I finally did it.

[stan5677]

Just purchased a 7mm-08 in a Bergara B14 Ridge. I know I know I know Tikka T3x or bust but there were no 7mm-08 Tikkas available and I had my heart set on a 7mm-08. Going to pair this with hawkins featherweight rings and Trijicon Credo HX 2.5-15x42 scope.

 

[Castle Rock]

Nice, the 708 is one of the best.
120 grain ballistic tips if you are going out 300, 162 hornadys for the long stuff

 

[Kyguy]

There's a 7mm-08 stainless T3x on guns.com right now. Or there was last night, anyway. It's not too late!!

 

[HandgunHTR]

I am a big fan of the 7-08. Been shooting it since the early 2000s.

I agree with Castle that if you are a 300 and in hunter, the 120 grain NBT is a fantastic bullet. The 162s are good, but you can run out of room in the case really quickly if you have mag or chamber restrictions that are going to limit you to around 2.800" OAL. If that is the case, the 150 grain ELD-X bullets are a very good compromise. They will perform out to the outer limits of the 7-08s ability.

Congrats on the new rifle. I look forward to seeing how it performs.

 

[stan5677]

There's a 7mm-08 stainless T3x on guns.com right now. Or there was last night, anyway. It's not too late!!

That was the one I was looking at it was gone. I made the purchase at 1 am and when I finally decided to go for it it was sold out.

 

[stan5677]

I am a big fan of the 7-08. Been shooting it since the early 2000s.

I agree with Castle that if you are a 300 and in hunter, the 120 grain NBT is a fantastic bullet. The 162s are good, but you can run out of room in the case really quickly if you have mag or chamber restrictions that are going to limit you to around 2.800" OAL. If that is the case, the 150 grain ELD-X bullets are a very good compromise. They will perform out to the outer limits of the 7-08s ability.

Congrats on the new rifle. I look forward to seeing how it performs.

This first season I'm keeping it 100 and not going to attempt anything beyond that distance until I can really put some lead down range. I'm excited I've been wanting another rifle for years and the stars aligned. I had the money to go custom but couldn't really justify it.

 

[stan5677]

Nice, the 708 is one of the best.
120 grain ballistic tips if you are going out 300, 162 hornadys for the long stuff

I'm hunting in NC so not really gonna stretch the legs.

 

[HandgunHTR]

Are you a handloader? If so, I can PM you some of the various recipes that my rifles have liked over the years.

 

[stan5677]

Are you a handloader? If so, I can PM you some of the various recipes that my rifles have liked over the years.

I will be handloading so share away.

 

[Pharmseller]

150 ELDX
46.2 gr Big Game
Magnum primer (not necessary but preferable with ball powders)
Play with seating depth for best accuracy
Expect 2780 fps ballpark for 22.4” barrel

140 Partition or AccuBond
47.5 gr Big Game
Magnum primer
Expect 2890 fps or so, slightly less for AB

120 NBT
51.5 gr BG
Magnum primer
Expect 3125 fps or so


Max or close to it for all loads so work up. I get best results loading close to the lands.

Deer, elk, antelope.

 

[HandgunHTR]

Nosler 140 grain BT or AB, standard primer (Fed 210 is what I used), 47.0 grains of H4350, 2745 fps out of a 20" barrel. This one has room to go up, but that charge gave me the best SD and groups.

Nosler 120 grain BT, standard primer, 43 grains of Varget, 2725 fps out of a 17" barrel.

Hornady 139 grain SST, standard primer, 42.5 grains Varget, 2645 fps out of a 17" barrel.

I am also using a very similar load for the 150 grain ELD-X bullets as Pharmseller, so no need to post that one.

 

[stan5677]

E

Nosler 140 grain BT or AB, standard primer (Fed 210 is what I used), 47.0 grains of H4350, 2745 fps out of a 20" barrel. This one has room to go up, but that charge gave me the best SD and groups.

Nosler 120 grain BT, standard primer, 43 grains of Varget, 2725 fps out of a 17" barrel.

Hornady 139 grain SST, standard primer, 42.5 grains Varget, 2645 fps out of a 17" barrel.

I am also using a very similar load for the 150 grain ELD-X bullets as Pharmseller, so no need to post that one.

What brass are you using? Is paying the extra for Alpha or Peterson worth it?

 

[HandgunHTR]

E

What brass are you using? Is paying the extra for Alpha or Peterson worth it?

I used regular Remington brass for many years. I use Starline now. I don't push my brass hard, so I don't see a need for Alpha or Peterson.

For my 7-08AI, I do push it. For that I use Lapua.

If you plan to push it to 65K or above, then go with Alpha brass as it can handle it. If you are going to stay within book max loads, then I recommend Starline as it is reasonably priced and hold up well to regular loads and good reloading practices.

 

[stan5677]

I used regular Remington brass for many years. I use Starline now. I don't push my brass hard, so I don't see a need for Alpha or Peterson.

For my 7-08AI, I do push it. For that I use Lapua.

If you plan to push it to 65K or above, then go with Alpha brass as it can handle it. If you are going to stay within book max loads, then I recommend Starline as it is reasonably priced and hold up well to regular loads and good reloading practices.

I’m a newb at reloading so I won’t be pushing it. I do want to get above 2800 fps though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Pharmseller]

I’ve been using Remington brass for a decade. No complaints.

I neck size, though, it works the brass far less.

 

[HackKickthrust]

I killed my first handful of animals with a 7mm 08, awesome cartridge

 

[Pilsner]

If/when Federal starts selling 308 + Peak brass I am going to give both the 7mm-08 and the 338 Federal another look. Love both of em but I'd love them enough to justify a rifle build for each at another 250 FPS...

 

[HandgunHTR]

I’m a newb at reloading so I won’t be pushing it. I do want to get above 2800 fps though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

With a "standard" length barrel (22-24") 2800 with a 140 or 150 isn't hard at all. All my barrels are short now so that I can use a suppressor and not have a telephone pole and I can still stay above 1800 fps to 600 yards with my 7-08s.

I know I will catch some flak from the purists, but in my opinion, the 7-08 is the best of the 08 cartridges.

 

[CJ_BG]

There are a lot of good 7-08 loads for hunting, but there is only one that is the best for killing.

160 TMK absolutely wreck shop. Even at lowly 7-08 speeds we have seen 6" PCC inside of animals and complete penetration through bone. Typical wound above 2200fps seems to be 3-4.5" PCC with a sub inch neck length. I don't know what they would actually do for penetration as we haven't recovered one yet.