7-08 and big game powder.

muzz

FNG
Joined
Jun 11, 2016
Messages
86
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

FNG
Joined
Dec 2, 2015
Messages
43
Location
Montana
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

WKR
Joined
Dec 3, 2021
Messages
733
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.

PrimerBulletPowderChargeExpected VelocityReal Vel1Vel2Vel3
CCI 200145gr LRXBig Game442630266926702662
CCI 200145gr LRXBig Game44.52656267626672673
CCI 200145gr LRXBig Game4526822679
CCI 200145gr LRXBig Game45.52707Err
CCI 200145gr LRXBig Game4627332722
CCI 200145gr LRXBig Game46.527582748
CCI 200145gr LRXBig Game4727842799
CCI 200145gr LRXBig Game47.528102854
CCI 200145gr LRXBig Game4828352849
CCI 200145gr LRXBig Game492887Did not load


Screen Shot 2022-09-14 at 9.47.35 PM.png
 
Joined
Jan 26, 2018
Messages
326
Location
NY
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

FNG
Joined
Nov 22, 2022
Messages
40
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

WKR
Joined
Dec 8, 2020
Messages
680
Location
Parker, CO
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.
 
Joined
Jun 15, 2016
Messages
2,822
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
 
Joined
Aug 24, 2018
Messages
3
Location
Alberta Canada
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.
 

fshaw

WKR
Joined
Jan 26, 2015
Messages
386
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
 
Joined
Aug 18, 2015
Messages
1,359
Location
Harrisburg, Oregon
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
 
Joined
Aug 18, 2015
Messages
1,359
Location
Harrisburg, Oregon
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

WKR
Joined
Jan 26, 2015
Messages
386
Thanks Pharm. do you typically see a noticeable difference in accuracy over this range when testing various cartridges?
 
Joined
Aug 18, 2015
Messages
1,359
Location
Harrisburg, Oregon
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

IMG_1241.jpeg

Next

IMG_1239.jpeg

Last iteration

IMG_1240.jpeg


Same day, same recipe, different OAL.

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





P
 

Henson

FNG
Joined
Oct 18, 2024
Messages
2
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.
 
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