Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Best 7-08 bullet

What would be the best bullet for the 7-08 for big game hunting? I’m thinking 140ish grain is the sweet spot weight wise, will it push a mono fast enough for reliable expansion? Accubond is the easy answer but haven’t seen any in a while. What’s the general consensus?

Shooters Pro Shop had some 140 Accubond blems recently, so might keep an eye out. A buddy and I have been using the 150gr ELD-X with good luck past 3yrs.

140 accubond or partition. Many other good bullets but those are my go to for hunting.

120 grain ballistic tip
140 grain accubond
150 grain ELD-X
120 grain TTSX

All are positively excellent.

The 139 Hdy doesn’t seem too bad either. Accurate enough and they’re available.

I have some 150 Accubonds and ABLRs along with 162 ELD M’s and X’s as well to try once I’ve got mine up and going the way I want.

I really like the 130 gr absolute hammer for a wildcat similar the 7mm-08, the 7mm wssm. The only thing is you will probably have to work up your own data with a little faster powder like rl15.

For deer sized game or even elk the 150 eldx seems to kill but I've never killed anything that big.
Deer , everything mentioned above.
My choice is 120 bt, 140 bt or don't forget the 139 hyd interlock.
I shoot whatever you can find, especially if on sale.

My Tikka is fond of the 120 bt.

139 hornady flat base for deer, 140 partition for bigger stuff would be my choice. It is a starting point for my 280 this year!

I use the 139-140 grain bullet for most things.

Partition if the critter is large like elk but for deer and the like i use the Hornady 139 flat base bullets i bought years ago.

I like 139 interbond for deer and 140 partition or 140 ttsx for elk.

140 AccuBond or Partition

150 ELDX

Whichever shoots best.

Try to get 2850 or more for the 140s, 2780 or more for the 150.

We’ve killed deer, elk, and antelope with all three. Shot where you’re supposed to shoot them, they all died about the same.

Placement and velocity matters more than which bullet.

That said, 150 ELDX is waaaay easier to find and cheaper. It’s all I load these days.

I think, anyway.






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I really like the 120BT at around 3K.

139 Interlock around 2800 fps for Northeast whitetails
120TTSX at 3050 fps, for everything else.

I shoot a few different 7mm-08s with barrels lengths ranging from 18 1/2" - 24". All of the rifles I own now shoot really well, all shoot sub MOA from modern rifles like Howa and Remington to the Kimber. The 7mms simply inherently accurate like their parent cartridge. Only a 1984 Model Seven in 7mm-08 didn't immediately produce MOA groups so it went to another shooter who was delighted with 1 1/4" groups for blacktail deer in BC.

Personally I prefer 120-140 grain monolithic bullets on game:




My Kimber Classic Select 84M is the most accurate rifle out of my small sample batch:





For the sake of interest many powders like H4350, Varget, W760, IMR4895 and Vhn140 have worked well for me in the 7mm-08s.

120 TTSX for deer, bear and hogs and 140TTSX for Elk and Moose.

I have used the 139 gr Hornady Intrlock for about 40 years with complete satisfaction. I only hunt whitetails. Would go with a premium, likely a 140 Partition, if I went after larger game.

If the big game stops at deer/antelope…..just about any quality cup & core will work. For larger stuff, especially if a close range shot is possible……a mono, “hands down”!

I am extremely biased toward Barnes Bullets……in your 7-08, I be seriously considering the 139 LRX. Using 2800 fps as an estimated mv…..you should get reliable expansion to just beyond 550 yards. As a plus, this type of bullet is great for up close shots……giving near 100% weight retention and deep penetration when needed!

Keep it simple, one bullet/one load for all of your big game. From muzzle to 550+ yards…..what’s not to like? 😉 memtb

You're right.....one bullet/one load......140 Accubond running 2800.

I only hunt whitetails and the occasional pig. My 7-08 likes the 139 gr SST or 140 gr Sierra GameKing bullet with either Varget or Big Game powder. Very few ever take a step after the shot.

If you can find them.

Big Game powder, of course.





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