For the guys that do alot of reloading for 7-08, what weight bullet has produced the most accuracy foy you and what powders are you finding that works the best for you. My barrel is a 9 twist. I have a good selection of powders and kinda good on bullets. Thanks in advance
Loads for 7-08.
- Thread starter greggrissom
- Start date
My go to 7-08 load is the Nosler HBT 120g bullet, H414/W760 powders.
I don't need anything heavier for deer/antelope out here.
I don't need anything heavier for deer/antelope out here.
I long range "plink" with 7mm08 to keep wear off my 6mm match rifle.
I like the 175smk over ~41gr of Varget in Winchester or RP brass, for a nice moderate ~2700fps. Thicker brass like 308 Lapua or FC ought to be backed off to ~40.5gr for ~2660-2670fps.
Both loads can be safely pushed faster, but these are easy on brass and shoot sweet in my rifle.
H4350 also works great - but not "better". Frankly, Varget is too fast and H4350 is too slow. However, I like sticking to Hodgdon Extreme powders...imagine that!
I like the 175smk over ~41gr of Varget in Winchester or RP brass, for a nice moderate ~2700fps. Thicker brass like 308 Lapua or FC ought to be backed off to ~40.5gr for ~2660-2670fps.
Both loads can be safely pushed faster, but these are easy on brass and shoot sweet in my rifle.
H4350 also works great - but not "better". Frankly, Varget is too fast and H4350 is too slow. However, I like sticking to Hodgdon Extreme powders...imagine that!
Hodgen, what twist do have on your barrel to shoot thise 175's? I'm not sure I can stabilize them in my 9 twist barrel. I may just sell them if you want them
As much as I'd like to puck up a few boxes of 7mm 175s, I think you'd be doing yourself a disservice not trying them in your 1:9 barrel. I bet it'll work. They shoot great in my 1:9 284win @ 2775fps.
The 7mm08 has a 1:8.5 pipe on it. Given the choice, that's what I prefer for medium-power 7mm rifles, but 1:9 has always worked just fine too.
I have hunted with the 7MM-08 for almost 30 years now and am on precision rifle barrel number two. In my short, handy and very accurate M7 Remington I use a Speer 130 BT with soft point behind a max (published data) and get just over 2700 FPS.
My first long range rifle in 7MM08 was a GAP 1 in 9 twist on a Badger M2008 action. I shot what was then a published load of 47.2 grains H4350 with 168SMK. It was a freaking laser and I had good fortune with it. Now it seems Hodgdon has decided to lower that max considerably (not tenths but full grains lower). My latest is a GAP chambered Bartlien 5R screwed on an AI AX. My current load is ABOVE MAX so I won't put it here. It is a bit lower than the 47.2 gr load and I lost approximately 80 FPS. I still use the Sierra 168 and have been able to get five on my 500 yard steel inside 2 1/2" from a bipod position.
My first long range rifle in 7MM08 was a GAP 1 in 9 twist on a Badger M2008 action. I shot what was then a published load of 47.2 grains H4350 with 168SMK. It was a freaking laser and I had good fortune with it. Now it seems Hodgdon has decided to lower that max considerably (not tenths but full grains lower). My latest is a GAP chambered Bartlien 5R screwed on an AI AX. My current load is ABOVE MAX so I won't put it here. It is a bit lower than the 47.2 gr load and I lost approximately 80 FPS. I still use the Sierra 168 and have been able to get five on my 500 yard steel inside 2 1/2" from a bipod position.
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I worked up a very good load with 39.5gr of Varget pushing a 168gr SMK. I couldn't decide which load to go with from my OCW test because most all of them 0.5 moa groups, so I went with the highest load for velocity reasons. I have not tried H4350 with the SMK's yet but will now. All these are loaded into Lapua 260 brass ignited by a Wolf LR primer.I believe the base to ogive length is 2.275".
HodgdonExtreme, this is great info. Much obliged Sir. I just picked up a cheapo TC, 22" 1:9. Should I give the 175s a shot or will I be too slow for a 9 twist? OP thanks for getting a new 7-08 thread going.
