7mm-08 all around hunting load

[sndmn11]

I use a 140gr absolute hammer Over imr 4166 in my 7-08ai. It’s got a 24” barrel and gets 2945fps at the muzzle.

Is that as much velocity as you can get?

 

[MThuntr]

Is that as much velocity as you can get?

I don't have a 7mm08AI but I see 140AH data suggesting they can be around 3000-3100fps with a 24" barrel on the 7mm08 so there may be a touch more room for speed in the AI depending on the rifle

My personal preference would be any of the Hammers or a 140 Accubond if you can find some. I'm messing with 140 E tips but the plan would be for a closer range rifle on whitetails.

 

[amassi]

Is that as much velocity as you can get?

Could probably get more speed with a faster powder although 4166 is pretty quick
Someone on lrh has a 20" suppressed ai over 3100 with the ah and cfe223.



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[Northpark]

Is that as much velocity as you can get?

Almost. I’ve gone over 3000 but brass life suffers and 2945 is very accurate in my rifle. I haven’t played with other powers due to availability and the fact that I had 8lbs of 4166 on hand.

The other load I have is a 168gr Berger vld over Staball 6.5. It does 2760fps. So I might have a slower barrel too.

 

[sndmn11]

Almost. I’ve gone over 3000 but brass life suffers and 2945 is very accurate in my rifle. I haven’t played with other powers due to availability and the fact that I had 8lbs of 4166 on hand.

The other load I have is a 168gr Berger vld over Staball 6.5. It does 2760fps. So I might have a slower barrel too.

Interesting! I vote slow barrel. My 145lrx load posted previously is faster in a 20" barrel.

 

[AkRyan]

I would stay in that 140 range and try the Nosler AB 140.

No offense, but it would never put an 18" barrel on a hunting rifle wanting to shoot out at distance. Some rifles don't lose much per inch, but some do. Seems like your leaving a lot on the table IMO.

Most 7-08 rifles are 22". I have one shorter at 20 in a junior version, and three at 22. But several friends have put after market barrels on at 24 to 26 inches and dang they get some great speed and accuracy.

If I replace my 7-08 AI barrel, I'll probably do it with a 24" version.




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My 16in 308 gets 2560 from factory ammo rated at 2700. My 18in 300wsm gets 2850 from factory ammo rated at 2950......don't believe everything you read on the internet.

 

[Mginn68]

I’ll spend time this Saturday shooting and gathering data on this mnt rifle build. I’ll share the data - chrono, accuracy etc.

 

[amassi]

160 gr tipped matchking over 45.4 gr of h4350 is good for 2720 out of a 20" "slow" tikka barrel.

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[awildswanger]

I hunted for years with an 18.5" barreled Model 7. It never failed to fill my tag out to 300 yds, which is my self imposed limit on live critters. I had no chrono data back then, but I have no doubts that it could have killed further.

How often are you shooting dead critters? /s

 

[WakeUp]

I’m a big fan of Hornady sst’s for deer size and smaller critters.

I will admit I have been looking hard at the patriot valley arms Cayuga line of solids. Their 7mm pills look to be A little heavy for such a short barrel rig at 151g, but have shown really impressive performance on elk from a creed out further than I’d shoot.

 

[SouthPaw]

160 gr tipped matchking over 45.4 gr of h4350 is good for 2720 out of a 20" "slow" tikka barrel.

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And where are 160 TMKs popping up available? Nowhere...

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[Mginn68]

Spent time today building out the load ladder.

Started at 44 grains of varget and stopped at 47 grains.

Bullet - hammer hunter 131 gr
Primer - CCI mag
Brass - Lapua


47 grains was the fastest. 2,980. But SD was at 13. No pressure signs.

Best charge was 46.2 grains at 2,912 avg and a SD of 2.0.

Working now on seating depth.

Over all very happy so far.

Picture of 47 grain rounds:

 

[MattB]

Almost. I’ve gone over 3000 but brass life suffers and 2945 is very accurate in my rifle. I haven’t played with other powers due to availability and the fact that I had 8lbs of 4166 on hand.

The other load I have is a 168gr Berger vld over Staball 6.5. It does 2760fps. So I might have a slower barrel too.

I am shooting the 120 HH's and 48.0 of Big Game and that is way more accurate than 1 gr. less or up to 3 grs. more (Tikka). Getting 2,960 fps. Velocity isn't everything.

 

[MattB]

Spent time today building out the load ladder.

Started at 44 grains of varget and stopped at 47 grains.

Bullet - hammer hunter 131 gr
Primer - CCI mag
Brass - Lapua


47 grains was the fastest. 2,980. But SD was at 13. No pressure signs.

Best charge was 46.2 grains at 2,912 avg and a SD of 2.0.

Working now on seating depth.

Over all very happy so far.

Picture of 47 grain rounds:

You may have read this as well but based on everything I have read Hammers are very seating depth-insensitive. Doesn't seem to matter much. Might save you so components if you are getting good results otherwise.

 

[amassi]

And where are 160 TMKs popping up available? Nowhere...

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I just ordered(8-11) another 500 from midsouthshooterssupply
Midway had them too but they were $9 more per box of 100

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[Ron.C]

This has been my hunting load for the past 8 years.

I shoot 140g TTSX 41G IMR 4064, Lapua Brass CCI BR2 primers.

Used this load on blacktail, whitetail, mule deer, black bear and elk at ranges from 12ish feet to 275 yards.

Not the fastest load by any means (mv around 2740 fps) and not a long range load if that's your thing but its good with these bullets out to 350-400 yards

Done pretty well thus far.

 

[Duckboy23]

I'm running 120gr Barnes TTSX with 42.5gr of Varget out of Ruger American and groups are right around .5 MOA @ ~3000 fps give or take. I had a great node between 41.5 and 44 grains of powder and settled on 42.5

 

[eaglemountainman]

I'm running 120gr Barnes TTSX with 42.5gr of Varget out of Ruger American and groups are right around .5 MOA @ ~3000 fps give or take. I had a great node between 41.5 and 44 grains of powder and settled on 42.5

Sounds good. How far off the lands are you seating.

 

[yak]

Here is my 7-08 Load for Elk, Deer and Antelope.

Primer: Federal LR 210 Match
Powder: Big Game 48.5gr
Bullet: Barnes 139gr LRX
Jump: 0.100" to the land

 

[Shadowsfall1985]

I shoot a Tikka Compact in 7-08 with a 20" barrel. I load 139 Barnes LRX with Big Game. MV numbers are between 2900-2950. For this bullet, Barnes claims a 1400fps minimum expansion velocity. The 145LRX is 1600fps.

I've also had good luck on my Tikka Compact with the Hornady Precision Hunter 150g ELDX as well.

I am running the same gun same bullet. What's ur velocities I'm have a little trouble getting mine to stay consistent and what is ur coal?