New Stevens 200 7mm08

[tjf76]

Found a great deal on a new Stevens 200 7mm08 at a local shop yesterday and it came home with me. Was wanting to shoot deer/Elk with this rifle next yr but tested the twist rate and I got a darn 1/11.5 barrel. Whats the heaviest gr bullet I can shoot with this now? I wanted to shoot factory loaded 140gr Nosler Partitions with it, will I be ok?

[Mach2]

I just checked Savage's website about the Stevens 200. They don't list 7mm08 this year in any twist rate. Maybe it was accidentally edited out? Dunno. Maybe you should measure the twist rate yourself to be sure it really is 1:11.5

[scythefwd]

Shilens site says 1:11 will handle up to 140, 1:12 is special for high speed .. no explanation on that though.. I'd grab a box and see.. looks like you might be able to depending on the bullet itself (its more than just weight that determines if a bullet can be stabilized).

[tjf76]

I checked myself with the cleaning rod test and it is 1/11.5, this sucks!

[scythefwd]

I checked myself with the cleaning rod test and it is 1/11.5, this sucks!

Go ahead and shoot and see if it will stabilize it man. You'd be supprised at what it may do.

[tjf76]

Going to go out today. Have 3 different loads to try 2 140gr and 1 145gr. Hope this works out or I have have to rebarrel. thanks for the help.

[scythefwd]

hope it works out for ya man

[tjf76]

Thanks! I hope so too. I guess I could shoot the Barnes 120Gr if all else fails.

[jerkin]

I just went through the same thing, found a great deal on a model 11 in 7mm-08 and the guy said he thought it was the 9 twist, turns out it was the 11. Wasn't happy with how it was grouping the 140's, couldn't find a faster twist barrel and the ammo was too expensive so I put a .243 barrel on it. So far I only have 1 box of Federal 100 grain through it and it didn't do great but it is a brand new barrel and I haven't tried any other types of ammo in it yet. I'm going to wait until after deer season and put a few rounds of different types of ammo through it and hopefully figure out what it likes.

[tjf76]

I might just switch out to 308... Might save me some trouble if it will not group with the ammo I want to shoot. I wanted this for a light carry rifle to use on deer/elk.

[LHitchcox]

Give it a chance. My 1-11.5 shoots anything from 120-140 very well. It does especially well with Nosler 120 BTs and 139 Hornady SPs.

[tjf76]

Didnt get out to shoot today, going to try for tomorrow. I am going to she what load the rifle likes and not worry about twist rate.

[Gmac5]

The length of the bullet is what matters .a 140 conv lead core would have a better chance then say a 140 gr lead free. The lead free being longer .
Remember, check for yaw at the range you intend to be hunting at.

[Cycler]

The length of the bullet is what matters .a 140 conv lead core would have a better chance then say a 140 gr lead free. The lead free being longer .
Remember, check for yaw at the range you intend to be hunting at.
It's a combination of bullet length and velocity as RPM also matters. So a very fast 7 mm's like the Weatherby or Rem Mags will stabilize heavier (aka longer) bullets at a given twist than a slower cartridge. I expect a 1:11.5" twist with a 7-08 will stabilize up to about a conventional construction 140 gr or an all-copper or gilding metal 130 gr.

[tjf76]

How will I know for sure that the twist will not work with a type of ammo weight. Im I looking for key holes in the targets. I Shoot at 25/50 and 100yrds. Will the key holes be at all those ranges?

[stangfish]

Not keyholes but large groups. That gun is for hunting not matches. Use the 139's like stated above at or around 2700. If you have R15 try that . 120's a little faster.

[JW]

My 7-08 is the 11 twist also
It will shoot hornady 139 gr sst and barnes 140 gr triple shock well enough for hunting
It shoots 130 gr smks at 5/8"
Like others have said, try it, the 11 twist might be fine for what you want
Jack

[ellobo]

How will I know for sure that the twist will not work with a type of ammo weight. Im I looking for key holes in the targets. I Shoot at 25/50 and 100yrds. Will the key holes be at all those ranges?

Highly unlikely you will see keyholing until you get to 100 yds or further. But, you never know until you check. Fire a few shots at 25 and 50 just to be sure. Then let us know what you find.

El Lobo

[jonbearman]

The 1in11 1/2 shoots the 130 grain and below quite well.Mine is a hammer with 120 grain sierras.