7mm-08 Remington Ammo
Professionally Reviewed by:
Nathaniel Boos
Nathaniel Boos is a lifelong firearms enthusiast and shooter, renowned for his experience as a long-range shooter, ammunition importer/exporter, and firearms manufacturer. With years of hands-on experience, he is a trusted authority in the ammunition and firearms industry.
Credentials:
- • 2x Team Safari Competitor
- • KRG Training Level 1, 2, and Force on Force CQB certified
- • Licensed Texas Conceal Carry Holder
- • Kranz Firearms Training Group Advanced Carbine Certified
7mm-08 Remington: At a Glance
| Key Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Firearm Type | Rifle |
| Primer Type | Large Rifle |
| Used For | Hunting, Target Shooting |
| Case Design | Rimless, Bottleneck |
| Year Introduced | 1980 |
7mm-08 Remington: Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
- ✘ Less readily available than some popular calibers
- ✘ More expensive than common hunting rounds
- ✘ Not as powerful as larger magnum cartridges
- ✘ Limited selection of factory loads compared to .308 Winchester
- ✘ May be overkill for smaller game animals
7mm-08 Remington Ammo: In Depth
The 7mm-08 Remington is a versatile and popular rifle cartridge known for its excellent balance of power, accuracy, and moderate recoil. Developed from the .308 Winchester case necked down to accept 7mm bullets, this cartridge has gained a strong following among hunters and target shooters. It offers impressive ballistic performance, making it suitable for a wide range of game animals and long-range shooting applications.
History and Development
The 7mm-08 Remington was introduced by Remington Arms Company in 1980. The cartridge was designed to offer the ballistic advantages of 7mm bullets in a package that could be easily adapted to short-action rifles.
The 7mm-08 Remington is based on the .308 Winchester case, which itself is a shortened version of the .30-06 Springfield. By necking down the .308 case to accept 7mm bullets, designers created a cartridge that offered excellent ballistic coefficients and sectional densities, resulting in superior downrange performance and penetration compared to many other popular hunting cartridges.
Upon its introduction, the 7mm-08 Remington quickly gained popularity among hunters, particularly those seeking a cartridge with less recoil than the .308 Winchester but with similar or better long-range performance.
Today, the 7mm-08 Remington continues to be a popular choice among hunters and shooters. Major ammunition manufacturers offer a wide variety of loads for the cartridge, ranging from lightweight, high-velocity options for varmint hunting to heavy, controlled-expansion bullets for larger game.
Complete Timeline of 7mm-08 Remington Development:
7mm-08 Remington Performance
The 7mm-08 Remington offers excellent performance characteristics that have made it a popular choice for hunting and long-range shooting. Here's a breakdown of its key performance characteristics:
| Characteristic | Performance |
|---|---|
| Velocity | 2,800-3,000 fps (140-grain bullets)
3,000-3,200 fps (120-grain bullets) Varies based on barrel length and load type |
| Trajectory | Flat trajectory suitable for long-range shooting Effective for hunting and target shooting beyond 500 yards |
| Energy | 2,400-2,600 ft-lbs at the muzzle (140-grain bullets) Provides excellent performance for medium to large game |
| Recoil | Moderate, less than .308 Winchester Manageable in standard hunting rifles, suitable for recoil-sensitive shooters |
| Accuracy | Capable of sub-MOA accuracy in quality rifles Excellent for precision shooting and long-range hunting |
Bullet Weight vs. Muzzle Velocity
This chart shows how bullet weight affects muzzle velocity for common 7mm-08 Remington loads.
7mm-08 Remington: Effective Range for Different Applications
This table provides estimated effective ranges for 7mm-08 Remington ammunition in various applications. Ranges are based on typical bullet weights and velocities.
| Application | Effective Range (yards) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Big Game Hunting | 0-400 | Excellent for deer, elk, and similar-sized game |
| Long-Range Hunting | 400-600 | Suitable for skilled shooters on medium-sized game |
| Target Shooting | 0-1000 | Capable of long-range accuracy with proper loads |
| Competitive Shooting | 0-800 | Popular in long-range shooting competitions |
Note: Effective ranges can vary based on factors such as bullet selection, shooter skill, wind conditions, and specific firearm characteristics. The 7mm-08 Remington is known for its flat trajectory, accuracy at longer ranges, and moderate recoil. Always prioritize safety and adhere to local laws and regulations.
Applications for 7mm-08 Remington
The 7mm-08 Remington's versatile performance profile makes it suitable for a range of applications:
Recoil Energy Comparison
Compare the estimated recoil energy of 7mm-08 Remington with other popular rifle cartridges. (Based on a 7.5 lb rifle)
Ballistic Trajectory Comparison
This chart compares the ballistic trajectory (bullet drop) of 7mm-08 Remington with other popular rifle cartridges over distance.
Wind Drift Comparison
This chart compares the wind drift of 7mm-08 Remington with other popular rifle cartridges in a 10 mph crosswind.
Energy Retention Comparison
This chart compares the energy retention of 7mm-08 Remington with other popular rifle cartridges over distance.
Sectional Density Comparison for 7mm-08 Remington Ammo
Sectional density is a measure of a bullet's mass relative to its diameter. The 7mm-08 Remington offers excellent sectional density values, contributing to its reputation for good penetration and energy retention.
| Cartridge | Bullet Weight (gr) | Sectional Density |
|---|---|---|
| 7mm-08 Remington | 120 | 0.213 |
| 7mm-08 Remington | 140 | 0.248 |
| 7mm-08 Remington | 150 | 0.266 |
| 7mm-08 Remington | 160 | 0.283 |
| 7mm-08 Remington | 175 | 0.310 |
Note: Sectional density is calculated as (bullet weight in pounds) / (bullet diameter in inches)². The 7mm-08 Remington's high sectional density values contribute to its effectiveness in hunting medium to large game, offering good penetration and energy transfer.