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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,358 Likes: 5
Campfire Outfitter
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OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,358 Likes: 5 |
They say one door closes and another opens. . . otherwise turn on your flashlight or you'll be in the dark. Or something like that.
If you've been reading my threads lately, you'll know I had bad news about my Ruger Model 44.
Well, I happened to have landed (fingers crossed) a Thompson Center Compass in 7mm-08. I'd been kind of looking for one, and POOF! there it was.
I'm going to try and get it ready for the upcoming Rifle Season in KY, so I'm in a bit of a rush. What bullet recommendations can you make for a cheap, easy whitetail load?
My goal is to use it as a close-in treestand gun and limit my ranges this season to 100 yards or so-- use it to replace the Model 44 in the lineup. Next year, I'll try and stretch it out and see how well it does at longer distances. I'm thinking the 139 grain Hornady IL for starters.
Last edited by shaman; 10/02/20.
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 9,603 Likes: 2
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 9,603 Likes: 2 |
120TSX, 42-44gn R-15. I've used that combo to 425 on whitetails and 700 on steel all via 6x42 Leupold.
Last edited by horse1; 10/02/20.
I can walk on water.......................but I do stagger a bit on alcohol.
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,151
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,151 |
Hornady 139 grain spire point and varget works for me.
BULLET WEIGHT 139 GR. HDY SP Manufacturer Hodgdon Powder Varget Bullet Diameter0.284"
C.O.L. 2.800"
Starting Load Grains 40.5
Velocity (ft/s)2,721 Pressure 44,700 CUP
Maximum Load Grains 43.5
Velocity (ft/s)2,877 Pressure 50,000 CUP
Last edited by Mike_S; 10/02/20.
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Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 241
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 241 |
I am in KY as well. I use Hornady 139 gr. GMX. They have worked well for my son and me.
If ifs and buts were like candy and nuts, it would be Christmas every day.
“The .30-06 is never a mistake.” - Col. Townsend Whelan
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 12,664
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 12,664 |
120gr Nosler BTs. 139gr Hornady flat base both have worked for me. I load H4350.
The Karma bus always has an empty seat when it comes around.- High Brass
There's battle lines being drawn Nobody's right if everybody's wrong
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,358 Likes: 5
Campfire Outfitter
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OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,358 Likes: 5 |
Another question: I've got scads of 308 military brass that I'm not going to use otherwise. Is there any problem in resizing to 7mm?
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17,927
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17,927 |
120TSX, 42-44gn R-15. I've used that combo to 425 on whitetails and 700 on steel all via 6x42 Leupold. Geez man, stole the words right outta my mouth.
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,554
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,554 |
Ken Waters load - 43 grains of WW-748 and that 139 Hornady. I have been using it for nearly 30 years.
NRA Endowment Life Member, G.O.A supporter
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,151
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,151 |
Another question: I've got scads of 308 military brass that I'm not going to use otherwise. Is there any problem in resizing to 7mm? I have necked down a couple Remington .308s to test that theory and may be shooting them today at some point. I will let you know how they work. No problems in function testing so far. As far as military brass is concerned I would follow the advice of not hot loading them because of heavier cases, less internal volume.
Last edited by Mike_S; 10/02/20.
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,004 Likes: 2
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,004 Likes: 2 |
Another question: I've got scads of 308 military brass that I'm not going to use otherwise. Is there any problem in resizing to 7mm? You can resize 308 brass, just watch for thick necks, you may have to turn them, I know I did.
"I was born in the log cabin I helped my grandfather build"
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 17,101
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 17,101 |
I love the 140 Ballistic tip out of the 7mm-08
The government plans these shootings by targeting kids from kindergarten that the government thinks they can control with drugs until the appropriate time--DerbyDude
Whatever. Tell the oompa loompa's hey for me. [/quote]. LtPPowell
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,447 Likes: 1
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,447 Likes: 1 |
My wife has used the 140 BT out of her two 7mm08’s for the last 15 years with great results.
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,224 Likes: 9
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,224 Likes: 9 |
Have been working with a .308 Compass for a friend. Really nice rifle for the price. I’m impressed with the old style M-70 trigger set up and love the M-70 three position swing safety. Whoever designed this rifle had to be a M-70 fan. I watched a tutorial on trigger adjustment, some guy selling a $30 set of springs. All I did was work with the main spring to end up with a 3# trigger, didn’t need a spring kit.
And the barrel look great thru the Hawkeye borescope.
My 7-08 M-700/Shilen loves the 140 SGK, HPBT. Most accurate bullet in that gun (half inch) and does a great job on WT’s. Good exit with plenty of internal damage and lots of blood on the ground. Deer don’t go far when chest shot. I try keeping bullets out of the shoulders to save meat.
