Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 7mm-08 and 120 gr. Ballistic Tips ???

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 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.

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.

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.

45 grains of Varget

Powders that have worked best for me, in order....

Varget, Big Game, RL15

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.

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.

I get 3080 fps with Big Game and a 120 BT in my 7-08. 22” barrel.

51.5 gr BG, 120 BT, WLRM, 3126 fps.

It’s stout.

Big Game. Look at Nosler's data.

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

Big game for me also but RL15 was easier to obtain accuracy.

Varget for 2950-3000 CFE223 3100+ Good accuracy with both.

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.

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.

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.

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...

My step sons Kimber hunter shoots sub MOA all the time with CFE223 which I have lots of. First pouder I tried and done.