Ballistic theories aside practical difference between superformance 308Win & 7Rem Mag
Looking for some ideas, “go for its” or “you’re crazy” on this thread but hoping some can follow my thinking down the rabbit hole for a second.
I have been looking for a buy or build mid range rifle for a little while now contemplating calibers and makes and what I really need vs. what would be nice to have but don’t want to pay for the weight/length. I have been looking at two calibers in particular for the projects I want. One is considered a fine long range round by several on here, the 7mm Rem Mag, and one a nice little soft shooting deer round the .308 Winchester.
Looking at factory ammo I compared the Hornady Interlock 154gr at 3035fps out of the 7mm Mag to the superformance 150gr Interbond .308 at 3000fps. Moving up to the 160 class you have the 162gr at 2940 from the 7 to 165gr at 2840 out of the superformance .308
Now I pretty much grew up in my states ballistic crime lab, and could quote B.C’s like other kids could ball cards, but have gotten away from a lot of gun shooting and shoot almost all bows now. I do want to get back a little heavier into rifle shooting and maybe for some hunting. As much as I love to bow hunt, some of these tags I have been eating out west are starting to stack up and every once in a while it would be nice to be able to reach out and shoot. Plus it has been a while since I was issued an M14 instead of my M4 and want to keep those skills as much as I can while still living a practical life.
I realize that the B.C and S.D of these two rounds even at similar weights will be very different, but this is where maybe my older self kicks in. Out to the ranges I wish to shoot and hunt (600 yrds ) how much of this is theory and how much practicality? Out to even 600yrds how much will the S.D of the lower 150gr 30cal really matter on deer/sheep sized game compared to the higher and theoretically better penetrating S.D. of the 150 7mm bullet, especially with modern excellent performing ammo? Even the fastest hunting loads will be dropping a ton at 600 yrds with either a 100 or 200 yrd zero so you still have calculations and hold over to deal with. I have a very nice Viper 6.5X20 scope that is overkill on a hunting rifle but begging to be put to good use. The difference between the two rounds is that on one I would zero at 100 and the other 200. After I use the drop lines out to 500yrds I still have to dial up past that, just to the degree is the variable.
I also realize from my schools and training that wind plays a huge role and is the hardest to dope. But again I figure you still have to contend with it either way, just to the degree.
I also think that for the intended purpose of the rifle either of the terminal ballistics will be plenty. I am only going to use this rifle for deer/ sheep/goat maybe Ibex if I chicken out with going bow. Everything else would be bow hunting.
What really made me consider the .308 more seriously is when you start adding practicality into the mix, meaning I want my rifle light(ish) and without a long tube. I believe that due to the efficiency you will keep more of your velocity even with the superformance ammo out of a 22in barrel with a .308 then with a 7mm Rem Mag.
Another though and where a lot of people might be interjecting is this; I do not currently hand load. I have given that up and most likely will not re-start until I have more time and older children. I know with the factory ammo that Hornady makes superformance loads for the 7mm Rem Mag and that those widen the gap quite a bit, but a lot of the long range cred for the Rem Mag came from the standard loads and not the superformance stuff. Also because of the less powder and more efficient manor of the .308 I have found that usually more factory loads shoot well out of them then a lot of other rounds (have tried the 300WM, 243, 300 Ultra, 270WSM and a few others) so I was thinking that between the SST and Interbond load in either 150 or 165 grains I would find one of those loads that the .308 really liked. I have usually found a load between 4 different ones that every .308 that I have shot really liked.
So what do you guys think??? Am I being crazy, please tear my theory apart so at least I can find a direction and stick with it and not keep going back and forth.
Looking for some ideas, “go for its” or “you’re crazy” on this thread but hoping some can follow my thinking down the rabbit hole for a second.
I have been looking for a buy or build mid range rifle for a little while now contemplating calibers and makes and what I really need vs. what would be nice to have but don’t want to pay for the weight/length. I have been looking at two calibers in particular for the projects I want. One is considered a fine long range round by several on here, the 7mm Rem Mag, and one a nice little soft shooting deer round the .308 Winchester.
Looking at factory ammo I compared the Hornady Interlock 154gr at 3035fps out of the 7mm Mag to the superformance 150gr Interbond .308 at 3000fps. Moving up to the 160 class you have the 162gr at 2940 from the 7 to 165gr at 2840 out of the superformance .308
Now I pretty much grew up in my states ballistic crime lab, and could quote B.C’s like other kids could ball cards, but have gotten away from a lot of gun shooting and shoot almost all bows now. I do want to get back a little heavier into rifle shooting and maybe for some hunting. As much as I love to bow hunt, some of these tags I have been eating out west are starting to stack up and every once in a while it would be nice to be able to reach out and shoot. Plus it has been a while since I was issued an M14 instead of my M4 and want to keep those skills as much as I can while still living a practical life.
I realize that the B.C and S.D of these two rounds even at similar weights will be very different, but this is where maybe my older self kicks in. Out to the ranges I wish to shoot and hunt (600 yrds ) how much of this is theory and how much practicality? Out to even 600yrds how much will the S.D of the lower 150gr 30cal really matter on deer/sheep sized game compared to the higher and theoretically better penetrating S.D. of the 150 7mm bullet, especially with modern excellent performing ammo? Even the fastest hunting loads will be dropping a ton at 600 yrds with either a 100 or 200 yrd zero so you still have calculations and hold over to deal with. I have a very nice Viper 6.5X20 scope that is overkill on a hunting rifle but begging to be put to good use. The difference between the two rounds is that on one I would zero at 100 and the other 200. After I use the drop lines out to 500yrds I still have to dial up past that, just to the degree is the variable.
I also realize from my schools and training that wind plays a huge role and is the hardest to dope. But again I figure you still have to contend with it either way, just to the degree.
I also think that for the intended purpose of the rifle either of the terminal ballistics will be plenty. I am only going to use this rifle for deer/ sheep/goat maybe Ibex if I chicken out with going bow. Everything else would be bow hunting.
What really made me consider the .308 more seriously is when you start adding practicality into the mix, meaning I want my rifle light(ish) and without a long tube. I believe that due to the efficiency you will keep more of your velocity even with the superformance ammo out of a 22in barrel with a .308 then with a 7mm Rem Mag.
Another though and where a lot of people might be interjecting is this; I do not currently hand load. I have given that up and most likely will not re-start until I have more time and older children. I know with the factory ammo that Hornady makes superformance loads for the 7mm Rem Mag and that those widen the gap quite a bit, but a lot of the long range cred for the Rem Mag came from the standard loads and not the superformance stuff. Also because of the less powder and more efficient manor of the .308 I have found that usually more factory loads shoot well out of them then a lot of other rounds (have tried the 300WM, 243, 300 Ultra, 270WSM and a few others) so I was thinking that between the SST and Interbond load in either 150 or 165 grains I would find one of those loads that the .308 really liked. I have usually found a load between 4 different ones that every .308 that I have shot really liked.
So what do you guys think??? Am I being crazy, please tear my theory apart so at least I can find a direction and stick with it and not keep going back and forth.
Regardless its gonna be a dead deer. Now if one wants to run a magnum then by all means, but IMO it really isn't needed given the range the shooter states he will be shooting.
