7mm-08 or .284??

[Hind and Sika]

So, I have the forms ready to fill out for a variation and am undecided. I have a .243, but want something bigger.
I've considered 30-06, and whilst not ruling it out, I'm thinking of going for a shorter action. I'm undecided between a 7mm-08 and a .284. I reload, so no panic with ammunition availability.
Which one?

 

[Deerstalker6]

7mm-08 Jimbo R factory ammo will always be about for it cheap or expensive brands(PPU/Rem/Hornady/Norma/Win/SAKO), rifles always around too new or used
so you wouldnt have to go for a custom build with the .284, theres probably about 7+ rifles on the used market right now with 7mm08 not so with the 284.

It's the same cal I am looking at going for funnily enough as already have a 243

 

[Deerstalker6]

I've just made some enquiries for american brand rifles ruger/savage/browning in new to see whats available,

theres a nice used tikka 590/595 7mm-08 in at dauntseys

 

[Roestalker39]

I’ve 2 7-08s one a tikka and the other a sako 595 , cracking round very capable and with the right bullets ( for me 140 gr soft points ) very little meat damage

 

[Deerstalker6]

nice roestalker39 good rifles sako and tikka, how does it compare to any other calibers you have owned/used ?

140gr seems to be its standard bullet weight

 

[Roestalker39]

nice roestalker39 good rifles sako and tikka, how does it compare to any other calibers you have owned/used ?

140gr seems to be its standard bullet weight

I’ve used .270 ( just bought another actually) .308 , .3006 .243 and 6.5x55 as well as .303 to be honest at normal ranges it’s all pretty similar I think the 7-08 compares well with the 6.5 x55 but I doubt a deer could tell the difference, of the above calibres my favourite is the 7-08

 

[Deerstalker6]

nice one never fired 270 or 30-06 oh aye 303 very good, only ever used 6.5x55 and 243 in the field since I started a couple years ago

do you use factory ammo or is it reloads for your 7mm08

 

[Deerstalker6]

sorry Jimbo R hope I'm not derailing your thread, 7mm-08 would be the one though over the .284

 

[Roestalker39]

nice one never fired 270 or 30-06 oh aye 303 very good, only ever used 6.5x55 and 243 in the field since I started a couple years ago

do you use factory ammo or is it reloads for your 7mm08

Up until last year I reloaded but I do shoot a lot so tried factory and as luck would have it the ppu 140 gr soft points work very well in both my 7mms

 

[the_greenman]

I have no experience of owning or shooting a .284 but I wish I'd bought my 7mm08 years ago! Cracking capable round.

 

[Hind and Sika]

sorry Jimbo R hope I'm not derailing your thread, 7mm-08 would be the one though over the .284

No mate, not at all. It's good to see everyone's thoughts.

 

[Drum123]

7mm08 all day long for the reasons already mentioned.I use 120 sp and everything drops fast.Can be a bit messy on roe but thats my choice of bullet rather than the caliber.

 

[Hind and Sika]

7mm08 all day long for the reasons already mentioned.I use 120 sp and everything drops fast.Can be a bit messy on roe but thats my choice of bullet rather than the

My thinking us I'd use my .243 on roe and the new calibre on anything bigger.

 

[Deerstalker6]

My thinking us I'd use my .243 on roe and the new calibre on anything bigger.

that's exactly my thinking jimbo 243 for roe/munty/cwd & fox and 7mm-08 for reds, fallow and sika

 

[Drum123]

If you only shoot roe then the 243 is all youll ever need as youll know,the 7mm gives a little more assurance on bigger stuff at a little more range than the 6mm,and recoil is very manageable too.

 

[Roestalker39]

Use my 7-08 for everything from munty to red stags I actually find it damages roe and muntjac less than my .243 used to

 

[Drum123]

Use my 7-08 for everything from munty to red stags I actually find it damages roe and muntjac less than my .243 used to

With 140's i find the same but with 120' there can be a little more mess,but thats down to the bullet i use rather than caliber.I got rid of a 300wsm because the 7mm did everything i needed without the noise and recoil.

 

[enfieldspares]

So, I have the forms ready to fill out for a variation and am undecided. I have a .243, but want something bigger.
I've considered 30-06, and whilst not ruling it out, I'm thinking of going for a shorter action. I'm undecided between a 7mm-08 and a .284. I reload, so no panic with ammunition availability.
Which one?

7mm-08 is the better choice. The .284 Winchester is an oddball designed for a purpose specific to trying to get a quart size powder capacity into a pint sized action. In that it excels. In a conventional action...a bolt action...it has no purpose except to cause extra cost and frustration in sourcing either factory ammunition or component cartridge cases. If you want more powder in a beltless "7mm" choose a 7x64, a .280 Remington. If a belt is OK choose a 7mm Remington Magnum.

 

[scrumbag]

I'm with enfieldspares on this.

284W is interesting but very similar performance to 7x64/280 rem.

Also somes with added complication of a rebated rim.

 

[alberta boy]

Out of the two , I'd go with the 7mm/08 . It's just a good cartridge that'll do pretty much anything you need , no fuss . The 284 is a good cartridge , but as ES says , it is a bit of an oddball . If I had one , I'd use it , but I wouldn't go out of my way to get a 284 , but that's just me .

AB