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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,739
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,739 |
This particular rifle, is costing more than I can really afford right now and I had some "buyer's remorse" after finalizing the deal over the phone Christmas Eve. But, I can handle the deal and decided that getting the lightest rifle actually capable of killing bull Elk humanely, at this time of my life, might well keep me actively hunting for much longer than I otherwise would.
Ironically, earlier this evening, I just missed a similar rifle, also built by Martini's in .300WSM, scoped as above, a hair under 7 lbs, has a Limbsaver. I kinda wanted it as I thought that this must be the "ultimate" in backpacking rifles for serious Elk hunting and I am not very sensitive to recoil. But, these sell fast on the used market as there are quite a few old pharts like me who are tired of our 9 lb. .338s and .300 Bees and just want to get out and shoot a light piece that does the business sans weight, blast and boot!
I already have Redding dies and will buy a 5 lb. keg of RE-19 and some Nosler 7-08 brass and see what I can do with some NPs and SAFs.
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 12,317
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 12,317 |
"I think that many of we older guys are probably better served by a good rifle in this chambering, loaded with a premium bullet and some practice, than many will like to admit easily, me among that number?"
I'm beginning to think you're right. I'm about halfway into my 7th decade and the heavy and hard kicking rifles just are not the fun they used to be. I can still shoot them reasonably well but they just ain't fun any more. I've been playing with a couple of 7x57s lately, mostly with the 120 and 140 gr. Barnes TSX trying to find a sweet spot with them. I hav ecent shooting with my .257 Bob and the 100 gr. TSX and my .35 Whelen and the 225 gr. YSX go together like peanut butter and jelly. The two sevens so far have not been too cooperative so now I'm playing with seating depth. The M70 Featherweight does quite well with the 140 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips and the 175 gr. Hornady round nose and what little I've done with the 160 gr. Speer Grand Slams has shown some promise. I was kind dof hoping either it or my custom Mauser in 7x57 would be ready for my upcoming elk hunt but I doesn't look like that'll happen as I leave in about a week. Just too much other stuff to get ready not to mention the weather has not been cooperating. Just a bit too cold and too windy for want I want to do. So It's the Whelen once more and my .300 Win. Mag. as back up.
Paul B.
Our forefathers did not politely protest the British.They did not vote them out of office, nor did they impeach the king,march on the capitol or ask permission for their rights. ----------------They just shot them.
MOLON LABE
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,300
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,300 |
I'll cast my vote for the 140 accubond. I've shot several dozen whitetails and a few mulies and never recovered one. I shot a large oryx cow on the white sand missile range and both shots passed through. Had I not been a little ansy, there would have only been one shot. This being said, given that I mainly shoot deer, I don't think I could tell any difference between the accubond and the new Hunting Balistic tips.
long before Rodriguez stole that goat.
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 683
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 683 |
If your X-bolt 7mm-08 is anything like mine, it probably won't be too picky. You might find that it will do tiny groups with lots of other bullets. Mine shoots well with the 162 A-max seated to max magazine length and RL17, and 120 NBT's with either Varget or Big Game. I wouldn't have any reservations about putting either of those bullets into the ribcage of an elk or moose, but I'd probably try a 120 TTSX or a 140 Partition if you're dead set on a tougher bullet.
If there is a bullet you would like to try, load some up. You don't have to pick the first one that's accurate.
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,197
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,197 |
I just don't understand the infatuation with the monometal bullets. These bullets were never popular until the commies in California made the sheep there use them for hunting purposes. The 7mm/08 is not too hard on bullets as long as you choose your bullet weight accordingly. I like 140s for medium game. If I were going after something heavy, I would simply stoke it with something heavier, 160 or 175 grains.
I'm loyal to Sierra for the most part. Love my Gamekings.
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,044
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,044 |
139 Horn sp is where I'd be staying
Dober Yep, that 139 works well at 7-08 speeds. In 2012 I busted a hog at 12 yards, a heavy mule deer forkhorn at 20 yards and another hog at 165 and the 139's performance was super in each case. I'd not be afraid to shoot an elk with one.
