Load for my ruger 7-08

NHSHOOTER · December 22, 2013, 03:36 PM

I am having a real hard time finding a load that ill group for my Hawkeye, any suggestions? I have tried from 100 up to 150 gr? should I be going with a heavier bullet? I also have a model seven in the same caliber that shoots real well with a few different loads but not the hawkeye and the Hawkeye has a boyds thumbhole free floating stock and a timney trigger.

steve4102 · December 22, 2013, 05:36 PM

What bullet/powder combos have you tried so far?

What size groups are you getting and what size are you looking for?

jsflagstad · December 22, 2013, 06:13 PM

My best loads are with Varget and 139 g Sierra game kings between 2800-3000 fps (for under 600 yards stay closer to 2800). They'll shoot the same hole at 100 and clover leafs at 200.

NHSHOOTER · December 22, 2013, 06:38 PM

I have tried H4895,H380,748,Varget,IMR4895,IMR4350, bullets, sierra- 100's, 120's 140's 150's Nosler ballistic tip 120's 140's I use a overall length gauge and bullet comparator. I would say my best group was maybe 2.5 in at 100 yds but I really think I should be doing much better.

hodaka · December 22, 2013, 06:41 PM

By chance have you tried different primers.

NHSHOOTER · December 22, 2013, 06:43 PM

Federal and winchester

steve4102 · December 22, 2013, 07:36 PM

Quote:

I have tried H4895,H380,748,Varget,IMR4895,IMR4350, bullets, sierra- 100's, 120's 140's 150's Nosler ballistic tip 120's 140's I use a overall length gauge and bullet comparator. I would say my best group was maybe 2.5 in at 100 yds but I really think I should be doing much better.

Time to look at the Rifle and the Optics.

If none of those loads would do better than 2.5, it ain't the ammo.

Is the rifle bedded? Free Floated? Rings and mounts checked? Scope 100% reliable?

Have you given the rifle a good soaking with a good foaming bore cleaner to remove all traces of copper?

I have had a few Rugers in my day and I can tell you that some of them had the roughest barrels I have ever seen. If this were my rifle, I would foam all the copper out then give it a dose of Tubbs Final Finish bore lapping bullets. If that didn't fix it, I would sell it.

NHSHOOTER · December 28, 2013, 02:27 PM

Thanks for all the input. I found the problem, screws that mount the stock to the action were loose. Would it be a good idea to put loctite "blue" on them?

jsflagstad · December 28, 2013, 05:32 PM

Yes, blue loctite is fine. Make sure not to over tighten them though, just snug them.

papazip · December 29, 2013, 05:36 PM

my ruger 7-08 is also doing poorly.Starting loads blackened the case neck all the way to the shoulder. Mid-range loads flattened primers.Also, any suggestions on seating depth for 130 gr. boattail?

NHSHOOTER · December 29, 2013, 05:48 PM

papazip I have been loading for me 2 7-08s for over a year and the cases have been blackened at the neck from the beginning. Never had a problem with flattened primers though. I use a overall length gauge with bullet comparator and seat my bullets .030 back from overall length. I tried out 4 different loads yesterday, 2 of the 4 did real well. 120 gr sierra's did good especially with H4895 for a published MV of 3000fps. I have tried Hornady 139 BTSP with many different powders and my rifles just dont care for those. For my Model 7 hunting load I have found 140 gr nosler ballistic tip over 42 grs of varget. Now that I have tightened up my stock on my Ruger I will have to try some of the noslers thru that also. If there is anything more I can do to help, just ask..

papazip · December 29, 2013, 07:37 PM

thanks so much, NHSHOOTER. mY WORK HAS JUST BEGUN!

steve4102 · December 29, 2013, 07:55 PM

Blacken necks is often associated with weak and under powered loads.

Flat primers is often times associated with brass that has had the shoulder bumped back to far.

Reading primers is A-Kin to reading tea leaves. Follow you manuals.

Bart B. · December 29, 2013, 08:29 PM

If Flat primers is often times associated with brass that has had the shoulder bumped back to far, please explain how that happens. How far is too much shoulder setback?

I've shot many normal max loads with way too much head clearance and never had flattened primers.

steve4102 · December 29, 2013, 08:47 PM

Read my words again there Bart. I didn't say it WILL cause flat primers, I said flat primers can be caused by this. If you didn't get flat primers with excess headspace, good for you.

mrawesome22 explains it pretty well here in post #3.

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=484283

You can also find reference to it in this article.

http://www.loaddata.com/articles/PDF...20May%2011.pdf

Here post #7.

