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Joined: Nov 2003
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Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
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I've always used TAC or RL-15 with 120gr. Ballistic Tips in several 7mm-08 rifles with success but was wondering if there is another powder with which you have had good accuracy/velocity results. Since some powders are hard to find right now, I'm trying to broaden my recipes. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks, RS
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 17,254 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 17,254 Likes: 1 |
I shoot H4895 with the 120TTSX using a charge near their listed maximum (Barnes manual). I was as high as 3,000fps in a 20" factory barrel, but backed it off a few tenths to play it safe at the mid 2900s (kid's rifle). Also shoot CFE223 in an 18" carbine with a charge near Hodgdon's listed maximum. It has to be a bit warm at 3,100+, but it shoots well so I haven't changed it. I've tried Big Game in a few rifles with 120gr bullets but could not get the accuracy I was looking for.
Now with even more aplomb
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 8,846
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2008
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I've found a great load for my daughter's 7/08 using 120 grain ballistic tips and Varget. I use Big Game in my 7/08.
_________________________________________________________________________ “Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 674
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 674 |
IMR 4064 or Varget.
My oldest daughter just killed another deer this past weekend with 39.0 IMR 4064, 120 NBT at 2.815". That's three with this gun. Usually bang flop, though one doe ran 40 yards, but with a great blood trail.
My load in another 7mm-08 is 45.0 grains of Varget and a 120. Great results.
Another is 44.0 grains of Varget and a 120 NBT in my Rem 700 VLS.
Work up, obviously.
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Joined: Aug 2005
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2005
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Powders that have worked best for me, in order....
Varget, Big Game, RL15
It is irrelevant what you think. What matters is the TRUTH.
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,390
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,390 |
I've always used TAC or RL-15 with 120gr. Ballistic Tips in several 7mm-08 rifles with success but was wondering if there is another powder with which you have had good accuracy/velocity results. Since some powders are hard to find right now, I'm trying to broaden my recipes. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks, RS I found that Big Game, as recommended by other folks here, beats Varget by a fair bit in velocity with 120's. Maybe by 150 fps? Availability seems to depend. It's mostly replaced Varget for me in the 7-08.
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,519
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2011
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My 7mm-08’s all shoot Big Game under the 120 gr. Ballistic Tip. Good velocity and accuracy. I’ve never seen the need to try anything else.
If we live long enough, we all have regrets. But the ones that nag at us the most are the ones in which we know we had a choice.
Doug
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 13,263 Likes: 7
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2010
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Obey lawful commands. Video interactions. Hold bad cops accountable. Problem solved.
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
Member #547 Join date 3/09/2001
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Joined: Jul 2006
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2006
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I get 3080 fps with Big Game and a 120 BT in my 7-08. 22” barrel.
Don't speculate when you don't know, and don't second guess when you do.
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Joined: Jan 2010
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2010
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51.5 gr BG, 120 BT, WLRM, 3126 fps.
It’s stout.
Obey lawful commands. Video interactions. Hold bad cops accountable. Problem solved.
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
Member #547 Join date 3/09/2001
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Joined: Jul 2004
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2004
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Big Game. Look at Nosler's data.
'Four legs good, two legs baaaad." ---------------------------------------------- "Jimmy, some of it's magic, Some of it's tragic, But I had a good life all the way." (Jimmy Buffett)
SotG
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First, there is a thread on this, not that long ago. So what works best with mine was Staball 6.5. almost as accurate was Varget. Big game was not that accurate in mine. By the way, if you want some big game, I’m still trying to get rid of some for a really good price, or a trade
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,882
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2013
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Big game for me also but RL15 was easier to obtain accuracy.
HMM-161, HMM-364 Semper Fi Brothers
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Joined: Jun 2001
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Campfire Regular
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Varget for 2950-3000 CFE223 3100+ Good accuracy with both.
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” ISAIAH 41:10
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Joined: Nov 2012
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2012
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First, there is a thread on this, not that long ago. So what works best with mine was Staball 6.5. almost as accurate was Varget. Big game was not that accurate in mine. By the way, if you want some big game, I’m still trying to get rid of some for a really good price, or a trade For those that are interested, I’m getting 3175 fps, not hot rodding it (1 gr below hodgdon max) but I have a 24” barrel.
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,306 Likes: 20
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,306 Likes: 20 |
Varget for 2950-3000 CFE223 3100+ Good accuracy with both. Right in the sweet spot IMO. I don't have any desire to run these 120's at 3200. My son killed the ever-lovin crap out of deer, antelope, and a few aoudad when he was young with this 120bt running 2800.
It is irrelevant what you think. What matters is the TRUTH.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,059
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2001
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I run 47 grains of StaBALL 6.5, but I am on the low side according to some new data I found. When I started messing with it there wasn’t any published data with 120 gr BT’s to speak of so loaded some up and quit at the most accurate group.
Last edited by Hudge; 10/22/22.
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 42,936 Likes: 15
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 42,936 Likes: 15 |
I've always used TAC or RL-15 with 120gr. Ballistic Tips in several 7mm-08 rifles with success but was wondering if there is another powder with which you have had good accuracy/velocity results. Since some powders are hard to find right now, I'm trying to broaden my recipes. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks, RS ya can't go wrong with RL 15, but I also rely heavily on 4064, IMR 4895, IMR 3031, AR Comp, W 748, H 414 and would be looking to try Rl 15.5 if I ever see any on a shelf anywhere in the next 10 years. I'm sure there are other powders listened by others, but these are the ones that I rely heavily on, for most of my reloading from 243s and up...
"Minus the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the Country" Marion Barry, Mayor of Wash DC
“Owning guns is not a right. If it were a right, it would be in the Constitution.” ~Alexandria Ocasio Cortez
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Campfire Tracker
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My step sons Kimber hunter shoots sub MOA all the time with CFE223 which I have lots of. First pouder I tried and done.
MOLON LABE
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