"The trouble ain't that there is too many fools, but that lightening ain't distributed right." - Mark Twain
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,291
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,291 |
Dakotadeer is correct that the TTSX will open down to 2000fps albeit very narrow expansion....Assuming a hot load and a 22" barrel you can push a 140gr TTSX to 2900fps.
Running the numbers it's easy to see that the 140 TTSX is out of poop by the time it crosses the 400yd line.......Now this may be fine if you don't intend to extend that range but the 7mm-08 is capable of more.......and because I'm not a fan of Barnes on deer or sub 3000fps cart's in the first place, I personally would rule them out.
Being a fan of the Accubond, I would personally look at the 140gr version as an "all-rounder". Good B.C., good expansion/weight retention characteristics, and usually very accurate to boot! As a bonus, you can run the 140 B-tip as a cheap range alternative and use the same trajectory info.......This is the way I'd roll for what you intend to do!
X-VERMINATOR
Sooner or later our heritage of hunting is going to be a rich mans sport and the words "Outfitter" and "Hunt Industry" will be synonymous with cancer and A.I.D.S. among blue collar hunters like me and my family! (A.L. Williams - 2010)
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121 |
I just don't understand the infatuation with the monometal bullets. These bullets were never popular until the commies in California made the sheep there use them for hunting purposes. The 7mm/08 is not too hard on bullets as long as you choose your bullet weight accordingly. I like 140s for medium game. If I were going after something heavy, I would simply stoke it with something heavier, 160 or 175 grains.
I'm loyal to Sierra for the most part. Love my Gamekings. Speaking out your ass again, junior.
"Dear Lord, save me from Your followers"
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,828
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,828 |
The 139 gr Hornaday SP is a very good cheap bullet that will serve you well for what you want to hunt. This hair splitting over BC's and Expansion over god awful distances is for the birds, Ask yourself when was the last time you shot any big game animal 400 yards? My guess not often. The only other bullet that I would suggest is the 140 gr Nosler Partition. I shot a few truck loads of game with that bullet out of a 7 x 57. A friend of mine who homesteads in Alaska, shoots all his moose with a 7mm-08 @ 140 gr Nosler Partition loads from federal. He takes a moose every year, and complained to me once that his shooting is not what it use to be, got only 16 moose out of a box of 20! So you used four to check your zero, what is the point? Just a little friendly humor over a cup of tea.
"Any idiot can face a crisis,it's the day-to-day living that wears you out."
Anton Chekhov
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 48
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 48 |
I've used the 154 and 162 hornady for moose and deer and both worked fine. I've settled on the 154 as a do it all bullet.
Dan
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 8,037
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 8,037 |
Hey Guys,
I live in Alberta and have over the last few years downsized from shooting 7 Rem Mag to .270 Win and now down to 7mm-08. The biggest reason for this is I enjoy spending time at the range and hand-loading almost as much as being in the field, and don't enjoy the recoil of magnum calibers anymore.
In any event, the hunting I do is mixed, as there are Whitetails, Mulies, Moose, and Elk all in the same area. A month ago I picked up a Browning X-Bolt that I began load development on. It was not fussy about 139 Interlocks, so I tried the 140 TTSX for the first time. Nearly crapped my pants when I went downrange and saw a .248" group amidst a number of groups (with different charges) all less that 0.8". I have definitely found the sweet load, not that I could pull it off on demand anytime soon.
Reason tells me that I should stick with this load because of the tremendous accuracy, as well as the game I will encounter, but at 2700-2800 fps, is the TTSX prone to not expand fully?
As well, I can't afford to shoot TTSXs at the range all the time for $49 box, so I am looking for a secondary load using somewhat cheaper components to shoot out the year. I should also note that I am not a new hunter. I've shot game for the last thirty years using mostly cup and core bullets with great success.
The idea going through my head is to give the 140 NBT a try because I have heard they are actually tough bullets that hold together well in this size on elk/moose? For those with experience is this true or not? For one season I used the 150 grain NBT out of a 7 Rem Mag and found them to come apart very easily and cause excessive meat damage.
Finally, a friend of mine that I have started hunting with is a died in the wool Berger VLD devotee and he has a stunning trophy room full of African animals that were all taken with VLDs.
I am very interested in any feedback you fine folks could provide.
