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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 13,131
Campfire Outfitter
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OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 13,131 |
So I decided to see what all the fuss was about regarding the Berger VLD Hunting. I already worked up a sub-MOA load for my Tikka T3 Superlite 7mm-08 using the 140 gr VLD Hunting but I wanted to move up to the 185 grain in .30-06. So it was time to move up. I bought some 185 VLD Hunting to try in my Weatherby Vanguard Back Country .30-06. First, I established the max OAL at 3.428". I found this figure using the highly technical Sharpie method. Next, I loaded 6 rounds each, starting at 3.428" and reducing the OAL by 0.04" each time, for a total of 4 different OAL (24 total rounds). I used once-fired Remington brass, WLRM primers, and 58.0 grains Hunter. Disclaimer, this load is safe in my rifle, start lower and go slow. Today was Range Day. I took my .223 and 7mm-08 to shoot while the barrel cooled on the BC. Very, very windy and hot. I started with the shortest rounds, figuring that if I got crazy accuracy I could resize the longer shells. One three-shot group later dashed that hope. It wasn't a group, it was a pattern. And did I mention the recoil? Holy Hannah, I think I sprained something. After a welcome respite shooting clay pigeon fragments at 200 yards with the .223 and 50 gr TTSX, it was back to work. A much better group this time, not much over the Magic Inch: But boy howdy, once you get used to the 7mm-08 with a Limbsaver its hard to go back to a hot .30-06 load from a light rifle, Pachmayr or not. I shot more fragments, this time with the Mighty -08, then I faced the music yet again. Hmmm, I may be on to something. Just for fun I fired four shots, not three: By that time the Fun Meter was winding down, so I didn't even try the longest load. The wind had really picked up and I had some Keystone Light in the reefer so I called it a day. I'll be interested to see what kind of numbers pop up when I plug a .558 ballistic coefficient, 185 grains, and 2845 fps MV into the program. P
Obey lawful commands. Video interactions. Hold bad cops accountable. Problem solved.
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
Member #547 Join date 3/09/2001
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Joined: Oct 2002
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Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Oct 2002
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Unless I'm going moose hunting or maybe headed to Africa, I really have no use for a 30/06 any longer. I don't think I've shot one in a dozen years.
"Dear Lord, save me from Your followers"
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 96,040
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 96,040 |
I would just use the 3.388" COAL load and call it good and not even worry about the last load.
Life Member SCI Life Member DSC Member New Mexico Shooting Sports Association
Take your responsibilities seriously, never yourself-Ken Howell Proper bullet placement + sufficient penetration = quick, clean kill. Finn Aagard
Ken
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 44,817
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 44,817 |
I'll be interested to see what kind of numbers pop up when I plug a .558 ballistic coefficient, 185 grains, and 2845 fps MV into the program.
P It will output quit drinking that Keystone Light crap.
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,997
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,997 |
185gr @ 2845 would get anybody's attention but don't know why you would use it other than big bears and moose in NA. I've come down to 150's or 165's for everything else. Not that I mind a little recoil now and then
I am continually astounded at how quickly people make up their minds on little evidence or none at all. Jack O'Connor
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Joined: Mar 2005
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 17,527 |
Unless I'm going moose hunting or maybe headed to Africa, I really have no use for a 30/06 any longer. I don't think I've shot one in a dozen years. I agree. All the pain and none of the gain over medium cartridges with good bullets. I used to think I needed a 30.06 to kill a deer, lol.
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Joined: Nov 2013
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 28,739 |
Another solution is to go a bit light on bullet and powder. The last deer I popped with an '06 fell to a 150gr CT NP non-moly over 46gr of H4895, the starting load in the Hodgdon manual. Accurate, deadly, and pleasant. With that powder, I could easily go lighter without issue.
No need to abandon our nice old rifles just because we get a little old and soft.
What fresh Hell is this?
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Joined: Aug 2010
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,010 |
So I decided to see what all the fuss was about regarding the Berger VLD Hunting. I already worked up a sub-MOA load for my Tikka T3 Superlite 7mm-08 using the 140 gr VLD Hunting but I wanted to move up to the 185 grain in .30-06. So it was time to move up. I bought some 185 VLD Hunting to try in my Weatherby Vanguard Back Country .30-06. First, I established the max OAL at 3.428". I found this figure using the highly technical Sharpie method. Next, I loaded 6 rounds each, starting at 3.428" and reducing the OAL by 0.04" each time, for a total of 4 different OAL (24 total rounds). I used once-fired Remington brass, WLRM primers, and 58.0 grains Hunter. Disclaimer, this load is safe in my rifle, start lower and go slow. Today was Range Day. I took my .223 and 7mm-08 to shoot while the barrel cooled on the BC. Very, very windy and hot. I started with the shortest rounds, figuring that if I got crazy accuracy I could resize the longer shells. One three-shot group later dashed that hope. It wasn't a group, it was a pattern. And did I mention the recoil? Holy Hannah, I think I sprained something. After a welcome respite shooting clay pigeon fragments at 200 yards with the .223 and 50 gr TTSX, it was back to work. A much better group this time, not much over the Magic Inch: But boy howdy, once you get used to the 7mm-08 with a Limbsaver its hard to go back to a hot .30-06 load from a light rifle, Pachmayr or not. I shot more fragments, this time with the Mighty -08, then I faced the music yet again. Hmmm, I may be on to something. Just for fun I fired four shots, not three: By that time the Fun Meter was winding down, so I didn't even try the longest load. The wind had really picked up and I had some Keystone Light in the reefer so I called it a day. I'll be interested to see what kind of numbers pop up when I plug a .558 ballistic coefficient, 185 grains, and 2845 fps MV into the program. P By god, I think he's got it...
