I think you both are right on with your thinking. I tend to think of the 7mm/08 as on the small side for elk, but if you are really comfortable with the rifle, and have spent the time shooting the rifle, you will probably do just fine. After all, a bullet in the lungs, is a bullet in the lungs. I would take an elk with 7/08 but I prefer something that has a touch more juice. I think the 7/08 is probably about the same as a 270Win, and that has taken many elk. I have taken elk with my 270WSM, which did okay, but to me, it is not a main elk gun. I think the elk guns start at .308 Mags and stop somewhere in the 35/375's. Just my thinking. I have seen wounded animals run a long ways, and tracking them was difficult at best. Bigger bullets make bigger holes. Scotty
7mm-08 on Elk
- Thread starter OldMan
- Start date
elkeater2
Handloader
- Jan 5, 2009
- 761
- 85
Yep, I think for the majority of shooters bigger more oomph than 7mm-08 is better. I re-read my post and it reminded me that at least as much of my success came from my shooting and training experience as it did from the rifle/cartridge I was using.
When the old Mauser was still a 7x57, somebody gave me a couple boxes of the round nose 175 gr. Rem bullets. I was still in high school, and the local fox farm/fur processor was giving 50 cents apiece for jackrabbits. The practice I got shooting those bullets up at bunnies has served me well ever since.
So, Oldman, all the advice here is good stuff. If I were going to get it for my granddaughter, I'd do everything I could to help her become a shooter. I think starting with mild loads- 100 grs.@3000 fps - and doing a bunch of shooting with them from all positions and distances out to 300 yds. max would be the way to start. Gongs make great practice. Multiple sessions, too, so that loading, unloading, safety, scope setting, etc. all become second nature. The low recoil and report helps build confidence, and those loads have very close to the same trajectory as most hunting loads you might use. I would suggest switching to the 140 AccuBond for game.
When the 'moment of truth' comes, all thoughts should be on placing a bullet on the right hair patch and nothing else. Getting the rifle ready, having the scope magnification set right, not fiddling with lens caps, and getting into the most stable position the opportunity allows quickly are all keys. When I used to guide elk hunters there were more screwed up chances because the dudes were not practiced and wouldn't listen to advice. I could write a book - guess I almost have here! :grin:
My wife is a capable shooter, but all game experience has been deer and antelope. Now she wants elk. I got her a 7mm-08, we're getting ready, and I have confidence she'll do just fine. There is nothing worse for a beginning hunter, female or not, than to miss, wound, lose, or otherwise have things go bad after they pull the trigger. The 7mm-08 is enough gun, I won't let her shoot beyond 250 yds., and I wouldn't go that route unless I'm sure it will work well. 250 yds. not so much because of cartridge performance, but because most folks have no business shooting beyond that without a rock-solid rest. The excitement factor enters in too, and one way to help with the nervousness is to be closer.
Elkman, love to meet you in the woods this fall!!
Elkeater2
When the old Mauser was still a 7x57, somebody gave me a couple boxes of the round nose 175 gr. Rem bullets. I was still in high school, and the local fox farm/fur processor was giving 50 cents apiece for jackrabbits. The practice I got shooting those bullets up at bunnies has served me well ever since.
So, Oldman, all the advice here is good stuff. If I were going to get it for my granddaughter, I'd do everything I could to help her become a shooter. I think starting with mild loads- 100 grs.@3000 fps - and doing a bunch of shooting with them from all positions and distances out to 300 yds. max would be the way to start. Gongs make great practice. Multiple sessions, too, so that loading, unloading, safety, scope setting, etc. all become second nature. The low recoil and report helps build confidence, and those loads have very close to the same trajectory as most hunting loads you might use. I would suggest switching to the 140 AccuBond for game.
When the 'moment of truth' comes, all thoughts should be on placing a bullet on the right hair patch and nothing else. Getting the rifle ready, having the scope magnification set right, not fiddling with lens caps, and getting into the most stable position the opportunity allows quickly are all keys. When I used to guide elk hunters there were more screwed up chances because the dudes were not practiced and wouldn't listen to advice. I could write a book - guess I almost have here! :grin:
My wife is a capable shooter, but all game experience has been deer and antelope. Now she wants elk. I got her a 7mm-08, we're getting ready, and I have confidence she'll do just fine. There is nothing worse for a beginning hunter, female or not, than to miss, wound, lose, or otherwise have things go bad after they pull the trigger. The 7mm-08 is enough gun, I won't let her shoot beyond 250 yds., and I wouldn't go that route unless I'm sure it will work well. 250 yds. not so much because of cartridge performance, but because most folks have no business shooting beyond that without a rock-solid rest. The excitement factor enters in too, and one way to help with the nervousness is to be closer.
Elkman, love to meet you in the woods this fall!!
Elkeater2
Oldman
I am with elkeater on your granddaughter and would like to congratulate you and her for taking this big step. I guess my advice would be to get her as close as reasonible possibe as you probably know the closer they are the bigger they are and for me the easier to hit.!!!!! good luck
I am with elkeater on your granddaughter and would like to congratulate you and her for taking this big step. I guess my advice would be to get her as close as reasonible possibe as you probably know the closer they are the bigger they are and for me the easier to hit.!!!!! good luck
enfield fan
Beginner
- Feb 13, 2010
- 47
- 0
My two cents worth is that the 7mm-08 is plenty of gun for elk at 300 yards and less as shots should be kept as close as possible; that's what hunting is. I have hunted thirty plus years using a 303 brittish on coyotes to moose;farthest muley @ 370 yards, farthest moose @ 500 yards.As a bowhunter for the past 22 years i have come up with on catch phrase ,if you can kill em with a bow you can kill em with just about any gun.I have shot my first elk with a 30-30 150 grain round nose,and my wifes first moose with the same bullet. 
