Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 47 gr. of Ramshot Big Game with 140 gr. Sierra too hot in 7mm-08?

I got this load from load data.com and also found it referenced in an issue of American Rifleman. Reduced it by 5% and worked up to it in half grain increments and got good groups at 47 gr.with no pressure signs. I could lift the bolt easily with my pinky. Got to look at a Sierra manual today it's max recommended charge is 42.7 grains! I'm almost 5 grains over. Ramshot allows a heavier max charge for the 160 gr. sierra than sierra does for a 140. I'm confused! This load doesn't seem hot at all by outward signs, but according to Sierra's data I'm way over. I don't know what to do. Should I pull the bullets and start over?

Are you using the same primer that Ramshot used in their data? Primer brand and type along with bullet brand and type has a big influence on pressure also. What cartridge are you reloading? Is it the 7mm-08?

What velocity are you getting?

Yep, its 7mm-08. Edited my first post to reflect that. Sorry I don't have a chronograph. I can only go on the physical signs currently. Yes, same primer. The bullet is a Sierra Pro Hunter. Ramshot's sight does not list this exact 140 grain bullet. They only show the 139 gr. hornady and the 140 grain barnes x. 47 grains is not out of line for these, it's actually a grain under max for the hornady.

Are you using the Ramshot data for the Hornady bullet? Also, what primer are you using and what primer does the Sierra data use?

The bullet is a sierra pro hunter. Primer is a Federal 210.

That's the bullet you're using, correct?

I'd probably pull the bullets and use the Sierra data as it's actually for that bullet, I'd also use the same primer Sierra uses or a milder one like CCI 200s or Fed 210s if you don't have what they use. Physical signs of excessive pressure on brass and stiff bolt lift start to show up at around 70,000 psi or more, most magnums rifles are only rated for 65,000 psi. The maximum SAAMI pressure for the 7mm-08 is 52,000 cup, or 62,000 psi.

Yep, already headed down that path. The sierra manual is the only manual I've found that specifically references this bullet and powder together. Compared Sierra's data to Hodgdon's, wherever they overlap, the Sierra manual is usually 1.5 to 3 grains conservative.

Good luck to you sir, hopefully the milder loads shoot good for you also.

I'd buy a chronograph...

Yep, already checking prices.

Ramshot's load data has 46.5 for a 140 Barnes and 48gn for a 139 Hornady using a Fed210, as you noted. You can't be too far off the mark I wouldn't think. You did work up to that as well and apparently don't have any issues. Doesn't make me too nervous, but do what makes you feel comfortable.

I'd believe Ramshot's data, having visited their lab several times. They're one of the top ballistics labs in the country, doing a lot of testing for other companies.

What make of brass did Sierra use, and what are you using?

Sierra and I both used federal. I got the load from load data.com, and also found it in a John Barsness article on shooting model 70's. Here's a quote from the article, "I replaced in with a Model 70 Classic Compact in 7 mm-08 Rem. This cute little model had a 20� barrel, a short, Classic action and a compressed Featherweight stock. Because of the slim barrel, the fore-end applied a little tip-pressure and the schnabel. It also shot well right out of the box. Most recently I worked upa load with Ramshot Big Game and 140-gr. Sierra ProHunters. Well, �worked up� isn�t exactly the right term, since the first 47.0-gr. load (under maximum, of course) resulted in a three-shot group of exactly 0.50� at 100 yds. Two more groups upped the average to 0.68�, with the largest of the three-group string measuring 0.83�. Muzzle velocity was close to 2800 f.p.s. Load development done." I know that's not a manual or anything, and no harm done, I'm just going to back off on it till I can find a few more references.

I shoot the Pro-hunter 140 gr. in my 7mm-08s with your load and velocity ranges from 2865 (22") to 2910 (24"). Understand, that is in my rifles but is not too hot. Maximum I think, but OK at least in my rifles. (Kimber, Cooper, a Rem. 700, and a Ruger M77) The Big Game powder always shows a little more velocity than my old favorite (H4350). I use both depending on what the particular rifle prefers.

It was more accurate than the 42.7 gr. Sierra load, I may play around with it more when I have more time.

FWIW, the Nosler #6 shows 47.5 grains of Big Game as max for all four of its bi-metallic bullets in the 140 grain weight. They also list Big Game as the most accurate powder in that cartridge and with that weight bullets, the best loading weight being 43.5 grains. They used the WLR primer.

47.4 grains Ramshot Big Game is my go to load for 140 grain accubonds and NBT in 7-08 for several rifles. Chono around 2850. Accurate as all get-up.