which loads for 7mm-08?

[Bigeclipse]

All,
I am looking for suggestions for loads people know work well with their 7mm-08. Of course I will absolutely work up my load but just trying to find a sense if there are any known decent loads that work for many people.

I am looking for which powders and bullet combos to try. Distance will be no further than 400 yards on deer. I was thinking maybe using 140 grain ballistic tips or accubonds but open to all ideas...?

Thanks!

 

[frankinaustin]

All of the below are based on accurate groups. Don't worry about killing power on any of these. If your bullet can strike your game animal, it will die before it hits the ground. Just get the bullet there. What may seem "underpowered" on a 7mm-08 is a real powerhouse. I would think if you are going elk or moose hunting, just tell your buddies and your guide that your rifle is a 300 wsm. They will never know the difference.

145 LRX and 42.6 gr Varg
120 TTSX and 48.4 gr Varg
120 NBT and 35.2 gr H4895 (tender load)
130 Speer and 40.2 gr IMR 4064 (same hole accuracy)
120 NBT and 45.0 gr IMR 4350
145 Speer Hotcor and 42.2 gr Varg
160 Speer Hotcor and 41.0 gr W760
130 Speer and 38.5 gr Varg (tender load)

7mm-08 Remington. . . Pet Handloads!

from a buddy:
120 NBT and 43.5 gr Varg

from another buddy:
120 TTSX and 37.0 IMR4320 (tender load)

I've read many folks having great luck with 120 NBT and 45.0 Varg The 120 NBT is an amazing death ray of a bullet. I think you could completely miss an animal by 5 feet and it would still be in your freezer that night just out of respect for the NBT.

 

[Bigeclipse]

All of the below are based on accurate groups. Don't worry about killing power on any of these. If your bullet can strike your game animal, it will die before it hits the ground. Just get the bullet there. What may seem "underpowered" on a 7mm-08 is a real powerhouse. I would think if you are going elk or moose hunting, just tell your buddies and your guide that your rifle is a 300 wsm. They will never know the difference.

145 LRX and 42.6 gr Varg
120 TTSX and 48.4 gr Varg
120 NBT and 35.2 gr H4895 (tender load)
130 Speer and 40.2 gr IMR 4064 (same hole accuracy)
120 NBT and 45.0 gr IMR 4350
145 Speer Hotcor and 42.2 gr Varg
160 Speer Hotcor and 41.0 gr W760
130 Speer and 38.5 gr Varg (tender load)

7mm-08 Remington. . . Pet Handloads!

from a buddy:
120 NBT and 43.5 gr Varg

from another buddy:
120 TTSX and 37.0 IMR4320 (tender load)

I've read many folks having great luck with 120 NBT and 45.0 Varg The 120 NBT is an amazing death ray of a bullet. I think you could completely miss an animal by 5 feet and it would still be in your freezer that night just out of respect for the NBT.

Haha thanks for the input!!! Looks like Varget is the go to powder! Will 1-9 twist stabilize a 120 ballistic tip? I was thinking 140...but if 120 is the go to round I'll give those a shot. Lighter bullet means even lighter recoil for her.

 

[scottishkat]

I have been watching a friend of mine shoot Whitetails with the 7mm08 and 140 CT NBT for years and the combo basically decapitates a 70 pound deer. I would try the 120 NBT or the 140 NAB. Or accept the blown up front shoulders. It does put them on the ground in a hurry.

Good luck and shoot straight

Bob

 

[travelhunter]

here comes my hat in the ring..........
my daughter (15) 7mm-08 tikka
140 accubond 38.1 gr Varget

click boom drop
2 deer 1 bear(335 lbs)
1 elk +/- 450 lbs at 174 yards
DRT no ****
and a very very delicious 300 lb hog
i like this so much i had my guy build me one exactly and expressly for this load
little longer barrel little better scope etc shoots in the 1/2 MOA out to 500
i would start at 36 grains and ladder

 

[pods8]

145 LRX and 42.6 gr Varg

As always the advice is work up to your charge and this load here is a reminder when I see it since I also shoot the 145LRX with varget (39.5gr for my accurate node in my case) and that is way too hot for my COAL/brass/primer/powder lot/gun; I had primer blow by at 42.5gr when I was running a charge ladder. I do run WLRM primers so that is one issue and due to mag length my COAL is 2.82 so some case capacity is lost (FC brass). Just a reminder for the original poster (safe than sorry).

I shoot hornady 139 btsp with varget as well (a couple more grains, I'd need to review notes to see exact).

 

[frankinaustin]

My 7 yr old boy shot his first deer with the 120 nbt over 35.2 h4895. Shooting that load is like taping a firecracker to the end of a broomstick. Broke far side leg and flopped over. Approx 75 yrds.

 

[travelhunter]

Beautiful beautiful beautiful

 

[pods8]

Mine can't hunt till 12 here.

 

[aythya]

Great news! Lapua is introducing 7mm-08 brass this year. No need to resize .308 or .243 brass. I spoke with the folks at Lapua last week at the SHOT Show.

Products - Lapua

 

[Jluck]

CFE223 is a great powder for the 7mm-08 too. I load Barnes 120 TTSX with CFE223 (don't remember the charge). It wings them a a accurate 3150 fps.

 

[Rack]

Mine likes 120 gr. NBT 44.5 gr. of varget in 22" barrel . Deer don't like it though .

 

[Bigeclipse]

thanks guys!!!

 

[Bigeclipse]

Mine likes 120 gr. NBT 44.5 gr. of varget in 22" barrel . Deer don't like it though .

I was thinking of going with a 20inch barrel for her which varget may be too slow of a powder for...decisions decisions