Hi,

I am currently doing some reloading for my new 7mm-08 and want to try the 120 grain Barnes TTSX. I have used the 140 grains and they shot pretty well (5 shots in about 1.5 inch) out of my first batch of reloads.

However, I would like to use 120 grains as I am taking the rifle on a Chital (Axis deer) hunt in May, and think the 140 grains may be too heavy. Potential shots will range from around 100 - 250 metres.

I would basically like to know if anyone has loaded 120 grain TTSX's in their 7mm-08 and what seating depth you tried.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Hi ProHunter85. I just got a couple of boxes of 120TTSX's in the mail today from Cleavers (they have excellent specials on Barnes there at the moment). Haven't loaded them yet, but will need to be about 60 thou off the lands to fit in my magazine (2.830" OAL Remington short action). The TTSX is supposed to like to jump, so hopefully they should work well.

For chital, I would also consider a 120gr Nosler Ballistic Tip or a Speer 130gr BTSP.

Hi Jason,

I have got a box on order from QGE at the moment as they are closer. I have a box of 140 grains that I will be exchanging. I thought about the ballistic tip but I want to try and minimise meat damage.

I used a 140 grain TTSX in my 7mm rem mag last year on a red stag which performed perfectly and also shot a rusa hind for meat.

I am thinking the 140 will be OK for chital and seeing as it is a little slower than the 7mm rem mag, meat damage should not be too bad on a smaller deer.

What projectiles have you successfully taken chital with?

Let me know how the 120 grainers go. Hopefully I will have a box next week to start loading with.

Planning to get up north chasing chital at some stage in the next few years. Most of my deer to date have been fallow. The 120NBT has worked well on them - minimal meat damage and good clean kills. My reason for going to the 120TTSX has been to go after reds.

I am heading up for chital in May with maryvale safaris.

Used my 7mm Rem Mag with the 140 for reds.

The 120 should be sufficient. The 140 had a complete pass through, no major exit would, but inside was a wreck. Got him in a broadside front should shot, broke the leg, and just nicked the top of the heart. Pretty impressive results from that bullet to be honest.

Did you find the nosler ballistic tip did a lot of meat damage on the fallow?

I am planning on shooting some meat animals too, so a projectile that is going to give me clean kills without spoiling too much meat will be ideal.

I am shooting the 120 TTSX in my sons 7mm-08. It loves them. Using CCI's 44grs of RL15 and running 3040 fps I believe. Ill check my load log and change that number later if it is incorrect. My boy shot to deer this past fall with it. Then bullet did it job nicely at moderate ranges.

This may not help you down there. I don't know if you can get TAC. We did a freezer filler hunt several weeks ago and I used the 120 gr. TTSX's in my 7mm-08. I usually use the 140's. I took 2 whitetail does, an Axis doe, and a 160 lb. hog. All were DRT. This is the load my rifle likes:

120 gr. TTSX
WLR Primer
Winchester Brass
2.740� COL
TAC-41.9 grs.
3000 fps.-.466� group 100 yds.

My Kampfeld Custom 7-08 with 120 TSX'X likes 50.5grs. H414,2.765 coal,9 1/2 primers.Rifle shoots groups of .336 regularly.Skeeter

7mm-08
CCI BR primer
120gr TTSX
43.5gr Varget
.050-.075 jump

5 shot.



Easy for Axis deer. Last 2 deer shot with load above was 310lb Mule deer/110lb WT doe.
Have a good hunt Prohunter.

I'm very interested in these loads as I plan on purchasing a new M70 SS FWT 7mm-08 in the next few weeks. I'd imagine TSX and TTSX 120s are all I'd ever need to run through it.

Here's hoping the rifle likes them!

ProHunter .... I'm not sure I've ever really heard of a bullet that weighs too much. With your top range of 250m the 140's will serve you well. But there would be nothing wrong with 120's.

Good Luck on your hunt.

The 7mm-08 is so easy on bullets, they don't need to be TTSX's. I have been shooting 120 grain Hornady hollow points for several years. I have killed 18 hogs of all sizes and 8 bucks from forkies to a couple of dandies in the 250 lb. range out to 550 yards. About half the bullets exit on hogs and all the bullets exited on the deer. The X's like velocity and you will get an exit hole. Good bullet, but a little bit of overkill for the .08. Flinch

Ok, so I took the 7-08 to the range to try the rest of my 140 Grain barnes TTSX bullets. I loaded up 5 more rounds of a previous load that shot really well, but this batch shot really odd. It was like a "C" shape about 3 inches large.

I am using ADI powder which is australian. I do not think I am getting consistency. I have not had this problem with a rifle before. Powder charge is quite compressed (as in I can hear the powder crunch when i seat bullet), and I have played with seating depth.

I am also able to try any other projectile that will be fine for Axis deer. I have tried hornady interbond, but they dont shoot well in this rifle either.

I was thinking either nosler accubond, or just wait until my gun shop orders in my 120 grain TTSX. I anyone has other bullet suggestions that will work on Axis deer, I am all ears.

Does anyone have any ideas what could be causing erratic groups?

I am thinking of trying a different powder too. I have full availability to reloder 15, 19 etc and winchester powders.

I am using CCI large rifle bench rest primers.

Try 140 AccuBonds. They shoot really well out mine.

43 grains of Big Game gets you approx. 2740 fps.

Not a barn burner, but a very accurate load and at a velocity that will reliably open the AB at the ranges you mentioned.

JM

Did you try H380 with the 140's? Mine shot 0.70" with it and the 140 TSX.

Being in Australia, I do not have access to "Big Game" or H380 or related powders.

I have access to reloder 15 and 19 which I will try next with the 140 grain and 120 grain TTSX and also the 140 grain accubond.

Hopefully I can get it shooting nicely as I have a hunt coming up in May.

JM, what length barrel does your 7/08 wear? Have you ever tried 120gr bullets with Big Game? I ask because I've been tempted to try Big Game in my Model 7 in 7/08. Thanks.

The 120 TTSX/TSX out of the 7-08 at 3k really brings that rifle alive.

I've run various 120s with several different powders including all the usual suspects, but not the Barnes models, and the best I ever got was about 2950fps using H4895 and H414. I'm interested to see what Big Game would do with the same bullet weights.

What length barrel?

Rem. Model 7, 20".

I'm not whining about getting 2950fps, but I'm curious if Big Game might do a little better without loss of accuracy.

3k out of a 22" for me. 2950 for a 20" sounds about right.

In my 22" M700, the usual powders including RL15 wouldn't get me velocity with the 120's. I maxed out at about 2900. Big Game got me 3050 with really nice accuracy.

Thanks for the responses guys. Prohunter, sorry for pigging your thread.

No need to apologise.

Thanks everyone for their help and input.

Really wish I could get a hold of Big Game down in Australia lol.

I will try the 120 grain ttsx and perhaps RL15.

Will update you with the progress.

'15 has no peer and that ain't bad "odds"..............