7mm-08?

[Bigeclipse]

I own 2 rifles in 7-08. All other calibers i only have one of. I love the 7-08.
Both my rifles, a Cooper and a Merkel K3 (single shot) drive tacks and I practice on steel to 500 yards.

The cooper shoots 130 gr superformance 1/2 moa to 500 yards or better.
The Merkel does a little better with 140 grain accubonds in Noselr tropgy grade ammo.

Both have shot a lot of game, with deer from 40 to 350 yards. I would not shoot the accubonds much past 400 as i think they would have a hard time opening up. The load is very mild and Nosler overstates the velocity by a lot. 2270 fps is what im getting. Since i am running low on this ammo i will try the 150 gr ELDX load from Hornady. Hopefully it shoots well and it should be good to 500.

In the Cooper I will burn through 10 boxes of superformance ammo before i go with something else if I do.

I would have no problem shooting elk to 350 with the 140 grain AB load from Nosler, but if i handloaded I would probably push it to 2850 ish and feel confident to 400 on Elk.
Shot placement.
Love my 7-08s

SnT

2270fps with the 140 accubonds....is that a typo?!?!? I get ~2700fps out of a 20in barrel in my wife's gun (measured with two different "prochronos") using varget right at book max. 2270fps sounds like you got something going on...

 

[manitou]

Don't underestimate the 7mm-08. I used to be a 7mm Rem mag nut and I don't feel underpowered with my 08's and .280s since I don't shoot game past 600 yards. I handload and have five one-shot kills on large whitetails in the 520-540 yard range with 120 gr pills out of 7mm-08s... more between 400-500 yards. Also have taken antelope over 520 yds. with the 08. I wouldn't hesitate to shoot elk to 500 yards with the 140 gr pills. A well constructed bullet and keep your ft lbs of energy about 1000 ft lbs for deer sized game and 1500 for elk.

 

[snookntarpon]

2270fps with the 140 accubonds....is that a typo?!?!? I get ~2700fps out of a 20in barrel in my wife's gun (measured with two different "prochronos") using varget right at book max. 2270fps sounds like you got something going on...

TYPO... wow. surprised i did not hear about it earlier. 2770 fps...
Thanks
SnT

 

[frankinaustin]

In feb I shot an old doe at 424 y with a moderate 162 amax handload. Drt- I was laying prone, and just put the correct dot of the bdc on her shoulder joint, did a few practice squeezes on safe, then the safe came off, breath out... slow gradual squeeze..... watched her flop down.

I went thru A LOT of Advil from the haul of bringing that doe out of the foothills. Long range shots = need a 4 wheeler.....

My 162 amax load is 39.8 gr imr 8202 on Lapua brass and a br2 primer loaded to mag length.

Shot another doe next morning at 50y, facing me, POI center of the sternum..... blew 8" x 4" cavern out of the ribs and most of the small intestines out. Amax explode.

For the spingtime I am working up a load for 120 NBTs under ramshot biggame using Lapua small primer Palma brass. Just trying to see how much range I could get in a sub MOA load. Might also see what I can do with Varget under that 162 amax.

There are some bench guys down under that shoot the AI 40 degree shoulder versions with small primer brass and get 2800 fps from 180 bergers over Varget. Who needs a belted mag when that's possible???

 

[skottenstette]

Savage Model 11 7mm-08 shooting factory Remington Corelok 140g bullets. Shot this fellow at 440 yards just outside of Bosler Wyoming on the Harris ranch.

 

[FEENIX]

I know the OP posted this last year but when elk is in the mix, 7MM-08 is not going to be "my" primary choice. I have better chamberings better suited for my style of hunting in the Montana wilderness.

 

[7stw]

I'm truly a seven mil, guy at heart, I've owned and shot everything, above the 708, and I don't have a good reason for not owning one.
Think I'm going to change that. Ballistics, are nearly as good as .280, which is my sweetheart anyway. I like the less is more nowadays, and its got to be easy to load for. XMR8208, 120TTSX, done. Whitetail lightening.
Great, underrated cartridge.

 

[therifleman556]

I'm working on a steel plate load for the 162 ELD right now. A fun, accurate, mild mannered round that does without the "tactical" persona of thet Creedmoor. A good round in it's own right, but everyone and their brother seems to run one these days.

Love the -08 and can wait to fill the gaping hollow point of a Lehigh Controlled Chaos with venison this fall .

 

[IndianaMatt]

There are some bench guys down under that shoot the AI 40 degree shoulder versions with small primer brass and get 2800 fps from 180 bergers over Varget. Who needs a belted mag when that's possible???[/QUOTE]

Ok maybe I just haven't paid attention. Where do you get the brass for that load?

 

[therifleman556]

Reform it from 308 Match SR brass?

 

[Idaho Lefty]

Reform it from 308 Match SR brass?

I think Lapua .308 Brass has, small Primer pockets, available, not sure, tho ?
My son uses, the 162 grain ELD-X at 2,700 FPS, in his Tikka T3X. The ELD- X has a nice BC !! That load, should kill elk, to 600-700 yards per, the Berger Data site, with a "Boiler room", hit ! Yup, the lil' 7MM 08 is,... amazing!

 

[MudRunner2005]

Reform it from 308 Match SR brass?

Like was stated, neck-down Lapua Palma .308 Win brass. Then you get the small-rifle primer pocket cases. Standard Lapua 7mm-08 & .308 Win brass using the standard large rifle primer pocket has also proven itself to be pretty **** tough. I use standard Lapua .308 Win brass in my .308, and have not had any issues running pretty warm loads.

 

[frankinaustin]

Correct: but Lapua 308 "Palma" brass and run it thru a neck sizing die and you should be good. (Don't buy from Midway USA - there are better businesses out there.) use Small Primers - I use the CCI 450 Small Magnum. And you are good.