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I got some loads with the above mentioned GAP but no data. Pulling one for examination showed it to be a Berger 168VLD loaded with 44 grains of what appears to be Varget. They shot great but without absolute confirmation of powder I could not proceed there. [MENTION=75100]greggrissom[/MENTION] I use Lapua 260 brass for my loads as well and it has worked great. I did feel the need to neck-turn brass just slightly. I use the FGMM primers instead of Wolf. I have had problems finding the Wolf primers around here.
Please let me know what velocity you are getting with the 39.5 Varget load along with barrel length.
For hunting 42 grains of RL15, 120 TSX bullet and you are set. Has shot well in several different guns I have tried it in.
I will try to chrono this asap and get back to ya'. I did ream out the necks after the first firing and neck turned them slightly also. If I new how to post a picture I would post the OCW targets I shot.
OK I had a chance to get to the range this weekend and chrono'd the rounds. they came in at 2504fps. Would've liked to have seen a little more velocity but it is what it is. Also, at 324yds it was putting them in a 2" square. I didn't think that was too bad.
Here's my pet load:
7-08 AI
Stiller Predator action
23" Rock 8.7 twist
Winchester brass
Nosler 120 BT
49.0 of CFE-223
BR-2 primer
COAL 2.810
3220 fps w/ <.5 MOA @ 100 yards. Very slight primer flattening w/normal bolt lift.
Absolutely devastating round on Wisconsin deer. I find the temperature stability/sensitivity concerns overblown. However, CFE-223 will get crazy if left sitting in a HOT chamber for more than 30 seconds.
7-08 AI
Stiller Predator action
23" Rock 8.7 twist
Winchester brass
Nosler 120 BT
49.0 of CFE-223
BR-2 primer
COAL 2.810
3220 fps w/ <.5 MOA @ 100 yards. Very slight primer flattening w/normal bolt lift.
Absolutely devastating round on Wisconsin deer. I find the temperature stability/sensitivity concerns overblown. However, CFE-223 will get crazy if left sitting in a HOT chamber for more than 30 seconds.
Today I made a stab at something different. Loaded the 168SMK in front of 46 grains of RL17, primed by 210 match primers in the Lapua 260 brass that has been necked up and neck turned to .0135" thickness. This appeared to be a max load but, to be fair, it was RL17 at 97 degrees with about a 50% humidity level. The accuracy was incredible; ten shots over my Magnetospeed measured just .538" and a buddy fired the last three rounds into a very tiny group (.107") at 100 yards. I was extremely pleased to see the chronograph give me a 2882FPS average for ten shots with an extreme spread of 30FPS and a 10 SD. Attaching the bayonet for the chrono changed POI 1 1/2" high with no detriment to accuracy. There were no ejector swipes or flat primers but I am going to take a very close look at the brass tomorrow. I also want to test some in WW brass to see if I can tell any difference.
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While nothing apparent, as in ejector swipe or flat primers, appeared to show any excess pressure my primer pockets expanded enough (.003) to make me rethink the long term utility of this load. I am going to stay on this combo but drop charges to a lower accuracy node.
EDIT:
While nothing apparent, as in ejector swipe or flat primers, appeared to show any excess pressure my primer pockets expanded enough (.003) to make me rethink the long term utility of this load. I am going to stay on this combo but drop charges to a lower accuracy node.
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I use a 140 Berger hunting VLD jammed 0.010" over 41.0 FB of VV N140z. It shoots bug holes out of my Steyr mountain rifle
Surprised the 162 Amax has not made the list...it's probably the most popular for long-range (though you didn't mention the application (hunting/target) or distance shooting.
They had been temporarily discontinued by Hornady, but just now appear to have been brought back into production as they've been showing up (and being sold out quickly) at various outlets.
They had been temporarily discontinued by Hornady, but just now appear to have been brought back into production as they've been showing up (and being sold out quickly) at various outlets.
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