7mm-08ai and 168 Berger’s

[MagnumManiac]

I haven't started load development for my wife, still using factory ammo presently.
I cannot get dies either…..when I do, I plan on using H4350, RE19 & Varget.
I might try RE15 just to use it up as I don't use it in anything currently.
I don't know if Varget will get me the desired ballistics with 120's, but it may give mild recoil for my wife.
None of the IMR powders are available here.

Cheers.

 

[coyotehunter223]

I'm getting great accuracy with a straight 7mm-08 with 162 eld-x's and Staball 6.5. 21 inch barrel at 2800fps.

 

[Elkeater]

Maybe have to keep an eye out for StaBall65. Looks like some of you are getting some great velocities. While I'm not chasing speed I would be really happy if I can get over 2700 with the 168s

 

[imknadian]

Staball 6.5 might be a good option. I loaded some for my buddies 7mm 08 with 162gr hornady sst and the accuracy was great and the velocity was about 2800 of I remember right.

 

[sheephearder]

Has any one had luck using XBR 8208 in a 7mm08? I have some and used it for some 257 Roberts reloads with good results and do not want to waste the powder to no avail on the 7-08. Thanks

 

[LVJ76]

Has any one had luck using XBR 8208 in a 7mm08? I have some and used it for some 257 Roberts reloads with good results and do not want to waste the powder to no avail on the 7-08. Thanks

@Elkeater not trying to hijack your thread.

Sheephearder I haven't tried it but if it helps, click on link and scroll down and you can enter the rifle cartridge data and you'll find the information there for the 7mm-08:

IMR 8208 XBR®

IMR 8208 XBR is an accurate-metering, super short-grained extruded rifle powder was designed expressly for match, varmint, and AR sniper cartridges. As a medium burn speed propellant, XBR is ideally suited for cartridges like the 223 Remington/5.56mm, 308 Winchester/7.62mm NATO and the 6mm PPC...

shop.hodgdon.com

It has info for bullets from 115gr to 175gr.


Luis

 

[PddPdd]

Hey all, so I'm looking for some advice on powder selection. I recently had a 7mm-08ai built and am playing with 140 absolute hammers which appear to max out right at 3,000 FPS and 168 Berger's. I'm using IMR 4166 for the hammers and maxed out at about 43 gr. I tried using IMR4350 for the 168 Berger's and it turns out I couldn't get enough powder in the case to hit pressure. Went up to 47.5gr and got 2640fps out the 24" barrel.

So question is on the 168s would you try RL 15, IMR 4166, or Varget next? I have an almost full 8lb of 4166, 3.5lbs of RL15 or 2lbs of Varget.

For my wife's Tikka in 7mm-08 it has a node between 48.5 to 49.1 grains of Varget with velocities from 3138 to 3150 fps. using the 131 grain Hammer Hunter bullet. I expect this to work well on deer or elk within the ranges she shoots. It drops below 1500 ft.-lb. energy after 400 yards. This load is a full grain of powder below slight ejector marks on Winchester brass.

 

[sheephearder]

@Elkeater not trying to hijack your thread.

Sheephearder I haven't tried it but if it helps, click on link and scroll down and you can enter the rifle cartridge data and you'll find the information there for the 7mm-08:

IMR 8208 XBR®

IMR 8208 XBR is an accurate-metering, super short-grained extruded rifle powder was designed expressly for match, varmint, and AR sniper cartridges. As a medium burn speed propellant, XBR is ideally suited for cartridges like the 223 Remington/5.56mm, 308 Winchester/7.62mm NATO and the 6mm PPC...

shop.hodgdon.com

It has info for bullets from 115gr to 175gr.


Luis

Thanks Luis, that is very helpful.

 

[Justice1327]

RL 16 or 26 !!

I am curious as to what you are getting w/ 168's and the RL26.

 

[Frank in the Laurels]

Bullet just might be a little heavy for that case, just not enough space to push it...Switch over to 140's and H-4350 and speed her up unless you have a need for all that weigh around 25-2600 fps..

 

[LVJ76]

Bullet just might be a little heavy for that case, just not enough space to push it...Switch over to 140's and H-4350 and speed her up unless you have a need for all that weigh around 25-2600 fps..

I though that a long time ago. But the heavier and higher BC bullets outrun the 140gr bullets every day and hit with more energy.

Nothing wrong with the 140gr class bullets, I love and still use the 139gr SST with excellent results on deer out to 500 yds. Wife's rifle shoots cloverleafs with the 120gr Ballistic Tips.

 

[Elkeater]

I though that a long time ago. But the heavier and higher BC bullets outrun the 140gr bullets every day and hit with more energy.

Nothing wrong with the 140gr class bullets, I love and still use the 139gr SST with excellent results on deer out to 500 yds. Wife's rifle shoots cloverleafs with the 120gr Ballistic Tips.

Playing with my ballistic Calculator using a 140gr hammer at 3000fps is a deer gun to 600 yards, the 168 Berger at 2700fps is good to 800.

 

[Justice1327]

Hey all, so I'm looking for some advice on powder selection. I recently had a 7mm-08ai built and am playing with 140 absolute hammers which appear to max out right at 3,000 FPS and 168 Berger's. I'm using IMR 4166 for the hammers and maxed out at about 43 gr. I tried using IMR4350 for the 168 Berger's and it turns out I couldn't get enough powder in the case to hit pressure. Went up to 47.5gr and got 2640fps out the 24" barrel.

So question is on the 168s would you try RL 15, IMR 4166, or Varget next? I have an almost full 8lb of 4166, 3.5lbs of RL15 or 2lbs of Varget.

I know you didnt list these two powders, but they have been easily obtainable recently so I thought I would mention them. I have several 7mm-08, including several AI 's. Been reloading them for 30 years. Recently I stumbled upon using Hodgdon CFE223 and H100V since I couldn't find my main go to powders. H100V was at 44.0g... not too hot on my Lapua brass. CFE223 was for my lite bullets, so not relative here. My best go to load for the 7mm-08 AI w/168~ bullets is 41.1 gr of Varget in Lapua case, CCI #34.

 

[Justice1327]

Imr4451 is magic in a 7/08 ackley

What load & bullet weight for what velocity?