7mm-08 Rem success on big game

Bubbadoyle

Lil-Rokslider
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Nov 6, 2022
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130
Someone correct me if Im wrong, but I thought I read, heard on here or from one of hornadys pod cast, that the sst bullet was the same as either the ELDX or ELDM? Ive been searching for sst's in the 308 superformance around home, and if I heard wrong please let me know, thanks!

From everything I’ve seen the eld-x is the new version of the SST and the eld-m is the new version of the amax. I’ve seen many reports of the eld-x failing like the SST.


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OXN939

WKR
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Jun 28, 2018
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VA
thought I’d show some love to oft forgotten 7mm-08.

If anyone is forgetting 7-08, they are wrong. There is honestly very little in the lower 48 a 7-08 pushing copper 120s can't do. My current load uses Hammer Hunters because they're easy to load, but Barnes TTSXs will kill a mature elk all day long too. Also it's kind of nice not having to carry a 14 pound rifle around or get your labrum and ears blown out by a belted magnum that costs five dollars every time you pull the trigger.

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MarkOrtiz

Lil-Rokslider
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Dec 24, 2022
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Location
Minden, NV
I understand impact velocity is very important for bullet performance. My failures were with a 180 gr SST out of a 300 RUM. Impact velocity should have been around 2900 fps. For the bullet to fail the way it did on a small whitetail doe makes my decision to never use a SST again for hunting. 2900 is a fairly high impact velocity but it’s certainly far from an extremely high impact velocity. I know there’s an impact velocity threshold at where the SST would not completely fragment but it seems exceptionally low in my opinion but might work ok for a 7-08.


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As The Guide pointed out this was Hornady custom lite reduced recoil. I just calculated the velocity and at 250 yards it was right about 2200 fps. I could see how faster cartridges could cause issues and change the performance.
My kids really don’t need the reduced recoil loads anymore, so the rest of what is left after our TX hunt will be used for practice and I will probably load 120 ttsx, 120 NBT, or step up to 140 accubond.
 
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As The Guide pointed out this was Hornady custom lite reduced recoil. I just calculated the velocity and at 250 yards it was right about 2200 fps. I could see how faster cartridges could cause issues and change the performance.
My kids really don’t need the reduced recoil loads anymore, so the rest of what is left after our TX hunt will be used for practice and I will probably load 120 ttsx, 120 NBT, or step up to 140 accubond.
The 120 NBT shoots very well out of my Tikka over 44 grains of Varget.
 

KHNC

WKR
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Jul 11, 2013
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Anyone use Federal Fusion 120gr in this one? I have a couple boxes. Killed a few WT with them at less than 100yds. Was considering shooting them this weekend and then using them next week on my muley hunt in CO. Otherwise, Ive probably killed over 75 WT with a 120gr Rem HP up to 250yds with great results. I only have about 10 rds of those left and was considering a change. Ammo is fkn hard to get still in some sizes. Im not a reloader.
 
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Harrisburg, Oregon
Anyone use Federal Fusion 120gr in this one? I have a couple boxes. Killed a few WT with them at less than 100yds. Was considering shooting them this weekend and then using them next week on my muley hunt in CO. Otherwise, Ive probably killed over 75 WT with a 120gr Rem HP up to 250yds with great results. I only have about 10 rds of those left and was considering a change. Ammo is fkn hard to get still in some sizes. Im not a reloader.

No personal experience with the 120 Fusion but I’ve read really good things about this load.




P
 

KHNC

WKR
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No personal experience with the 120 Fusion but I’ve read really good things about this load.




P
It is very accurate to 100 yds. I will most likely use it next week. I also have a box of 120gr Barnes TTSX. It is pretty much one hole accurate at 100 off a bench. I really havent shot anything i can remember with the 120. The 168 TTSX does good from my 300WSM though. I plan to shoot to 500 if i have the opportunity, as I pretty confident with the right conditions. If I can get to under 300, that will be ideal.
 
Joined
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Messages
3,573
Location
Western Iowa
Anyone use Federal Fusion 120gr in this one? I have a couple boxes. Killed a few WT with them at less than 100yds. Was considering shooting them this weekend and then using them next week on my muley hunt in CO. Otherwise, Ive probably killed over 75 WT with a 120gr Rem HP up to 250yds with great results. I only have about 10 rds of those left and was considering a change. Ammo is fkn hard to get still in some sizes. Im not a reloader.
According to Form, the Fusion is an excellent killing bullet. I picked up a couple hundred 150 Fusion overruns from Midway for my 7-08. It has been a really accurate load over SB 6.5.

I believe Federal still sells a 150 Fusion load in 7mag too that is very popular. Not sure why the Fusion component bullets are so hard to find. I've been trying to locate some 120 Fusions for my .25-284, and they're pretty much unobtainium.
 
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Joined
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3,573
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My daughter killed her first elk on Saturday with her suppressed 18” Tikka in 7-08. She was a big old magnum cow with worn out ivories and a huge body.

The load was a single 162 ELDX over 46.5 grains of SB 6.5. The shot was 185 yards quartering away, and impact velocity was around 2420. I dialed .4 mils and she placed it perfectly in the crease behind the right front shoulder. Upon impact, the cow jumped up, took a couple steps downhill, staggered on stiff legs, and fell over up hill.

The entry was caliber sized and she pulverized the heart, both lungs, and far humerus. The exit from the chest was roughly a quarter to half dollar in size. We recovered the bullet and lead core under the far hide.

I want to give a HUGE shout out to @wymtnpounder for his guiding and hospitality. He is a tremendous horseman and extremely personable and talented guide. He also has a wonderful family.

It was a special hunt that I got to share with my daughter, and a trip we’ll never forget.
 

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