7mm-08 barrel for new project

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Minuteman
Dec 21, 2009
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Evansville, WI
#1
Going to built a 7mm-08. Planning on shooting 120 - 162 grain and was thinking the 11.5" twist will fit the bill. Thought it a good idea to solicit information from those already shooting the 7mm-08. Really interested in shooter experiences on the topic of twist and rifling (i.e. 3/4 grove, 5R, etc).

Intended use is shooting up to 1000 yards with lighter weight bullets. Varmint/Bull barrel contour, length 24" (would consider 22") set in A5 type tactical stock. Occasional use for long range hunting of coyote and whitetail, but not a carry rifle (think hilltop).
 
#2
Re: 7mm-08 barrel for new project

I've got a nine twist Rock on mine. Shoots 120 and 140's just fine. Haven't played with anything bigger, as I've got other toys to do that, but I'd err on the faster side.
 
#4
Re: 7mm-08 barrel for new project

That's interesting. I shoot the 155 A-Max with my Savage 10FLCP-K and it's a 10 twist. Some seem surprised that I can shoot that light of a bullet with good accuracy - go figure. However, I have not tested the 155 A-Max a long range - beyond 300 yards.
 
#5
Re: 7mm-08 barrel for new project

the savage is a 308 not a 7mm. you need at least a 9 twist to shoot the 162gr A Max and 168gr Sierra or Berger it may stabalise the 175gr MatchKings and 180gr Bergers but might not at the lower speed you would not want to shoot them in the 7mm08 anyway as they are a bit heavy to get the best performance.

If you look at a 6mm you need an 8 twist to stabalise a 107gr projectile. the 10 twist in a 30 cal will stabalise a 210gr VLD or a 220gr MatchKing and lighter.

It is all relevant to bullet length velocity and bore diameter not the weight.

Also to shoot 1000 yards you will need to look att he 162gr A Max or a 168gr Match Bullet the 120gr projectiles wont make it there they dont have enough BC. If you pushed the 145gr Speer Match and 150gr Sierra MAtch Bullets they would likley make it but they would not be as good as the 162-168gr projectiles for long range shooting.

So my advice get a 9 twist barrel and try the 162gr A MAx with H4350 and if it shoots dont try any other bullets if you have one load that can shoot from 0 to 1000 yards you dont need anything else forget about the extralight varmint type projectiles.

If you wanted to shoot the 175gr and 180gr Match Bullets then i would seriously look at an 8 twist but i dont advise to go that heavy or that fast in the twist because then they become harder to make work all the time with the lighter bullets.

 
#7
Re: 7mm-08 barrel for new project

I really appreciate the input I'm getting. There are a lot of knowledgeable here on the Hide.

Yup, the Hornady line of bullets is where I'm focusing. Thought I wrote that, but I see I didn't. I really want to push the A-Max 162g to it's long range limits with the 7mm. The lighter weight bullets would <span style="text-decoration: underline">only</span> be used for hunting light weight game/varmint and at much shorter ranges - certainly not 1000 yards.

My goal was to set up the twist rate just fast enough to stabilize the 162g A-Max for long range, but slow enough to really leverage the 120 - 140g Hornady bullets at higher velocities. You could say I wanted to try something a little bit different and have fun along the way.
 
#8
Re: 7mm-08 barrel for new project

I run an old Douglas XX on my 7-08, and best I can tell its a 1:10ish twist (cleaning rod estimation method).
I shot a 1K FClass with it last weekend running 162 Amax's at 2650 and didn't have any issues with stability.....

Set it up for the longest bullets you are going to shoot. I really think "too much spin" doesn't exist until you get into tiny hyper-fast loads (which you won't be doing in a 7-08 most likely anyway).
 
#9
Re: 7mm-08 barrel for new project

My former 700 BDL-V chopped to 21" shot TWO 3-shot groups at 200 yds, using 100 gr Hornady HPs into, 1/2" and 5/8"....the factory 9 1/4 or 9 1/2 did not hurt accuracy. Shot 140-168s fine too.

I always fear UNDER twisting a bbl, never over, so go w/9 and do not look back IMHO.
 
#10
Re: 7mm-08 barrel for new project

I also have a Douglas XX 7mm-08 barrel on my Savage in 1:9". I stay with the 150MK pushed by RL15. I haven't gone past 371 yards yet but looking forward to it.

Good luck!
Mike
 
#12
Re: 7mm-08 barrel for new project

so if the 162 A AMx is the projectile you would like then the 9 twist all the way.

The A Max is an awsome hunting projectile if it was me and i was building it i would just use the 162gr A Max for everyting and not bothering about anything else at those velocities they are a great choice this will also allow you to work the dope for one load and velocity and make it easier to place shots in the long term.
 
#13
Re: 7mm-08 barrel for new project

Being the local alternative thinker, I commend your 7-08 build, and offer, of course, an alternative.

I'd consider a second barrel, chambered in .280 Rem. Yes; it's a long action cartridge. However, when singly fed, action length makes a lot less difference. Removing a live cartridge becomes no problem as long as one is willing to trip the bolt release in such rare instances and withdraw the bolt about 1/2"-1" further. Fired case do not seem to be a problem. For a range shooter, I see no real problems.

Just as I consider the 308 for be a marginal LR 30 cal, I see similar tendencies with the 7-08. The .308 was designed to be an ersatz .30-'06, and I consider the 7-08 to be the 7mm ersatz .280. Why settle, when you can have the real thing?

I'd go with a varmint contour 26" or 28" 1:9" twist to get those last dregs of velocity at lower pressures, you know, the kind that pamper your chamber's throat. While a really supahdupah charge will get a 120 NOS BT to 1Kyd supersonic, the heavier bullets are more to the point. The additional velocity available with the .280 should complete the task of getting the 170-ish bullets stabilized in the 1:9" twist.

In my opinion, the .280 complements the heavier 7mm bullets in a most appropriate manner, and brings the 7mm full circle with the newer, better LR 7mm projectiles. Sorta like Goldielocks; not too big, not too little. Pretty much juuuussst right.

Greg
 
#16
Re: 7mm-08 barrel for new project

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Greg Langelius *</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Indeed one could. </div></div>

I fondly remember Danny spanking folks on a regular basis with his Savage in 284.

Pete
 
#17
Re: 7mm-08 barrel for new project

Yes, I can too; but when I asked his opinion of the chambering he rated it as good, not great. Danny could spank most of us using little more than spitballs and a soda straw.

He is the culmination of my opinion that a great marksman can make just about anything shoot well. Distinguished Smallbore Expert right handed, and working on doing it left handed when we lost him. He may have actually achieved it.

More talent in his little finger than in ten of me.

Greg
 
#18
Re: 7mm-08 barrel for new project

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: swd</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm shooting a 1-9" with the 162 A Max going 2750 with RL17. It's been to 1K twice and is shooting great. </div></div>

What powder are you running?

I know I said 2650 above , but that's an interpolation. The load I was using ran 2723fps over the County's Oehler 3 screen, but my dope at 1K fits with a speed more like 2640-2650 (using Litz' G7).

Sorry for the sidetrack.....
 
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