7mm-08 varmint loads?

[mattri]

Putting together a 7mm-08 with a 30" 1:9 Criterion bull on a PTA in a Stockade Prairie Dog stock with some weight added.

Going to use it for some informal paper and steel, as well as prairie dogs this summer.

Have H4350, IMR4064, Varget and R17 at the moment.

Have a few manuals and Hodgdon's site, just curious if anyone has had success with certain 7mm varmint bullets, pet loads etc.

Thanks, Matt.

[scope eye]

Ah yes varmint loads are there any other kind, I have a buddy has a 7-08 that sometimes I load for, and he likes those 100 Sierra HP I load for him with a full case of H4895 & Varget, They end up exiting around 3500 FPS, If you use the H4350 & RL17 you will end up losing 200 to 300 FPS, but will be able to shoot more without the barrel over heating, on the same note he must have 10 different rigs all variations of the 308 based cartridge, my favorite being his 25 Souper, his theory only has to buy one type of brass, ya got to admit there's something to that.

Tanks Dean

[mattri]

Thanks for the reply I'll check them out.

[ark1gas]

I've used the 110 grain Speer TNT bullet and Varget powder. Real accurate out to 500 yds, that's as far as Ive tried them. They are brutal on coyotes .

[mattri]

Awesome thanks.

[n4ue]

Yep, 110 Gr TNT hBN coated, neck sized - once fired brass, over RL-15. On my Axis, shoots cloverleafs and it isn't even broken in! BUT, it did get a trigger job! Kinda mandatory...

ron

[mattri]

Thanks, is it the factory barrel on your Axis?

[n4ue]

Hi. Yes factory bbl, with <50 rounds down it. I didn't mention the charge weight, but it's nowhere near max. I also have a new TC Venture in 7-08 and it also shoots just as well.
The reason I have this caliber, is that I have a Rem XP-100 I bought new years ago. It was chambered in 7 BR. Remington didn't even produce this ammo for several years AFTER they released the pistol!! ha ha
I 'tried' forming 7-08 brass down to 7 BR, using 7 BR dies. The first one was a success. The next 9 collapsed. I gave up and sent the pistol to the late, great Elgin Gates in Utah. He rechambered it to 7-08. The pistol was only ever used in IHMSA matches. It is very accurate, but without any muzzle break, etc, it was (is) a real blaster even with a custom stock. My ex-wife even shot it in IHMSA matches.
I don't shoot it any more. Too many rounds through it and 454s, etc, have resulted in having NO cartilage left in my wrist.
ouch.
BTW, the worst recoiling handgun I have is a TC Contender 14" chambered in .445 Super Mag. Switching to 44 Mag ammo in it, is (almost) like plinking with a .22!

ron

[mattri]

Interesting, thanks. I have a hunter build in 7-08 that is proving very accurate out to 600 with 150gr Sierras. This next project won't be a game rifle, it will solely be for paper, steel and prairie dogs. I've used a 243 and a 20 Practical in the past, hoping to exceed both at longer ranges.

[mattri]

Just an update. Tried 120gr V-maxs, 110gr Speers and 100gr Sierras with a half a dozen different powders before finding a load that really worked in this gun. 100gr Sierras over IMR4064 for 3250fps, es 20 sd 9 holds about .75" @ 200.

Will be using this on pds next month- wish me luck.

[n4ue]

Update, FWIW......
Hi. Just looked at a target pinned to the wall in the reloading room.
Rifle is the new Axis. Trigger job and reinforced stock. Pentax 4-16 SF scope
110 gr TNT (coated with HBN)
48.0 gr RL 15
nk sized
Rem brass
CCI-200
2.765" OAL (.010" from lands)

one ragged hole
I like the 110 gr bullet. It has much lower recoil, which is better when letting 'newbies' shoot water jugs, etc. The 140 gr pills would be more efficient, of course. This would make an awesome 'yote load.....

ron

[5spd]

I run a 120g nosler bt, 43g imr4320 at 2900 fps, 2.780" col in my 22 savage sporter bbl. Darn accurate to 400 yds so far & will pop the 700 yard steel w/ease out here. A bit heavy for varmints, but drops coyotes to antelope w/no problem.

[mattri]

Yeah I've heard great things about those Nosler 120s. Had a 270 that loved their 140s. May try the 120s in my 7mm-08 hunter.