7MM-08

NHSHOOTER · March 29, 2013, 05:40 AM

I reload for my 7-08 Ruger Hawkeye with a 22" barrel, it seems to really like the lighter bullets, 120's and 100's, does that sound like the norm? I use H4895, RL15 and varget powder, my best loads seem to be with the H4895. I am getting about a 3/4 in group with my stock trigger, I just installed a Timney and tried it out but it was a really windy day, groups were still very good but I think will be better on a windless day. My question is, any of you load for the 08 have a pet load? I just like to tinker so any ideas would be welcomed.

Crusty Deary Ol'Coot · March 29, 2013, 02:07 PM

NHSHOOTER,

Just an Ol'Coot's thought here, but I tend to go to the slower powders, and for me, I tend toward trying to optimise my 7mm/08 if that is what I was shooting.

This would mean using a bullet, if at all possible of 140gr or more.

Now, If my rifle just simply would NOT shoot the more desireable bullet weights, then I make sure to shoot a bullet with the integrity of the Nosler Partition or others of like integrity.

So, as to powders, I be trying the RL19, 4831, AA3100, 4350 or others in that burning rate range.

I have used powders in that range in the .243 for years with great results and that is where I'd start with the 7mm/08.

Crusty Deary Ol'Coot

BigD_in_FL · March 29, 2013, 03:32 PM

MY Model 7 with the 18.5"barrel likes 140 gr bullets with 760, 4064, or similar powders

Brian Pfleuger · March 29, 2013, 03:57 PM

My Encore handgun with a 15" barrel likes the Barnes 110gr and IMR3031.... QuickLoad thinks 3031 would be close to max velocity in a 22" barrel too, with most bullets from 100-120gr.

tobnpr · March 30, 2013, 10:23 AM

I re-barreled my Savage 7-08 with a faster twist varmint contour to shoot the 162 Amax at long-range. It has a sick BC....

H4350 has been the ticket so far, and I've been advised to try RL-17.

But I'm pushing heavier bullets, than you're using.

I can't even get powder or primers so it's a moot point.

What's the twist rate on your barrel, and what distance are you shooting?

hunter52 · March 30, 2013, 03:52 PM

The Remington 700 BDL I have also has a preference for the lighter bullets, namely 115gr Speer HP and Hornady or Sierra 120gr SP. IMR 3031 is the powder that has given the best accuracy and velocity with these bullets.

For heavier bullets IMR 4064 and IMR 4350 are what this rifle likes.

GeauxTide · March 30, 2013, 10:13 PM

The expansion ratio of the 708 is closer to the 260 than the 308, so I'd use the medium slow. My 260 loves RL19 with 120, 129, and 140. Try 139 Hornady and 140 NBT.

jimbob86 · March 30, 2013, 11:07 PM

My Ruger Frontier (16" barrel) does well with 139-150 gr bullets with IMR 4064.

I'd like to try Speer 160BTSP in it .....

joe45c · March 31, 2013, 02:49 PM

i have been using 154gr hornady in my browning medalon, but i just bought some nosler partitions in 140 gr that i am going to try. For powder i use imr 4064

ntg · April 4, 2013, 09:53 AM

Joe,

Let us know how those loads go for you. I've got a 7-08 on the way and I'm interested in keeping my loads in the 140-154 grain bullets. Thanks.

oldscot3 · April 4, 2013, 09:13 PM

I had a Rem 700 BDL Varmint gun some years ago, it shot Speer 145gr. flatbase bullets well with 760. As I recall, the best groups came on the max end of the load range. It made a really nice, economical, all purpose load.

oneoldsap · April 5, 2013, 06:12 PM

I too use the Speer 145 over a max load of W-760 , and it is THE load for my Model 7 Rem. . I have taken deer for 15 years with this load , and none have taken more than two steps , and most were DRT .

hgmeyer · April 5, 2013, 07:03 PM

My .257R likes 4350 with heavier bullets. Slightly smaller bullet and slightly larger case so it might work well in your 7mm-08. I don't have one so this is pure speculation not advice. But our .308 like this powder as well... not it's best for 165 but second best for 150s...

March 29, 2013, 05:40 AM	#1
NHSHOOTER Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2012 Location: Concord NH Posts: 1,002	7MM-08 I reload for my 7-08 Ruger Hawkeye with a 22" barrel, it seems to really like the lighter bullets, 120's and 100's, does that sound like the norm? I use H4895, RL15 and varget powder, my best loads seem to be with the H4895. I am getting about a 3/4 in group with my stock trigger, I just installed a Timney and tried it out but it was a really windy day, groups were still very good but I think will be better on a windless day. My question is, any of you load for the 08 have a pet load? I just like to tinker so any ideas would be welcomed.

