7mm-08 superformance vs. 270 standanrd loading

[4IDARCHER]

when comparing the 7mm-08 in superformance loadings vs. the standard loadings of the .270 (both with 140gr bullets) it seems like you are giving up very little in the 7mm. A little bit of SD and of course it is depending on if your rifle likes the Hornady loads but they seem to stack well together with the ability to use a shorter action and less recoil for my wife and kids. Is there any reason NOT to choose the little 7mm?

 

[Carlin59]

I helped get a very small stature (~115lbs) friend into hunting and went through the same though process. Needed to get a youth-sized rifle, so were limited to short-actions. Ran the numbers and realized the Superformance load out of the 7-08 would deliver nearly identical balistics to a standard .270 (all other variables being equal). My buddy went with a youth A-bolt in 7-08, shoots the Superformance load, and has two nice antelope with two shots as a result. I really like the idea of the 7-08, and that is coming after shooting a standard .270 most of my life.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

I would not base your decision on a 7-08 based off superformance ammo, I don't think thats a good reason to pick a cartridge. That said its a nice solid shooter. Its not as flat, the ammo costs more, the ammo isn't as common as 270win.

I'm a 7mm fan (I reload and have a lot of 7mm projectiles to feed the various 7mm cartridges I shoot) so for me I'd take the 7mm-08 (I have one ).

 

[jeffpg]

I am a huge fan of the 7mm bullet, and I have way too many rifles to prove it in everything from the 7-08 to 7mm Rem Mag to my latest acquisition in a long range 28 Nosler. When I began using the 7-08 I immediately went to Hornady's website to view their 139 grain SST Superformance load, as I had taken many big game animals with the same bullet in the 7 Rem Mag Superformance load from 80 yards to several hundred yards, including this big bodied Kansas whitetail that went right down with one well placed shot at just a smidgen past 500 yards. The sunny side up is the exit side.



Now when I compared the ballistics of the 2 loads using the same bullet, I saw that the 7-08 is traveling about the same speed at 350 yards as the bigger 7 mag is at 500, the range at which the above deer was impressively put down... So, I saw that as a good case for the 7-08 without ever even trying it out, which I of course later did, but I already knew what to expect it to deliver in terminal performance because neither the deer nor science knows or cares which cartridge the bullet came from. It's going to act the same way at the same speed with which it meets it's intended target. The little cartridge will do a lot more than many folks think it may, and it's a pleasure to shoot as well. I have adopted it for my youth sized hunting rifles for kids and ladies, and I'll use it anytime I don't think I'll be overly challenged with longer shots. For that work I prefer a bigger cartridge, but if a guy learned the 7-08 and used it wisely he isn't too handicapped.

Now, if you want to see the 270 shine, stoke it with the 140 grain SST Superformance load. I have a first gen Ti that loves the load and it's a killer little package topped off with a Kahles 3-9x42 w/TDS reticle.

 

[cuerro viejo]

when comparing the 7mm-08 in superformance loadings vs. the standard loadings of the .270 (both with 140gr bullets) it seems like you are giving up very little in the 7mm. A little bit of SD and of course it is depending on if your rifle likes the Hornady loads but they seem to stack well together with the ability to use a shorter action and less recoil for my wife and kids. Is there any reason NOT to choose the little 7mm?

No the SA and higher BC availbility make up for the lack of speed IMO. With that said I'm a fan of the 6.5 creedmoor. Built my wife one and end up borrowing it most time when I head out. Only thing the 7-08 has over the CM is heavier bullets, but heavier isn't always better.
With that said I don't think you can go wrong with any off them.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

With that said I don't think you can go wrong with any off them.

Yup.

I like the 7-08 because I shoot 7s mainly. Some of the 6.5 cals look sweet but not enough to have me dive into them. I do agree above though in this world of folks chasing big magnums it seems like the 7-08 is overlooked when its more than enough gun for lots of situations. I've never understood the midwest guys using 7RMs to launch light bullets who have a max shot opportunity of say 150yds, the 7-08 would easily deliver what is needed for that. I like mine a lot but if elk beyond 300yd is on the table I like to take my 280AI out instead even though that setup is a couple pounds heavier.

 

[N2TRKYS]

Pick any caliber that you like. However, I wouldn't choose a 140 grain bullet for either of those for a youth, especially, in a light rifle. The 7-08 would get 120's and the 270 Win would get 130's.

I've never seen much benefit from having a short action over a long action. I've seen more benefits from LOP and barrel lengths. JMO

 

[Carlin59]

Almost all youth- or female-specific rifles only come in short actions (a few exceptions; the Savage Lady Hunter can be had in LA, and I'm sure there are few other examples). So if the OP wants to buy an off-the-shelf rifle for his wife or kids (one that presumably comes with a shorter LOP and barrel length to match), he will be pretty much limited to SA calibers.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Pick any caliber that you like. However, I wouldn't choose a 140 grain bullet for either of those for a youth, especially, in a light rifle. The 7-08 would get 120's and the 270 Win would get 130's.

