7-08 Help

[tooth doc]

I would use the H4895 then H4350. Far as bullets are concerned I've used Barnes 120 TSX and the 120 TTSX with great success. Complete pass through and plenty of damage.. don't have to worry about shooting between the slats. If you can get your hands on some RL15 or IMR4451 it would be the berries.

I am with you on the barnes tsx, ttsx in all wts

 

[john k]

Really am enjoying the feedback in regards to the 7-08. To say this cartridge is versatile would be an understatement. Reading about the success of heavier Bullets is refreshing. I have not tried any bullet over 150gr but mostly load with 120's and 140's. I'm wondering if the twist rate of the rifles shooting the 160 plus grains have a faster twist than the 1 in 9. Thanks

 

[F-270]

What are you hearing about NY going lead free? I hunt Jefferson county. May need to set up a rifle for lead free bullets.

Nothing official, but the NY Outdoor News ran a piece on other proposed legislation and mentioned that it's probably just a matter of time.
The DEC has already been recommending lead alternative bullets for a few years now.

I just started getting into this a couple months ago, managed to compile a decent inventory but have decided not to burn up components working up hunting loads that might not be usable. I'll use cheap cup and cores to get the process down and for practice but I'll hold off with the Partitions.

 

[LVJ76]

Give the Hornady Eldx a try, my wife's Tikka sure liked it! It's the 150grn and the box states 2770fps.

Thanks Outdrmn, I got them them to group nicely on my 7mm-08 wIth RL17, plan on trying them out on deer this year.

 

[lyle2231]

Whatever powder / bullet recipe you start with look in your loading manual and load up 5 shot groups 3/10's apart. Something around 2600 / 2700 fps should do it. HTH

 

[Tommo64]

I tried 46.5 IMR4350 and 139 SST and didn't have much luck with that. Couldn't get it below 1.5". I didn't work on it much after that

Play with seating depth. A couple of friends of mine have 7-08s and the only way they could shrink their groups was to seat them longer.

 

[drakehammer]

No I have not, but I've tried the 168gr Classic Hunters with 43.5gr of H4350 and GM210M. I get consistent 0.5" groups. Don't know the speed yet but provably around 2,575 fps.

My daughter and I have killed many good bucks with 168gr Berger Classic Hunters loaded with 46.5gr RL19/Win LR primers/Win brass. That load shot sub-3/4" 5 shot groups in 4 different rifles and didn't matter if it was jammed .020" or jumped .020". All pass throughs with big holes and very short massive blood trails.

 

[LVJ76]

My daughter and I have killed many good bucks with 168gr Berger Classic Hunters loaded with 46.5gr RL19/Win LR primers/Win brass. That load shot sub-3/4" 5 shot groups in 4 different rifles and didn't matter if it was jammed .020" or jumped .020". All pass throughs with big holes and very short massive blood trails.

Thanks Drake

I'm torn between trying the 168gr Classic Hunter and the 150gr ELD-X. The 139gr SST has been my go to bullet for years and has never let me down. Just want to try something different I guess. The BC of the ELD-X is nice but I know first hand what the Berger can do.

 

[Outdrmn]

Thanks Outdrmn, I got them them to group nicely on my 7mm-08 wIth RL17, plan on trying them out on deer this year.

Looking forward to your story and photos!

 

[Sandhillshunter]

My son used the 140 Nosler BT's on a nice buck this last fall. We were so impressed with both the bullet and caliber performance, that I am going to pickup a 7-08 when I can find one. He used factory ammo, so cant help on that note.

 

[RCHunter]

My wife and I both shoot Remington 700s in 7mm-08. Great little cartridge! I agree with using H4895. I am trying to find some Winchester StaBall 6.5, that could provide additional velocity. I do not recommend the Nosler BT! They were redesigned years ago, when the originals did not open up and acted like a FMJ. Nosler apparently made the jacket too thin, and they open up way too fast. I shot deer and antelope from 100 to 300 yards and everyone of them was badly bloodshot from one end to the other. Switched to Nosler Accubonds and have never had an issue! Good luck with whatever you choose!

 

[Greyfox]

Another 139 SST user. I run 45gr of Varget with Fed210M primers in my R25 Remington. .5 MOA/3 shots

 

[graymond1212]

46gr of IMR 4350 behind the 140gr Nos. BT shoots lights out of my and a couple friends Model 7's. Have had great performance on VT Whitetails.

 

[sextonds]

Today's results were a start and that's about it.
I used 140gr Nosler BT, H4895, Fed 210, Hornady brass. Also a couple factory loads. 22" Remington 700 sporter. 100 yards

Factory Superformance 139 SST- 1.48"
Hornady PH 150 ELDX- 1.24"

H4895 loads
39gr- 1.126"
39.5- 0.972"
40- 1.109"
41- 1.26"

these were all 5 shot groups. I'm gonna try the H4895 below 39gr and see what it does. This gun will be primarily used from 50-300 yards, so I'm not chasing high velocity. If that doesn't work, I'm gonna start working through the H4350