7mm-08

[284fan]

I've been loading TTSX 120 GR. using mostly BL-C (2) and I'm wondering if anyone has experience with this powder. I'm loading 7mm-08 in Houston but the rounds that shoot best will be used for mule deer in Pecos county West Tx. I'm loading in 95 degrees now and I will hunt in Nov./ Dec. @ 30 degrees. Anyone see a problem with this powder being loaded in the heat, then used in freezing weather ?

 

[antleredacres]

I've been loading TTSX 120 GR. using mostly BL-C (2) and I'm wondering if anyone has experience with this powder. I'm loading 7mm-08 in Houston but the rounds that shoot best will be used for mule deer in Pecos county West Tx. I'm loading in 95 degrees now and I will hunt in Nov./ Dec. @ 30 degrees. Anyone see a problem with this powder being loaded in the heat, then used in freezing weather ?

I shoot the same bullet in my 7-08. I settled on Big-Game powder. Good velocity, accuracy, and pretty clean. I'm of the opinion it's a far better choice in the 7-08 than BL-2 (2).

 

[std7mag]

I shoot 140gr bullets in mine, but I'm in agreement with @antleredacres.

All of the 4350's would work, along with W760 (H414), RL17 (if you can find it), Vihtavouri N140 & N540, and Ramshot Big Game.

 

[Aoudad shooter1975]

I have used 4350, H414, and Varget a good bit in 7--08. IMR 4350 has always been solid in the 7/08.

 

[HandgunHTR]

If you are set on using the 120 grain Barnes and are looking for a good temperature stable powder to use, then I would recommend Varget.

If you are worried about your BL-C(2) loads, the best thing to do is to get a chronograph and shoot them in both conditions to actually see what they are doing, rather than guessing. With the prevalence of good chronos today, my opinion is that everyone that reloads should own one. If you don't want to spring for the Garmin, Athlon, or LabRadar, then just get a used MagnetoSpeed. They are available for super cheap now.

 

[brewster29]

I load the same bullet over Varget. Problem solved.
I got 100 fps more mv from CFE223 but it's one of the most temperature sensitive powders.

 

[med358-boise]

I've been loading TTSX 120 GR. using mostly BL-C (2) and I'm wondering if anyone has experience with this powder. I'm loading 7mm-08 in Houston but the rounds that shoot best will be used for mule deer in Pecos county West Tx. I'm loading in 95 degrees now and I will hunt in Nov./ Dec. @ 30 degrees. Anyone see a problem with this powder being loaded in the heat, then used in freezing weather ?

The outside temperature of where you load at is not relevant. What is relevant is 1) is your powder stored properly to prevent deterioration and 2) the temperature of the ammo as well as the atmospheric conditions of when your are zeroing your rifle.

As a point of reference, US Army and NATO look at 100 deg swings when testing temperature sensitivity.

So a prudent approach would be store your reloads indoor. Before leaving on your trip go to the range and re-zero your rifle - Houston will be cooler in early November. When you get to West Texas, set the ammunition outside for awhile and re-confirm zero and adjust as necessary.

 

[Sockeye66]

I concur with others on the Varget recommendation, lots of good powders for the 7-08, but Varget IMO, is the best for velocity and temperature stability combined.

 

[284fan]

The outside temperature of where you load at is not relevant. What is relevant is 1) is your powder stored properly to prevent deterioration and 2) the temperature of the ammo as well as the atmospheric conditions of when your are zeroing your rifle.

US Army and NATO look at 100 deg swings testing temperature sensitivity.

So a prudent approach would be store your reloads indoor. Before leaving on your trip go to the range and re-zero your rifle - Houston will be cooler in early November. When you get to West Texas, set the ammunition outside for awhile and re-confirm zero and adjust as necessary.

Thank you

 

[john k]

Varget is my "go to" in my 7mm-08 and I load 120's, 140's, and 150's. The 150 is a TTSX.

 

[284fan]

Well guys a buddy just gave me 1/2lb of Varget to try with the 7-08. Here I go, off to pack some rounds now

 

[284fan]

Ok so where should I start ? 120 TTSX, book says min. 39.5,,, max.43.9....what would y'all recommend? 7mm-08 Ruger American 1st Gen. 22 1/2" bbl. And please don't throw rocks at me it really does group and shoot well. Guess I got one of the good ones.

 

[med358-boise]

Load 1 at 39.5 and 1 at 41.0 as a safety checks. Then load 4 at 41.9, 4 at 42.3, 4 at 42.7, 4 at 43.1, 4 at 43.5. Read up on Optimal Charge Weight method of load development and follow that protocol. You should find two of those loads with near identical group size and point of impact. You then split the difference between the two loads. I always load 4 instead of 3 in case I have a called flyer.

 

[Horse1]

I shoot the same bullet in my 7-08. I settled on Big-Game powder. Good velocity, accuracy, and pretty clean. I'm of the opinion it's a far better choice in the 7-08 than BL-2 (2).

That's where I'd be if I was starting over. As it is I'm using '15. '15 runs through a Dillon 550 powder measurer pretty well, Big Game is even better.

120's from a 22" bbl should run in the 3050FPS range and 3K FPS from a 20" bbl. I've done it w/multiple powders from multiple examples of both lengths.