Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 7mm-08 close range deer bullets?

I've used a 7-08 as my primary whitetail rifle for quite a few years. My hunting conditions were about like you describe your ranges. Have used Rem 140 gr factory corelocts; reloads with 140 Nosler solid base; Speer 145 gr. Hot Cor and Grand Slams; Hornady 139 gr FB; 160 gr. Speer Grand Slam; and maybe a few others that I don't recall. Groups from about 3/4 inch to slightly over 2 in. didn't bother me. I just took what I had loaded and ready to go and went out and killed deer.

I will try the 140 nbt with Imr 4350 and Varget, because those powders are what I have. I realize it shoots good enough to shoot deer at close range but, trying different loads gives me something to do in winter. I thought my 243 was a 1 1/4 gun until I happened to shoot 70 gr Federal Blue Box into 1/2 to 3/4 in groups. Seated the 95 gr nbt to .030 from lands and BINGO duplicates that regularly.

For closer ranges in 7mm-08, I would prefer a heavier, bonded bullet. One of the most accurate in my Tikka T3 7-08 is the 156 grain Norma Oryx. I've had good accuracy from both Norma's factory loaded ammo and also with my handholds using Varget. Another powder that I would like to try with the Oryx bullet is H4895. Not going to get quite the velocity of Varget but, at closer ranges I don't know that 45 or 50 fps will make much difference. I do want to make it clear that I've not taken a deer with my hand loaded rounds or the Norma factory ammo as my rifle is currently set up for longer range. But, there are some good articles that discuss the merits this bullet.

Also, this spring I be trying Trophy Bonded Tipped and Sierra Pro Hunters. I really enjoy experimenting with the 7mm-08 as it is a reloader-friendly and apparently performs well with several different powders. Some day I hope to try Ramshot Big game since MD's recommendations on Ramshot powders have proven to be spot-on in two other calibers that I reload.

I have noticed people recomending magnum primers with Big Game powder in the 7mm-08. Is that correct?

I’ve never seen a 7-08 that wouldn’t shoot the 120’s. Even my rifle with a 1/8 twist shoots the little suckers well.

The Hornady 139 sp with 43 grains of Varget also works well.

jmh3, dvdgeorge says that too about the 120's, but Mike7mm08 in this thread, and me, both have model 7's that don't shoot the 120's well.

Or a gun that doesn't like a boattail bullet. Not unheard of, had a 1/2" 270 with flat based bullets, 3-4" with boattail bullets on a good day.

Find a load for the Hornady 154 grn round nose. That should really smack hard.

I'd look to the 140 TTSX, thats my pic for my 7x57.

Interesting point about boattail bullet 10gauge. I never considered that. Now I wonder wether to try 140 bt or some 140 flat base bullets next. I may try h414 per mike7mm08's suggestion next since he had same gun and situation.

BT seems to do more meat damage at close ranges so I use the Interbond, TSX, Accubond or Hornady interlock.
Currently using TSX at close ranges

Re-15 works well with 120's in my 7-08's

Re-15 seems to be a reocurring suggestion for 120's on the forums, as are the 139 interlocks for deer. I see the interlocks are flatbase or boattail also.

I'm getting 3000fps with 120 grain NBT using Varget and 2800fps with 140 grain Accubonds using RL16.

This is out of my 20" barreled Model Seven SS 7-08.

Okay, I will try h414 and either 140 sierra pro hunters or 139 flatbase interlocks, whichever I can find locally, next. That will be getting away from 120's and boattail at same time. I like the thought of heavier bullets, but have read so much good about 120bt, dissapointed that my gun doesn't seem to be consistent with them.

Try looking here
http://powdervalleyinc.com/index.html

Bricklayer,
Here's where you start, and where you stop.

140 Partition
47.5 gr Big Game
Winchester Large Rifle Magnum primer
2.805"


Thank me later.




P

I'll second the 156 gr Oryx under H4350. This was my first year to use it in my 7X57, two deer and a hog DRT. Caught one under tha skin on a quartering away shot (100 yards) on a big whitetail that mushroomed to triple the diameter and weighed 144 gr after boiling it clean. They run .70 cents a piece and worth every penny. Also the second most accurate in my gun behind the 139 gr SST.

Shot a deer at 35 paces with 140 Sierra PH over Varget (2775 fps). Shot was almost head-on; slight quartering. Went in at right shoulder and ended up in hide on rear left side. Seemed to work pretty good.

I have a favorite lightweight Remington 7mm-08 that wears a 20" factory barrel. It's been a little picky about what it likes. The 120NBT and 120TTSX have been no-go's, even with several powders. They are often 1.5 to 2MOA. Not sure why. I remembered reading something Big Stick posted about 15 years back regarding Speers in factory 7mm-08 chambers, as their nose length/shape will often let you get near the lands. I had some old-stock 145 boattails on the shelf, so I loaded them over 47gr of H4350 and put them nearly on the lands. 3/4" groups at 2,700fps is what I got. That's as good as I can shoot a rifle than weighs something like 6.5lb scoped. The bullet has killed well for me, at ranges of 30 to 200 yards. If shooting 100yds or less, I might would try the 145/160gr Hot-Cors, as they are tougher. My rifle also will shoot the cheap 139gr Hornady American Whitetail factory ammo into 1.2MOA or so, which is actually fine for most of the hunting I do with that little carbine. The 139 IL is a good bullet.

Pharmseller, I have noticed You always recommend the Big Game load. Must be something to it. I see You also say use a magnum primer. JPro, I was kind of thinking the same thing with the lead nose vs plastic bt might get closer to lands. I see Tikka owners say they aren't close to lands and shoot very good.