How do these compare, specifically to the .270 and the .243? Somewhere between the 2 in terms of "knockdown power?"

I didn't know this cartridge existed until last week, so I know very little about it.

Do any of you guys shoot one? Thoughts on whitetail hunting with it instead of a .270?

Better than the 270; less recoil and nearly identical ballistics. I'd take a 7mm-08 every time given the choice. I also think cartridges based of .308 are inherently more accurate that that those based off 30-06/30-03

That said, you're going to get 500 guys following this post that have shot 8 million deer with their daddys 270, who will assuredly call me a communist nancy. But rest assured they have to change their underwear at the mere mention of Jack o'Connor's name.

Great caliber!

I would choose the 270 over it though just becasue thats what I grew up with. Every 708 I have ever shot or owned was a tack driver though. Doubt any critter will know the difference between the two.

I have witnessed both kill mature whitetail bucks. Not much differnce in either one IMO.
I am one of those "500 guys that have shot 8 million deer with their daddys 270" BUT it is over 1200 WT deer with my own .270 and not my Dad's ( he has a 6mm and he is 85 and still using it ). The .270 has done me well on other large game animals thru the years also. I don't care who shoots them either.

The 7mm/08 is an excellent choice for hunting Texas. You would be hard pressed to prove any true terminal performance difference in it and a 270 in the field. The 7mm caliber (284) provides a much better choice and weight range and types of projectiles over the 270. The 7mm/08 is extremely accurate round.

What he said.

7/08 and 120gr TSX is about as good as it gets.

I love mine, I shoot 160Gr SGK handload. Literally everything that I shoot is DRT. Tack driver and great hunting round.

I shot two pigs recently(they weren't very big) and the 160SGK went right through both pigs and still exited the second pig, it's a powerhouse round!

I like my CDL in 7-08. The 140gr BST through it seems to put holes really close together. deer and pigs seem to fall dead. Works for me...

I'm a 7mm-08 convert as well. Accurate, easy to load for, light recoil..what's not to like?

I (of course) love the .308, but the 7-08 has less recoil and will do the same job...damn, so many good calibers so little time, I have big decisions when I open my safe, but the 7mm-08 comes out often, I love it. you will too.

It's probably not necessary at this point, but I'll throw out some more love for the 7mm-08. Very accurate round, great ballistics, and easy to shoot. Like texaspatriot, .308 is my first choice, but 7mm-08 is right behind it.

29+ years of shooting the 7mm-08 and no complaints yet.

Definately is going to be what my next Steyr is Chambered for

+1 on a the positive comments on the 7mm-08. This is my new go to caliber.

I have used a 7mm-08 for most of my big game hunting here in Texas as well as for plains game in Africa and black bear in Canada.

It is also a short action which means it is lighter to carry too.

I use the 120 gr. and140 gr. TTSX's in mine.

Good Hunting,

Bob

After reading this, I am now thinking this maybe the caliber for my girlfriend. She is sort of small (5'2" about 115#) and I wanted to get something she could handle. I felt like the 243 maybe a little to small and the 308 a little too big.

Am I over simplifying it? Does the 7-08 really sort of "fit" in between those interms of toh recoil and knock down power?
I've never really considered the caliber so I never looked, but how are the prices on the ammo? Is it about the same at Wally World as the 30-06', 270's, and 308's of the world?

Perfect for her and you can get one in remington 700 adl configuration at Academy for $349 what's not to like.

Ammo is about same as ones you listed.

I have owned a shot one since 1987. First one I got was a Remington Model 7 and the last is a Winchester Model 70 featherweight. Great little gun. I have put many critters down with the 140 Nosler Partition and the 139 Hornady SP. Doesnt get much better for women and children, but I will take the 270 everytime over the 7mm-08.

Stevens 200 is $100 cheaper than the remington 700 and (dont know the specs)feels about 2lbs lighter (to me anyway) and it'll kill just as dead for less but other than my love of stevens and being cheap the 700's are great grew up shooting one and yes it was my dads 270 lol

While I will never recomend a remjunk I dont recommend the stevens in 7-08, it has the wrong rate of twist for the 7mm bullet. but I do highly recomend the 7-08, even over the .270 but there very close, but the efficieny of the short cartridge is undisputable, they are inherently more accurate.

I have been shooting a rem 788 bdl 308 for 25 yrs+ and am considering a 708 for the low recoil, and accuracy. Although I did shoot 3 shoats a few yrs back with my 308 one barney fife bullet. Should of heard them squealing, the cows looke at me like WTH did you do that for, but they ate real good!

I have been toying with the idea of a 7mm08 for some time

It's a good one, especially if you hand load.