Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles New Fieldcraft 7-08: advice needed

Just took possession of my first 7mm-08, it's a Barrett Fieldcraft with 21" tube. The rifle will be used for whitetail, aoudad and hopefully elk.

I have Lapua brass, Forster dies are on the way, but I need bullets and powder. Initially, I was thinking about loading 140gr Nosler Accubonds. Based upon my intended usage, is there another bullet I should consider or have I made a solid first choice?

I haven't consulted my manuals yet, but I'm looking for a powder recommendation; accuracy first, velocity second. Your thoughts?

Thank you.

I'd be looking at the 150 or 162eldx....

How far are you planning on being capable to?

I usually shoot <300 yards, but have a couple farms that I can shoot to 500 yds on whitetail, so to directly answer your question: 500 yds.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/11690124/1/150-eld-x-and-the-7mm-08






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You don't need much to get that far then....

Take your pic of any 120 at 3050+, 140 at 2850+, 150 at 2750+ or 162 at 2675+...

Big Game powder and 140 grain Partitions

140 Accubond and 40-42g of Varget will get you to that 2800+ number GregW mentioned. I can't tell you how many deer/antelope/aoudad I've killed with that combo. I've also killed a ton of game with that 120 ballistic tip. As a matter of fact, within the last week I killed a very large bodied Axis buck with that 120 BT that weighed 80.5 grains, as it was found underneath the skin on off side shoulder. They are wicked little bullets.

Ive generally used 140-160 gr bullets in my 7-08. Moostly in the 140gr.range Any or the 4350's or Varget would be my choices at least for deer. Haven't used accubonds so cant speak to them but Hornady and Speer have always given good results.

I'll second JG's experience. Hard to go wrong with 140-grain Accubonds and Varget for your intended purpose. I've killed a bunch of whitetails and aoudads with that combo and one-shot kills with complete pass-throughs are the norm.

Have not shot elk with it -yet - but would not hesitate to take that combo into the elk grounds.

140 Partition
47.5 gr Big Game
WLRM
2.806" OAL

Kilt two bulls with this load





Same recipe, substitute Accubond for Partition, 200 yards





My dad kilt this bull with the Accubond load, one shot, 225 yards










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I'm looking for the same rifle but can't find anyone with them in stock.

Anybody know of any vendors who have them in stock?

Do they shoot $1,000 better than a Tikka?





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As you stated, you have Lapua brass. It is a little thicker and heavier than Winchester and Remington brass, so you should definitely start low and work up. I shoot a lot of 120 gr. bullets (Ballistic Tips and TTSXs) and have found that I get the same velocity with a grain or two less powder when using Lapua brass. My favorite Lapua load in my 7mm-08 is either of the 120s mentioned over 48.0 to 48.5 gr. of Big Game with a CCI 200 primer. It chronographs at 3100 fps. I get the same velocity with 50.0 gr. if I am using Remington brass. I don’t see this talked about much on here, but something to think about.

By the way, the 120 gr. Ballistic Tip works great on deer sized game. I’d probably use the TTSX or a heavier bullet on Elk or similar.

EuroOptic

I'll keep that in mind as I move forward.

No, but from a guy that owns both and appreciates the Tikka, I prefer the FC by a wide margin. However, I am thinking about picking up a T3/T3X to compliment the FC 7mm-08, BUT I have far too many rifles now.

Doubtful, but from a guy that owns both and truly appreciates the Tikka, I prefer the FC by a wide margin. However, I am thinking about picking up a T3/T3X to compliment the FC 7mm-08, BUT I have far too many rifles now.

Over the past several months I have been trying/testing different bullet/powder combos in my 7-08. I have tried Varget, H414 and RL-16 along with 140 gr Sierra GK's, NBT's a Partitions. Ive also tried 150 gr NBT's, Partitions. Also have run some 139 gr Hornady and 154 gr SST's.

All of the of above have been stellar performers from the bench to point where I'm having a hard time deciding on what I'm going to "run", except for the 139 gr Hornady bullets and I suspect that I could have gotten better accuracy with a little more work but when the other loads were "falling into place" with relative ease I saw no reason to keep working with them.

46.5 grs of H414 and 140 gr NBT's generally shoot into 3/4 inch. 47.4 grs of RL-16 and a 140 gr NBT generally shoot into half inch with 45 grs of RL-16 and a 150 gr NBT shoot about the same. I'm leaning towards the RL-16 and 150 gr NBT.

42 grs of Varget and the 140 Sierra GK are stellar as well. Half inch or so. I don't know the velocity of any of these loads. Don't have a chrono yet. Too much procrastination on my part, but I think I'm gonna buy one.

However, I am thinking about picking up a T3/T3X to compliment the FC 7mm-08, BUT I have far too many rifles now.

Heard that!

A while back I decided that for every new one I got, I was going to get rid of one. I'm running a little behind on that, for excellent reasons, of course.

The FC I have on layaway MAY replace a couple. We'll see.