Anyone shoot a 7mm-08 - 154gn SST Load?

[idfishnhunt]

I've had pretty good success shooting a 139gn SST out of our 7mm-08's. I'd like to work on developing a load for the 154gn SST. Looking at the ballistic data though it doesn't seem like I'm gaining a lot by jumping up in bullet grain size.

With the 154gn I lose velocity, and with this loss the added energy I would have gained actually pretty much evens out with the same numbers I get from a faster 139gn bullet.

I am somewhat new at reloading, but I am trying to determine if I will actually have any advantages with using the 154gn bullet, or maybe I should just stick to the 139gn.

Thanks for any comments or suggestions.

 

[Marble]

I have the 708 in an Ackley Improved. I have been shooting the AB 140 at 2950 fps. I have some of the SST 154s but haven't tried them yet. I am shooting 44g of RL 15. The gun has enough accuracy shoot 600 years safely at deer sized game. I have been interested in trying them, but my 3/4" groups at a good speed just don't spur me to experiment.

Let me know how it turns out.

 

[idfishnhunt]

I'm getting 2840 fps using 47gns of IMR4350 right now. I was going to try H4350, Varget, and I might have to try that RL15, sounds like a pretty good load.

I've thought about the Accubonds and Interbonds, but for the price of the SST's and as much shooting as I do, it's a tough change to have to make.

 

[Marble]

I'm getting 2840 fps using 47gns of IMR4350 right now. I was going to try H4350, Varget, and I might have to try that RL15, sounds like a pretty good load.

I've thought about the Accubonds and Interbonds, but for the price of the SST's and as much shooting as I do, it's a tough change to have to make.

The RL15 did really well for me. The max load in nosler for a standard 708 is 41.5 grains. I'm at 44 because of the extra case capacity of the ackley cartridge.

I loaded for a friend of mine and his used 42 grains and went about 2850.

 

[idfishnhunt]

Makes sense...I heard Ackley's usually give another 100 fps. I take it you had that custom made? I'm a big fan of the 7mm-08. I don't think there is really anything bad to say about it. I won't get too detailed though as to all the things I admire about it as I wouldn't want all the 30 caliber guys to start in on me

 

[Marble]

Makes sense...I heard Ackley's usually give another 100 fps. I take it you had that custom made? I'm a big fan of the 7mm-08. I don't think there is really anything bad to say about it. I won't get too detailed though as to all the things I admire about it as I wouldn't want all the 30 caliber guys to start in on me

It wasn't custom made by me, but yes, the prior owner had it done. I actually won a 22 250 and traded for it. I thought I was getting a look regular caliber but when I picked it up, I noticed the ackley improved stamped on the barrel. The shop didn't notice either. It to a yes to get a load and another 3 months to special order the dies. $140 later I could reload. I custom bedded the stock, trigger is stock. Its my black tail gun. I'm actually build another with savage action and unknown stock and unknown barrel. Looking for 3150fps out of a 26" barrel. We will see.

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

Makes sense...I heard Ackley's usually give another 100 fps. I take it you had that custom made? I'm a big fan of the 7mm-08. I don't think there is really anything bad to say about it. I won't get too detailed though as to all the things I admire about it as I wouldn't want all the 30 caliber guys to start in on me

It's all good. I'm a 30 cal guy at heart; I've probably shot more 30 cal. and killed more critters with 30 cal. than all others combined. That said, 7mm is a close second for me and it's a heck of a cal..

To the O.P.....
With the standard 7-08 I'd look at h414 for max. speed at safe pressure with 140 grain. I really don't think you would gain much stepping up in bullet weight with this small of a 7mm, but the silhouette guys that use the 7-08 usually use rather heavy slugs so who am I to question it. The biggest problem I see is time of flite; it does get a bit longer with the slower pills which means more lead on moving game.