Which powders to try for 7mm-08

[Bigeclipse]

Which powders should I try from the list below for a 7mm-08 with a 20inch barrel using 140 grain accubonds? (I have already tried varget). I would like to try and stay with the list below because it is the data in Nosler's book:

IMR 4895
IMR4350
IMR4064
H4895
RL15
H414
W760
Big Game

 

[MudRunner2005]

Anything in the .308-based cases, Varget is my go-to...Including my 7mm-08 w/ 140 Accubonds, 168 VLD's, and 180 VLD's.

I have not tried any of the other powders, as Varget has worked well for me.

 

[HNDLDR]

Guess you didn't like Varget huh? If you try RL 15 I'd be interested in how that goes. I've tried RL 19 in some of the 7mm-08s at my house. It puts out some nice velocities. Accuracy was good in some but not all. Varget is the powder that gave me good to exceptional accuracy out of all four 7mm-08s. That is with the 140 Bal. tip or the Accubond both. I've also tried IMR 4166. Still ended up back at Varget. Sorry I couldn't help you with your list.

 

[Bigeclipse]

Guess you didn't like Varget huh? If you try RL 15 I'd be interested in how that goes. I've tried RL 19 in some of the 7mm-08s at my house. It puts out some nice velocities. Accuracy was good in some but not all. Varget is the powder that gave me good to exceptional accuracy out of all four 7mm-08s. That is with the 140 Bal. tip or the Accubond both. I've also tried IMR 4166. Still ended up back at Varget. Sorry I could help you with your list.

I honestly have not tried a full work up with Varget. The only reason I said not varget is because it is one of the harder powders to find around me. I was looking to maybe go to a different powder which might be easier to find or if anyone else has had luck with something else. Thank you for the comments

 

[jimbires]

I've got 3 different 7mm-08's . the tikka I use IMR 4064 with a 139 hornady BTSP . when I get some of the IMR 4064 used , I'm going to give RL17 a try .
in the remington RL17 with a 140 berger hunting VLD .
the X-bolt I use a slightly reduced load of H4895 with a 120 ballistic tip . these are all accurate loads .

RL17 should give the highest velocity .

 

[Dosh]

Big, H4350 was best for my grandson's 7-08. Like you, didn't find any Varget at the time. Hornady brass, 168 Berger VLD, 210M primers through 24" barrel. Now have an 8lb Varget, may give it a try. Good luck

 

[MarkA]

AR COMP! in short barrels is as good or better than Varget (and you can get it)! With 140gr bullet I shoot 39 grains with single digit es.......

Alliant load data here:

http://www.alliantpowder.com/resources/alliant/2015_Alliant_Powder.pdf

 

[drakehammer]

RL 15 is my go to powder from 110gr -150gr bullets. RL-19 works well with 160 SGKs and 168 SMKs.

 

[drakehammer]

I've got 3 different 7mm-08's . the tikka I use IMR 4064 with a 139 hornady BTSP . when I get some of the IMR 4064 used , I'm going to give RL17 a try .
in the remington RL17 with a 140 berger hunting VLD .
the X-bolt I use a slightly reduced load of H4895 with a 120 ballistic tip . these are all accurate loads .

RL17 should give the highest velocity .

Please post result with RL17. I'm still looking for a home for this powder. It just never seems to shine in any of my combo's...

 

[jimbires]

I use 49.0 grains with a Berger 140 hunting VLD , cci 200 primer , norma brass . I get good brass life . a 24" broughton bbl gives a velocity of 3080 ,with good ES . accuracy is usually about .5 moa .


here is a target that was shot at 200 yards . the three small dots are this rifle . 48.0 left dot , 48.5 center dot , 49.0 right dot . I shot these three loads a few times thinking I was pulling the 48.5 . it consistently threw one out .




close up of the 49.0 charge . this is a pretty typical 49.0 target


EDIT: I just realized , the larger lower dot would be my Tikka using the IMR4064 @ 200 yds .

 

[thekyrifleman]

I have had extremely good results in my Original Rem 700 Ti, 22" barrel, with 43.3 gr of IMR 4064, Sierra 140 gr Pro Hunters, Fed 210 primers, Winchester cases. Just clocked it recently getting ready for PA deer season. Ave velocity of 2785 f/s with a SD of 11.6. Temp was 50 degrees. First time using the Magnetospeed V3 chrono. No signs of pressure, I think I can probably get another grain or so. Goal is to get to about 2850. Groups are 1/2" or less @ 100yds. I have also tried 4895, Blc2 and H380 with less than stellar results. I have Varget also and will be comparing it to 4064. Post add......also have RL 15 to try.

 

[jhfleming]

H4350 @ 44.4 = 2596.8 and 0.3" group in Remington 700, 162 Gr A-Max
414 @ 46.0 = 2976.2 and 0.9" same rifle, 130gr Sierra Matchking
That's all I've got that's on your list, all my testing shows Varget to be the best by far but that point has already been made.

 

[wogbg]

got groups with 150 BT's and 45gr RL 19

 

[reeldawg]

I use Varget with 120gn and 140gn BT, as well as 140 Berger VLDs. They all shoot extremely well in a factory Savage.

Jay