7mm-08 reloading question

[MuleyFever]

I got my wife a 7-08 a couple years ago and really liked shooting it. It is about time to hand my grandpas 270 down another generation so I decided to get myself a 7-08. I figured it would be nice to share ammo too.

So my question is if I got into reloading is there anything my 7-08 would leave me short on in the lower 48? Do I even need to reload or will factory 140gr Barnes be good?

 

[Josh Wright]

No. Just make sure what twist rate you get to shoot some of the sleeker bullets. Minimum 9 inch twist rate in my opinion.

I have a browning xbolt 7mm08 that us used strictly for whitetails in arkansas. It has a 10 inch twist.

I also have a Tikka t3 7mm08 for my wife that has the 9 in ch twist rate that she can use the 150 gr accubonds for elk if needed.

 

[elkguide]

The 7mm08 is an incredible cartridge and does most everything well. The factory offerings are really quite good but I still reload for mine. Mine is in a Kimber Montana and it is an amazing carry and shooting rifle.

 

[hodgeman]

There is nothing in the L48 the 7-08 isn't the ticket for when fed a steady diet of 140gr bullets.

My son now has two 7-08s, a Savage and a Ruger American and has shot several caribou with them using factory ammo. The 140gr Barnes is a bit long for some twist rates and (IMHO) a little tough to the mild speeds the 7-08 generates. We've been using Nosler 140ABs and Federal Fusions.

 

[efnm]

Why not shoot 120 barnes,? They carry more weight through the animal than a 140 AB. That's my my thoughts, without having tested it.

 

[HOT ROD]

My wife shoots a 7-08. I reload for it. Its a savage and shoots 140 berger vld very well with H4350. And sierra 130 grain match kings with varget.

 

[6mm Remington]

I had a .280 Remington and now I have a .280 AI. Both of them have been using 140 gr. Partitions with great results. The 7mm-08 is a great cartridge and a good 140 gr. bullet like the Partition or Accubond will serve you very well.

 

[Bmcox86]

I load my 7mm08 with Nosler 140 ballistic tips and 4350, I'd use 140 accubonds if I could find some in stock

 

[7stw]

I love mine. It's an ackley though. I handload with imr 4350 and 140gn Barnes ttsx bullets. It's a killing machine even at distance. I took it elk hunting this year (didn't fire a shot) but I had/have the upmost confidence in that cartridge to do the job on elk even black bear. I killed a pair of does this year one at 365 and the other 406 yds

Killed a coyote this winter at 413 yds. Good velocity with my load and exceptional accuracy.


Sent from NSA wire tapped device.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Solid cartridge. Do you NEED more? Depends on shot distances, starts running out of recommended energy for elk ~300yd so if longer is desired you need more. If not it's good to go. Varget is great in this cartridge. I like the 145gr lrx out of mine.

It's not as cheap to buy vs 308, etc. so there are savings in reloading if you otherwise have the equipment. Powder/primer cost $.2-.25/rnd just factor your bullet cost in from there (once you have brass). Plus you can usually tighten up accuracy (if needed).

 

[bhylton]

140 accubond and put it through the shoulder of any north american animal if you dont like following blood trail. Just behind the shoulder if you dont mind a blood trail. either way the 7mm-08 will kill it.

 

[GLB]

Awesome caliber. I mostly hunt with the 708 and load 140 AB or 140 VLD with 42 and 42.2 grains of Varget. The 708 is a very effective caliber with the right load. It hits hard and easy to put together an accurate load.

 

[Shrek]

H4350 with 140gr bullets is my go to combination. No need for bonded or monolithic bullets in a 7-08. The velocity matches perfectly for standard bullets. 140 -150 grain standard bullets work wonders in a 7-08.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

H4350 with 140gr bullets is my go to combination. No need for bonded or monolithic bullets in a 7-08. The velocity matches perfectly for standard bullets. 140 -150 grain standard bullets work wonders in a 7-08.

I run monos hunting since they trash less meat and I don't have lead fragments in my meat (personal preference), I concur they aren't needed for high velocity issues.

Mine shoots regular cup and core 139-160s well for target play though.

 

[ReddingArcher]

I haven't killed anything other than deer, antelope and pigs but wouldn't hesitate to use my 7-08 on elk if I was going to keep the shots close. I reload using Barnes tsx 150's and they shoot great. Here's a group I shot today while out breaking in another rifle.