Happy New Year! My son and I ran a 7-08 for a combined 14yr's. I can't imagine anything working any better than a 140gr Partition. Granted it was the only bullet we used. I'd use it again without hesitation.
Your Every Liberal vote promotes Socialism and is an
attack on the Second Amendment. You will suffer the consequences.
GOA,Idaho2AIAlliance,AmericanFirearmsAssociation,IdahoTrappersAssociation,FoundationForWildlifeManagement ID and MT.
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 878
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 878 |
sns2, in over 40 years of hunting I have seen an awful lot of stuff killed with the Hornady Spire Point, Nosler Partition and Sierra Gamekings. In past 10 years I have used the Hornady SST on a bunch of Whitetail, the NAB on a couple of big Canadian WT, but 35 years ago I killed my 1st elk DRT with a lowly 130 grain Sierra bullet in a 270, just lucky i guess.
I wouldn't fret over your choices, hell load em all and have fun.
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 11,663
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 11,663 |
i shoot more 120 gr. NBTs than any other 7mm bullet, followed by Barnes 120 TSX/TTSX My story exactly. Antelope, deer, and my son shot 2 elk so far with the 120 Btip. No problems.
Broncos are officially the worst team in the nation this year.
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 5,185
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 5,185 |
I'd load up with 150gr Partitions and point them at everything you mention...
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,262
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,262 |
I'd load up with 150gr Partitions and point them at everything you mention... That's what I'd do.
“Perfection is Achieved Not When There Is Nothing More to Add, But When There Is Nothing Left to Take Away” Antoine de Saint-Exupery
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 446
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 446 |
My 7mm-8 x-bolt and Sako A7 do great with 140 gr Accubond, Nosler Partition and Federal PSP like in the power shock
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,958
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,958 |
Never had a 7-08 but just can't imagine other than using a short action what it will do that 139 gr Horn SP and 140 NPT in either of my 7x57's won't do. Have fun and good luck with it. Magnum man
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 347
Campfire Member
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OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 347 |
Thanks for all your answers guys. I enjoyed reading each and every one. I got the gun shooting 3/4" groups now with the 139gr Interlocks and 47.5 grains of Win 760. I am now going to fool around with some Berger 140s and 120 Ballistic tips.
I will probably give the Barnes 140 TTSX a go this fall, just because Ive never killed an animal with them and am looking forward to seeing how they do on game firsthand.
My thinking has always been that shot placement is #1, so after hearing your experiences, I'm not worried about being under-gunned with any of the rounds.
Thanks again. Straight shootin!
Last edited by sns2; 01/03/13.
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,516
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,516 |
I got on this a little late, but in my 7x57, 150 Partitions have never let me down. That said, using 150BTs in my 280 at the same impact speed, I don't see much difference in the two bullets. The 150BT is tough. I don't use it in my 7x57 for purely personal reasons. The 7x57 is just to traditional to use polytips!
"It's not how hard you hit 'em, it's where you hit 'em." The 30-06 will, with the right bullet, successfully take any game animal in North America up to 300yds.
If you are a hunter, and farther than that, get closer!
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 14,117
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 14,117 |
I wonder if this lady shot a 7mm-08..............loaded with 140 Gr. Nosler Accubonds................ "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways..." by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861) How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight For the ends of Being and ideal Grace. I love thee to the level of everyday's Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light. I love thee freely, as men strive for Right; I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise. I love thee with a passion put to use........... So with that in mind, here's a small count of the ways I luv the 140 gr. accubond out of the 7mm-08 (over 43 gr., W-748) ![[Linked Image]](http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e129/glenn1221/Bear%20Hunt/IMG_0153.jpg) ![[Linked Image]](http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e129/glenn1221/latestgunstuff/IMG_0789.jpg) ![[Linked Image]](http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e129/glenn1221/DSCN6365.jpg) ![[Linked Image]](http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e129/glenn1221/DSC02297-1.jpg) ![[Linked Image]](http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e129/glenn1221/javelinark01.jpg) ![[Linked Image]](http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e129/glenn1221/DSC03012.jpg) [img] http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e129/glenn1221/axisrk-2.jpg[/img] Best, GWB
Last edited by geedubya; 01/06/13.
A Kill Artist. When I draw, I draw blood.
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