7mm-08 vs 7saum...Hear me out.

[WildBoose]

I've been tossing around the idea of building a 18-20in 7saum as a suppressor host and an all around hunting rifle.
I have a 7mm-08 that I love, shooting 140gr AB at 2870.
Am I really going to gain much with the 7saum with that length barrel?

 

[Kimber7man]

You’ll gain about 200 fps over the 7mm08

 

[HandgunHTR]

As pointed out, you will gain about 200 fps with a 140 grain bullet, or be able to shoot 162 grain bullets at the same speed your 7-08 shoots 140s.

The real question is: Do you need that?

 

[TxLite]

What is the barrel length on your 7mm-08?

 

[Ikmclean]

I was considering a similar build, went with an 18" 284 win, it's pretty much a ballistic match to my 24" 7mm-08 with 140 gr bullets.

 

[rootacres]

I was strongly considering a 7-08 before building my SAUM. I would say, what you gain is substantial. I’m pushing a 168 VLD at 2960 fps out of a 21” Proof. While the KE/FPS needed to kill big game effectively will always be debated. I like what these bullets do in wind. They offer more forgiveness while not having a huge recoil penalty. Just my 2 cents. The 7-08 is always on the short list for caliber recommendations.

 

[N2TRKYS]

My 22” barreled 7 SAUM shoots 160 grain Accubonds at 2950 fps.

My 20” barreled 7-08 shoots 140 grain Accubonds at 2850 fps.

The 7-08 gets used way more nowadays.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

I didn’t want to give up the velocity in a short barrel 7-08 so I went 284win. 162eldm at 2700fps from 19” barrel.

 

[HandgunHTR]

I didn’t want to give up the velocity in a short barrel 7-08 so I went 284win. 162eldm at 2700fps from 19” barrel.

I am getting 2775 out of a 20" 7-08AI with the same bullet out of a 20" barrel.

I am working up a 150gr ELDX load now and it looks like I will be able to get over 2850 with that bullet and Big Game powder.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

I am getting 2775 out of a 20" 7-08AI with the same bullet out of a 20" barrel.

I am working up a 150gr ELDX load now and it looks like I will be able to get over 2850 with that bullet and Big Game powder.

I’m assuming that’s with one of the faster double base powders?

I’m running h4350 and likely low 60ksi for pressure.

 

[HandgunHTR]

I’m assuming that’s with one of the faster double base powders?

I’m running h4350 and likely low 60ksi for pressure.

Varget with the 162s

Big Game with the 150s

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Varget with the 162s

Big Game with the 150s

I assume you realize you're probably running north of 70ksi to get the 162eldm to 2775fps from a 20" barrel with varget? No judgement if its working out for your needs, mainly just flagging that isn't likely gonna be the norm for folks to get that much speed with varget even from the ackley 7-08.

 

[xsn10s]

I have a 7mm RM for long distance and a light 7-08 for everything else. &mm RM designated for 180gr ELDM's or Bergers and the 7-08 will use 162gr ELDM's or 150gr ELDX.

 

[sdupontjr]

My buddy is contemplating similar issues. His 20" 7saum with 4831sc pushes a 160 AB at 2860. He tried RL26 and anything above 2870 was less accurate. So 2860-2870 was his barrel node with a copuple other powders as well with 4831sc being the best accurate. My 308 (which is basically your 7-08 necked down) runs 155 scenars at 2880 with 8208xbr. The main difference that he's considering is that it takes 60g of powder to push that 160AB where it takes me 44.3g of 8208xbr to get similar or more velocity with the same group size with only 5grain less bullet. I'm sure you could also stoke up a 7-08 load that would definitely run the the shorter barrel saum.