I work in armed security and therefore own several handguns which I reload for also.It has been a long time over 20 years since I owned a rifle.Lately I have been thinking of picking it back up again.I used to enjoy chuck and varmint hunting here in Pa.My favorite calibers were 270 Win.6mmRem.and 7x57 Mauser.Versatile for whitetails and chucks.Yesterday I saw a Savage in 7mm-08 with scope for $349.00.I'd like your thoughts on the rifle (I really don't want to spend a lot) and the 7mm-08 caliber.
What about the 7mm-08?
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Art Eatman
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The Savage has had consistent commentary of approval by users, here and at TheFiringLine.com.
The 7mm08 is a .308 with ten grains less bullet weight in the common deer load. Easy enough to get sub-MOA loadings; I haven't really looked, but a 90- or 100-grain load ought to work for woodchucks.
The 7mm08 is a .308 with ten grains less bullet weight in the common deer load. Easy enough to get sub-MOA loadings; I haven't really looked, but a 90- or 100-grain load ought to work for woodchucks.
Shoobee
member
Wow! Great rifle, great calibre, and great price.
The 7mm-08 is essentially a .308 with slightly better ballistic coeffients, although I would guess the difference is negligible, since the 7mm and the .308 are already the top two bullets in terms of ballistic coefficients already, in the bullet weights that they take, around 100 to 150 grains.
It is a good thing that you reload, and you will want to stock up on brass, which is the hardest part to get. The bullets, primers, and powder are easy to get.
I always used magnum primers with my 7mm-08 and that worked extremely well.
I was getting 1/4 MOA accuracy/consistency.
Unless the bore is worn out on this Savage, it should perform well. If the lands and grooves looks sharp when you inspect it with a light, then the bore is probably fine.
The reason I finally got rid of my own 7mm-08 was simply because I wanted one rifle for elk, mule deer, blacktail/whitetail, and pigs. And the 7mm-08 will not do all those things. I needed a .300 to do all those things.
That may be why your seller is getting rid of it. Or else he fell in love with something new. Shooters are remarkably fickle, as am I.
The 7mm-08 is essentially a .308 with slightly better ballistic coeffients, although I would guess the difference is negligible, since the 7mm and the .308 are already the top two bullets in terms of ballistic coefficients already, in the bullet weights that they take, around 100 to 150 grains.
It is a good thing that you reload, and you will want to stock up on brass, which is the hardest part to get. The bullets, primers, and powder are easy to get.
I always used magnum primers with my 7mm-08 and that worked extremely well.
I was getting 1/4 MOA accuracy/consistency.
Unless the bore is worn out on this Savage, it should perform well. If the lands and grooves looks sharp when you inspect it with a light, then the bore is probably fine.
The reason I finally got rid of my own 7mm-08 was simply because I wanted one rifle for elk, mule deer, blacktail/whitetail, and pigs. And the 7mm-08 will not do all those things. I needed a .300 to do all those things.
That may be why your seller is getting rid of it. Or else he fell in love with something new. Shooters are remarkably fickle, as am I.
texas chase
Member
I love the 7-08. Great cartridge for whitetail.
Only bad thing about that savage is probably the stock. If you bed it, you'd probably be just fine.
Good luck
Only bad thing about that savage is probably the stock. If you bed it, you'd probably be just fine.
Good luck
sixgunner455
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That should be a really nice rifle. What model is it? If it is an Axis or Edge, it is the most entry level rifle they make. They have a reputation as being accurate and nice enough for the entry level market. If you will pony up just a little more money, I think you will like it better: a Savage 11 in .243, 7-08, or .308 (all use the same basic case with a different neck size) should only cost about fifty dollars more than what you quoted, and for just a bit more than that, you can get one with the Accutrigger (which is really, really nice).
Buy with confidence, Savage is a great platform if it was not it would not be in business. I owned savage rifles for more than 30 years. I do not have any experience with the 7-08 in the saveage. I have shot a winchester model 70 that my brother has. Great cartridge for deer and elk. The recoil seem less than that of the 308 to me.
BCRider
Member
The 7-08 kicks a little less than the .308. The lighter bullets also tend to run faster and flatter. So longer shots should be easier to make with less fuss.
There's still a heap of energy from the bullet and speed. If you're into more or less vapourizing the woodchucks then great. But usually this is a round for deer, boar or even moose.
I also found that at least in this area it's more of a reloader's round with factory ammo being all but rare to find and expensive when it did turn up. The good news is that there's a massive array of 7mm bullet options and the brass was easier to find than the factory ammo. So I'd say it's more a reloader's round than a wise option for those that prefer to simply buy factory ammo.
There's still a heap of energy from the bullet and speed. If you're into more or less vapourizing the woodchucks then great. But usually this is a round for deer, boar or even moose.
