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

Another very good 7mm-08 powder is Norma 204. Norma URP is pretty close, may be the same.

Very consistant, clean and accurate. Norma makes a premium powder.

Not on the list, just threw it in.

DF

Thanks for the ideas, all.

I'll finally get a chance to get to the range tomorrow, and I've got some test loads made with H4350 and H414. We'll see what it tells me.

FC

I'd be looking at Varget before H414. It and H4350 are generally winners, and neither will give the big temp-related velocity swings of H414.

I would also check the CFE223, since you already have it, and based on Barnes online data.

When I had a 7mm/08 many years ago H4350 gave top velocity with 139gn/140gn bullets and W760 performed well with 130gn bullet.
A few weeks back I bought a new Winchester model 70 Supergrade in 7mm/08 and the first powder I plan on using with 140gn Nosler Accubonds will be Reloder 17.

The H4350 gave accuracy at lesser charges, but opened-up near max. If I'd be content with a measly 2,619 fps, I'd have a great load.

The H414 got really close to 2,800 fps, but with lousy groups.

Next up: Varget, R15, and CFE223.

FC

What was your 4350 load?

48.0 gets me 2,810 in my 22" Montana.

48.0g H4350 got me to 2,695 fps this morning... and a 2.253" 4-shot group.

47.0g H4350 put 3 in .437", and the 4th edged it out to 1.103", total.

Again, with 120's, this rifle didn't get the velocities I was expecting with R15 (2,978 fps @ 45.0g) and Varget (2,994 fps @ 45.0g). CFE223 did perk them along, though (3,193 fps with 49.0g).

Now that I've seen that the 140's are capable of hanging tightly together, I'm eager to see if they'll do so at a faster clip with CFE223.

If nothing else, I enjoy the pursuit.

FC

I understand wanting to use powder that's on hand, but with Big Game readily avaible why don't you buy a pound?





P

Was that the one that got recalled? Or was that Hunter?

FC

Some lots of Hunter, no Big Game. It's all I use in 3 7mm-08s, but 140 Partitions.






P

Surprisingly, I had no Big Game in the house so picked up a pound to try in my current 7-08 (Kimber MT).

So far this rifle seems to dote on Varget and H4350 with a 140 Accubond. It can't abide Partitions (too bad).

To shoot this week I have Varget, H4350, Big Game, RL16, RL17, and 2000 MR loaded.

Like FC, I enjoy the pursuit (sometimes).

Folic, in your shoes I'd add enough H4350 to hit 2,800, or a bit less (if yours is a 22" or longer bbl).

It was already fairly crunchy at seating time. And yup, it's a 22": Gander Mtn version of the 700 MR.

FC

Yeah, I get that.

Varget will give a lot of room for the long Barnes, and get you close to 2,800.

I've gotten great velocity/accuracy results with 140's with both H4350 and Big Game, but don't trust non-tipped TSX's to always expand in calibers from 6mm to .30, having encountered a few that didn't over the years. The Tipped TSX's always have always expanded so far in those calibers (or at least all that I've seen at work), but they're longer, and the H4350 load I used was with 140 Partitions, where 50 grains got 2900 or so and sub-inch accuracy. But even with the considerably shorter Partition, that was just ALL the H4350 that could fit inside the case and still seat the bullet, the reason I haven't tried it with 140 Tipped TSX's.

Big Game solves the powder-room problem easily, and so far has proven pretty darn temp-resistant in cartridge/bullet combinations including the .30-06 with 150's and 9.3x62 with 286's.

I like IMR 4350, great groups good velocity

Interesting line up of powders.

I have them all and am also working up loads.

Look forward to your data.

DF

Looks like CFE223 is going to be the ticket for this rifle with 140 TSXs, too. I've seldom seen Barnes data (updated on the web site) be hotter than Hodgdon's, but the Barnes max got them to 2,785 fps in the 22" barrel. Groups were slightly < 1", even with the horrendous X-mark trigger. I can live with that.

...until I can get ahold of some Big Game to try...

FC

If that was with a max load, your velocities are somewhat slow based on my experience with a couple different 7-08s, but I don't think 100 fps is going to matter much. CFE-223 has given me some very good groups but for whatever reason has not been as consistently repeatable as some others. Glad it's working for you, and best of luck going forward. Great cartridge.

IMR 4350