7mm-08 Barnes 120 ttsx with Rl16 load help

[chav0_12]

I can't be too much help with the RL16 but I know I was planning on using StaBall 6.5 with 120gr Hammers for the 7mm-08 that I'm loading for.

 

[Matt_C]

I am not exactly sure what brand of bullet they are as i bought them as a batch of pulled down seconds from American reloading. I think they are Nosler ballastic tips if I were to guess. I tested 18 different powders and found Benchmark, Imr 4895 and 4064 to work the best with 120, 140, and 150gr powder.

I think that qualifies you to speak to the subject sir. 18 powders??!!!! I tested 6 and found Varget to be the best with the Berger 140 Grain VLD bullets. I didn't try the Benchmark. I had to have a powder that would handle the temp swings in West Texas. It often gets down to 28-30 in the mornings and up to 75-80 in the afternoons. Have you had any temp issues?

 

[rcg5076]

I think that qualifies you to speak to the subject sir. 18 powders??!!!! I tested 6 and found Varget to be the best with the Berger 140 Grain VLD bullets. I didn't try the Benchmark. I had to have a powder that would handle the temp swings in West Texas. It often gets down to 28-30 in the mornings and up to 75-80 in the afternoons. Have you had any temp issues?

Matt, i also live in West Texas. Varget looks like it would be a good powder for the 7mm-08 based on its burn rate. However, I never tested Varget as I do not have any on hand. Some powders, like W760, showed good velocity but did not group as well/consistent in the three rifles i used for testing. Surplus IMR 4895 and factory new powder showed real good accuracy as did IMR 4064. Some other powders like IMR 4166 showed promise but it has been discontinued and I am reserving my supply IMR4166 for another rifle in 6GT. Attached are some the better groups and various powders tested.

 

[rcg5076]

I think that qualifies you to speak to the subject sir. 18 powders??!!!! I tested 6 and found Varget to be the best with the Berger 140 Grain VLD bullets. I didn't try the Benchmark. I had to have a powder that would handle the temp swings in West Texas. It often gets down to 28-30 in the mornings and up to 75-80 in the afternoons. Have you had any temp issues?

Matt, my temp issues were with W760, W748, A2460, WC732, MP555 and A2520 which were mainly the ball powders I tested. The Benchmark was very consistent in my two bolt guns and my Ar10. However the AR10 was 200 fps slower due to its shorter barrel and gas action.

 

[Sockeye66]

Chiming in on my 7-08 experience, have handloaded for two 7-08's extensively from light to heavy bullets, Varget for the 120gr class, and Staball 6.5 for the 140gr class along with Big Game and RL17.

 

[Matt_C]

I like the chimers since I learn stuff. RC, I have a new canister of that Staball that Sockeye speaks of. Let me know if you want to test it. I also have a 1lb of varget you can use too. Let met me know if you want to meet somewhere when I'm headed towards Abilene. Probably towards the first of the month in November.

Matt

 

[Matt_C]

For reference fellas I'm shooting a Tikka with a carbon fiber barrel 20 inches

 

[cb186]

I've had the best accuracy and speed with N150 in my 7-08's. Haven't shot that light of a bullet though, mainly 140's.

 

[Matt_C]

Hmmm. I wonder if N550 would work well?

 

[Deans]

Matt, i also live in West Texas. Varget looks like it would be a good powder for the 7mm-08 based on its burn rate. However, I never tested Varget as I do not have any on hand. Some powders, like W760, showed good velocity but did not group as well/consistent in the three rifles i used for testing. Surplus IMR 4895 and factory new powder showed real good accuracy as did IMR 4064. Some other powders like IMR 4166 showed promise but it has been discontinued and I am reserving my supply IMR4166 for another rifle in 6GT. Attached are some the better groups and various powders tested.

Give Ramshot Big Game a try with the 140's. Think you would like the results.

 

[Buck 300]

If you have Ramshot Big game, give it a try with mag primer. I have had great luck in 2 different 7-08's with 120's to 150's

 

[Sockeye66]

If you have Ramshot Big game, give it a try with mag primer. I have had great luck in 2 different 7-08's with 120's to 150's

I too like Big Game other than it's kinda a PITA to weigh charges, more like Mercury than gunpowder lol. I set the Chargemaster to two grains lite and trickle the rest.

 

[cabelasken]

sta bil 6.5 works well and velocity I get is close to 3100 in a 22" barrel with 120 gr Barnes ttsx bullets.

 

[rcg5076]

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