I also found that at least in this area it's more of a reloader's round with factory ammo being all but rare to find and expensive when it did turn up. The good news is that there's a massive array of 7mm bullet options and the brass was easier to find than the factory ammo. So I'd say it's more a reloader's round than a wise option for those that prefer to simply buy factory ammo.
sargents1
Member
I had a Savage 110 in 30-06 that was a tack driver. As in .75in groups at 100yds with me doing the shooting. I got rid of it because it kicked like a mule. I have yet to find a 30-06 that was as unpleasant to shoot as that savage was.
I replaced it with a Browning A-Bolt in 7mm08. Three deer now with the 7mm and no complaints yet.
Savage builds accurate rifles. Period. Some of the other features may not be ideal, but they are solid, function well and are very, very accurate.
The 7mm08 cartridge is about as close to perfect for Northern Whitetails as a cartridge can be. Modest recoil, good bullet selection, good trajectory at range, and acceptable ammo supply. You mentioned that you were familiar with the 7x57Mauser cartridge...the 7mm-08 is basically an American version of that fine cartridge.
If I were you, I would give the rifle a thorough examination (as with any used gun) and if it passes, I would buy with confidence.
hardluk1
member
shoobee I have to tell my 7mm its really not an elk or mule caritdge. Thats just goffy to say a 7mm can take ether. Its more about bullet choice than cartidge between those 2.
1948CJ2A
Member
I prefer 7x57. If you handload, it will outperform the 7mm-08. You gotta watch out for the way these modern reloading tables "gimp" down the pressures on the 7x57 though. They claim its for liability purposes where they don't want folks reloading and firing "hot" loads in an antique rifle that can't handle higher pressures.
I kinda think they're getting paid off by Remington and all the other 7mm-08 disciples.
I kinda think they're getting paid off by Remington and all the other 7mm-08 disciples.
LOL, I agree about the pressure levels for some of the older cartridges, and carefull loading can give much better performance. If you dont handload, there isnt much of a choice in high pressure ammo for the older rounds tho.
The 7x57 also likes a slightly longer magazine then the 7m-08. Personally i prefer either to be on a 3-3.2" mag action. The savage 11 i have can be loaded out to 3.1 so either would be a good choice, but my 700 ADL tops out at just over 2.8".
I honestly dont own either my 7s are a Rem mag, and a 7-30 waters. Ive used 100s, 110s, and 120s in both and performance has been good on smaller stuff.
Accuracy has been better from both of my guns with the 120s, which is about as light as id probably go in the bigger 7s, but the 08 would probably do well with the lighter bullets.
The 7x57 also likes a slightly longer magazine then the 7m-08. Personally i prefer either to be on a 3-3.2" mag action. The savage 11 i have can be loaded out to 3.1 so either would be a good choice, but my 700 ADL tops out at just over 2.8".
I honestly dont own either my 7s are a Rem mag, and a 7-30 waters. Ive used 100s, 110s, and 120s in both and performance has been good on smaller stuff.
Accuracy has been better from both of my guns with the 120s, which is about as light as id probably go in the bigger 7s, but the 08 would probably do well with the lighter bullets.
wlewisiii
Member
7-08 is exquisite but the Marlin XS-7 is a much better rifle, IMO & all that, at that price point.
T Bran
Member
I just ordered a Savage Axis in .223 from Buds yesterday as a first rifle for one of my nephews. It is a youth model with a cheap 3x9 scope mounted and bore sited. Cost was 298.00 with free shipping the transfer is 25.00 at my FFL so for 323.00 OTD I'm pleased.
I had a vast selection of calibers to choose from but only three in a youth model so I chose one I already reload for.
Check out Buds Discount Guns before you buy I think you can get a rifle with an Accutrigger for close to what you are looking at price wise. The AXIS doesnt have this trigger system but my 114 does and I like it. Just didnt want to spend the extra dollars on a rifle he will outgrow in a few years.
T
I had a vast selection of calibers to choose from but only three in a youth model so I chose one I already reload for.
Check out Buds Discount Guns before you buy I think you can get a rifle with an Accutrigger for close to what you are looking at price wise. The AXIS doesnt have this trigger system but my 114 does and I like it. Just didnt want to spend the extra dollars on a rifle he will outgrow in a few years.
T
denton
Member
The 7x57 and 7mm08 are practically ballistic twins. In my 7x57, loaded to modern pressures, I get 2750 FPS with 160/162 grain bullets. My guess is that with that load, I can tackle about anything that I can with my 30-06. I see no obstacle to going after moose with a 7mm08, probably with a 150 grain bullet at 2750-2800 FPS.