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=496694

Here post #4.

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=454722

Wyosmith · December 29, 2013, 08:47 PM

Yes setting the shoulder back can cause that condition.
What happens is this;

The firing pin hits the primer but the whole cartridge is allowed to move forward in the chamber because the shoulder is not in contact which would brace the shell. So the shell moves forward a bit and then hits the shoulder of the chamber leaving a bit more headspace than we want.

The priming compound explodes as soon as the pin can punch the primer cup, but the face of the bolt is now not touching it. So the primer blows back fast and hard enough to rivet its head a bit when it stops against the bolt face.
Then the pressure of the burning powder shoves the shell head back, but the primer being riveted a bit, it can't go back into the pocket fully, so it gets pinched in-between the bolt face and the shell head. It has no where to go but sideways and that makes for the flattened look when you examine the spent shells.

Bart B. · December 29, 2013, 10:53 PM

Steve, just explain how that can happen.

Doesn't matter that I never stated you said it will happen nor that you claim I did.

SAAMI's term for that is head clearance; the space between the breech face and case head. Too much is what happens with shoulders set back too far.

steve4102 · December 30, 2013, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bart B.

just explain how that can happen.

Follow the links in post 15 or read Wyosmith response in post 16, or both.

Panfisher · December 30, 2013, 09:52 AM

My 7-08 has mostly been pretty easy to feed. So far its favorite meal has been Barnes 120 grain Barnes XBT with a moderate load of IMR 4895. It shot pretty much everything from 130 grain Speer Hot Cor to 150 grain Core-lokts fairly well, and always did well with 140 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips as well. My rifle is a Rem 7, so not a target rifle thus I haven't tried target bullets or any long range precision work, it lives for the woods and deer season, but doesn't get much "play time" anymore. However I know it is there, ready willing and able to go.

Bart B. · January 1, 2014, 09:55 AM

Steve, it's OK by me if you don't have the wherewithall to explain your position on this issue in your own words. I've asked for them but you only sent links to someone elses opinions.

I'll soon post a thread about my tests, observations and conclusions in another thread.

steve4102 · January 1, 2014, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bart B.

Steve, it's OK by me if you don't have the wherewithall to explain your position on this issue in your own words. I've asked for them but you only sent links to someone elses opinions.

Your question was answered by those more experience then I.

You can also ask our Moderator Unclenick, I'm sure he can explain it much better than I.
He has a list of 32 "pressure" signs found here.
http://www.shootersforum.com/handloa...ure-signs.html

In line #19 he states that flattened primers may be caused by among other things, "Long Headspace".

December 28, 2013, 05:32 PM	#9
jsflagstad Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2005 Location: Up Nort Posts: 419	Yes, blue loctite is fine. Make sure not to over tighten them though, just snug them. __________________ JSF "Is your rifle interesting? -Larry Potterfield

December 22, 2013, 03:36 PM	#1
NHSHOOTER Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2012 Location: Concord NH Posts: 1,002	Load for my ruger 7-08 I am having a real hard time finding a load that ill group for my Hawkeye, any suggestions? I have tried from 100 up to 150 gr? should I be going with a heavier bullet? I also have a model seven in the same caliber that shoots real well with a few different loads but not the hawkeye and the Hawkeye has a boyds thumbhole free floating stock and a timney trigger.

December 22, 2013, 05:36 PM	#2
steve4102 Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,955	What bullet/powder combos have you tried so far? What size groups are you getting and what size are you looking for?

December 22, 2013, 06:13 PM	#3
jsflagstad Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2005 Location: Up Nort Posts: 419	My best loads are with Varget and 139 g Sierra game kings between 2800-3000 fps (for under 600 yards stay closer to 2800). They'll shoot the same hole at 100 and clover leafs at 200. __________________ JSF "Is your rifle interesting? -Larry Potterfield

December 22, 2013, 06:38 PM	#4
NHSHOOTER Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2012 Location: Concord NH Posts: 1,002	I have tried H4895,H380,748,Varget,IMR4895,IMR4350, bullets, sierra- 100's, 120's 140's 150's Nosler ballistic tip 120's 140's I use a overall length gauge and bullet comparator. I would say my best group was maybe 2.5 in at 100 yds but I really think I should be doing much better.

December 22, 2013, 06:41 PM	#5
hodaka Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2006 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,010	By chance have you tried different primers.

