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I am well aware of , and use Varget, Big Game, and I4350 for some accurate 7-08/140gr bullet loads. I was in a LGS today and stumbled upon some RL15 and know many of you guys rave about it in loading for this combo. I searched and could not find info here, so.....

please provide your recipe for your 7-08 and 140gr, and 120gr loads. Thanks for the help.


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43.5-44 grins with 120's.
41-41.5 grains with 140's.

In fact, I've owned several 7-08's and I've yet to see one that didn't like RL15 with 120's (NBT's and TTSX's).


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Originally Posted by shortactionsmoker
43.5-44 grins with 120's.
41-41.5 grains with 140's.

In fact, I've owned several 7-08's and I've yet to see one that didn't like RL15 with 120's (NBT's and TTSX's).


Same experience as SAS with the charge weights behind the 120 NOS BT and 140 NOS BT and Accubonds. In a Kimber Montana I see just below 3000 and right at 2800 fps, respectively. R-P cases, CCI 200, at around 2.8" OAL.

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I put together some 7-08 rounds today using RL-15.

This is the first I've tried the 120 TTSX. I looked at Barnes, Hornady and Nosler reloading books and two had a max charge of 44 grains and the other 43.7 grains for RL-15. I started at 41 grains moving up in 0.5 grain increments.

I've been trying to get this rifle to shoot the 140 gr Partitions with two different primers and six different powders. It was time to move on and accept reality.

Good luck!


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44-44.5 grains with a 120 TSX will put a smile on your face & animals on the ground.

That bullet will do all that a 140 will do & more; but if you have to have a 140, then I prefer H4350.

YMMV

MM

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I load 44 grns or R-15 With a 120 BT. BR2 primers in Lapua 308 cases fireformed. Burns a hole lot cleaner than varget in my Custom 7mm-08.Shoots good at 100 and not bad for a 120 grn bullet at 300 yards.

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Originally Posted by shortactionsmoker
43.5-44 grins with 120's.
41-41.5 grains with 140's.

In fact, I've owned several 7-08's and I've yet to see one that didn't like RL15 with 120's (NBT's and TTSX's).


What kind of velocity are you getting? My first attempt at 41g RL15 today put 4 shots @ .727"...... 3 of those into .338". Forgot to add a new battery to my chrono though.


Originally Posted by MontanaMan
44-44.5 grains with a 120 TSX will put a smile on your face & animals on the ground.

That bullet will do all that a 140 will do & more; but if you have to have a 140, then I prefer H4350.

YMMV

MM


What is the COAL on the 120 TTSX load? I hear they like some jump? Velocity?

Thanks for the help fellas.


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JG,

The 140 load is about 2810 out of my Tikka. The 120 load is about 3050. Funny, but my Montana is a tad faster with the same loads.

"The" load for my Tikka (I say Tikka because I assume that's what you're still shooting) is 46.5 of Big Game. That load is hovering around 2920 with the 140 Accubond.


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I do have a Tikka that likes 46g of Big Game a lot, as well as a 45g load of Varget and 120 BT's. I recently got a Nosler 48 I've been tinkering with, and started with Big Game and 140 AB's. I got one stellar group with 46g of BG and the 140's, but haven't been able to duplicate that, with the follow up groups running right at 1". I know that's good enough, but I'm a bit anal, and I know this rifle will do better, hence the RL15 question.

That 46g BG load averaged 2885 for 10 shots through the 24" tube on the N48. I'm guessing the 41g RL15 will go around 2800 or so but that's a wild guess since my chrono is not working presently, hence the question to you. I appreciate the info.


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Originally Posted by JGRaider


Originally Posted by MontanaMan
44-44.5 grains with a 120 TSX will put a smile on your face & animals on the ground.

That bullet will do all that a 140 will do & more; but if you have to have a 140, then I prefer H4350.

YMMV

MM


What is the COAL on the 120 TTSX load? I hear they like some jump? Velocity?



I'm using a TSX, not the TTSX.

COAL in my gun with the 120 TSX is 2.810" which is .010" off the lands & just fits into a mag length of 2.822".

I use the Barnes in quite a few guns/calibers & they all shoot just fine with minimal distance to lands (as some would say, a light kiss) in spite of what some on hear say about them needing a .050" or better jump.

MM

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Raider,
I think you'll like RL 15 in your 7mm-08. It may not give you the highest velocity, but I have found it to be extremely accurate in about four different rifles so chambered. 41.5 gr. behind both the 140 gr. Partition and AccuBond is sub-inch in my Excaliber with velocity at +/- 2800 fps.


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Gonna try it again maybe this afternoon. I sure liked the first go-round with it. I'm not a velocity only guy. I like little bitty groups. 2750-2800 is fast enough for me with a 140.


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I picked up a Kimber MT in 708 this summer. The first load I tried was 120 NBT and RL15. Accuracy was good enough that I didn't have to look any further. I have some 140 Accubonds and 139 Hornady's loaded up with the same powder and will try to get out tomorrow to shoot.

I'm curious to see how you do, so post your results.

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JG,

I shot some 15 yesterday under 120NBTs and it didn't quite compare to my Varget loads in MV or accuracy, but as you know, all rifles have their preferences. R15 is a darn good powder in many carts and just happens to be one of the only ones I've seen around lately.

I also ran a DP85(RS Hunter) load for the heck of it and surprisingly it shot sub 1/2in. Thought it would be too slow, but had to try as I've had that 8lb jug for a while and need to find a use for it. Definitely worth another look in the rig:
[Linked Image]

A bonus is it's pretty close to the zero of my 120TTSX Varget load at 3030fps.

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Originally Posted by Reloader7RM


I shot some 15 yesterday under 120NBTs and it didn't quite compare to my Varget loads in MV or accuracy, but as you know, all rifles have their preferences.


Varget is a very, very good powder in a lot of cartridges; about the only thing there is to pick RL-15 over it is that '15 flows better & more consistently through a powder measure, IMO.

I would never feel shorted if Varget was the only powder I had in quite a few cartridges from the 223 to the 308.

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True, I could get by with it in a pile of carts myself as well. I actually found a supply in a local shop the other day, but they were a touch proud at $35/jug. Guess it is what it is in these times.

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That's gouging, pure & simple...............I haven't seen anything near that level.

I actually bought a couple of bottles of Bulleye recently for less than $20 each. Woulda bought more but the two I bought were all that was available.


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Originally Posted by Reloader7RM
.... I actually found a supply in a local shop the other day, but they were a touch proud at $35/jug....


"$35" This is why they had it, that's out line in IMHO.

Be Safe


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I got a chance to shoot yesterday. My most accurate load with the 120 TTSX and RL-15 was 44 grains at roughly 0.75" with a speed of 2923 fps out of my 22" Ruger.

43.5 and 44.5 grains also show some promise with two shots nearly touching and the third being about an inch off. I'll be testing the three above loads again.


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Originally Posted by claybreaker
Originally Posted by Reloader7RM
.... I actually found a supply in a local shop the other day, but they were a touch proud at $35/jug....


"$35" This is why they had it, that's out line in IMHO.

Be Safe


I saw some at a flea market in No AL for $34 and passed on it. At least there would have been no tax, shipping, or hazmat added...


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