7mm08 barrel length

jtl

Well-Known Member
i have howa 7mm08 on order and now realise the barrel is 20 " was hoping for 22" , wanting to push target shooting out to a 1000 and hunt if needed to 400, any need to worry about the short spout?
 
i have howa 7mm08 on order and now realise the barrel is 20 " was hoping for 22" , wanting to push target shooting out to a 1000 and hunt if needed to 400, any need to worry about the short spout?

With the 7-08 you will not be competing at 1000, right? If not, why worry about it? Hunting? To 400 should be fine if you are a good enough shot and can dope wind and light. That's a loooonnnnngggggg shot on game! ;)~Muir
 
Another two inches of barrel on a 7mm-08 will only give you about 50 to 60 fps, depending on the bullet and powder.
Even if you had a 24-inch barrel and got 2,800 fps with a 140-gr bullet, you would have at least 300 inches of drop at 1,000 yards and a 10 mph breeze would move you off 65 to 75 inches - and that is if it were laboratory steady across the entire flight, which it will not be.

250 to 300 yards is the practical ethical limit of a 7mm-08, in the hands of the best marksman.

Over in the thread, "Is the 308 the best all round stalkers rifle ?", there are some links to articles about the .308, 7mm-08, and more powerful cartridges.

Does the .308 Fit the Long-Range Hunting Bill? - Guns Ammo

Myth Busting Big Game Calibers
http://www.chuckhawks.com/myth_busting_calibers.htm

P.S.: I own two 7mm-08s with 20-inch barrels and they are a delight for still hunting and stalking. Enjoy yours.
 
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