I will admit up front that I've never actually used a 7mm-08 at all......but I have shot the 7x57mm (same catrdge with a different shape) a lot.
To me, the "secret" to any smaller, light caliber round is penetratin and heavy-for-caliber bullets. I really like the 175 grain bullets, but velosity is cut enough to really limit range. A good compromise is the 154 grain bullets wich allows an easy 300+ yard range with great penetration and hitting power.
The 139-145 a bullets also work great on deer size game, but I shy away from lightweght 120 grain slugs.
I shot a large buck in full rut at over 225 yards with the 120 gr. BT. He had his head down and gave me a quartering away shot. I was hunting high in my climber, and due to the angle, the bullet entered behind the shoulder, passed between the shoulders into the neck, and lodged just under the skin about 6" below the jaw. I measured about 18" of penetration...of meat.
Shot a doe at about 175 yards facing me. Shot her off center in the neck. Bullet traveled completly through the body cavity and lodged deep in the hind quarter.
Shot three hogs from a pack of around thirty one afternoon. After the first shot (190 lb hog) they started racing through the pecan grove. The next two hits were not optimal, but neither went more than 40 yards before piling up.
I could go on..but won't.. because I have quit a bit of experiance with the 7-08.
I have had far better results with the 120 BT than the heavier 139 gr Hornady's...and I like the interlocks.
If the 120 BTs shoot well in your rifle, I highly reccomend them. They'll do well with med. burning powders (4064, RL 15, Varget) and you won't have to compress the load to get optimum velocities (if that is your thing).
