Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 7-08 WT loads

I bought a box of them a few years ago. Never have shot any. I also use the 120BT and have killed several deer, hogs, and antelope. Never once have I questioned the bullets performance. So, no need to move away from what works. I haven't had this magic with all BT's however. Never again will I try the 95gr 6mm version on game. Maybe I got a bad box, but my magic there is with the Sierra 85gr HPBT, the kin to the one your referencing. Thus the reason I bought a box. Let us know how it turns out. BTW, nice gun. What does it weigh?

I have used the 140 grain BTHP Gameking out of a 7mm/08. Don't have the rifle anymore, but would not hesitate to use that bullet on Whitetails as the three or four I took with them were all immediately impressed.

7# 14 oz, as you see it. Balances and handles great.

DF.

I use GameKings in 308 and 7mm08. They are accurate and kill stuff dead.

I liked 120 TTSX in my 7-08, but that bullet is waaaaay to expensive for killing deers.

I used to shoot the 140gr Gameking HP in a 270win and it was a great killer. BC kind of stunk, but it was rough on deer.

A good "economy" bullet these days is the 140gr Fusion in 100ct boxes. I've found them to be accurate and they are always a good performer on game in the 7mm-08.

120 gr. TTSX at 3,450 fps out of my 26 Nosler, 120 E-Tip about the same performance.

Pig bought the farm, lots of damage. Probably wouldn't be as severe at Creed and Swede speeds, or even at 6.5-284 speeds.

Different caliber, but I would think less damage at 7-08 speed with 120 TTSX.

DF

Used to use the 165 gr HP game king in the 30-06 back around 1980. Yep, they shot very well. And the bottom round in the mag well did not get its nose smashed after it had been there for five or six tactical reloads killing whistle pigs.
I quit using them after Nosler introduced the ballistic tip.

Just got back from the back 40, shooting several guns, including the 7-08.

Two stand out groups. One was with old Hornady 139 SP's, bought at NA Guns in East Baton Rouge in the '70's. I was using Horn Max of 47 gr. Pw Pro 2000 MR and shot a .4" three shot goup. Price on the box is $12.70 for 100 bullets. That one was a surprise.

The other was the 140 gr. SGK HPBT over 42.5 Varget. That one went .4", also. Throw in the .2" group earlier, that's pretty good for a LW hunting rifle.

This gun shoots so many combos well, it could cause a "Loony dilemma" deciding...

Then there's always that old, boring 120 NBT killer bullet that also groups extremely well...

DF

I figured an aggregate group size, (3) three shot groups, all not on the same day.

I averaged,.27", .4" and .69", came up with a 9 shot aggregate of .48", not bad for a 7#, 14 oz hunting rifle. Not sure if it's the Hart barrel, the way Bobby Hart put it together, or that fine Dirtfarmer bedding.

Guess it all came together with the 140 gr. SGK HPBT and 42.5 gr. Varget with 210 primers.

I think I'll use that load this season, work up 120 NBT loads later.

DF

No......

I'm gonna and will report...



DF

Purchased a box on Hornady Superformance 139 SST ammo in 7mm-08 last week. The very first round would not fire. I recocked the the firing mechanism three time and the primer did not fire. I checked the round after waiting a few minutes. The primer showed normal indention form firing pin. The rest of the ammo fired perfectly but group sizes were average. This ammo fired thru 20" bbl T/C Venture compact averaged grouping 1.6" at 100 yards. The rifle does better with other factory ammo. This ammo will NOT go hunting with me due to misfire.
I have hand loaded SST bullets for 270 winchester and 243 remington. Never had a problem with performance on deer. I may reload using SST bullets again but no more factory Hornady Superformance ammo for me.

I don’t personally shoot a 7mm-08 yet, but I have been using the 120gr NBT when loading for my friend’s son. He dropped a doe at 75 yards in her tracks with the bullet exiting, which was expected. What I didn’t expect was for him to take a cow elk at 200 yards with the same load that also ended up exiting. Perfect lung shot and she went about 20 yards before piling up.

There is no reason, in a 7mm-08, to feel like you need any more bullet than a 120 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip for killing whitetail deer. I have used them for several years and have never lost a deer. Sure, sometimes they run 20 to 30 yds, sometimes DRT, but always dead. And they usually exit. I get about 3100 fps with my load and they’ve worked at 60 yds. up to 225 yds.