December 22, 2013, 06:43 PM	#6
NHSHOOTER Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2012 Location: Concord NH Posts: 1,002	Federal and winchester

December 28, 2013, 02:27 PM	#8
NHSHOOTER Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2012 Location: Concord NH Posts: 1,002	Thanks for all the input. I found the problem, screws that mount the stock to the action were loose. Would it be a good idea to put loctite "blue" on them?

December 29, 2013, 05:36 PM	#10
papazip Member Join Date: March 19, 2013 Location: southwest nh Posts: 20	my ruger 7-08 is also doing poorly.Starting loads blackened the case neck all the way to the shoulder. Mid-range loads flattened primers.Also, any suggestions on seating depth for 130 gr. boattail?

December 29, 2013, 05:48 PM	#11
NHSHOOTER Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2012 Location: Concord NH Posts: 1,002	papazip I have been loading for me 2 7-08s for over a year and the cases have been blackened at the neck from the beginning. Never had a problem with flattened primers though. I use a overall length gauge with bullet comparator and seat my bullets .030 back from overall length. I tried out 4 different loads yesterday, 2 of the 4 did real well. 120 gr sierra's did good especially with H4895 for a published MV of 3000fps. I have tried Hornady 139 BTSP with many different powders and my rifles just dont care for those. For my Model 7 hunting load I have found 140 gr nosler ballistic tip over 42 grs of varget. Now that I have tightened up my stock on my Ruger I will have to try some of the noslers thru that also. If there is anything more I can do to help, just ask..

December 29, 2013, 07:37 PM	#12
papazip Member Join Date: March 19, 2013 Location: southwest nh Posts: 20	thanks so much, NHSHOOTER. mY WORK HAS JUST BEGUN!

December 29, 2013, 07:55 PM	#13
steve4102 Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,955	Blacken necks is often associated with weak and under powered loads. Flat primers is often times associated with brass that has had the shoulder bumped back to far. Reading primers is A-Kin to reading tea leaves. Follow you manuals.

December 29, 2013, 08:29 PM	#14
Bart B. Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 8,927	If Flat primers is often times associated with brass that has had the shoulder bumped back to far, please explain how that happens. How far is too much shoulder setback? I've shot many normal max loads with way too much head clearance and never had flattened primers.

December 29, 2013, 08:47 PM	#15
steve4102 Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,955	Read my words again there Bart. I didn't say it WILL cause flat primers, I said flat primers can be caused by this. If you didn't get flat primers with excess headspace, good for you. mrawesome22 explains it pretty well here in post #3. http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=484283 You can also find reference to it in this article. http://www.loaddata.com/articles/PDF...20May%2011.pdf Here post #7. http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=496694 Here post #4. http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=454722

December 29, 2013, 08:47 PM	#16
Wyosmith Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2010 Location: Shoshoni Wyoming Posts: 2,713	Yes setting the shoulder back can cause that condition. What happens is this; The firing pin hits the primer but the whole cartridge is allowed to move forward in the chamber because the shoulder is not in contact which would brace the shell. So the shell moves forward a bit and then hits the shoulder of the chamber leaving a bit more headspace than we want. The priming compound explodes as soon as the pin can punch the primer cup, but the face of the bolt is now not touching it. So the primer blows back fast and hard enough to rivet its head a bit when it stops against the bolt face. Then the pressure of the burning powder shoves the shell head back, but the primer being riveted a bit, it can't go back into the pocket fully, so it gets pinched in-between the bolt face and the shell head. It has no where to go but sideways and that makes for the flattened look when you examine the spent shells.

December 29, 2013, 10:53 PM	#17
Bart B. Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 8,927	Steve, just explain how that can happen. Doesn't matter that I never stated you said it will happen nor that you claim I did. SAAMI's term for that is head clearance; the space between the breech face and case head. Too much is what happens with shoulders set back too far.

December 30, 2013, 09:52 AM	#19
Panfisher Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2010 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,337	My 7-08 has mostly been pretty easy to feed. So far its favorite meal has been Barnes 120 grain Barnes XBT with a moderate load of IMR 4895. It shot pretty much everything from 130 grain Speer Hot Cor to 150 grain Core-lokts fairly well, and always did well with 140 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips as well. My rifle is a Rem 7, so not a target rifle thus I haven't tried target bullets or any long range precision work, it lives for the woods and deer season, but doesn't get much "play time" anymore. However I know it is there, ready willing and able to go.

January 1, 2014, 09:55 AM	#20
Bart B. Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 8,927	Steve, it's OK by me if you don't have the wherewithall to explain your position on this issue in your own words. I've asked for them but you only sent links to someone elses opinions. I'll soon post a thread about my tests, observations and conclusions in another thread.