7-08 loads, New Bergara Ridge

[7stw]

Well guys, I've shot or owned about everything in 7mm, except 7-08, and am more excited about this one as any of its bigger and badder brothers. While knowing its at least a little similar to the 308, I'm sure someone's learned thing or two about it that I don't know. I'm thinking about 162ELD, and 145LRX, for hunting. Powder choices, bullets and weights, and thoughts appreciated. Don't know why I've never fooled with it before now. Magnum-itis!
Thanks 7

 

[Jud96]

I've never loaded for a 7mm-08, but I know it's a great round and I think your bullet choices for it are a great start. I personally prefer the ELD-M bullets over the ELD-X. They both have similar performance on game, but the ELD-Ms shoot better and have higher BCs. I would get some Peterson large rifle primer brass for it. For powder, anything in the 4350 burn range would work very well. I'd personally pickup some RL16, H4350, or IMR 4451.

 

[Savage 12BVSS]

I use norma and lapua brass, I believe norma is phasing it out so lapua would be a good brass to start with. I use IMR4350 but H4350, Varget, RL15, and IMR4895 would all be worth a try. CCI BR-2 primers, I'm at about 45gr with IMR4350 but you want to start lower and work up. For what its worth the Varget was the runner up powder to the IMR4350 for accuracy. Its a very accurate round that's just fun to shoot. I use 140gr bullets with a 1-9" twist. Excellent hunting round that don't beat ya up at the bench. Enjoy! Dave

 

[7stw]

I use norma and lapua brass, I believe norma is phasing it out so lapua would be a good brass to start with. I use IMR4350 but H4350, Varget, RL15, and IMR4895 would all be worth a try. CCI BR-2 primers, I'm at about 45gr with IMR4350 but you want to start lower and work up. For what its worth the Varget was the runner up powder to the IMR4350 for accuracy. Its a very accurate round that's just fun to shoot. I use 140gr bullets with a 1-9" twist. Excellent hunting round that don't beat ya up at the bench. Enjoy! Dave

Dave, thanks for reply. My goals for this rifle, is to do some target work, out to about 600 yds. Also shoot a little steel in the off season. This rifle, scope, cartridge, is a great match, and I want to take advantage of it all. Come deer season, May take it for a walk too! Love the sevens!

 

[cape cove]

I've owned 3 different 7mm/08's and still have 2. Shot bullets from 140 to 175 grs with many different powders. While several different powders were good my hands down best was WW760/H414 for accuracy and velocity.

 

[MachV]

120 grainers and H414 could be your best friend if deer and 600 yards are all your use it. Took a buck a few years ago at 625 . The recoil is lite and accurate in the 4 708s Ive tryed.
The browning medalion does not however like this combo so....
2230-c and 160 game kings are what the latest 708 prefers so far for elk and longer range. I wish that it liked the 150 elds but so far no luck . My old stand by partition (140 or160) has not found a partner in the browning yet either

 

[imartin]

I don't own a 7-08 yet, but if it was me....I'd be starting with a 140 gr Berger HVLD, H4350, Lapua brass, and a Fed GM210M or CCI BR-2 or 200. I was just looking at the Bergara Ridge in 7-08 on GunBroker. hmmmm....this must be a sign, lol. Good luck and let us know how it shoots

 

[7stw]

I don't own a 7-08 yet, but if it was me....I'd be starting with a 140 gr Berger HVLD, H4350, Lapua brass, and a Fed GM210M or CCI BR-2 or 200. I was just looking at the Bergara Ridge in 7-08 on GunBroker. hmmmm....this must be a sign, lol. Good luck and let us know how it shoots

Beware, if you touch it, you will own it. I bought mine site unseen, but did a huge amount of research on it. Trigger is insane, out of the box. Action is like glass. Best described as a Remington done right. Completely floated, stock very solid. NOT tupperware!
Trigger is AWESOME!

 

[7stw]

120 grainers and H414 could be your best friend if deer and 600 yards are all your use it. Took a buck a few years ago at 625 . The recoil is lite and accurate in the 4 708s Ive tryed.
The browning medalion does not however like this combo so....
2230-c and 160 game kings are what the latest 708 prefers so far for elk and longer range. I wish that it liked the 150 elds but so far no luck . My old stand by partition (140 or160) has not found a partner in the browning yet either

Thanks for reply. I'm on track with your powder selections, and I'm with you on that. I'm a Barnes fan, when it comes to Hunting bullets, and may opt for 120 TTSX, or 145LRX. Nothing etched in stone. I like the other suggestions.

 

[7stw]

I've never loaded for a 7mm-08, but I know it's a great round and I think your bullet choices for it are a great start. I personally prefer the ELD-M bullets over the ELD-X. They both have similar performance on game, but the ELD-Ms shoot better and have higher BCs. I would get some Peterson large rifle primer brass for it. For powder, anything in the 4350 burn range would work very well. I'd personally pickup some RL16, H4350, or IMR 4451.

I agree with you on the ELD-m. I think they shoot better, and want to use them for target use anyway. Gonna give them a whirl probably.

 

[okie man]

Winchester's new powder shows some pretty impressive velocity!

 

[7stw]

Winchester's new powder shows some pretty impressive velocity!View attachment 170117

Yeah, I saw that earlier. It's like having four more inches of barrel. I truly don't know why I've not looked at this cartridge before. I've had ever thing around it though! I'm going grocery shopping in the reloading section next week, can't wait! ( to leave there broke). I really don't think it'll take much to get it shooting .3's-.2's.

 

[manitou]

My pet load (3100 fps) is a stiff dose of Varget under a 120 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip, Nosler brass and WLR primers. Small groups and kills deer sized game extremely well. Have taken numerous deer/pronghorn past 500 yds with this load.
Love those 7's!

 

[7stw]

My pet load (3100 fps) is a stiff dose of Varget under a 120 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip, Nosler brass and WLR primers. Small groups and kills deer sized game extremely well. Have taken numerous deer/pronghorn past 500 yds with this load.
Love those 7's!

A man after my own heart. The 120's are on my radar for sure, but I want to try some match bullets first. Thank you bud.