7mm-08 and Elk

[Nebraska Outlander]

So I am thinking of a caliber for elk and would like a short action. I can get 308 brass all day long for free and would like a gun that can handle 400 and maybe 500 yard shots. I am talk to two different people who both have different opinions, one 7mm-08 would be a great round and the other saying you need a 338 lapua for elk nothing smaller. I used to be 20 years old once but now close to 40 and don't think magnum calibers is completely necessary. I used to love the idea of a 300 mag but since I started using short actions really like them more. Don't really want a heavy recoiling gun, already have one and shoulder keeps telling me. Don't really want a break and would like a gun fairly easy to carry.

I like the idea of the 7mm-08 and with me being able to get brass for it all day long for free is a bonus.

Thanks for any insight!

 

[tdub24]

Killed an Idaho bull in 2008 with a Remington 788 in 7mm-08. Didn't seem to have any issues, good shot placement and you can kill most animals with almost any weapon.

 

[DRUSS]

I think 7mm08 is nice choice as a lighter rifle that still has good versatility as a big game rifle. It's what I got my kids for a deer ,elk rifle and it's done well. Like always shot placement trumps all else.

 

[Tim McCoy]

Our 7-08's have killed plenty of elk for us, mostly cows, some in that 500-600 pound ish range. 260 works well too. Use a good 140gr. bullet, and lights out. With the right loads, and probably a 22" tube, should have the velocity to be good to 500. It is just half a step behind my 280, velocity wise, and I'm good to 600 with a nice margin for insurance, velocity wise. Mine has a 24" tube with 145's at 3,013 fps. I suspect your 338 Lapua friend has read too many elk hunting articles and not done too much actual elk hunting, just a guess, I may be wrong. But sure, the Lapua will kill em good, if one is not scared to death of it. Bullet placement is king. Are there more capable caliber choices in a short action, sure, 270WSM, 308, 300WSM, etc. But for light recoil and decent LR capability, 7-08 is just fine.

 

[QuazyQuinton]

Is the 7mm-08 a capable elk round? Absolutely!



Is it a 500-yard elk round? It would not be my choice.

QQ

 

[Nebraska Outlander]

I have a custom smokeless muzzleloader that can shoot a 300 grain bullet with a BC of .420 and I can run it at 2750fps. I was thinking about using it but only one shot but i know it DUMPS mule deer out to 300 yards just not sure of one shot.

 

[mcseal2]

I wouldn't be scared to use it but would be very particular about shot placement and shot angle. For me the perfect elk cartridge isn't about what works when they are broadside, it's about having enough penetration for when everything isn't perfect. Bullets have come so far over the years I've been hunting that smaller guns are more capable for elk now than ever before. I've taken elk with a 7 mag and 270 win and had no trouble. The 7 mag I used 175gr Remington factory Corelockt bullets as I didn't have time to work up a load between the time I got the rifle and the time I went on the hunt. The 270 I used 140gr Accubonds.

I'd probably look at an E tip, Partition, Barnes TTSX, or similar bullet in a 7mm-08 also.

A buddy shot an elk several years back, decent 300 class 6x6, that was headed off into a deep nasty canyon after the first shot. It would have done the job but we were hunting with another friend who is a much more experienced elk hunter and he kept telling us to keep shooting. We ended up putting nine 160gr accubonds from 7mm Rem Mags into that bull at 350-450yds as he headed toward the canyon. He wasn't moving very fast and we were putting the shots into the vitals but from a quartering away angle. None of those bullets exited and we recovered them all. They had done exactly what they were designed for and all retained 60-70% of their initial weight but it bothered me a little than none exited. The bull never made the canyon, maybe covered 150yds from the first hit. I always remember how tough elk can be after this. My next elk hunt I'll be packing a 300 win mag with 180gr Accubonds for a bit more power. Accubonds are a great bullet but the big mushroom they retain limits penetration a bit more than a Partition or other bullet that is shoving a smaller mushroom deeper into the animal.

 

[Slugz]

I think first you have to be realistic on shot yardage. Are you able to practice 400-500 all year long? Most people don't and or cant. A 300 yard shot on an elk is reasonable for every big game caliber. We routinely use a 7mm-08 with Partitions and have taken 7 elk in the family with the same gun. We hunt heavy timber and parks 90% of the time. Now caveat that with If you anticipate ridge to ridge shots or nasty terrain where you need to anchor the animal then I would go for a bigger round.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Placement is everything in my opinion. Also worst case scenario should be thought about too. Would a 7mm08 go through a shoulder bones of an elk at 3-400 yards? I don't know. I know the bullet can do it no problem but with so much less power behind it I would be concerned.
Same yards with a lung shot and the bullets hits a rib? Same thing it would probably work fine but I don't like probably.
I personally wouldn't hunt elk with less then a 7mm mag. Guy has killed elk with a 270 and had no issues. I will stick to my 300 win and know for a fact that bullet will do the job even if I make a not so perfect shot.

