7mm-08 Loading - New Rifle

[ToolMann]

Well, mama wanted a new rifle for her birthday that was lighter than her current setup, and who am I to not get her what she wants. Being a fan of my own Tikka I picked her up a Tikka T3X Superlite in 7mm-08. Barrel is 22.4". Now the fun part for me, figuring out a load. I found some brass, have enough primers, will be loading 140 Nosler Accubonds when I can find them. Question now is powder. I currently only use and have IMR 4350 and IMR 4895. Talking with a friend who got me in to reloading a few years ago he had trouble getting decent velocity with the 4350 out of his 7mm-08 Tikka SL. I'm not in to chasing velocity too much if I find an accurate load, but would like to at least get close to 1,800 FPS instead of the mid-1500s like he was. So, the question is if anyone has had any better luck. I'm thinking the 4895 may give me a bit more velocity so may start there. I'm not against trying Varget, RL17, Big Game, etc. as these seem to be popular in the 4895, but if I can stick to a powder I already load that would be great. And as you all know, finding new components in our current climate isn't an easy task.

Thanks in advance for any info. Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!

 

[Newtosavage]

I've loaded a LOT now for the 7mm-08. Great cartridge and easy to load for, especially from a Tikka. IMR 4350 will work very well. Use the 4895 for 120 grainers.

Varget and 120's are classic whitetail fodder. Big Game works well with 120's too. With the 140's I'd look at Varget, H4350 (if you can find it), IMR 8208 XBR (great all around powder for the 7mm-08), or RL-15 or 16.

The latest powder I've been using is the IMR 4166 and it's excellent. Supposed to replicate Varget and in my experience it really does. I get 2850 fps. with 139 LRX's out of just a 20" barrel and it is VERY accurate.

 

[ToolMann]

Appreciate the info. So if I'm understanding correctly (always learning about reloading) the IMR 4350 should be OK fir the heavier 140 bullets and 4895 more for the lighter. 4895 worked great for 140s in my 270 but there is more case capacity too, so that makes sense.

 

[Rob5589]

R15 is what worked best in my T3. 2000mr was also good, just not quite as accurate. This is with a 120 TTSX, Norma brass, BR2 primer.

 

[sndmn11]

I have had easy success in 6.5 Staball in 7-08, and it seems to be available a lot more than others

 

[oenanthe]

I've also had pretty good luck with H4350 in my 7mm-08 with 140 TSX. It's a slightly compressed load.

You might also try H414, I ended up with a load that was just as fast and accurate as H4350.

 

[Kimber7man]

47 grains of Big Game with the 140 Accubond is like peas and carrots. Or Forrest and Jenny.

I get 2,850 out of that with RP brass in a 22.5” barrel.

 

[Kimber7man]

Have heard R16 works well too. That might be just as hard to find.

 

[Rob5589]

I've also had pretty good luck with H4350 in my 7mm-08 with 140 TSX. It's a slightly compressed load.

You might also try H414, I ended up with a load that was just as fast and accurate as H4350.

Forgot about H414, also worked, just not as well as the R15.

 

[Thisisdenny]

The 120gr Barnes TTSX and CFE223 is working well for me in a couple different 7mm-08 rifles.

 

[ToolMann]

Man, this has made it even more difficult to make a decision! One correction is I have IMR 4831, not 4895. Not sure if that helps the conversation at all. Guess I'll have to pick a direction. Found some bullets today from Scheels (BTs instead of ABs, but that will get me going). Just need to decide on a powder and get some dies. If anyone in the Colorado Front Range area has any Big Game, R17 or R16 they'd be willing to part with, let me know. If not I'll probably try to load the IMR 4350 and see if I can get some decent velocity. That powder works great in my 30.06 and 243. We use the 4831 for the 270.

 

[Marble]

There are a lot powders to choose from for this one.

I've used H4350, RL15, H4831and BigGame. Big Game is what I've been using shooting the 140-145 grain barnes, the 140 AB.

I really like the performance of the Big Game, but it meters horribly from the powder machine.

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

 

[Kimber7man]

Alliant 2000MR works too

 

[N2TRKYS]

I use Varget in my 120 grain NBT load at 3000fps in a 20” barrel.
I use Big Game in my 140 grain Partition and Accubond load at 2850fps in a 20” barrel.

All bullets have performed flawlessly on whitetail bucks.

 

[Kimber7man]

@ToolMann - Ramshot big game is in stock at powder valley right now!

 

[ToolMann]

@ToolMann - Ramshot big game is in stock at powder valley right now!

I'll check it out. Thanks! That damn hazmat fee gets rough.

 

[ToolMann]

@ToolMann - Ramshot big game is in stock at powder valley right now!

You just cost me a few hundred bucks. Ordered 5 pounds . They were out of 8 pounders. Seriously though, thanks for the heads up. Should be enough powder for a while.

 

[Pabst]

I like RL15 in my 7mm-08s, ballpark 43gr for 140s and 45.5 in 120s gives about 2850 for the 140s and 3150 for the 120s. Probably similar with Varget.

 

[Roksliding]

I loaded big game under 140 grain nosler bullets, and hate it!! It’s accurate it has good speed, but that crap gets everywhere when metering!! EVERYWHERE!!

120gr and varget from here on out.

 

[HiMtnHntr]

Mine likes the 140 accubonds and biggame combo.