Anyone load 7MM-08 139LRX with RL-16

[USAF Ret]

Getting ready for a possible disabled vet elk hunt this year or next year in ID. Thanks to Bryan at the Idaho Wildlife Federation for sponsoring me.

I am possibly taking two rifles, both in 7mm. 280AI and 7MM-08. Specifically for the 7mm-08, I have a 1:9 twist Carbon Six barrel and plan on loading the 139 Barnes LRX. Big Game gives the most bang for the buck, but also is not as temperature sensitive as other powders (.98 FPS per degree). Still, not too bad. I love the speed, accuracy, and low SD from Alliant powders. From Barnes, they list RL-15 and RL-17 which are not great. However RL-16 is fairly temp sensitive (.34 FPS per degree), but there is little data on RL-16 for 140 grain mono bullets.

Now, RL-16 falls between RL-15 and Big Game for burn rate. So, I am not sure why it is not an option.

Has anyone loaded the 139 LRX or any mono bullets in the 140 weight.

Thanks.

 

[USAF Ret]

Bump

 

[graywolf260]

I just worked up a load for my 7mm-08 Sako (18”Tikka barrel) for the 139 LRX. Didn’t try any Alliant powders but I found excellent accuracy and speed (2803 fps) with compressed H4350, 48 gr.

 

[steelheadmike]

I gotta think that Varget, SB6.5, or N150 should be considered.

 

[USAF Ret]

I gotta think that Varget, SB6.5, or N150 should be considered.

Varget is about the slowest I have tried. 6.5 does not give the best groups. I have not tried N150 as I don't have any. I am running H4895 right now and getting decent groups and velocity, not barn burning. I have a possibility at a disabled vet elk hunt in ID and wanted to take the 7mm-08 as a backup to my 280AI. I was just trying to get as much out of it as I can.

 

[graywolf260]

Varget is about the slowest I have tried. 6.5 does not give the best groups. I have not tried N150 as I don't have any. I am running H4895 right now and getting decent groups and velocity, not barn burning. I have a possibility at a disabled vet elk hunt in ID and wanted to take the 7mm-08 as a backup to my 280AI. I was just trying to get as much out of it as I can.

Varget was much slower for me too. I couldn’t find SB65 so I tried H4450 and wasn’t expecting it to be nearly 200 fps faster than Varget but for some reason it was. No pressure signs and great accuracy.

 

[ProRoad]

I have a 7.08 Ruger American 22 inch barrel. My Dad and I recently reloaded some Hornady GMX which is mono "along the lines of the Barnes Tipped TSX bullet" We loaded 46.5 gr of Big Game and the velocity was 2752. I dont have the photos but everything we tested that day was tightly grouped. Hornady GMX: https://www.chuckhawks.com/hornady_GMX_bullets.htm