Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles More 7-08 Big Game info

Didn't want to clutter up DJTexs post with 140 grain info since it was mostly talking 120s.
I'm just starting to work with a new FN M70 Fwt. in 7-08, Talleys and a VXII 2-7x32 with dots. Every time I've had the time to shoot it's been windy, this morning it was 20-25 with gusts to 30, mostly a headwind. Groups were nothing to get exited about though I did have one under half an inch with one other about 3/4. Most were two in one out types at 1-1 1/4 or so. I'm not sure yet if I need to play with seating depth or wait for a calmer day!
I ran everything over the chronograph though 3 shot groups don't tell all that much on the statistical aspect.
Big Game was way ahead on velocity using published maximums with the 139 Hornady flat base bullet. W-W cases, Wolf primers. One thing with that 139 gr. bullet, I had to seat them .015 off the lands to get them into the magazine. I need to see about taking the block out of the back of the magazine.
48- Big Game-2867fps
42-RL-15- 2726fps
42-Varget-2660fps
I did get the best groups with the Big Game, though not consistent enough yet. All the loads left the primers with rounded shoulders and no cratering.

The only group I tried with the 120 BT was the <1/2" group with 45-RL-15 going 2973 fps. This was a load I had left over from another rifle and will get more attention!

The 45 RL-15 and 120 NBT has been the most accurate load for me in the two 7mm-08s I have owned. So far, seems to work well on game too.

In my Kimber Montana the best powder so far with 140 Barnes TTSXs has been RL 19. It shows two nodes of about equal accuracy - one at 49.0 gr and one at 52.0 gr. @ 3/4" - 1" @100 yds.

I have not chronographed but, based on data in manuals expect it's somewhere between 2850 and 2900 from the 22" barrel. Has proven effective on elk.

What do ya'll think of the 7mm-08 with a 20" barrel? Lookin at the Finnlight. What twist rate are your rifles?