, I used heavy cast bullets (190gr)loaded to real low velocities, 1200fps or so, worked well, easy on the shoulder, and cheap to reload.
It will work fine. I've shot lots with a 30-06 using 125gr HPs and SPs. Explosive! Used 110grainers occasionally, but the ballistic coeffient and sectional density is minimal for a .30 cal. projectile.
If hunting for fur, I used heavy cast bullets (190gr)loaded to real low velocities, 1200fps or so, worked well, easy on the shoulder, and cheap to reload.
redneck2
Member
Yesterday I was sighting in my 7mm Remington Mag for a prarie dog hunt this summer. Even with 162 grain A-Max's there's less considerably recoil whan I would have thought. Kinda noisy though
Dude, I killed hundreds of groundhogs with a .270. 7-08 wouldn't be my first choice, but it will get 'em DRT.
Dude, I killed hundreds of groundhogs with a .270. 7-08 wouldn't be my first choice, but it will get 'em DRT.
i like the 7-08 and 308 in heavy, varminter guns. varminting for me isn't a close-range, shoot-the-easy-ones proposition... i like the challenge of range, and to get to long range, the 7-08 is the perfect compromise between ballistics and recoil... my dedicated prairie dog shooter is a 308... 22's run out of gas too close.
Since I expended nearly 500 rounds of 30-06 (165gn) at praire dogs in a three day hunt, I would have to say - why not ?
My rifle was a custom built long range heavy barrel weighing in at over 14 lbs so recoil was mild. It shot much better than the traditional small calibers at the ranges I was able to shoot at on the SD prairie.
No reason not to use the 7mm that I can think of.
My rifle was a custom built long range heavy barrel weighing in at over 14 lbs so recoil was mild. It shot much better than the traditional small calibers at the ranges I was able to shoot at on the SD prairie.
No reason not to use the 7mm that I can think of.
Schleprok62
Member
That's what I was thinking - using 100 - 120gr with light loads...
what's a coyote pelt bring in these days??
what's a coyote pelt bring in these days??
to me would be your defintion of varmints. for PD's it is a bit heavy. for feral dogs, coyote(non fur) marmots or woodchucks at long range, just fine. It is not a caliber you want to be dumping 500 rounds a day down range with. but 50 is just fine so is a hundred is spaced out.
as to the Varmint classes in competitions. that has more to do with specific set of rules rather that actually hunting uses. based on wieght, lenght, some have minimum caliber rules, etc.
For a while the 7mm 08 was a darling of the varmint crowd for long range fun. now it has been surpassed lately buy the 6.5 mm X .284 which seems to be the magic carpet ride now for the 600 yard plus hits on PD's. I have read about the 6.5 x 7 RUM as being able to keep the 6.5mm 155 palma slugs supersonic to 1200 yards or more. mabye this be the next big thing
If you are goin to do a lot of close to midrange (by varmint standards) shooting you would do better with a smaller caliber if you are looking at PD and ground squilrrels or wood chuck. 243 or smaller. (you really can not go wrong starting at a 223 adding a 243 and/or a 22 250. for prairie doggies)
as to the Varmint classes in competitions. that has more to do with specific set of rules rather that actually hunting uses. based on wieght, lenght, some have minimum caliber rules, etc.
For a while the 7mm 08 was a darling of the varmint crowd for long range fun. now it has been surpassed lately buy the 6.5 mm X .284 which seems to be the magic carpet ride now for the 600 yard plus hits on PD's. I have read about the 6.5 x 7 RUM as being able to keep the 6.5mm 155 palma slugs supersonic to 1200 yards or more. mabye this be the next big thing
If you are goin to do a lot of close to midrange (by varmint standards) shooting you would do better with a smaller caliber if you are looking at PD and ground squilrrels or wood chuck. 243 or smaller. (you really can not go wrong starting at a 223 adding a 243 and/or a 22 250. for prairie doggies)
- Status
