7mm-08 hunting loads?

[mattri]

Have a 7mm-08 hunting rifle, 26" Criterion on a long action.

Rifle shoots well with 150gr Sierra GameKings.

Didn't seem to like 139 or 154 Horndays as well.

Thinking about trying some 140gr Sierras and Some Nosler Partition or Accubonds in the 140/160 range.

Primary use is deer out to 500+/- and elk when appropriate.

Would like to stick with H4350, H4831, Varget etc as they have been the most temperature insensitive.

Anyone had any luck with these combos?

[bootsmcguire]

Another bullet to look at is the Sierra 120gr Spitzer and Varget. Heck of a whitetail bullet. It is tougher than most 120gr 7mm bullets. I shoot it out of my 7mm Rem Mag and it works great. I called Sierra about using in the 7RM to see if it would handle those speeds and the bulletsmith I talked to said he uses it out west on antelope and elk in a 7mm STW and its flat and expansion is controlled even at those speeds, but still opens reliable at 7-08 and slower speeds. I dunno about elk usage myself, but thats what he said.

I know its not one of your original choices, but figured I'd throw it out there for ya.

[mattri]

Thanks for the reply.

Really interesting that you mention the Sierra 120s, I have a box that I had ruled out because I thought they'd be too light for taking game at extended ranges. I'll have to do a little digging.

[bootsmcguire]

Call Sierra and see what they say. I told them I was wanting to shoot deer sized game from 400 yards on in, and he said I should be able to go farther than that, but I am running a 7RM so maybe with the extra velocity....

EDIT: I just plugged in some data to an energy calulator. My book lists 3100fps about a max speed for Varget and 120gr bullet. 1000 ft/lbs is recomended minimum energy at impact for deer sized game. Looks like at 450yds is when you drop below 1000 ft/lbs.

When I plugged in data for a Sierra 140gr Spitzer, my book shows 2810fps as a max speed for Varget. That bullet drops below 1000 ft/lbs at 450yds also.

Take all that FWIW.

[mattri]

Just talked with Sierra. They say the bullet should be fine on deer sized game out to 3-400 yards.

Unfortunately the do not list any load data using H4350, and so far I haven't found anyone else who does either. Hodgden lists H4550 but with a Nosler BT.

[jb6.5]

The 120 gr nbt work very good. They have a very heavy jacket. We shot deer and lots of hog with them always got a pass through. They tend to be very accurate also.

[bootsmcguire]

The data I have shows H4350 48.0gr compressed is starting load and 50.0gr compressed is max load with a min. OAL of 2.800". Says Sierra 120, does not specifically say Sierra 120gr Pro-Hunter Spitzer, but I believe this is the only 120gr 7mm in production.

I'd say start at 48.0gr and work up, FWIW I have had the best luck in 308 based calibers with Varget or RL15 when bullet weights for said caliber are in the bottom 2/3's of the entire weight range of bullets available for that particular bore. I will say that when I had a 7-08, I tried Varget with 120's and 140's and got good results with the 120's. The 140's were hit or miss but I think that was due to the fact that that particular barrel was one of the weird Savage 1:11" twsits. I didn't really get a final load made, as the more I shot it the more I decided it was too similar to my 308 to justify keeping both and my 308's a real tack driver.

[LHitchcox]

The 120 gr nbt work very good. They have a very heavy jacket. We shot deer and lots of hog with them always got a pass through. They tend to be very accurate also.

I absolutely agree. I am getting over 3100 fps with no pressure signs. The bullet is supposedly made from the same jacket as the 140 BT. If so it is going to be a stout little sucker. Varget, RL15, or Big Game powder will make it hum.

[mattri]

Good to know, thanks. The weather is supposed to be pretty bad this weekend, so may not get to the range to test the Sierra 120s- we'll see.