Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 7-08 how fast?

I use a max load of varget with 140 Accubonds at about 2820 from a 22" tube for my most accurate load in my T3. I played with bullets and powders but that combo just works.

2447 with great accuracy. I was getting 2700'ish but I opted for accuracy

Just a bit slower than a 7x57.

I get 2925 with BG and 24” barrel

My dad’s T3 shot 140 AB at 2850, good enough for a one-shot kill on a big 5x5 bull. Through and through tight behind the shoulder. My handloads.




P

Nosler says a max load of Big Game will get you 2953fps with a 140gr bullet.

Nosler is also using a 26” barrel. Subtract 25 fps per inch from 26” to 22 1/2” and you get 2878.

I get 2880 with 140 PT and I’m not gonna argue over 2 fps.



P

I got a 5 shot average of 2865fps with 47gns RL17 & 140gn Nosler Accubond. Rem 700 with 23" bbl. Other powders that give similar results in my rifle include H4350, W760 and Alliant PowerPro 2000-MR.

You can get awfully close with IMR 4895 but it is just easier to stay around 2800 or so.

Best I could do with 2 different 7-08 AIs was 139s at 2950fps. One 7-08AI had a 22.5" bbl and the other at 23".

Figure I'd circle back around to this now that I've had some more time behind the trigger. My goal is always accuracy, but I like to push them as fast as possible and still keep consistent 1" or better groups. I really wanted to be able to shoot 2 specific bullets with this one. 120gr NBT and 140 Partitions. I could push both of these faster I guess because I'm not seeing pressure yet, but the accuracy is there so I'm going to leave it alone.

120NBT @ 3020 with a ES of 32fps using 42.8 gr of H4895
140 partitions @2944 with a ES of 27 using 47 gr of 760

Next I have some hot core 145s to play with and maybe some 140 TTSXs

140's at 2944 are over pressure I assure you, whether you recognize it or not.

All three of my 7mm-08’s have 22” barrels and with 140 gr bullets I get a hair over 2800 fps with all three. My opinion is that to try to gain any more velocity would not only be futile, but I would be over the sensible limit. I don’t think there is any way to safely get to 3000 fps with a 140 gr bullet out of a 7mm-08. And why would a person want to do so? They sell 7mm RM’s every day.

Nice Piggy

Looking at these numbers, I'm going to want to re-chrono my loads. I am using a pretty anemic load of 42.0grs of W760, while doing load development I was more interested in accuracy not speed and I can keep a three inch 2" inch group on a 5" plate at 300 yards all day long. I may have to revisit my choice of powder and load.

What type of accuracy are you folks getting at 2700 - 2900 fps?

You wouldn’t believe me.

I run a 140 grain ballistic tip over 48 grains of H414 which is said to be the same powder as 760. A fair level over a lot of published data. Runs me right about 2850 in a 18 1/2" barrel. Accuracy? As said above you won't believe me. Seriously the hotter I run this gun the more amazing the groups get. Seriously I have seen this gun put five in just a fuzz over a quarter inch with the right person behind the trigger. My old man was a hell of shot with this gun even though it was mine.With me behind the trigger just under a half inch all day long.

As for pressure signs. Nothing scientific. Bolt lift is fine cases have as many as five loadings without issue.

My load for the 7-08 is anemic but it's a tack driver using 140gr NBT or Absolute Hammers. My notes say 42 grns of w760 averages 2624 fps with an ES if 14. So yeah not a speed demon but as long as I know my dope, I got no problem take that cow Elk out at 200-300 yards.

I have 2 rifles in 7mm08 one has 20" bbl and the other a 24"and recently chronographed the same handloads though both rifles. Load is 47grs of W760 and Rem 9 1/2 primer with a 140 gr Nosler partition.

20" bbl chrono at 2700-2750

24" bbl chrono at 2900-2920

Good post.