Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters 280 or 7-08 for Texas ??

Marty, I wondered the same thing a few short months ago - he hadn't signed on since January 2016.
Good dude for sure.

Why would you say that? Asking because I really want to know.

I had a Remington 700 Muntain Rifle in 7mm-08 for a while that got right around 2900 from the 140 Partition with 50.0 grains of of H4350, which is Hodgdon's listed max load with the 139 Hornady Interlock. They chronographed it at 2906 from a 24-inch barrel, but the Mountain Rifle's was 22 inches. I don't see why some 7-08's wouldn't get a little more with some 140-grain bullets.

Agreed, in Texas the .270 is still king, but in the 7mm class going with a light weight thin barreled or short barreled 7-08 could be lighter rig than a .270 without giving up very much power. A .280 will be as heavy as a .270. which would not leave any reason to change.

I'm not into hot rodding mild recoiling cartridges personally. As I age I really like mild recoiling calibers that kill the crap outa stuff, and a 140 AB running 2800fps is exactly that, with moderate recoil. I don't run 120BT's at 3200 either.

Thanks Raider, I can appreciate that. I guess it's all about perspective, and each of us is unique in that regard.

7-08 based on ammunition availability. Both will work.

7-08 is yesterday's 6.5CM.....and 6.5 CM has more available ammo.

I'd buy a pair of 270s. 1 BLue, Walnut, 2. SS, Composite.

AMMO is everywhere and more than enuff variety of loads.


just me. btw, I'm 68, so.....

In MY rifles, 700s (BDL-SS and V) I was using RP cases, FIRE FORMED TO MY RIFLES, 45/Varget. IIRC it was about 1 grain over the original loads in the some older manuals. I would suggest anyone load per current manuals, and work up their own loads. Note, WW brass is about 1.5 gr more, and better IMHO so I would not suggest RP if you want the best in performance. Also, I was testing in summer temps of around 95 degrees. Never had any problems. Also, I used IMR 4064 which was a tad more accurate.

I was also using 139s as I used both the FB version and 140 BTs often. Both nearly one hole 5-shot groups (BT was a hair more accurate than 139) in the Varmint chopped at 21" as the BDL/SS, and in an HS Stock. The 139 SP IL was the original loading by Rem in their "140 CL" load over 760. I do know the 129 in 6.5 often gives speed like a 120, it seems they have a short per weight bearing surface....

In another rifle at that time, my 7/08 M70 carbine - syn/matte 20" ran 2850 using Varget and 139s. Don't recall speeds in my 22" FWT but it also shot well.

That said, I would imagine a load of a few less grains would give all the performance one needs with less strain on brass/gun. I feel 2800 is a good target speed in most common barrels (22-24").

So, in a nutshell, 1) consult a manual 2) work your loads up, in your firearm, and a Chrony is a great way to work up your loads 3) brass brand/Capacity matters, as does if you FL size or partial size as I typically do 3) primer choice can tweak performance 4) Temperature affects performance, 5) individual firearms vary due to chamber and bore variations. Many here know these things, but....

Since I did my R&D, newer powders have come along, likely matching or perhaps besting the Varget and IMR 4064 I used extensively. H4350, MR2000, and RL17 have been used successfully with 140s, RL15, CFE223, and others for 120s. In 120s I used 47/Varget, 3050-3100 was typical. 100s ironically with the same load shot 1/4MOA at 200 yds using the 700V, yes 100 Hornady HPs, same RP brass. 3 shot groups btw....and that was when the rifle was in a VLS stock, unbedded but the pressure point removed.

As always, work up loads in your firearms.