Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Heavy bullet 7mm-08 loads

I used QL to get my RL26 data.. none of us want to blow up a rifle.. As the saying goes you can’t get enough RL26 into the 7-08 case to get into trouble. But 6.5stabal is another powder to try and I can find that no issue. The days Hodgkin has looks good. While you guys are running data through ballistic calculators word of advice use Brian Litz B.C data for that bullet. He has tested a bunch and has the info available.

I plan on trying some Staball in mine as well. It’s been super in my 30-06 and 6 Creed so far.

I did the math on my load at 2790 vs the 162 at 2740. There’s really not much of a difference at the ranges I’m likely to shoot something, 500 yards and in. I think I’ll just dance with the girl who brung me.



P

Good luck with the 162s in the 20"........tested some 160/162s in a 20" M70 long ago......trajectory suffered.

For me, the 140 AB is near perfect in the round, the 150 NBT for a tad more bullet weight if you so desire.

Some folks run a 7/08 hard with heavies, and in a long tube. Sure seems simpler to just step up to more displacement like a 270 or 280, if not a 7RM to keep things simple and not redline pressures. Just me. Shot a good bit of loads from 100s to 162s in a several 7/08s. Either extreme can work, but when you factor BC/SD, MV and trajectory.......I think the 139-150 class wrings out most of the potential for field use on big game. If you are in to serious LR work, there are better rounds.

FWIW I have shot 140s at 2960 in 21" barrels........all I wanted. I'd be very content with a 150 at 2700-2800. I ran a 7RM long ago with 162s under 2900 for shootability and accuracy. Killed great and did not punish me as bad.

In the end, that saying use enough gun..........is met with a mid-weight in the 7/08. I too like heavy for cal, but within reason. I like reasonable trajectory........Some get it, some maybe not using heavies in the modest 308 case..........but once you get enough, more is more....but not necessarily better......and certainly not needed. For North America and even other countries, a good 140-150 is about all you will need.

Last note, I recall Layne Simpson who worked with this round since inception in 1981, as I recall, he was quoted perhaps in the Nosler manual, that a 150 Partition was perhaps a better choice if going more than 140......and more usable than anything heavier. Personally I still agree.

Many ways to accomplish a job..........

Oh, what did I take hunting today? Compact T3x, loaded with 150 BTs

Best comment in this thread.

If I want a rifle to shoot > 500 yards, it ain't gonna be a 7-08 if'n it ain't the only long gun that I own.

MM

By the way, she also has kills with a .338 lapua, but if I ask her which one she wants to go out and put several rounds through, I know which one she's asking for.

Yep, not too surprising............cool that she can shoot the 338 though.

And yes, 7-08's are pretty pleasant to shoot, even in a lightweight.

MM