7mm-08 loads with 154gr SST, 139gr SST and 120gr Ballistic Tip

[LVJ76]

I just want to go a little 2-300 yard paper punching, as I know these are accurate bullets. Not going to shoot that weight for hunting, target. The bc alone, just screams, shoot me! Its kinda like shooting a 178, in a .308. Fun stuff!
I've got some 150 smk, too!

Yup, exactly. For Hunting a heavier bullet works really good and for longer ranges the higher BC the better. Before bullets like the SST and Ballistic tips came out we used 160gr Gamekings and Partitions on the 7mm-08 for mulies and they worked great, we usually kept shots under 350 yds.

For example my 139gr SST load at just over 2,800 fps still has 1,800 fps at around 550 yds, and my 162gr SST load although pushed slower also has 1,800 fps at almost the same distance, reason why I want to try out the A-Max. The advantage goes to the heavier bullet that will have about 200 ft/lbs more at that range and more weight for more penetration.

 

[JMW67]

Yup, exactly. For Hunting a heavier bullet works really good and for longer ranges the higher BC the better. Before bullets like the SST and Ballistic tips came out we used 160gr Gamekings and Partitions on the 7mm-08 for mulies and they worked great, we usually kept shots under 350 yds.

For example my 139gr SST load at just over 2,800 fps still has 1,800 fps at around 550 yds, and my 162gr SST load although pushed slower also has 1,800 fps at almost the same distance, reason why I want to try out the A-Max. The advantage goes to the heavier bullet that will have about 200 ft/lbs more at that range and more weight for more penetration.

Have you ever tried the berger 168 classic hunter had good luck with it at distance good b.c. and not seating sensitive we were using a stout load of hybrid 100v with them but 4350 would work as well

 

[LVJ76]

I shot 40.8 grs Varget with 162 AMax. It shot sub MOA but 4350 burn rate got another 50 fps and probably a 1/4 -3/8" tighter groups. You could try Varget; probably 39-40 grs will be area. Start low. I d go a slower burner though with the 168 s if I was you.

I've always liked 4350 for heavier bullets especially on longer barrels, it has always worked good for me. I like 4064 for the 120gr and 140gr class bullets.

BTW, the 47.2 gr load of H4350 that I shoot with AMax I stumbled into on Dan Newberrys OCW website .... someone had developed it. I started at around 45 grs and worked up. It's a full case. If your OAL is under 2.9" you ll probably be more in the 44-45 gr range. Again, start low and work up.

Let us know how they shoot when you make it out.

I'll provably have to start lower, magazine lenght will provably limit my powder usage a bit, maybe not. I'll also measure distance to lands and see where I am at.

I'll definitely keep you posted and thanks again for all the input

 

[LVJ76]

Have you ever tried the berger 168 classic hunter had good luck with it at distance good b.c. and not seating sensitive we were using a stout load of hybrid 100v with them but 4350 would work as well

I have not, simply becauae I have a lot of bullets in stock and really have no need to go and buy some more. It'll be a while before I go through all of them, but it is something that I will eventually want to try. Thank you.

 

[Ronald W Schaefer]

I use 145 gr Barnes LRX ahead of 46 grs of RL-17, CCI BR-2 and Lapua brass in 3 different 7mm-08 rifles. I get 2844 out of that & shoots lights out in my Fierce custom, sub MOA in Wife's Weatherby Camilla @ 2700 (20" Bbl) and just a hair bigger than MOA in a 1990's Browning A-Bolt micro-medallion @ 2720 (20" Bbl). I developed it for the custom rifle but they shot good enough in the other two so that I've been too lazy to fiddle with the other rifles. That load was very effective on Africa plains game, Texas deer & hogs and recently did a one shot DRT on a big muley at 475 yds...

 

[JMW67]

I have not, simply becauae I have a lot of bullets in stock and really have no need to go and buy some more. It'll be a while before I go through all of them, but it is something that I will eventually want to try. Thank you.

Good luck with it my brother I hope it works well for you

 

[DJ Fergus]

So I finally got out to try a load on my 7mm-08 with the 154gr SST and the best group was 0.87" with
47.0gr of RL19
WLR primers
Winchester Nickel brass
COAL of 2.86", pretty much max mag length.
I know RL19 is not temp stable but had some at home and this load wont be used on warm weather.

Winds were swirling at constant 15 to 20 mph and wind gusts up to 35 mph, typical day here in southern AZ. Obviously not the ideal conditions but it is what it is. Im thinking I'll try it again next Sunday when I check zero's for the upcoming spring javelina hunt.

