Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game 7mm-08 question

I like the 120 NBT for deer and hogs.

Slightly more accurate in my 7-08 700 with Hart barrel and also a good WT killer is the 140 gr. Sierra HPBT

DF

I loaded some 80s vintage 162 grain Hornadys for my camp mates Model 7. Last season he shoulder punched a big doe and it dropped her where she stood. Complete penetration, no signs of blow up.

Before that he was using some flat base 120 grain Sierras on top of a full snort charge of Varget. Several pigs and a doe fell to those without issue. There were vintage bullets from when Sierra was in Whittier, CA.

In my Remington Varmint Special, I really like 150gr Lapua Scenars. Very accurate. Have shot it out to 550 yards. In my son’s 7-08, he has killed a bunch of deer with the 120 BT. All with Varget

150 ELDX at 2790 fps does the job for us.

I never found anything in a 7x08 that beat a good 140 grain bullet .

Havent tried a 175 but I know the 154 SP will go sub moa in my M7 with several different powders. Not sure it wouldnt come close with dirt and that bullet.

I was you, until I tried the 150 ELDX.

Lot's of bullets work well in this cartridge, which is one of many reasons to like it. I'll take a 140 Accubond at 2800fps every time.

These 120 NBT, TTSX at 3000fps or 140 NBT, TTSX 2860fps and go hunt.

Big 10-4 on those 120's Deans.

I’ve posted this a ton, my dad with his last and best bull, 140 AB at 2850.




P

Nice bull. Great way to close out the hunt.

Pharm, I like that big smile on dad's face. Nice bull, congrats.

Agree.

I always enjoy seeing that picture.

DF

Great pic!

Totally agree. Occasionally there's a pic that needs more than one posting, and that's one of them!

I'm with those that see no benefit loading more than a 160. I've loaded a variety of 7-08's and prefer the 140-150 weight class bullets - these days there are just so many bullets with outstanding penetration in that weight class.

FWIW, I've found more than one 7-08 that didn't group 140's well, but did with 150's. My own hunting experience with the 7-08 isn't as extensive as someone like Pharmsmeller's or JGRaider's, but I did take a heavy old 6pt bull with a 150 Ballistic Tip. The bullet penetrated through 32" of angling elk and was under the hide offside.

Thanks for the comments, guys. One of my favorite pics. That’s my brother on the left, my bearded ass on the right. Elk hunting was a special event for the three of us. Sadly that was his last bull. Still, to be hunting with your boys at 77 years old, can’t complain. Killed his last buck two years later at 79. Parkinson’s is a bastard.

I still have the Oregon hat he was wearing in the pic. It lives on a hook by the door to the motorhome, right where you’d put it to dry after a hunt.

Outstanding........

I’m in full agreement here with one addition. I’d would put the 140 gr. Partition in the mix. I shoot a lot of 120 gr. Ballistic Tips and TTSX’s but if I want anything heavier, it’s the 140 gr. Nosler Partition. I will also add that the 7mm-08 is my favorite big game cartridge, and Big Game is my favorite powder for hand loading all the above mentioned bullets.