VLD Hunting 7MM-08 loads

[scott63]

I tried searching with no luck and have the 1st Berger reloading manual, but it doesn't show which powder had best results as other manuals do. I did read the sticky regarding COAL, which is helpful in that regard. Im trying to develop a load for my wifes rifle with the 140gr match vld hunting and the powders I have on hand are: H414, H4350, IMR4320, IMR4895, IMR4064. Does anybody have any favorites for this caliber with the VLD? Thank you, Scott

 

[reeldawg]

I am running 41 grains of Varget with a 210M with the 140s in a factory savage. It shoots very well.

Jay

 

[Dosh]

63, loading 168 Berger HVLD, H4350, 210M primer for my grandson's 7mm-08. These are very accurate. Tried lighter bullets, but found best accuracy with this load. He will be old enough to hunt here in Az next year.

 

[MudRunner2005]

If you can get hold of some Varget, I highly recommend giving it a try. CFE-223 should also work well.

 

[barefooter56]

I tried searching with no luck and have the 1st Berger reloading manual, but it doesn't show which powder had best results as other manuals do. I did read the sticky regarding COAL, which is helpful in that regard. Im trying to develop a load for my wifes rifle with the 140gr match vld hunting and the powders I have on hand are: H414, H4350, IMR4320, IMR4895, IMR4064. Does anybody have any favorites for this caliber with the VLD? Thank you, Scott

Scott,
In the BERGER manual you will find VLD seating depth testing information on pages 100 & 101. Use the hunting. Also read the chapter starting on page 148 on the effects of varying bullet seating depth. We do not print any "accuracy loads" or component data due to differences between rifles. All the load data in the manual is based on the COAL listed with the data. Load data is conservative and was generated using Quick Load. I do the seating depth testing first at the lowest powder charge listed for the bullet/powder/cartridge I am testing. Then once the bullet seating depth accuracy node is found. Work the load up til the highest velocity accuracy node is found. If you find that after your seating depth testing that the loaded round will no longer fit or cycle through the magazine of the rifle and this is an issue for you. Try our 7mm 168gr CLASSIC HUNTER bullet(#28570) :http://www.bergerbullets.com/new-berger-classic-hunter-offerings-now-available/.
http://www.bergerbullets.com/new-berger-classic-bullets/
Load data for the 7mm 168gr VLD can also be used for the 7mm CLASSIC HUNTER. The CLASSIC HUNTER bullets are designe to be used at the published magazine length of the cartridge you are loading so in most cases your load testing will consist of seating the bullet to magazine length . Then work the load up slowly checking for pressure signs and accuracy until your velocity accuracy node is found. Please let us know if you have any questions! Thanks for using our bullets!

 

[scott63]

Thank you for taking the time to write Phil, the information is appreciated.
Scott

 

[reeldawg]

I would also check out the 150 grain Berger 7mm. I think it would be awesome in a 7-08

Jay

 

[scott63]

So using Varget, Norma cases and the 140 grain VLD hunting I went out for a velocity test. I sized & trimmed the cases and uniformed the primer pockets, and these were the results:
40.5 gr--2657fps
40.7 gr--2660
40.9 gr--2685
41.1 gr--2686
41.3 gr--2689
41.5 gr--2728
41.7 gr--2758
41.9 gr--2810
So if I'm understanding correctly, it looks like there is a velocity node at 40.5 & 40.7 grains and then again at 40.9 to41.3? Does this mean that I would want to explore COAL at 41 grains? That would be ironic as reeldawg suggested that same load.
Thanks for your thoughts
Scott

 

[MudRunner2005]

That's what I would do...

 

[cape cove]

Scott
I've owned a 7mm/08 for about 30yrs and with bullets of appx 140grs I've had great results with H 414/W760.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Scott
I've owned a 7mm/08 for about 30yrs and with bullets of appx 140grs I've had great results with H 414/W760.

Good to see another long-time 7mm-08 shooter. I've had one for about 20 years. It was my first official "deer rifle". In Alabama pretty much everybody starts out with an old lever-action Marlin in .30-30 or .35 Remington, and once you prove you can shoot, you graduate up to a bolt-action. That was my "graduation present" when I was around 10-12.

One day I'm going to build another 7mm-08 to shoot the Berger 195's for long range hunting/shooting. To this day, it's still one of my favorite cartridges, although I don't talk about it as much as some of my other favorites.

 

[cape cove]

MR 200
Yes I just love the 7mm/08 and hold it in very high regard. In fact I believe there isn't much Jack O"C.'s 270 can do that the little 7 can't do as well and with less fuss. By the way I own 2 270's
I imagine if you built one for the 195 Berger you would need a faster twist. What do you believe is the twist needed.

 

[MudRunner2005]

MR 200
Yes I just love the 7mm/08 and hold it in very high regard. In fact I believe there isn't much Jack O"C.'s 270 can do that the little 7 can't do as well and with less fuss. By the way I own 2 270's
I imagine if you built one for the 195 Berger you would need a faster twist. What do you believe is the twist needed.

I would go with a 26" (finished length) 1:8 twist barrel. If I go for a carbon fiber, it will be a Proof Research, if I go for a 416R stainless, it will be a Bartlein 5R.

The reason behind this is, I have been shooting the Berger 210 VLD's and 215 Hybrids in my .308 Win for many years, and have had exceptional success with them. Despite having a slower muzzle velocity, the downrange performance and ballistics are very impressive. The drop at 1000 yards (100 yard zero) is less than 40" lower than a 6.5 Creedmoore or .260 Remington with a Berger 140 Hybrid.

The Berger 7mm 195 Elite Hunter (previously known as the EOL), has a higher BC than the .30 caliber 215 Hybrid, weighs less, and therefore should be faster, and have better ballistics than the .308 Win with heavy bullets. So, it would be a long range shooting machine!

I just think it would be cool to have one.

Never been a fan of the .270 Win... Pulled apart a few of them to build customs in different calibers, but always shot .257, .284, and .308 bores.

 

[cape cove]

Yes a 1/8 would be the thing. Mine has the standard 1/9.25 and will not stabalize the 168 Barns LRX.I tried then only to have them hit all over the target with a large oval hole.
Hope you get to bulid it. If you do let us know. Good luck