Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Powder Choice for 140 TTSX in 7-08?

The books show this cartridge will run on just about anything, and maybe even on a stiff charge of floor sweepings...

On hand (and let's stay there, please), I've got:
Varget
R15
H414
H4350
CFE223
H4895

... along with some others mentioned less frequently for that bullet in this cartridge:

TAC
Benchmark
H4831SC
R22


I worked-up loads for the 120 TTSX in this rifle, and found this:
R15: Good groups, but slow
Varget: Meh groups and velocity
H414: Crap groups & good velocity
CFE223: Fair groups, and excellent velocity

My question: is there anything I can extrapolate to the 140's, from the 120 results in this particular rifle? I was really surprised that neither R15 or Varget got me the velocity I was expecting with 120's. Could it be they'd be more suited to the 140's, than 120's? Or, would the 2 that got me velocity with the 120's, but more likely to do so with the 140's?

Or is it all simply a crap shoot, and I'll need to work up loads with all of them?

What says the peanut gallery? (I mean, besides, "You need to go out and buy ______ powder that you don't currently have!")

FC

I use Rl-15 with 120's with decent velocity. IMR4350 works best with 140's in my guns.

Since I can't mention Big Game (the best of both worlds in two 7mm-08's) I've gotten good results with RL15, H4350, and Varget. A couple of other shooters that I know swear by H414. What works best for one as you know won't necessarily work for all. Good luck.

That was pretty much my experience with Varget and H4350 with 140gr ie not much velocity but good accuracy. I moved to Viht N550 and the rifle was transformed. I'd say N550 or RL17 or some such high energy powder. My barrel is only 20". N550 gives standard length barrel velocities.

My go-to powder for my 7/08 (140 grain BT's or Partitions) is 4064. I use 41.0 grains. It gives me good velocity and nice tiny dime sized bughole groups out of my custom Model 7. I know...BT's to TTSX results can differ, but I'd try 4064 and see what happens...assuming there is load date backed up by Barnes.

If it were me i would give H-414 a try.

2000MR followed by RL17 for that bullet with me.

I recall seeing pretty good velocity (2800 or thereabouts) with a 140 grain bullet and 4895 in the Nosler #8 manual yesterday. Might check that out.

This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ but I prefer H4350; Varget also works well with the 140's too.

I will be trying the new IMR4451 when I get around to it too.

MM

H4350 shoots very well for me with 140 TSX. 1.5" at 220 yards.

Since 1991 I have used either 43 grains of WW748 or 47 grains of WW760 with 139-140 grain bullets in my 7mm-08s. I have owned four with barrels from 18-12" (Remington Model 7) to 22.4" (Tikka T-3) to 24" (Remington 700). The only one I still have is the Model 7. I thought about buying another Tikka in 7mm-08, but if I buy another rifle I'm thinking 6.5 Creedmoor.

Velocity isn't tops with the 748 load, but accuracy is. My Model 7 will put 5 shots under an inch at 100 yards with it. I have a target I shot in 1991 using a 2-1/2x scope with 5 shots into 1/2". That was when I was only 45 and could see pretty well. At 71, my eyes aren't what they once were, but the rifle still is. I took it to NY State for the rifle season last year, but didn't see any shooters.

I have some Big Game and intend to try it as well as H4350 and perhaps CFE223. My rifle is a woods gun, so I'm not terribly concerned about velocity. A buddy has two Model 700s in 7mm-08 and he loads H4350 with 130 grain bullets for over 3,000 fps in a 24" barrel. I would use 120 grain TTSXs in that rifle if I were him.

I had luck with H414 and 140 TTSX's. Have not found a good load for 120's in my 7mm-08? I really need to sit down at the bench again and find something. I would also recommend trying magnum primers with this powder. I started some load development with the 154 Hornady but have yet to shoot it. I would like to stay in the 120/140 range for my needs. Good luck FC.

Tagging to follow along.

I have found that to get both velocity and accuracy, this is a pretty good technique:
1. Select your best load with a fairly temp insensitive powder, of approp burn rate. This would include H4895, RL15, and H4350.
2. Stick to a hard cup primer. This will include CCI, W-W, and Rem, at least, maybe others.
3. Pick your best load from three powders, and increase until casehead expansion says stop.
4. Now adjust seating depth [starting from 0.050 clear] carefully until you have the most accurate load w/o pressure signs. Reduce load if you run into them.
5. At most accurate seating depth, adjust powder charge to get best velocity.
6. This is not foolproof, be careful!. If you are really dedicated, do it for all three powders.

Hope this will at least give you someplace to start. If you hate all the results, get a new Kreiger barrel installed by a really good smith.

Good Luck!

Recommend H4350 or H414 with the 140 TTSX. Play around with seating depth and try mag primers with 414. You should get where you want to be with both velocity and accuracy.

The most accurate load I have found for a 7mm-08 was 46.3 grains of H-380. This is a maximum load so start low and work up. Barnes at one time listed this load on their website. For some reason they do not list it any more. This load shot 1/2 inch groups in my Browning X-Bolt and Ruger American. I have neither rifle now, but the TTSX was a good bullet for deer and hogs.

Ramshot HUNTER or BIGGAME

I don't mean to hijack the thread but what powders are you guys using for heavier bullets (156 to 160 grain bullets)? Factory Norma 156 grain Oryx's work really well in my 7-08, and I would like to try to come close the results if possible. I've used RL 15, 17 and Varget on 140 grain bullets with decent results. Varget seems to do the best with RL 17 being a close second with respect to accuracy.

H4350 is usually my first powder of choice in the 7-08

Mine loves. H-380 also. 47 gr will give 1/2 inch groups all day with the 140's TSX