Slow Hunting
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Does anyone have a good elk round for a 7mm-08 compact? I bought a savage trophy hunter for my daughter and can't find a round that I like and was looking for someone's pet load. Thank you
7-mm08 for youth elk
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Hi Dana, the 162gr ELD-X, SST or a bullet of similar weight will have the most energy downrange in this cartridge using RL16 or H4350. At 500 yds you can still have about 2,000 fps and 1,500 ft/lbs of energy with these bullets. This is with a 24" barrel so you will lose a bit of speed and energy with a shorter barrel on a compact rifle.
Hornady's 150gr ELD-X, 154gr SST or Interbond also with RL16 or H4350 is another option, you'll can still have 1,500 ft-lbs at 400+ yds depending on the load.
Lighter bullets will have more speed out the barrel but will lose it faster and won't have the energy that the heavier bullets will.
Dont know of your daughter is recoil sensitive, but heavier bullets will have a bit more recoil however there isn't much difference in this cartridge.
Hope this helps and stay safe
Hornady's 150gr ELD-X, 154gr SST or Interbond also with RL16 or H4350 is another option, you'll can still have 1,500 ft-lbs at 400+ yds depending on the load.
Lighter bullets will have more speed out the barrel but will lose it faster and won't have the energy that the heavier bullets will.
Dont know of your daughter is recoil sensitive, but heavier bullets will have a bit more recoil however there isn't much difference in this cartridge.
Hope this helps and stay safe
I have 2 7-08's that I have loaded for extensively but neither has that short of a barrel (22"/26"). Of the loads for the shorter barrel that worked well, Varget and a 140 Accubond might be a good place to start. I loaded 41.5 grs at a OAL of 2.8" in Lapua brass and a BR-2 primer. This load was safe in my rifle, take the customary approach, reduce and work up slowly. I have since switched to Staball 6.5 for the same rifle.
hunter67wa
Well-Known Member
Dont be afraid to look at the Barnes 120 TTSX over a stiff charge of Varget
memtb
Well-Known Member
Elk! Smaller caliber/cartridge! Young shooter, with recoil a potential issue! The Barnes 120 TTSX pushed hard, would be on my "very short" list of candidates! Assuming, that the ranges be kept within reliable velocities for good expansion.....which for most should be a non-issue! memtb
zach_destroys
Well-Known Member
Varget in a 7mm-08 is god. Put a hammer or ttsx in front of it, limit range.
If you are shooting at closer ramges say 300 yds or less a lighter bullet will do fine, but a heavier bullet will work better, it will have more energy. The heavier bullet will also work best at longer ranges where the lighter ones just don't have the energy, especially for an elk.
The heavier and higher BC bullets will outrun the faster lighter bullets any day. For an Elk sized animal more is better and it won't limit your ranges like a lighter one.
The heavier and higher BC bullets will outrun the faster lighter bullets any day. For an Elk sized animal more is better and it won't limit your ranges like a lighter one.
U asking for a factory round or a roll your own? Some darn good roll your own options already thrown out.
I've seen enough posts with dead deer and elk from a 7mm08/140 Accubond combo that I'd roll with that.
nmbarta
Well-Known Member
I'd go with an accubond for that, no load data on my end, but should be easy to find.
