Kiddo load for the 7mm08

[MtnW]

We used M70 Classic 7MM/08 with factory ammo with 140 gr Nosler Partitions. Starting at 9 years old, we killed over 100+ whitetails with the young kids and ourselves. Never lost a deer. The young guys handled the factory ammo with zero issues. If you want to do a lot of target practice, I would use light 120 gr loads but still use the Nosler’s for hunting.

 

[Ringbill27]

I went a similar route with a .243 for a smaller kiddo. A factory Winchester Ranger with short LOP, and a Leupold Freedom 3-9x40. I actually wanted some weight on the rifle to reduce recoil.

I called Hodgdon and Nosler. Using H4895 I followed their starting load for reduced recoil/downloaded loads recommendations for a 100 grain partition, IIRC. The employees I spoke to regarding the effecacy of that load both stated that was the route they had taken with their own kiddos.

The load printed 2" @ 100 yds all day long. It would shoot better groups on occasion but I knew it was plenty accurate for our use.

The furthest shot taken was 75 yards, most 50 or closer, on our feet with a tripod, still hunting on whitetail does. One shot kills every one. Small sample size of a few, but it was quite effective and a lot of fun.

A 140 gr. Nosler Partition, starting load with the reduced load H4895 and learning to get close, with accurate shot placement, will be filled tags all day long.

My wife literally 45mins ago shot a small buck with Her 243 and the 95gr partition. Looking forward to seeing how it preformed.

 

[Ringbill27]

Anyone happen to know what the min velocity for the Noslar BT 120gr is? Kinda settling in on this bullet for reduced loads.

 

[MallardSX2]

Kids gun shoots:

140 grain accubond or hunting bt
41.5 g of R15.

 

[MarkOrtiz]

I started both of my kids at 12 with the 7mm-08 and Hornady reduced recoil 120sst. They were both small for their age at the time. My daughter has taken 6 whitetail, a mule deer, and a pronghorn. My son has taken 3 whitetail, an axis deer, a mule deer, and a pronghorn. We only had 1 rodeo on a large axis that my daughter shot and all i can think of is that the sst blew up on the shoulder. I am switching to the 120 NBT for them now that they don't need reduced recoil anymore.

 

[43.6N]

Anyone happen to know what the min velocity for the Noslar BT 120gr is? Kinda settling in on this bullet for reduced loads.

For a kid actually hunting? Keep it above 2k impact.
For actual science on controlled ballistic gel? 17-1800 will give some type of tip opening.

 

[GRIZFUR]

A great plinking/practice load for the 7-08 is the 100 grain Sierra VK over 30 grains of H4895. Very light recoil. Great to get them used to the rifle with minimal recoil. My son started out shooting this round in his 7-08 at 9 years old.