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!

You could do much worse than shooting the 139 grain Hornady Interlock, the 140 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip or Accubond.

As of late, I am working with a new bullet from Sierra. It is the 140 grain BTHP Gameking. I have only done limited testing with this bullet from an accuracy standpoint, and have no experience with it on game.

One other bullet I would suggest is the 145 grain Speer. It is a very good bullet out of the 7mm/08.

i shoot more 120 gr. NBTs than any other 7mm bullet, followed by Barnes 120 TSX/TTSX

I'll stay with the 139 Hornady or 140 Sierra for general use when the current supply of 120 bt runs out. Don't have any doubt on any of the three for the local whitetails. If I go to the mountains for elk again, I'll use 140 Partitions or Accubonds. Since I don't have widely varying game size locally, it makes it easy to segregate loads to game size and re-zero. Backyard range helps too.

What are you shooting them at? If it were only deer that I was hunting, without a doubt I would be giving the 120s a try on game if they shot well out of my gun.

the 120 gr. NBT is one of the 'tough' ones, but i have not used them on anything bigger than deer. they sure flatten deer though, and they are relatively cheap.

I have 4 friends that have Remington 7-08s and all of their rifles shoot the Federal Fusion 140s in 3/4in or less groups and have killed many a deer,hog and varmint with them.My 30-06 will group 1/2 in or less with 150s and has worked the same on game.

The 140TTSX will open just fine down to about 2000fps on game.

Find any decent 140 that mimics it's trajectory at a cheap price, and your good to go for practice and whitetails.

I agree with toad on this one. They just flatten deer. Never not had a pass through on the biggest of deer.

Roy

I went with 120 gr Barnes TTSX in my 7-08. It is extremely accurate (1/2 to 3/4 inch) and I have been buying bulk 120 gr Speer Hot-Cors from Shootem (here on the fire) and they are cheap and accurate for the range.

donsm70

139 Horn sp is where I'd be staying

Dober

That's what I would do. Especially with elk and moose in the mix.

We've shot 8 white-tails so far with "my wife's 7-08" (funny how I seem use it just as much as she does): first 4 with 120 gr Barnes TSX; next 3 with 120 gr Barnes TTSX; the last one was with a new lot of "Hunting" Nosler 140 gr BT.

Apart from one doe shot right under the chin as she was standing facing me at 43 yards, all of the deer shot with the Barnes went anywhere from 15-30 yards before piling up.

The forkhorn buck I shot broadside this Fall with the 140 BT dropped where he stood, shot from a downward angle of approx 20* at 151 yards. Once I opened him up though, it was apparent why he dropped so quickly - he was hit about 3/4 of the way up behind his front shoulder and some fragments of the bullet and rib went up into his spinal column. So with a grand total of one deer shot with a BT, can't really jump to any conclusions about that bullet. I does shoot very nicely in my rifle though, better than the TSX/TTSX, which shoot MOA in my rifle. I definitely warrants more experimentation.

I do like the way the BT's shoot, but I need to shoot a few more critters with the 140's. I REALLY like the fact that in this rifle it shoots to the exact same POI as the 160 gr Partitions I loaded up this fall for elk and moose.

I do however like the 3100+ fps that I can get out of my Tikka's 22" barrel with the 120's, especially with Big Game, but I recently picked up some 110 gr TTSX's to try out as well.

I also plan on picking up some 140 gr Nos AB's as well - who knows, with that one I might just say to heck with the 160's for elk and moose and go with one AB load for it all. We also tend to hunt a lot in grizzly country as well, so that's probably a good enough reason to go with something a little stouter than the regular BT.

Interesting thread, and pretty relevant for me as I am in the same situation. Primarily a deer hunter, but we have lots of black bear and on "road trips" can run into bigger stuff (elk, moose, grizzly perhaps), ranges can be anywhere from 10' to 400 yards, more if you think you are up to it.
I've asked some of the major manufacturers on the minimum velocity for expansion on a couple different bullets. Barnes came in at 1900-2000, Nosler is 1800 for about all their bullets, Sierra was 1800, and hornady stated 2300 for all their interlocks (a bit of a surprise to me).

I like 154 and 175 grain Hornadys in my 7x57s. The 175 is a masher!

I would be more interested in the bullet/load shooting to the same POI and having similar trajectory as the TTSX/load.


From your original post.
1. 139 gr Hornady
2. Nosler BT
3. Bergers
4. Any bullet/load that meets the criteria in the first paragraph.

I have settled on the 120 gr TTSX as the do it all bullet for my wife's 7-08ai. She has had great success with this bullet the past three seasons shooting these between 3150-3200 fps. I would not hesitate to use it on elk or moose. In fact this will be the bullet she uses for our next out west elk hunting trip. She really likes the flat shooting, light recoiling characteristics this bullet provides. Tough to beat. You can always use the 120 NBT or get some 120s from Shootem for load development.

Of those mentioned by the OP I'd be inclined to reach for the Barnes TTSX first;but my choice would likely be "none of the above" and I'd likely use a 140 Sierra as my goof-off bullet and a 140 Nosler Partition for the hunting...wouldn't hurt my feelings any if a 140 gr Swift Aframe found it's way in to the rifle now and them either.

I am just buying my first actual 7-08, a full custom ultralight on a sts Mod. 70, with Gaillard 22" "Mtn. Rifle" tube, Micky Remmy Custom Shop stock, mucho fine action mods, PTG bolt, Ti welded handle, etc. I will put on a Talley QD and have lots of screwlock QD rings, then probably a Swaro Z3-3x9. I had one in progress, Remmy 600 action, Timney, takeoff Mtn. Rifle sts tube, Brown Pounder and so on, but, traded it to one of my smiths as I am too old to wait for rifles to be finised, now.

I have four .280s, four 7x57s and have had other rifles so chambered plus about a dozen .270s,currently have three, so, have some idea what this should do. I am a bit concerned about Grizzlies, as I often backpack solo in some of the most densely populated Grizzly country on the planet and feel better with one of my medium bores, such as a .338WM.

BUT, I really only enjoy backpack hunting, have gone on horsepack hunts with some of BC's biggest name outfitters-yawn, boring and too "canned"for me and the 6.25 all up weight of this rifle is appealing as I will be 67 by next Elk season. Soooo, I am agonna try 'er, loaded as Bob suggests and see if my old love of the 7x57 will remain with this newer version.

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 can still shoot my 8.3 lbs Dakota 76-.338WM well and it is not bad to carry, but, why pack more than one REALLY must.......

160 NP at 2700? Should do the business to any range I would ever shoot at.

Kutenay that 160 Partition worked for other folks in the 7x57(some of them pretty famous! : ) on lots of animals,so I see no reason it would not be great from the 7/08 as well.

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.

"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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Speaking out your ass again, junior.

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.

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

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.

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.

My story exactly. Antelope, deer, and my son shot 2 elk so far with the 120 Btip. No problems.

I'd load up with 150gr Partitions and point them at everything you mention...

That's what I'd do.

My 7mm-8 x-bolt and Sako A7 do great with 140 gr Accubond, Nosler Partition and Federal PSP like in the power shock

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

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!

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!

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)













[img]http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e129/glenn1221/axisrk-2.jpg[/img]

Best,

GWB

Gorgeous Blaser.

Is that an A-Bolt? Micro Medalian? Nice bangsticks there.

I have had good luck with the Speer 145gr Hot Cor. Great accuracy, and does the job on game.

I love you Steely.