View attachment 174741



For my wife's 7mm-08 I went ahead and tried some current loads but with WLR primers instead of the G210M and got a bit bigger groups, both are Sub Half MOA woth the G210M primers but again the winds were crazy.

On the 139gr SST group the crossed off shot was a flyer caused by me
View attachment 174742


This is with the 120gr Ballistic Tip. This is the group I shot last when the wind was the strongest, the high shot was also a flyer by me, the other four were good.

View attachment 174743

At this shooting range the winds always push your bullets from left to right so don't know what to make of this one, they were good until one went too far right. Thinking I'll try them again next week and hope its less windy.

Any thoughts?

TIA

7mm-08 is a dandy round. Been a while since I loaded for mine but 145 Speer btsp shot around 5/8 moa with rl17. I tried the 150 ablr with rl17 a very limited amount. Best I could do was 3/4 moa but I didn't spend much time with them. Been procrastinating for a while about trying the 162 eld m but it's probably going to be seated way to deep.

 

[LVJ76]

I use 145 gr Barnes LRX ahead of 46 grs of RL-17, CCI BR-2 and Lapua brass in 3 different 7mm-08 rifles. I get 2844 out of that & shoots lights out in my Fierce custom, sub MOA in Wife's Weatherby Camilla @ 2700 (20" Bbl) and just a hair bigger than MOA in a 1990's Browning A-Bolt micro-medallion @ 2720 (20" Bbl). I developed it for the custom rifle but they shot good enough in the other two so that I've been too lazy to fiddle with the other rifles. That load was very effective on Africa plains game, Texas deer & hogs and recently did a one shot DRT on a big muley at 475 yds...

My wife and I we've been thinking about going lead free. But I've seen a couple of cases where the Barnes failed to expand and pencil through. I've seen them work when pushed at magnum speeds and used at close ranges but some of our shots can go up to 600 yds. So I'm a little skeptical on monos, but Hammers do make me think about it.

I want to use up the bullets we have though and then try some other ones.

I do have a box of 120gr TTSX that I'll provably try on my 7 Rem Mag and use it on coyotes and maybe javelinas, but won't try them on larger game.

Thanks, I appreciate the input.

 

[LVJ76]

7mm-08 is a dandy round. Been a while since I loaded for mine but 145 Speer btsp shot around 5/8 moa with rl17. I tried the 150 ablr with rl17 a very limited amount. Best I could do was 3/4 moa but I didn't spend much time with them. Been procrastinating for a while about trying the 162 eld m but it's probably going to be seated way to deep.

With the A-Max which is provably similar in lenght to the ELD I'll provably do single loading, its hard to not want to try the heavy and high BC bullets on it.

 

[7stw]

My wife and I we've been thinking about going lead free. But I've seen a couple of cases where the Barnes failed to expand and pencil through. I've seen them work when pushed at magnum speeds and used at close ranges but some of our shots can go up to 600 yds. So I'm a little skeptical on monos, but Hammers do make me think about it.

I want to use up the bullets we have though and then try some other ones.

I do have a box of 120gr TTSX that I'll provably try on my 7 Rem Mag and use it on coyotes and maybe javelinas, but won't try them on larger game.
I think that you WONT be dis appointed with the 120TTSX, in the 7-08. Maybe the 140TTSX needs a little more speed.
I shot a 165 pound five pointer, about three years ago, with a .280, 120TTSX, loaded with H380. Shot was the long way, 229 yds. Went all the way through, recovered bullet, (first ever), in hind quarter hide, after going through it too! I think That bullet, would be the cats meow, in 7-08. Very accurate too.
Thanks, I appreciate the input.

 

[7stw]

Don't know what happened here! I'll try again.

 

[7stw]

Just bought a pound of StaBall6.5.
Just so happens I have both calibers it says its ideal for.
Posted velocities assure impressive. We'll see. Gonna wait to drop some into my new brass.

 

[7stw]

StaBall, is in the stable! Haha, had to posted it!

 

[LVJ76]

Just bought a pound of StaBall6.5.
Just so happens I have both calibers it says its ideal for.
Posted velocities assure impressive. We'll see. Gonna wait to drop some into my new brass.

Dang, hadn't looked at this powder, it shows some impressive velocities compared to other powders for the 7mm-08. Thanks for sharing and good luck, hopefully you find a sweet load.