 

[NDHunter]

I'd say the 08 is perfectly fine. I know a few guys who have shot lots and lots of elk with that caliber and never had a problem including some 500 yard shots. Practicing a lot and shooting accurately is the most important thing, assuming you're using a quality bullet. Sounds like you would do way more practicing with the 08 versus the .338. I wouldn't want to deal with the .338.

 

[graybird]

I've killed exactly 2 cow elk with a 7mm-08 using 120 gr Barnes TTSX handloads. One cow as about 125 yards quartering towards me, the bullet hit the point of the shoulder and zipped right thru her. The second was about 150 yards, first shot she was broadside, took the bullet and staggered about 2-3 steps, second shot she absorbed and fell over where she was standing. Both bullet entries were within about 2 inches of each other with the bullets ending up in the dirt bank behind her.

I have zero issues taking elk with the above rifle and load. I would likely keep my shots to 400 yards and under with this particular rifle and load; however, I know the rifle very well, can practice out to 400 yards at my buddy's private range at his house.

I also don't understand how people claim that a huge magnum is required to kill elk, if you're a male. However, if you're female or a kid, it its acceptable to use a 7mm-08. The only difference is the trigger yanker and not the rifle or load being used. I have no idea of how many elk my father has killed but I can tell you that every single one of them was killed using his old Remington Model 7600 pump in 270 Win with plain jane Remington Cor-Lokt ammo. I cannot see the concern using a similar caliber.

Good luck!

 

[HiMtnHnter]

If you're accurate with the rifle and know it's limitations, the 7mm-08 is just fine for elk. It comes in a light package and is easy to carry in the mountains.

 

[Hilltop]

Here is a thorough review of the cartridge and capabilities.

http://www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledgebase/7mm-08+Remington.html

My wife took a large cow elk with her 7mm-08 in 2014 with no issues. I believe the cartridge is a decent choice inside of 300 yards for elk. Of course it can kill beyond that but the calibers performance falls below what many experts recommend beyond that range for elk.

On a side note- We purchased the 7mm-08 for her because we wanted a lighter recoiling rifle that performed better than her .243 for an elk hunt. To find a rifle that fit her, we had to purchase a youth model. In this lighter frame, the 7mm-08 kicks more than I had anticipated. It honestly feels similar to my 30-06 full size with a good recoil pad.

 

[mtncowboy]

I have seen a handful of elk killed with a 7mm-08. I wouldn't hesitate for a second to use it.

 

[480/277]

Bullet choice would be the only concern for me in the 7mm08 not the caliber.
On distance, FOR ME, I would want to be 300 yards and in.

 

[Nebraska Outlander]

Thanks everyone for your replies, I've been doing a lot of research and reading your post. Along with the research I remembered my grandfather used a 30-06 when he went elk hunting and have since changed my mind on the 7-08. Still trying to decide what exactly to get but leaning towards a 30-06 or .280 now, more so the 30-06 with sentimental reasons mainly.

Always looking for input, thanks again!

 

[Tim McCoy]

Both will do the job. The 280 is just a bit faster than the 7-08, especially with longer/heavier bullets, making it arguably a better choice for elk. Same comparison as a 308 vs 30-06, from which both the 7-08 and 280 are based off of. Between the two, if you hand load or don't mind buying higher priced custom or semi-custom ammo for a 280, flip a coin. You may be lucky and your 280 may just love some of the limited factory ammo, mine do. Otherwise the 30-06 may be a better choice for availability of relatively cheap ammo.

 

[stevevan]

I've never used a 7-08 Remmy but I do have experience with a 7x57 on elk which is for the most part a ballistic twin. The 7x57 has worked great on the 3 bulls its taken using 140 Partitions. Your 7-08 should work just as well. As always, good shot placement with a premium bullet and it's punch a tag time.

 

[Short Track]

My 7mm-08 just took a big old cow. 30 yards, and she ran for 30 yards. 140gr lead tip partition, by Federal. 1 shot. Not the fancy plastic tip partition, but the lead tip. Broke a rib going in, and a 1" hole in the far side lung. The base of the bullet exited, so there was only a pencil size hole on the exit. My only complaint was not much blood. But we found her within 30 yards. Little lead fragments was in the exit hole, so the bullet separated a lot. I think by design.

I am so done with magnums, and anything that ends in a 6. I spent the entire year practicing with the 7mm-08, only because I could with the light recoil.

I'm tempted to Elk with my .243, because I see what they do to deer. The exit hole is usually 3" in diameter. Not sure that would happen on an Elk, but I'm tempted.

 

[Short Track]

The picture on the left is the entrance. You can see the broken rib. The picture on the right is the exit, but the exit hole on the furry side is only a pencil, so there wasn't much blood.