Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters 168 gr Berger VLD too heavy for 7-08?

Would a 168gr VLD be too heavy for a 7-08? Would the slower speed negate the high BC these bullets are supposed to have? I shoot 165gr SGK's out of my .308, and there doesn't seem too be too much of a difference between the 2 rounds. Is 168gr too heavy for the 7-08? Thanks!

Not a writer, but I wouldn't think them to be too heavy. One way to assess it would be to plug the numbers into a ballistics program like JBM and see what it says. The heavy for caliber bullets do better in most of the cases I've looked at. The exception is when you find a lighter bullet that has an exceptional BC for its weight class.

My .02

The 162 AMAX has an even higher BC than the 168 VLD for what it's worth...

I'd be more worried about it fitting into the magbox than it being too heavy.

7-08/120tsx = match made in heaven.

That may be true, but will it shoot well out of a 7-08? I'm guessing not, or more people would be doing it to have a low-recoil, high BC round. I just figured someone would have tried it and have some real-world experience to report. If anyone does, please chime in!

Gotta think the gentleman is going to shoot longer range with it, and the heavier bullet will murder the 120 TSX for that....

According to your dude Schtick, a factory 22" 7-08 will routinely run a 162 at 2700 fps... and fit the mag box of a M700 (or at least, powder capacity won't be the reason it doesn't fit).

The 162amax in the 7-08 is discussed in a very long 708 vs 308 thread.. I'm sure somebody will pull a link for you.

There are several here who run the 162 AMAX from factory tubes, so the twist at least doesn't sound like an issue as far as how it shoots... we had quite the discussion involving that bullet last year <grin>. Anyway from a "normal" barrel folks report 2600-2700 fps. If you run the numbes with that velocity, and the BC of .627, you'll see that it looks pretty good. If it shoots.

It hangs right there with a .308 shooting the 208 AMAX <evil grin>...

Jeff,

Have you ever shot the 162amax?

If you currently shoot 165s out of your rifle, going up 3grains will not change the rifles ability to handle that weight bullet.Rick.

You could shoot a 175 grain, how could a 168 be too heavy?

Yes it's a rather long round, Yes the 7/08 can shoot it very well with the right barrel/chamber, Yes I have, and will shoot it however it's not my go-to hunting bullet for my 7/08. I have shot mule deer with a 175gr SMK out of my 7/08 heavy barrel and it is a dead nuts shooter! And YES I agree the 120 or the 140 TSX for most hunting is a GREAT bullet for the 7/08. So go ahead and give it a try.

Doug

FWIW, The 160gr Accubond shoots sub-MOA from the 22" tube of my 7mm-08 at 2,675fps. Bullet length is 1.410".

Have yet to take game with the NAB as the original 130gr XBT has been the 7mm-08 Elk-getter so far.

I too want to try the 120gr TSX. Got some on order.

It's no secret that the 120TSX/7-08 just levels chit.. Modest recoil too..

I've a 7wsm, 7SAUM, and 280 to shoot the longer/heavier stuff..