7MM-08 Heavies

[bluetick78]

My youngest son (10 years old) and I have been working on reloading for a 7mm-08 this winter. The rifle is a Rem Model 7 with a 20" barrel. I've been reloading for this gun for lots of years, and have good luck with a variety of bullets in the 140-150 gr range. SST's, Speer's, Cor Lokt's, etc. My son wants to load the 175 Berger Elite Hunter. The gun has a 1-9.25 twist, which should work to stabilize the 175. I'm curious to hear if any of you have loaded anything in the 175 gr weight range, what powder did you use, what velocities did you get, how accuracy was, and how terminal performance was at different ranges on different animals?

 

[Shooter Mike]

168gr Bergers VLD-H is the heaviest I loaded in 7mm-08, with 39.5gr Varget and achieved 2497fps from a 24” barrel. Accuracy was fine- don’t recall specifics on it. Have shot 3 or 4 deer with it, inside of 250 without issue. The closest shot was 34 yards. The heart of that deer was disintegrated.


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[longridge]

I loaded some 175gr Speer Grand Slams years ago. I believe it was H414 and was getting in the 2550fps range.

I believe the 160 class bullets are often overlooked in the 7mm-08.

 

[bluetick78]

We're loading them for bear hunting in thick to semi-open country, shots shouldn't be much more than 150-200 yds. Also for treed bears. I figured a heavier, somewhat easy-opening bullet would give good penetration and good wound channels for quick kills.

 

[HandgunHTR]

We're loading them for bear hunting in thick to semi-open country, shots shouldn't be much more than 150-200 yds. Also for treed bears. I figured a heavier, somewhat easy-opening bullet would give good penetration and good wound channels for quick kills.

If that is your criteria, then pretty much anything in the 140-170 class will work. I shoot 150 grain SSTs out of my 308 for bears. In my 7-08AI I use 150 grain ELD-X bullets currently, but am experimenting with 162s and .277 Fury brass to push them hard.

Black bears are pretty easy to kill and are actually quite squishy in the middle, which is where you want to shoot them. Inside of 200 yards, any decent 7mm bullet will give you adequate penetration to shoot them at all sane angles.

Now, to answer your specific question, unless your barrel is throated accordingly, and you plan on single loaded, those Begers will take up too much powder space in the case for my liking. What that will lead to, in my experience, is when you get near the top end of the powder load you will go from "fine" to "holy crap" very, very quickly. I personally like a bit more "wiggle room" before I start popping primers or having to hammer the bolt open.

 

[Forkasauras]

162 eldm + staball 6.5 is the easy button for me. But I load then over book coal and that probably won't work in a Mod7.

140s will kill any black bear on the planet.

 

[longridge]

I’ve shot 162 SSTs in my 7-08 fairly easy to get up to the 2700fps range with new powders. For a heavier quick opening bullet in the 7-08 it does well.

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

I was really liking 162eldm with H4350 and SB 6.5 before I pulled the barrel. Both shot well and mid to high 2600’s with the OEM 22” barrel

 

[Mountain Shooter]

I loaded the 168 LRAB with H4895 and was getting like 2520 with a 21" barrel. Killed one deer with it at 150 yards or so. Currently Loading 150 LRAB and the 145 LRX in that rifle. The 150's have killed maybe 10 deer now. All one shot kills and several DRT. Couple made it maybe 20-30 yards. I have had a couple of those bleed good and leave great blood trails and a couple for whatever reason had very small exit holes like only the actual core exited and little to no blood trails. Longest shot about 300 yards. The 145 LRX is a hammer and has killed probably 20-30 deer, and a couple of black bears. All have ended with dead animals and good blood trails. Had one run maybe 60 yards with a heart shot. Have never recovered one of the 145 LRX bullets even in good size bears with shots through the shoulders or odd angles. I shoot the 162 ELDM in another 7-08 with 25" barrel and it is going 2740 FPS with H4350. I would highly recommend the 145 LRX as a bear or deer bullet but have not shot anything with it at longer distances. Out to 300 yards it has done great.

 

[Thinkingman]

I loaded some 175gr Speer Grand Slams years ago. I believe it was H414 and was getting in the 2550fps range.

I believe the 160 class bullets are often overlooked in the 7mm-08.

If anyone's interested, I bought two lbs of W760 to duplicate H414 loads. I since traded off the rifle and would be interested in selling.

 

[180ls1]

We're loading them for bear hunting in thick to semi-open country, shots shouldn't be much more than 150-200 yds. Also for treed bears. I figured a heavier, somewhat easy-opening bullet would give good penetration and good wound channels for quick kills.

At that type of distance those lighter SST will pound critters with the best of em. Possibly better due to the added velocity. The heavies will probably just add recoil.

Good luck!