March 29, 2013, 03:57 PM	#4
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	My Encore handgun with a 15" barrel likes the Barnes 110gr and IMR3031.... QuickLoad thinks 3031 would be close to max velocity in a 22" barrel too, with most bullets from 100-120gr. __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

March 30, 2013, 10:23 AM	#5
tobnpr Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 4,556	I re-barreled my Savage 7-08 with a faster twist varmint contour to shoot the 162 Amax at long-range. It has a sick BC.... H4350 has been the ticket so far, and I've been advised to try RL-17. But I'm pushing heavier bullets, than you're using. I can't even get powder or primers so it's a moot point. What's the twist rate on your barrel, and what distance are you shooting? __________________ Remington 700/Savage Rebarreling /Action Blueprinting 07 FFL /Mosin-Nagant Custom Shop/Bent Bolts Genuine Cerakote Applicator www.biggorillagunworks.com

April 5, 2013, 06:12 PM	#12
oneoldsap Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2009 Location: I live in the foot of the Green Mountains of Vermont Posts: 1,602	I too use the Speer 145 over a max load of W-760 , and it is THE load for my Model 7 Rem. . I have taken deer for 15 years with this load , and none have taken more than two steps , and most were DRT . __________________ Don't forget to have your liberals spayed or neutered !

April 5, 2013, 07:03 PM	#13
hgmeyer Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2013 Location: Elgin, IL Posts: 147	4350 My .257R likes 4350 with heavier bullets. Slightly smaller bullet and slightly larger case so it might work well in your 7mm-08. I don't have one so this is pure speculation not advice. But our .308 like this powder as well... not it's best for 165 but second best for 150s...

March 29, 2013, 02:07 PM	#2
Crusty Deary Ol'Coot Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Location: Deary, Ideeeeeeho Posts: 531	NHSHOOTER, Just an Ol'Coot's thought here, but I tend to go to the slower powders, and for me, I tend toward trying to optimise my 7mm/08 if that is what I was shooting. This would mean using a bullet, if at all possible of 140gr or more. Now, If my rifle just simply would NOT shoot the more desireable bullet weights, then I make sure to shoot a bullet with the integrity of the Nosler Partition or others of like integrity. So, as to powders, I be trying the RL19, 4831, AA3100, 4350 or others in that burning rate range. I have used powders in that range in the .243 for years with great results and that is where I'd start with the 7mm/08. Crusty Deary Ol'Coot

March 29, 2013, 03:32 PM	#3
BigD_in_FL Junior member Join Date: December 20, 2012 Location: The "Gunshine State" Posts: 1,981	MY Model 7 with the 18.5"barrel likes 140 gr bullets with 760, 4064, or similar powders

March 30, 2013, 03:52 PM	#6
hunter52 Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2011 Location: Colorado Posts: 101	The Remington 700 BDL I have also has a preference for the lighter bullets, namely 115gr Speer HP and Hornady or Sierra 120gr SP. IMR 3031 is the powder that has given the best accuracy and velocity with these bullets. For heavier bullets IMR 4064 and IMR 4350 are what this rifle likes.

March 30, 2013, 10:13 PM	#7
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,424	The expansion ratio of the 708 is closer to the 260 than the 308, so I'd use the medium slow. My 260 loves RL19 with 120, 129, and 140. Try 139 Hornady and 140 NBT.

March 30, 2013, 11:07 PM	#8
jimbob86 Junior member Join Date: October 4, 2007 Location: All the way to NEBRASKA Posts: 8,722	My Ruger Frontier (16" barrel) does well with 139-150 gr bullets with IMR 4064. I'd like to try Speer 160BTSP in it .....

March 31, 2013, 02:49 PM	#9
joe45c Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2012 Location: peru ny Posts: 218	i have been using 154gr hornady in my browning medalon, but i just bought some nosler partitions in 140 gr that i am going to try. For powder i use imr 4064

April 4, 2013, 09:53 AM	#10
ntg Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2013 Location: 4B - Idaho Posts: 119	Joe, Let us know how those loads go for you. I've got a 7-08 on the way and I'm interested in keeping my loads in the 140-154 grain bullets. Thanks.

April 4, 2013, 09:13 PM	#11
oldscot3 Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2007 Location: texas Posts: 997	I had a Rem 700 BDL Varmint gun some years ago, it shot Speer 145gr. flatbase bullets well with 760. As I recall, the best groups came on the max end of the load range. It made a really nice, economical, all purpose load.