Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game 7mm-08 bullet of choice

Not sure if this is the right place, but I thought I'd ask.

I'm setting up a 7mm08 for my brother in law. I was looking for some input on what would be a good all around bullet. Main game will be NE whitetails and such. I'd like it to be able to handle elk/black bear if he gets lucky on a draw. What say you? I was looking at these:

120 TTSX
145 LRX
150 Sorocco II
140 Accubond
139/154 Interbond
+ open to others


Chris

140 Nosler PT bar none. Muddy

In my opinion 140's really shine in the 7mm- 08.

For whitetails? 140 ballistic tips

Mine has done well with any hornady 139. Soon someone will tell you the 120gr ballistic tip. It's quite popular. I have some but haven't had a chance to load and shoot any yet.

I would be a little concerned if he drew an elk tag with a 140 BT. Agreed if whitetail was the only game, a more explosive choice would be best.

I will be loading 140 NPTs, in mine, a VERY choice, full custom 6lb. scoped sts/synthetic "mountain rifle" on a four hole Mod. 7 action.

I do this based on decades with various 7x57 rifles, loading the 140 NPT over either IMR or H-4350. I have two customs in this fine, old round and find it "perfect" for BC deer and would shoot Moose with it or the 7-08, a recent enthusiasm of mine.

I've used the 120 TTSX out of my 280, though only on whitetails. The last doe I shot, was angling away. I put it in her side near the last rib - it angled forward through the chest and out her throat (head lowered) near the white patch - about 25 inches total. Short of shooting her through the bunghole, I couldn't have gotten much more distance for that bullet to travel through her.

My son is a southpaw and we got him a LH Ruger Hawkeye in 7mm/08. We'll start with that bullet and the 145 LRX and go from there.

Kaiser Norton

From my 25 or so years with this round, 140 Accubond, 140 Hunting Ballistic tips, and 140gr Sierra Gameking. They do the job on the hunt for deer and hogs. Dick

I'm pretty well leaning toward 140 accubond, possibly pt or barnes. One Concern I had with the 140 accubond was performance on small deer. Have you ever noticed any issues on deer around 120 lbs or so? I'm confident with them for larger.

I'd be interested to hear about your experiences with 140 bt's on elk.

no problems ever with that bullet, our typical does are 100-120lbs, puts em down.

I load the 120 TTSX with RL-15 in my 7-08. Neither the whitetails or cow elk I shot this year complained about this bullet.

You should find accuracy with the 120 TTSX and RL-15 somewhere in the 44-45 grain range at about 2.800" COAL.

120NBT for all that moves, doubt you'd keep one in an elk and cheap to practice with to boot

+1 - I'm a huge 7MM-08 fan and pretty much only shoot the 120 BT's out of all of them.

In my 7-08 I run 140 grn Accubonds

In my wifes 7-08 it's 120 grn NBT

I don't have any. That's the main reason for this post. 7mm is an unfamiliar bore size for now

On Deer, in mine I shoot the 139 Hornaday Whitetail which does a good job. On my Daughters, she shoots the Hornaday GMX as she hunts a lot in a leaf free zone. Both do the job for us. For Elk, I'll take any advise I can get as we haven't tried them yet.

The 139 Hornady SP has been one of the easier-shooting bullets I've tried in mine and it has worked a bunch of times with absolutely no drama on caribou. Switching to a Partition of similar weight is generally straightforward in case you/he need a heavier-duty load.

I've probably carried and used a 7mm-08 for more of my Alaska hunting than any other single cartridge.

smoke, never used the 7mm-08 on elk.. Have better rounds for that, but have shot several elk with 140's out of the 7mm Rem Mag.. did fine, but they were broadside shots in open country.. Two of my pals shoot the 150 BTBT for much of their elk hunting.. I am not sure how many elk they have taken with this, but quite a number.. My late wife killed a huge moose with the 140 BTBT from the Rem Mag. at about 200 yards.. One shot just behind the shoulder.. It took one step and dropped.. This said, if I were hunting elk with my 7's I would probably use a partition.. But some of the area's i hunt, I want the elk dead soon.. So the BTBT's do that if placed right.. On these hunts, I have to wait for the right shot or not take it.. We all want the right shot, but on these units a quick kill is highly important..