Eagle eyes 17
Well-Known Member
A friend just gave me a bottle of Big Game and a variety of Hornady Bullets
( 139gr - 165gr. ) to Reload for my 7mm-08, any suggestions for these bullets.
7mm08 powder choice
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( 139gr - 165gr. ) to Reload for my 7mm-08, any suggestions for these bullets.
Trm82
Well-Known Member
I found big game very temp unstable.
Thanks again to all who have replied. I loaded some sierra 120s today with the 4064 to see what's the accuracy and speed on them . Then of course I get called out to work so messed up the testing session. I'm definitely going to get some varget and give it a whirl. Another question I have is I thought for approximately every inch of barrel you gained roughly 25 to 30 FPS. Like in the Nosler load manual ( and yes I know Nosler fudges their FPS quite a bit) it shows a 24 inch pipe as their test barrel . My prohunter is 28 and still over a 100 ft slower than their listed data
therifleman556
Well-Known Member
Some barrels are slow. I had a 7RM that required a couple grains over maximum to get published speeds. Going this route assumes though that you're versed in pressure signs and are not pushing it to far.
brettman
Well-Known Member
Another vote for Varget. Remember 700 cut down to youth size with 22 inch factory tube. 44.5gr and 120 Nosler BT running 2950, extremely temp stable, zero pressure signs, solid sub MOA every time to 300. Put it together and worked the load for the kids but I carry it more than they do.
J E Custom
Well-Known Member
My accuracy load is with H 414 and the highest velocity is with Varget. Both powders will exceed 3000 ft/sec velocity with the 120s with ease.
H 414 is temp sensitive and so is Re 15 so if you have a wide temperature swing, I would recommend sticking with a powder that is not temp sensitive. I just bought some Re 16 because it is said not to be temp sensitive but have not tested with it. (It is supposed to be a substitute for 15 and/or 17).
J E CUSTOM
Orange Dust
Well-Known Member
Best loads I ever shot were with 139 and 140gr bullets, W760 and a magnum primer. I found you could drive them about the same speed as 120's. The 139SST's would do almost exactly 3K out of a 24" barrel without showing pressure in both the guns I used to have. One of the best deer cartridges ever invented. Enjoy your rifle.
7mm-08 120 Nosler bt
51gr Ramshot Big Game
lapua brass
fed 215m
Shot .5 or better @ 3150fps in my 22" barrel
47gr Big Game 140 Nosler bt shot well also.
I may try some 150 eldx next.
That's interesting. Big Game is the least temp sensitive powder in the Ramshot line of powders, according to Ramshot.
That is odd, I am pushing the 120gr ballistic tips at just over 3,000 fps with 42.8gr of IMR-4064, 24" barrel on my Rem 700. Im using Federal Match Large Rifle primers and Remington Brass, and avg group is 0.5" @ 100 yards.
I've always had great accuracy with IMR-4064 with 120gr, 139gr and 140gr bullets.
I'm getting 2,810 fps avg with 139gr and 140gr bullets with 41.0gr of the same powder
mdbiggerstaff
Active Member
I think your 120 load is very close & with the accuracy it is right on. I would be happy with those numbers.
On the 139 load you might push the powder a bit but as long as you are getting the accuracy then it's groovy. I get 2915 with 41.5. Not a huge difference.
That's not bad at all. I don't shoot past 500 yds with this rifle and at that range I'm still above 1,800 fps, you would be also
As I said accuracy I'm fine with and the speed isn't horrible by no means. I was just figuring I'd be closer to 3000 than that or maybe a touch over with my barrel length. I bought a pound of varget and loadev10 rounds with it just waiting for a day to get to try it . If I don't get the desired accuracy or if it's about the same speed I'll just stick with the 4064 since I have over 20 some lb of it bought on sale a few yrs ago all the same lot number.