Karamojo Bell killed something north of 1100 elephants, mostly with a 7x57.
Karamojo Bell killed something north of 1100 elephants, mostly with a 7x57.
One of my m70's is chambered in 7-08 and i love it. Lower recoil, short action which usually means a lighter rifle, and its an awesome deer load with the potential to be a decent varmint load if you hand load. I've heard nothing but good about savage's so I'd say go for it, you really have nothing to lose but can gain a great hobby!
browningguy
Member
The Savage is, or can easily be, a good hunting rifle. The 7mm-08 is a good round for deer size game, it's almost as good as a 7x57.
1948CJ2A
Member
I disagree. The 7x57 has noticeably more cartridge capacity with slightly more taper yielding more room for powder. The SAAMI drawings show the 7x57 catridge length (less the bullet) at 2.235 in. while the 7-08 is only 2.035 in. That's almost a 1/4 of an inch shorter.
This comment also proves my point that modern reloading data suggests they are much closer than they actually are.
Kachok
Member
The 7-08 shares the throne with the 260 rem and 6.5x55 as the perfect all around deer calibers. They all make more then adequate deer killing energy/momentum to ranges far in excess of what most of us shoot, with minimal recoil in sporter weight rifles, and adequate trajectory and external ballistics.
Savage rifles are top notch in their price range. I have owned several of them (still do) all have provided sub-moa accuracy, good ergonomics/weight, and I have yet to have a single mechanical issue with any of them, easy to tweek to if you want to customize later. I love Winchester 70s, Sako 85s, CZ550s and Tikka T3s but the Savage is the best value on the market bar none. I say go for it, but with one word of caution 7-08 ammo is harder to find and more expensive then 308 or 270 win (which the 7-08 falls between) so it is something of a hand loaders caliber, though some would disagree with me on that. For hand loaders a 120gr bullet at 3200fps is a great flat shooting varmint/deer load, and the 140gr at 2900fps is a fantastic deer/elk load. I still like the 7x57 a tad bit better due to its tighter standard twist and larger case capacity, but I have come to terms with the fact that the 7-08 has stolen it's thunder due to it's short action, higher modern pressure, and standard bolt face.
BTW the difference between the 7x57 and 7-08 is that the 7x57 can throw huge 175-188gr bullets for very large game with ease, and the 7-08 slings lighter bullet weights (120-140gr) faster due to higher pressures. With the in between 150-160gr there is not any noticeable difference between them.
Savage rifles are top notch in their price range. I have owned several of them (still do) all have provided sub-moa accuracy, good ergonomics/weight, and I have yet to have a single mechanical issue with any of them, easy to tweek to if you want to customize later. I love Winchester 70s, Sako 85s, CZ550s and Tikka T3s but the Savage is the best value on the market bar none. I say go for it, but with one word of caution 7-08 ammo is harder to find and more expensive then 308 or 270 win (which the 7-08 falls between) so it is something of a hand loaders caliber, though some would disagree with me on that. For hand loaders a 120gr bullet at 3200fps is a great flat shooting varmint/deer load, and the 140gr at 2900fps is a fantastic deer/elk load. I still like the 7x57 a tad bit better due to its tighter standard twist and larger case capacity, but I have come to terms with the fact that the 7-08 has stolen it's thunder due to it's short action, higher modern pressure, and standard bolt face.
BTW the difference between the 7x57 and 7-08 is that the 7x57 can throw huge 175-188gr bullets for very large game with ease, and the 7-08 slings lighter bullet weights (120-140gr) faster due to higher pressures. With the in between 150-160gr there is not any noticeable difference between them.
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I would not say (NO) to it, I don`t have a 7mm-08 but I do have several Savage rifles & I love em................
wlewisiii
Member
Couple of thoughts here, the 7x57 can more effectivly use heavier bullets than the 7mm08 and is why my VZ24 is getting another barrel in 7x57 instead of any other chambering. A 175 gr bullet @ 2200fps is a nice thing in the right place and time. At the other end, a 100 gr pill @ 3000fps is good coyote medicine.
Also, Mr. Bell relied on a very detailed knowledge of elephant anatomy to be able to hunt them with this small of a caliber. There is a small space in the middle of the forehead that the 7x57 175 grain solid could penetrate surrounded by bone too thick for even the N.E. rounds to penetrate. That knowledge, rather than any ballistic magic, accounted for his hunting success.
That said, I consider the 7x57 to be possibly the finest all-around hunting cartridge available with the 7mm-08 coming is a close second by being available in shorter actions or, for those who like them, even on the AR platform.
DM~
Member
You must be commenting on YOUR shooting, and NOT the 7-08, because a 7-08 loaded with 150NP's will easily take out any of the animals you listed -------> with ease!!
DM
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