The 7mm-08 is superior to the 308 for whitetail hunting IMO as long as you are shooting 140grain bullets in the 7mm-08. That's just based on experience killing a bunch with both calibers. 7mm-08 is a great whitetail round with some 140's. Otherwise you are turning it into a pea shooter.

Don't turn your deer rifle into a pea shooter. Especially if you are shooting it with a can or break on it. I don't understand why everyone, including kids can shoot a 20ga shotgun just fine but as soon as they pickup a deer rifle they become a complete puss and start crying about recoil. Otherwise there is absolutely ZERO reason to be shooting light loads. ZERO.

708 for the win!!

.260.

Serious question-

Why NOT get a 6.5 Creedmoor instead?

Pros-
Cheaper factory ammo
Greater factory hunting ammo availability
Greater factory match ammo availability
Flatter trajectory
Less Recoil
Greater brass availability by numerous reputable companies
Cheaper brass
Ability to use large or small rifle primers
Factory rifles have the proper twist rate to optimize ballistic efficiency (higher BC & SD)
Greater selection of factory rifles chambered in 6.5 creed

Cons-
Uneducated boomers will ridicule you
Uneducated boomers will assume you wear a flat brim hat
The checkout guy at Walmart will think you own a sniper rifle

I’m sure I missed a few but you get the idea. Zero reason to purchase a 308 or 7-08 over a 6.5 creed nowadays unless you already have the ammo and/or components for the 308 or 7-08.

Disclaimer- I don’t currently own a 7-08, 308 or 6.5 creed b/c a 6mm creedmoor and a 6GT kills deer as good (or better) inside of 500 yards and does it with less recoil.

I have 4 7-08’s, they’ve all shot well with 140 gr bullets.
With that said, I have just as many 308 rifles.
Either one really, idk if there’s a dimes bit of difference. 308 prob has better ammo choices but 7-08 is readily available.

I've killed a bunch with both. I toted a A-bolt II in 7-08 from about 2002 till 2010, then went to a .308 Model 75 Finnlight, been toting it for 14 years . They are both fine whitetail rounds , and both worked great for me. I'll throw out some info.
308 is a great round , inherently accurate , wide range of bullets weights and easy to find ammo. I like 150-165 ish grain bullets. Great woods caliber .
7-08 is also great . has less choices for bullet weights than 308 , ammo not as easy to find. I like 140ish in 7-08. Little better long range than the 308. Perhaps a tad lighter recoil .
You can't go wrong with either , if you have shots longer than 300 yards I'd lean towards the 7-08, otherwise , flip a coin .

Although I do have a 7-08, 308, and 6.5 Creedmoor, I recently started hunting with a 223 because of the killing power inside of 500 yards and low recoil. 👍

.308 for the win.

308 is my vote because of ammo availability

Keep on…and you’ll cause the 🐐killa to have a stroke!! If ain’t at least 140grs you are severely under gunned😁

308. Difference trajectory is not enough to matter. With a 200 yard 0 The 308 will hit within an inch of 7-08 at 300. 7-08 is lighter recoil. But really, just about anyone can handle either, including women and kids. Go with the bigger hole.

Women and Kids.... Yes.

Grown ass men on Aldeer... Nope.

I wouldn't pick either one for u both are fine cartridges and both will do the same thing. I like the 7mm08 but the 308 is just as good. You will be happy with either

I agree Id go with the .30 caliber all day. I reload so there is so much more to work with there.

My buddy's that reload tell me you can make a 7-08 out perform a 308 in you know the right data.

Define outperform...

Hell, I don't know. That's just what I've been told. I've killed a bunch with a 7-08 though.

I vote .308

Not a dime's difference between them when killing critters.

Hold the fluff and pass me the .358Win please, thank you.

I’ve got 7-08’s and 308’s and reach right past them for big brother and if I’m shooting long range there are better hammers for that nail.