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 13,131
Campfire Outfitter
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OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 13,131 |
I hunt everything these days with a 7mm-08 and 140 gr Partitions. Deer, elk, antelope. I was just curious after reading about JB's hunt in NZ.
It's nice to know that I have a load if I ever want to shoot a loooong way.
P
Obey lawful commands. Video interactions. Hold bad cops accountable. Problem solved.
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
Member #547 Join date 3/09/2001
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,705 |
I still love the 30-06 with 180g Interlocks.
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 80
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 80 |
I hunt everything these days with a 7mm-08 and 140 gr Partitions. Deer, elk, antelope. I was just curious after reading about JB's hunt in NZ.
It's nice to know that I have a load if I ever want to shoot a loooong way.
P I always wished I started with 7mm-08. I've mainly used 30-06 and it's what I'll likely use. The only other hunting cartridge I've used is 30-30 but my brother borrowed that rifle about 20 years ago and it's still at his house lol! If I can buy myself the Merkel K3 that I've been lusting over I'll probably get it in 7mm-08.
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Joined: Aug 2009
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Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 96,040 |
Would chose a .30/06 with either 180 or 200 gr bullets long before I would even consider a 7/08.
Life Member SCI Life Member DSC Member New Mexico Shooting Sports Association
Take your responsibilities seriously, never yourself-Ken Howell Proper bullet placement + sufficient penetration = quick, clean kill. Finn Aagard
Ken
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 17,773
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 17,773 |
Molon Labe
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Joined: Aug 2010
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,010 |
Would chose a .30/06 with either 180 or 200 gr bullets long before I would even consider a 7/08. I didn't think they made any other bullets for the 06, except for the 165's... . I've been loading a lot of 200gr. partitions lately and those should get the job done on damn near anything... I've also been shooting the ol 06 since I was 12. The mild recoil has never seemed to bother me. I can shoot 100 rounds in a range trip with no problems..
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 18,917
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 18,917 |
Would chose a .30/06 with either 180 or 200 gr bullets long before I would even consider a 7/08. Get out of the sun, it's baking your brain.
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 96,040
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 96,040 |
Would chose a .30/06 with either 180 or 200 gr bullets long before I would even consider a 7/08. Get out of the sun, it's baking your brain.
Life Member SCI Life Member DSC Member New Mexico Shooting Sports Association
Take your responsibilities seriously, never yourself-Ken Howell Proper bullet placement + sufficient penetration = quick, clean kill. Finn Aagard
Ken
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 96,040
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 96,040 |
Would pick a 7x57 before a 7/08.
Life Member SCI Life Member DSC Member New Mexico Shooting Sports Association
Take your responsibilities seriously, never yourself-Ken Howell Proper bullet placement + sufficient penetration = quick, clean kill. Finn Aagard
Ken
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 13,131
Campfire Outfitter
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OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 13,131 |
Would chose a .30/06 with either 180 or 200 gr bullets long before I would even consider a 7/08. Lots of bulls die from a 7mm-08 every year. I'm 2-2 on bulls, one shot each. My dad is 1-1 on a big 5x5, one shot. I'll stick with it. P
Obey lawful commands. Video interactions. Hold bad cops accountable. Problem solved.
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
Member #547 Join date 3/09/2001
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 96,040
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 96,040 |
Congrats.
I prefer a .30/06.
Life Member SCI Life Member DSC Member New Mexico Shooting Sports Association
Take your responsibilities seriously, never yourself-Ken Howell Proper bullet placement + sufficient penetration = quick, clean kill. Finn Aagard
Ken
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 29,625
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 29,625 |
Nice work there Pharmseller I think that last load is the ticket; I've grown addicted to Hunter!
I, like you and others, more often reach for much smaller cartridges these days, but I added an extension and decelerator to my trusty old 06 and LOVE it.
I've been running 168 gr NBTs & Hunter. It's my most trusted rifle and always comes on my hunts as a backup.
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