.308

deciding between a .284 cal and a .308 cal...I dont think 16 thousandths is a fodder for an argument:)

308. Deer can't tell the difference and ammo more available.

After shooting a 7mm mag the past twenty years I bought a 308 after extensive research versus a 7mm 08. Wasn't any significant difference between the two it just came down to what felt the best when shouldering the rifle to me.

That's what I was going to ask. Where do yall shop for ammo? Target?

Any decent sporting goods store will have a variety of 7-08 ammo.

A 308 does have a noticeable amount of more recoil than 7-08. 6-8 ft lbs is a good bit in a very light rifle.

I have a Howa 1500 in the ultra light model chambered in 7-08. I shoot 139 SST's and its not unbearable to shoot, but I had rather shoot my 270 with a 140 gr bullet in a regular size M700.

That same rifle in a 308 would be pretty stiff recoil, IMO.

I put a recoil pad on my compact 308 sighted in with 168 Match Grade. Its accurate and I just love 308. The recoil pad made a "big" difference and had the trigger reset when I got it from Simmons. It looks like a toy gun to me with stainless barrel. The main reason I bought it was all the thick stuff I hunt....I don't need anything long and cumbersome where I mostly hunt. When they were setting the scope on it, I bet there were 4 or 5 guys commenting on it. Laminated green wood ascent with stainless barrel. I love mine.

A 7mm-08 is a ladies rifle!
I love my 7mm-08!

Either will get the job done. I prefer the 308

They are both great rounds. Flat shooting and hard hitting.

Some people are over thinking it just to shoot a deer out to maybe 300 yards. Both guns are capable of this shot and knocking there dicks in the dirt.

I bought (the wife) a Ruger Hawkeye Compact in .308 put a Meopta Meostar scope on it and I will take it hunting if she decides to sleep in. I wouldn't get rid of that thing for anything. I wouldn't say the recoil is too bad.. But I like to refer to it as "sassy" it does has some muzzle jump I guess being so short.

Throw another deer killing round in the mix...with mild (girlies man ) recoil...check out the .260

My 6yr old average size, prob 40-50lbs at the time shot his brothers 7mm08 5 times in a 5min period 2yrs ago. That was with SST 140gr ammo. That was the first centerfire he had ever shot and he loved it. I was hesitant on letting him shoot it because I didnt want him to get hurt or scared of recoil. It didnt hurt or scare him at all. He ended up killing 2 deer with it last season and hes getting his own 7mm08 for christmas.

I have killed a pile of hogs and a couple deer with it. All of them have been BANG/FLOP..

And I have never had an issue finding ammo if I had time to look around.

GO WITH THE 708!

I have the exact same set up in 7-08. my morning rifle. great when using a climber since it is so small and light. as far as caliber its what you shoot it is how you shoot!

what I meant to type was "its not what you shoot, its how you shoot. all about shot placement

Me and my son (16) both have Steyr Scouts in .308 and love them. Short, butt has slot for extra clip for quick loading, and is a tack driver. It also has bipod built into forearm which is nice if you shoot long shots from the ground. Recoil is no problem either.

My 260 has killed several and I've never had to track one. Same story for my 7mm08. Both are great rounds but the 260 is hard to find sometimes.

I have both calibers. The 7-08 is really my 12 year old's rifle but I use it a good bit. I can certainly tell a little difference on the range when shooting them...the .308 has a bit more snap but having used them both in the woods, I never notice a difference. I think you'd be happy with either one.