7mm-08 loads

[Jon Boy]

Just picked up a superlite in 7mm-08 on a whim at the sportsmens warehouse balloon sale, for 50% off! Looking for some guys pet loads in the caliber. Im torn between running a light weight hunting constructed bullet (140 accubond or similar) or a 162 eld. It will be staying under 7.5 lbs and be used for 600 yards and in, with most of its hunting being in the timber.

I'm building my 7mm rem superlite into a 7/300 wsm throated for 180 elds this fall, it will be finished weight around 10.5 lbs and be used for extended distances. The 7mm 08 will be my only hunting rifle this fall so trying to get the best out of both worlds with it, and then when my other gun is done I will have a pretty versatile pair to use for what ever my hunts entail.

Scope will likely be a SHV 3-10x42 or a lrts 3-12x44.

Any advice, thoughts or loads are appreciated!

 

[Matt Cashell]

I love this caliber. I have two.

I have the superlite like yours, and a semi-custom Remington Model 7 with a Douglas barrel.

Both of my 7-08s prefer Barnes TTSX.

This year I killed my moose with a 140 TTSX out of the Tikka. My son killed his bison with a 150 TSX out of the Remington.

I use Winchester Brass. Varget is a good temp stable powder for the 7-08. Winchester 760/ H414 has been the most consistent for me as far as good velocities and accuracy. The ball powders are a little temp sensitive though.

Big Game is another good powder to try.

 

[Jon Boy]

I love this caliber. I have two.

I have the superlite like yours, and a semi-custom Remington Model 7 with a Douglas barrel.

Both of my 7-08s prefer Barnes TTSX.

This year I killed my moose with a 140 TTSX out of the Tikka. My son killed his bison with a 150 TSX out of the Remington.

I use Winchester Brass. Varget is a good temp stable powder for the 7-08. Winchester 760/ H414 has been the most consistent for me as far as good velocities and accuracy. The ball powders are a little temp sensitive though.

Big Game is another good powder to try.

Thanks Matt! What are you running for glass on those rifles?

 

[Matt Cashell]

I have the VX-2 ultralight 3-9 (LR Duplex) on the Tikka, and a 2-7 Viper (DH BDC) on the Remington.

My Tikka didn't shoot stellar out of the box, but has improved a lot bedded into a B&C stock.

 

[N2TRKYS]

I bought a new Remington Model Seven SS in 7-08 with a 20" barrel this November. I've loaded 120 grain NBTs and 140 grain Accubonds/Partitions.

120 grain NBTs 140 grain Accubonds/Partitions
45.0 grains of Varget. 47.0 grains of RL16
WLRM primers. CCI200 primers
Laupa brass. Laupa brass
3,000fps. 2,830fps

******These loads are safe in my rifle. Work up to it accordingly******

FWIW, if I were gonna shoot a Barnes bullet in mine, it would be a 120 grain TTSX.

 

[Matt Cashell]

FWIW, if I were gonna shoot a Barnes bullet in mine, it would be a 120 grain TTSX.

Both mine shoot tight with 120 TTSX over H414 as well.

 

[Jimbob]

Ruger American Compact 7mm-08 140 grn Partition over 46 grns of H414. The gun is not very accurate but this load gets close to 1 moa.

 

[BuzzH]

Load for 3 different 7-08's...

For the two in my house, 43.0 grains varget, CCI 250 mag primer, 140 accubond WW brass. Both have pacnor barrels, one finished at 24" shoots 2850 with that load, the other finished at 23" shoots 2930 FPS.

My Nephews rifle, I've been using H380 and the 120 BT at a mild 46.5 grains, 2825 from a 20" barrel.

Tried some RL19 and 140 AB's, in my 7-08 a few years ago, IIRC, about 2900 FPS...the only 5 shots I've ever taken with that load...probably should mess with that one again. Varget shoots pretty close to the same, maybe not quite that well.

 

[E in CO]

My T3x SL 7-08 likes Varget w/ 140 Accubonds and IMR 4064 w/Sierra 140s. Haven’t messed around too much and running book COL. I used what I had on hand but could probably settle on either powder for both bullets. Wouldn’t shoot 139 Hornady IL worth a darn with either of those powders nor would IMR 4350 push anything worth noting. Had to free float mine by sanding down the 2 cross braces/pressure points in the stock. Good luck with yours.

 

[HiMtnHntr]

I've had good results with varget powder and 140 gn partitions. 140 gn Sierra's also do well, as do 120 gn barnes. Other powders that work well include 4064 and H4895. 50% off sounds like a heck of a deal.

 

[Jon Boy]

My T3x SL 7-08 likes Varget w/ 140 Accubonds and IMR 4064 w/Sierra 140s. Haven’t messed around too much and running book COL. I used what I had on hand but could probably settle on either powder for both bullets. Wouldn’t shoot 139 Hornady IL worth a darn with either of those powders nor would IMR 4350 push anything worth noting. Had to free float mine by sanding down the 2 cross braces/pressure points in the stock. Good luck with yours.

Any idea what your velocity is with varget? I have some on hand.

 

[Woodpecker]

I use a Barnes 120 gr TTSX over 50 grs H414 with a Fed215 primer - Gives 3030 fps out of my Rem M7 20 " barrel and groups always under 3/4 " for 3 shots !

 

[belly-deep]

I’d load a 140 Accubond and forget about it. That’s what one of my .280’s shoots. Great bullet.

Especially for the timber shots. Not sure I’d trust an ELD-X enough to try and get one into an elk at a weird angle.

 

[GLB]

I have 2 custom 708s that I load for.
140 accubond
42 Varget

140 VLD
42.2 Varget
Both are very Sub MOA.

 

[Jon Boy]

I have 2 custom 708s that I load for.
140 accubond
42 Varget

140 VLD
42.2 Varget
Both are very Sub MOA.

How do you like the VLD on game?

 

[GLB]

I prefer the 140 Accubond for game. The VLDs have yet been tested in the one rifle I loaded them for but plan to use it for Caribou this Aug (if I'm not bowhunting them) I have confidence based on people I know and trust that they will be fine.

 

[E in CO]

Any idea what your velocity is with varget? I have some on hand.

Haven’t run it on a chrono so I’d just be guessing

 

[elkeaterco]

This thread is awesome. I'm excited to start working loads up for my Kimber 708. Can anyone give advice of dies? Do i need to spend a ton on high end dies with bushings or will a standard Redding FL die set do just fine?

 

[Jon Boy]

Picked up a nf shv 3-10x42, lapua brass, varget powder and a holland brake. Should be put together this week. My buddy has a variety of 284 bullets that we're gunna give a try. Hopefully we find something that works

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[Matt Cashell]

Picked up a nf shv 3-10x42, lapua brass, varget powder and a holland brake. Should be put together this week. My buddy has a variety of 284 bullets that we're gunna give a try. Hopefully we find something that works

Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk

You will. The 7-08 is easy to load.