8) :lol: :wink:
8) :lol: :wink:3006savage
Beginner
- Jul 3, 2009
- 85
- 0
There are several 150 grain 7mm bullets that offer a .5 bc or better. Any of these bullets lauched at 2800 fps will retain 1500 FT/LBS KE at 400 yards as low as 1,000 ft elevation.
Hornadys Superperformance factory ammo delivers 1465 FT/LBS at 1,000 ft elevation at 400 yards with the solid copper GMX bullet if you are looking at factory ammo.
If you are hunting a higher elevations it is even better. At 7,000 feet which is typical of rocky mountain hunting the 7-08 will delivery 1500 all the way out to 475 yards.
It is a potent little round with the right bullet.
Hornadys Superperformance factory ammo delivers 1465 FT/LBS at 1,000 ft elevation at 400 yards with the solid copper GMX bullet if you are looking at factory ammo.
If you are hunting a higher elevations it is even better. At 7,000 feet which is typical of rocky mountain hunting the 7-08 will delivery 1500 all the way out to 475 yards.
It is a potent little round with the right bullet.
YoteSmoker
Handloader
- Oct 3, 2006
- 1,602
- 0
I know a gal that kills everything from speed goats to elk with a 260 shooting 130 gr. I'm not sure what bullets she is using but she is one hell of a shot. I wouldn't want to get in a arguement with her that her gun is to small. Everything she points that gun at dies!
My wife learned "THE" lesson this year during deer season. If you don't practice, you will make crappy shots and wound things. She rushed the shot this year on her buck and missed the first one and then made a poor shot on her second. I had changed the trigger out on her gun at her request three months prior. She never wanted to go shooting because "I'm a good shot". Well she never got to get used to the trigger and that screwed her up (being seven months pregnant didn't help either). Long story short, I finished her deer off for her cause it made her sick. We came home practiced at her request and she smoked her doe with a single shot.
If you can't shoot the gun, the size doesn't matter. Is the 7-08 the "ideal" elk gun? No. Is it the "ideal" starter round for a young anybody that is capable of taking elk? I'm hard pressed to find a better one. A person just has to know their limits, and their guns limits.
My wife learned "THE" lesson this year during deer season. If you don't practice, you will make crappy shots and wound things. She rushed the shot this year on her buck and missed the first one and then made a poor shot on her second. I had changed the trigger out on her gun at her request three months prior. She never wanted to go shooting because "I'm a good shot". Well she never got to get used to the trigger and that screwed her up (being seven months pregnant didn't help either). Long story short, I finished her deer off for her cause it made her sick. We came home practiced at her request and she smoked her doe with a single shot.
If you can't shoot the gun, the size doesn't matter. Is the 7-08 the "ideal" elk gun? No. Is it the "ideal" starter round for a young anybody that is capable of taking elk? I'm hard pressed to find a better one. A person just has to know their limits, and their guns limits.
Powerstroke
Handloader
- Feb 24, 2006
- 1,799
- 58
These debates surely always come down to an "ethical shot" being taken.
I grew up and have spent the majority of my life in hunting in the North West corner of Colorado - the largest elk herd in the country. I've volunteered time at the local range during sight in days before each season and have to say I'm appauled at some of the attitudes & perception that is out there.
One of the previous post was spot on - a hole through the lungs is a hole through the lungs.
Rather than pulling the trigger on "fur" wait for the opportunity as that I believe to be the ethical part.
Many of these folks entering the woods yearly would do much better with a little less - Rather than be concerned with the recoil of their new supercharged, space plutonium modulated rocket launcher they just had to have because Johny behind the counter said " This is it "
I'm fortunate enough to have a safe that is covered from .17 cal to .30 cal. I choose which rifle generally for the conditions / area I'm hunting.
My 7-08 has dropped elk in their tracks @ and beyond the 300yd mark.
My caliber of choice within the last few years has been the .260 and will probably continue to be for the future.
Are these ideal for the below average "elk" hunter I believe should be the question - ?
Shot placement & an ethical approach at minimum towards these phenominal animals.
I grew up and have spent the majority of my life in hunting in the North West corner of Colorado - the largest elk herd in the country. I've volunteered time at the local range during sight in days before each season and have to say I'm appauled at some of the attitudes & perception that is out there.
One of the previous post was spot on - a hole through the lungs is a hole through the lungs.
Rather than pulling the trigger on "fur" wait for the opportunity as that I believe to be the ethical part.
Many of these folks entering the woods yearly would do much better with a little less - Rather than be concerned with the recoil of their new supercharged, space plutonium modulated rocket launcher they just had to have because Johny behind the counter said " This is it "
I'm fortunate enough to have a safe that is covered from .17 cal to .30 cal. I choose which rifle generally for the conditions / area I'm hunting.
My 7-08 has dropped elk in their tracks @ and beyond the 300yd mark.
My caliber of choice within the last few years has been the .260 and will probably continue to be for the future.
Are these ideal for the below average "elk" hunter I believe should be the question - ?
Shot placement & an ethical approach at minimum towards these phenominal animals.
