is 7-08 enough

[Kian]

With all things considered (good shot placment, broad side shot etc...)

Is the 7-08 enough gun for an elk hunt?
I have one here at the house and really don't want to go out and buy another just for one hunt



Thanks
Kian

[handirifle]

Never used it, but in my opinion, yes. Consider, the 30-06 is enough for elk, and the 308, which is almost a twin to the '06, is equally capable, within it's own limits, which are not much below the '06.

Now consider the 280 Rem, which is the '06 necked down to 7mm, is just a capable as the '06 on elk, and the 7-08 is as close behind the 280, maybe closer, as the 308 is to the '06. I say maybe closer, cause most factory ammo for the 280 are not loaded to ashigh a pressure as the 7-08. The 280 was first released in semi auto rifles, and thus loaded to slightly lower pressures, than the 7-08.

I'd say with a top notch 160gr bullet, and about 250yds or less you ought to be good. A friend of mine, and gun shop owner, once killed a cow elk at 265yds with a 160gr Barnes TSX from his 308. Bullet went completely through both shoulders, and exited. The cow ran about 30yds and piled up.

[topgun53]

Yes it is. Use a good 160 grain bullet and you will have complete penetration at any range you should be shooting. I have killed 17 bulls with a .308 Never need to shoot more than once. The .308 win is the same as a 7mm-08 just a bit better SD on the bullet.

[snider6464]

You betchya. I have a 7-08 and my buddy has a 6.5x284 and we both took bulls out to 700 yards with them this year. I was using a 162 and he was using a 140 grain. They both do what they are supposed to. I would not be scared to take a shoulder shot at almost any range that i am comfortable and have shot before.

As other 308 fans will say, they have been used for generations and people swear by them.

But I also have a 30-378 weatherby in the closet in case i need some real power.

Good Luck.

[handirifle]

Some years back, I was looking for a nice BLR in 308, as a do all rifle. One local gunshop got one in that looked brand new, but it was a 7-08. I passed thinking, that if I ever got to hunt elk, it might not be enough. Well, I have learned many times since, from reading, that the 7-08 is more than enough gun. I also learned, I passed up a reall good deal.

Live and learn.

[Luckus]

7x57's have killed many Elk, 7-08 is about identical. Shoot it where it lives and it will die.