The recoil difference in a 7-08 between 120s and 140s is pretty minimal. Recoil impulse is a function of rifle weight, bullet weight, velocity and powder charge so while the bullet weight goes down the velocity of factory loads and powder charge increases. The 140s are still higher recoil but in my Tikka its like 1lb difference, no real point in my mind messing around with short 120s. Just shoot 139/140s and be done with it (and a decent round for most game within reason).

 

[N2TRKYS]

The recoil difference in a 7-08 between 120s and 140s is pretty minimal. Recoil impulse is a function of rifle weight, bullet weight, velocity and powder charge so while the bullet weight goes down the velocity of factory loads and powder charge increases. The 140s are still higher recoil but in my Tikka its like 1lb difference, no real point in my mind messing around with short 120s. Just shoot 139/140s and be done with it (and a decent round for most game within reason).

Have you ever tried the 120 grain NBT? I know a lot of folks swear by them.

 

[MuleyFever]

Got the wife a 7-08 in a youth Howa and like it a lot. I ended up switching to 7-08 this year. I bought my wife the superformance in 140 for her cow elk and she dropped one dead at about 200 yards. For her skill level 300 yards is easily her max so there was absolutely no reason to not get her the 7-08.

 

[philos]

You will gets ton of data on bullet construction, section density etc and while it all matters to a degree the 7mm-08 is a simply a winner for small lightweight rifles where recoil can be an issue. I have a Rem Model 7 and about the only time I am not using it is when I let someone borrow it. Friend of mine shot 2 deer last year-first deer he has ever killed and the 7MM-08 was perfect.

I own a 270 & 270WSM and I like those but for smallish or experienced shooters the 7MM is far batter IMHO.

 

[hodgeman]

My son has two 7-08s now and I must admit- I love that cartridge. He's splattered several caribou now with good effect. I came late to the 7-08 party and it's my loss.

I've got a .270 that I've played with. I just don't see a reason to pick the .270 over the 7-08- regardless of ammo. There just isn't enough practical difference down range to fret about. I've used the 140gr bullets in his. Mild recoil and I'd have no qualms shooting a moose with his given good range and presentation.

I also know that if I hunted the L48 exclusively- the 7-08 in a nice light rifle would be a no-brainer for me.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Have you ever tried the 120 grain NBT? I know a lot of folks swear by them.

Personally no but heard the same things and if I was going to shoot a lead core 120gr then I'd certainly hunt that one. Its got a thicker jacket than their 140gr even. But I still would just shoot 139/140s. Actually I hunt the 145LRX in my 7s but in my 7-08 I plink with 139gr hornady BTSP.

 

[N2TRKYS]

My first rifle was a Win M70 Ranger in 270 Win. It will always stay in the same configurationas when I got it, cause my Dad gave it to me. I got a Model Seven in a 7 SAUM. If I could find a niche for it, I'd have a Model Seven in 7-08.

 

[HiMtnHntr]

My first rifle was a Win M70 Ranger in 270 Win. It will always stay in the same configurationas when I got it, cause my Dad gave it to me. I got a Model Seven in a 7 SAUM. If I could find a niche for it, I'd have a Model Seven in 7-08.

I'm with the 7mm-08 fans. I've been loading for one for my son and it's very fun to shoot. I've built him some reduced recoil loads and he is building great confidence. I got some deer targets for him to practice on, which he loves. I have two boys behind him and plan to use the same caliber for them.

 

[Shrek]

I've been running 7-08's since the early 90's and there's nothing but brown bears I wouldn't feel good hunting with it. Plain factory ammo will provide anything you need and it can be hot rodded a good bit. I put an extended Wyatts magazine box in my 700 and I can run up to the 150's at 2800 fps+. It's not a long range round but 400-500 yards depending on bullets and game is no problem. It has been my backup elk rifle or the last three years and the various 7-08's I've owned have killed countless deer and hogs DRT. Easy to shoot and load for and plenty of factory options.

 

[Murdy]

Given the apparent growing popularity of the round, it wouldn't surprise me to see the cost and availability of ammo come into line with the most popular cartridges (30-06, .270, etc.) over the next decade -- I own one too.

 

[elkduds]

I chose between 270 and 7-08 2 years ago, for elk when not using my 7 rem mag. Some of my considerations were performance w heavier bullets, available barrel lengths, & bullet energy. For my needs the 270 won due to 22" barrel, factory loads of 150-160 grain bullets, and 250 ft/lb more of muzzle energy. Heavier bullets have to be seated deeper in the shorter-necked '08 case, reducing powder capacity. If primarily for deer/pronghorn size game, the '08 would have been my choice. The 6.5s are intriguing now.

 

[elkguide]

Have both. The .270 gets pretty dusty most of the time.