7-08 and big game powder.

[muzz]

Those that use big game powder do you have problems with inaccuracies in different temps? I might try it in my wife’s Ruger American 7-08. I can’t get anything to group well with other powders I have tried. The temps can swing 30 to 40 degrees elk hunting and I don’t want a load that won’t stay shooting good .

 

[twodogs]

I use it in my 7mm-08 and have had good luck with it. I use a magnum LR primer with it, though I don't know if that's considered critical. It's considered to be very temperature stable. Lastly, I use it here in MT where I can be hunting early season in the 60s, all the way into late seasons where I can be below zero. If it shoots well with your rifle, I wouldn't give it a second thought.

 

[A382DWDZQ]

What are your groups like? I have only tried to find pressure with it so far, not looked at groups or gone back to do multiple rounds of the same charge after the first few. It was showing swipes on 47.5 and 48, and somewhat flat primers, but bolt lift was ok. Temp when doing these was around 65-70F. Here is what I got anyway. Keep in mind, this is still breaking in the rifle, 1st firing on this brass as well. These were loaded to 2.8, had not played with depth at all on them yet. I was liking how it looked on the lower end of the chart there, but moved on to some other powder combos to try for higher velocity, though this one would still be fine out to 500yds.

Primer	Bullet	Powder	Charge	Expected Velocity	Real Vel1	Vel2	Vel3
CCI 200	145gr LRX	Big Game	44	2630	2669	2670	2662
CCI 200	145gr LRX	Big Game	44.5	2656	2676	2667	2673
CCI 200	145gr LRX	Big Game	45	2682	2679
CCI 200	145gr LRX	Big Game	45.5	2707	Err
CCI 200	145gr LRX	Big Game	46	2733	2722
CCI 200	145gr LRX	Big Game	46.5	2758	2748
CCI 200	145gr LRX	Big Game	47	2784	2799
CCI 200	145gr LRX	Big Game	47.5	2810	2854
CCI 200	145gr LRX	Big Game	48	2835	2849
CCI 200	145gr LRX	Big Game	49	2887	Did not load

 

[marshland_max]

I use a lot of Big Game. Thing I have found over the years was top accuracy was also at max pressures / max loads.

It's my go to in my 375 H&H with 270 gr bullets

 

[Mack84]

I use a lot of Big Game. Thing I have found over the years was top accuracy was also at max pressures / max loads.

It's my go to in my 375 H&H with 270 gr bullets

Worked very well with a 55 grain Nos Varm and 22-250 Rem.. but now I used primarily Hodgdon Extremes, or Enduron if I have to.

 

[ToolMann]

I'm loading 47.2 grains and getting 2,870 with 140 grain Ballistic Tips. Haven't had any temp issues in my wife's Tikka 7mm-08. 80 degrees down to the negatives.

 

[Pharmseller]

BG is all I use in multiple 7mm-08s. I have not found issues with temperature stability.

 

[Doc Holliday]

I'm loading 47.2 grains and getting 2,870 with 140 grain Ballistic Tips. Haven't had any temp issues in my wife's Tikka 7mm-08. 80 degrees down to the negatives.

What COAL do you have on that? I'm in the process of working up a load with 140 gr BT as well

 

[Newtosavage]

temp stability is overrated for hunters IMO. Big Game is good powder. Esp. for lighter bullets in the 7mm-08.

 

[ToolMann]

What COAL do you have on that? I'm in the process of working up a load with 140 gr BT as well

I'll check when I get home. It is essentially mag length on a Tikka superlite.

 

[HighlandArms]

Those that use big game powder do you have problems with inaccuracies in different temps? I might try it in my wife’s Ruger American 7-08. I can’t get anything to group well with other powders I have tried. The temps can swing 30 to 40 degrees elk hunting and I don’t want a load that won’t stay shooting good .

H4350, have tried it in -30c, and +30c, very little difference in velocities.

 

[Pharmseller]

temp stability is overrated for hunters IMO. Big Game is good powder. Esp. for lighter bullets in the 7mm-08.

I use BG for 150 Eldx. That’s about as heavy as I want to go. 2790 fps does everything I want.




P

 

[fshaw]

I use BG for 150 Eldx. That’s about as heavy as I want to go. 2790 fps does everything I want.




P

What’s your load? You can PM it if you’d prefer. If you don’t want to give it, I understand. I understand that if I blow myself up it’s my fault.

Thanks.

Frank

 

[Pharmseller]

What’s your load? You can PM it if you’d prefer. If you don’t want to give it, I understand. I understand that if I blow myself up it’s my fault.

Thanks.

Frank

It’s max but published. Work up to it, of course.

46.2 gr BG, magnum primer, OAL of long, around 2.94” I believe.




P

 

[fshaw]

It’s max but published. Work up to it, of course.

46.2 gr BG, magnum primer, OAL of long, around 2.94” I believe.




P

Is your OAL magazine dictated or a set distance off the lands?

Thank you sir.

Frank

 

[Pharmseller]

Is your OAL magazine dictated or a set distance off the lands?

Thank you sir.

Frank

I use the Berger seating depth test method. Start just barely touching the lands, then back off 0.04” three times. Total of 4 depths. And I load long, since I replaced the bolt stop.




P

 

[fshaw]

Thanks Pharm. do you typically see a noticeable difference in accuracy over this range when testing various cartridges?

 

[Pharmseller]

Thanks Pharm. do you typically see a noticeable difference in accuracy over this range when testing various cartridges?

Yes. Every time. Sometimes it’s dramatic.

Observe the following targets. The only difference is seating depth, and then only 0.04”.

First group



Next



Last iteration




Same day, same recipe, different OAL.

It‘s usually not this extreme, but one depth is always best.





P

 

[fshaw]

Wow. Thanks Pharm.

 

[Henson]

I'm loading 47.2 grains and getting 2,870 with 140 grain Ballistic Tips. Haven't had any temp issues in my wife's Tikka 7mm-08. 80 degrees down to the negatives.

Are you using 2.80 OAL?
I am using big game with some Barnes 140 TTSX. Today was first try. Seems to like 46g range. 1.2 MOA. May tweak with seat a little and see what happens.