Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 7mm-08 for Deer Hunting Reloading ???

I agree with this notion. That is some good ammo at $23 or so per box. I'd buy 2-3 boxes and save the brass for when you get ready to try another bullet.

I did the American whitetail thing too, got 5 boxes and when it's shot up I'll load.

In a 7-08 for your uses I'd look at the 120 NBT with rl 15 or varget. If you want heavier any standard 139 or 140 SP will do just dandy at the 7-08's speeds

For me, the 7-08 is all about 140's and heavier. The 140 Ballistic Tip would be my first stop. For whatever reason, all my 7-08's have shot better with bullets heavier than 140, so don't stop there.

I've even heard the 150 Ballistic Tip is good on elk...

I'm a big fan of the 140gr tsx

Would be interested in your pet load and how that bullet is working for you.

DF

Like others have said, it would be difficult to find a bad deer load in the 7-08. Personally, I like the 139 Hornady flat base and the 140 Sierra Pro Hunter. Varget and H4350 have both worked well. Whatever you chose, load up and hunt with confidence.

Dirtfarmer, I use H414 and 140 TTSX for a load. Maybe it will work for you?

I've got a number of different loads ready to go, 120's to 140's, not the 140 TTSX at this time. I even have Cutting Edge 120 gr. Raptors to try.

I would probably go lighter with a mono, like 120 gr., although the 140 TTSX should open pretty well at 7-08 speeds.

When I finally get around to testing these loads, I'll report.

DF

Sounds good, I ended up with a 140 because of accuracy issues with the 120's in my finicky rifle.

Gotcha.

I don't yet know what my new to me 7-08 is going to like.

I'm sure I'll be leaning in the direction of performance.

DF

Barnes 120 TTSX in front of varget or AR Comp, whichever works best. Drive them as fast as you can. Buy a box of 100 Lapua brass & be done with it, nothing comes close to Lapua quality. I always try to use federal primers in my hunting loads even if they give up a little accuracy, I've never had one not go bang. Every other brand has given me a misfire at one time or another.

A couple of loads that have worked well in my Ruger 77 are 42.5gr of Varget with either a AB, or BT 140gr Nosler. Either is just fine for deer/ Lopes. I usually do my load & practice with the BT, then hunt with the AB. The other load is 42.5gr of RL-15 with a 120gr Barnes. Either is sub MOA for me, usually around 3/4".

Have fun with whatever you try.

I do the same NBT/NAB swap out with my .300 WM; 180 NBT's for targets, NAB's for game. I found NBT's to have a slight accuracy edge over NAB's, but not enough to make a big difference.

The .30 cal. 180 gr. NAB and NBT have the same B.C., ogive, seating depth, POI, etc.

With the new NBT's, maybe not that much terminal performance difference; with vintage NBT's, a good bit of difference.

DF

Well.....get busy will 'ya? Inquiring minds want to know if that new toy shoots as good as it looks....!!

Gotcha...

Too much stuff on my plate right now.

Everything in it's proper time...

Inquiring minds will know when I know...

I'm as anxious as anyone to see those results....

DF

I found factory loaded Federal premium loaded with the Barnes tsx for cheaper than I could buy just the bullet itself so I gave up on load development. But I had great results from a max load of H4350. Load was just under 1" and I would have been very happy to hunt with it but I'm alway looking for better.
The factory loads shoot just as good and were about 40 fps faster so I bought a lifetime supply while I could still find them. They have now been discontinued

If you are looking for good performance and a higher BC, check out the 145 LRX. Even quicker opening than the TTSX. Pretty dramatic at close ranges at 3150 fps, but slowed down a bit in the 7mm-08 should be perfect

I have some, will load a few to see how they do.

DF

120NBT RL15, Big Game, Varget, H4350, IMR 4320, IMR4166, or IMR 4064. All will give about 2950 fps out of a 22" barrel.

139 Hornady, Sierra 140, 140 accubond CFE223, Varget, H4350, H4166, RL15, Big Game will give 2800-2850 fps with 22" barrel.

Any of these bullets will do the job on deer. Also consider Prvi Partisan brass (Graf and Powder Valley) it is available and pretty good. Rem and Win has been spotty to find.

I just got a 7-08. I picked up 50 rounds of brass ($39) then saw the American whitetail ammo. I grabbed a few boxes for testing. It was $17.50/box and almost the same price as plain hornady brass. If I knew that I would have skipped the brass and just bought a few extra boxes.