Latest project is a Mauser M-18 Creed. A bit more expensive than the Compass, great gun. That barrel also looks great thru the Hawkeye. Going to mount the scope next week and see how she shoots. This one also has a great trigger. Came 4#’s. With my metric Allen wrench it’s now 3#’s, clean and crisp. Less trouble to adjust than the Compass. Both about the same level of perfection.
DF
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 418
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 418 |
Sierra # 1900 120 gr. Pro Hunter......WLR primer.......little over mid charge of Varget.
Hodgdon site says; min 42.5 grs.......max 45.0 grs. under a 120 gr. bullet.
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,224 Likes: 9
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,224 Likes: 9 |
I love the 140 Ballistic tip out of the 7mm-08 120’s at 3K fps are also good. DF
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,512
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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FOLKS, I ran many 7/08s long ago......only had one primer blow.........and/or case neck - but I DO recall it was IMI 308 necked down, in a 700 OEM barrel - chamber. SO if you are using Mil-spec 308 brass, you MIGHT wanna check your O.D. on your neck after loaded. You NEED sufficient clearance or it acts as a Crimped bullet that jacks up pressures. Avoid those spikes, and turn your necks if they are not within specs. The 139 IL has been excellent on deer I have shot Varget...I ran 1-2 grains more than many in partial sized brass, but you don't need max velocity for short ranges. Run a modest load and you will be stacking your freezer. JB and others might chime in, but I found the Nosler BT 140 to just nudge out the 139 in accuracy, but both shot about one hole 5 shots in a varmint 700. But, the 139 seemed tougher than the earlier 140 BT. Those BTs were deadly, but a bit more meat damage in my use. Newer BTs might be a bit tougher. I'd stick to 139s for woods where you want exit holes for blood trails should you need them. BTs will, but perhaps not on the worst of shot placements...like shoulder to shoulder or a shot end to end. 120 Barnes TTSX or 140 Partition if you want an almost guaranteed exit. If you use a mono like the TTSX, hitting shoulders enhances expansion, meat loss will not be bad, and you will get exits. Odds are a 139 will, but the 120 is like insurance I would say .....doubt a deer could hold one from any angle.
Last edited by 65BR; 10/02/20.
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,631 Likes: 1
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,631 Likes: 1 |
140 grain Nosler BT with 41.0 grains of Varget (Nolser manual shows 42.0 as maximum) as worked well from close in to 300 yards is what I have used most. The 140 g Barnes TTSX, as expected, also shines but I have shot more beasties with the BT.
Enjoy the 7-08 it's a sweet shooting cartridge.
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Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,871
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,871 |
I haven't tried the 120ttsx but I'm a 120bt convert. It took me awhile to give it a try but the 7-08/120bt combo almost seems designed to be used together
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,224 Likes: 9
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,224 Likes: 9 |
FOLKS, I ran many 7/08s long ago......only had one primer blow.........and/or case neck - but I DO recall it was IMI 308 necked down, in a 700 OEM barrel - chamber. SO if you are using Mil-spec 308 brass, you MIGHT wanna check your O.D. on your neck after loaded. You NEED sufficient clearance or it acts as a Crimped bullet that jacks up pressures. Avoid those spikes, and turn your necks if they are not within specs. The 139 IL has been excellent on deer I have shot Varget...I ran 1-2 grains more than many in partial sized brass, but you don't need max velocity for short ranges. Run a modest load and you will be stacking your freezer. JB and others might chime in, but I found the Nosler BT 140 to just nudge out the 139 in accuracy, but both shot about one hole 5 shots in a varmint 700. But, the 139 seemed tougher than the earlier 140 BT. Those BTs were deadly, but a bit more meat damage in my use. Newer BTs might be a bit tougher. I'd stick to 139s for woods where you want exit holes for blood trails should you need them. BTs will, but perhaps not on the worst of shot placements...like shoulder to shoulder or a shot end to end. 120 Barnes TTSX or 140 Partition if you want an almost guaranteed exit. If you use a mono like the TTSX, hitting shoulders enhances expansion, meat loss will not be bad, and you will get exits. Odds are a 139 will, but the 120 is like insurance I would say .....doubt a deer could hold one from any angle. 120 NBT's do exit and kill well. In my 7-08, the 140 SBK HPBT is the most accurate, kills as well and exits. It may be a bit more expansive than the 120 NBT. Hard to go wrong with either one. The 7-08 does will with a host of bullet and powder combos. Great round. I have killed deer with the 120 NBT; they eat as well as those killed with other loads. DF
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Joined: Jan 2017
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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Nothing wrong with working up a good handload with 139 gr Hornady SP's, if you can find the components you need right now. Big if too. Go buy 3 boxes of Amercan Whitetail Hunter loads featuring the 139 gr Horn interlocks 21 -22 dollars a box, they're as good as it gets for inexpensive factory ammo. You can remember my sterling advice as you are eating fresh venison. MB
" Cheapest velocity in the world comes from a long barrel and I sure do like them. MB "
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