Browning X-bolt 7mm08

[chucknbach]

I picked up this gun for the wife and kids to hunt with but getting a muzzle break put on ate up the time I had planned for load development. Can anyone share their loads that they have used that have prove accurate? Thanks

This is just to point me in the right direction, I have no plans to just load up someone elses loads and go shoot it. Proper load development will still be used.

 

[ntg]

I don't have one in an x-bolt, but mine is very accurate with a max load of Varget and 139btsp hornady. Many have said that Big Game powder is better, however it resides in the "fairy dust" category around here.

I know a number of people shooting the 120 nosler BT. It is built with a thick jacket and is very capable with deer. One has had super accuracy shooting it with CFE223.

Many will say one of the 4350s with heavier bullets. I tried H4350 and it was hard to get enough of it in there to get decent velocity, and accuracy was average.

H414 was very accurate with the speer 160 also, but I decided not to shoot it as the powder is very temperamental with temperature swings.

Good luck and let us know how it works out.

 

[Bbear]

In my Weatherby Vanguard S2 the load I've found is:
Win Case
WLR primer
45 gr IMR 4350
Nos 140 BT

 

[jammer300]

I bought my wife a Savage in 7MM-08 to use for hunting big game, I cant remember the exact powder charge for that gun as I am in Alaska at the moment and not home to look at my notes, but I found its best accuracy using H380, WLR primers and Federal brass with a 150 gr. Nosler. Its shooting 1" groups @ 100 yards and has been very deadly on deer.

 

[chucknbach]

Thanks for the responses. I have 2 .243's that take vastly different loads for accuracy. The different chambers, twist rates and barrel lengths dictate.

I had a Howa 7mm08 that did well with 130gn Speer over Varget. I'm loading some 130's right now because it's too windy, to test what I have loaded up.

I'll for sure post what I come up with eventually. Hopefully I'll stumble onto a load that is stellar, right of the bat. Might have to go with what will work as I'm running out of time.

 

[jimbires]

I have three 7mm-08's .

I use a slightly reduced load in Denise's 7-08 X-bolt . I use a 120 nosler Ballistic tip , 39.0 gr H4895 , cci200 primer , rem brass , 2.800 OAL off the tip .

this one is close to book max .
my tikka likes, 139 hornady BTSP , 43.2 gr IMR4064, cci 200 primer , 2.800 OAL off the tip .


work up to this one , it's on the hot side .
my remington likes , 140 Berger hunting VLD , 49.0 RL17 , cci 200 primer , norma brass , 2.844 oal off the tip .

 

[chucknbach]

I use a slightly reduced load in Denise's 7-08 X-bolt . I use a 120 nosler Ballistic tip , 39.0 gr H4895 , cci200 primer , rem brass , 2.800 OAL off the tip

This would be the one I'd be interested in as it's the same gun. Have you come up with a full power load for it?

 

[jimbires]

This would be the one I'd be interested in as it's the same gun. Have you come up with a full power load for it?

No , I have not . she is a little recoil shy . she has only hunted whitetails and it's plenty for that . depending on what your hunting you might want to give it a try . Denise's rifle does shoot this load well .

 

[chucknbach]

Looks pretty good. Will be hunting antelope and deer. Putting the muzzle brake on it made it a load kitten, so I need not worry about reduced loads.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

My x bolt didn't shoot very well until it had 150 rds down the tube and now it's great. Might as well start with the accuracy loads in your manual of choice and break that bad boy in.

What break did you install and do you have pics?

 

[HNDLDR]

My wife has a X bolt bolt in 7mm-08 as well as my daughters Savage Axis, my step sons TC Venture and my R-25. Our favorite load is Noslers 140 GR ballistic tip (or Accubond) over 42 GR of Varget. The TC will put 3 shots into .3 to .4 MOA at 100 yards. The X bolt will do .5 MOA, followed by the Savage and the R-25 at about .75 MOA.

 

[HNDLDR]

One nice advantage you have with the X bolt is the generous magazine room. I've been able to seat all the bullets I've tried touching the lands if I desired and still have them fit in the box magazine. The Berger 140 GR VLD's, however, only had about .135" of case mouth holding the bullet when it was touching the lands.

 

[chucknbach]

There it is. 5 shot group. 40gn IMR 8208 XBR pushing 140gn Nosler Accubond, seated .003 off lands.

 

[chucknbach]

One nice advantage you have with the X bolt is the generous magazine room. I've been able to seat all the bullets I've tried touching the lands if I desired and still have them fit in the box magazine. The Berger 140 GR VLD's, however, only had about .135" of case mouth holding the bullet when it was touching the lands.

I noticed that when I was eyeballing the 140 bergers I have for it. really didn't want to use the Bergers for this one to cut down on confusion as I hunt with an xbolt .243 and my load for that uses Bergers. My .243 is only holding the bergers by a little bit as well. It would end up being a bad day if I grabbed a mag for the 7mm08 and slapped it in my .243. I think the white tip of the accubonds will help.