Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 7-08 - 139 IL FB or 140 Sierra Prohunter loads

Just got a pretty good deal on a Marlin XS7 in 7-08 off a local board. I bought one of these in 243 for a friend a couple of years ago. After working up loads for it, I was impressed enough with it to want to try one for myself. 7-08 is also a cartridge I've never owned or loaded for.

I've got a bunch of 7mm bullets but nothing under 139 grains. I have a 280Rem and a couple of 7Mags to shoot the heavier stuff so I want to stick to the 140 range with this one. Also have plenty of other rifles in other cartridges to run light bullets. It is going to be a strictly close to medium range(under 400yds) whitetail rifle so I don't care about premium or long range, high BC bullets. I've got a couple boxes of each of the Prohunters and the ILs, both flat base, that I think should be about perfect considering the speed of the round and the intended game and range.

Which of these two do you guys prefer, or is it a toss-up? Also, anybody want to share some pet loads with these two bullets?

Either bullet with RL 15, Big Game, H4350 works in most cases. My load for my rifle and the 140 gr. Pro-Hunter is 41.5 gr. of RL 15 in Remington brass and F210 primer. YMMV.

IF you you find some of the very coveted 140gr Accubonds a load of 47.5grs of H4350 will do wonders

I've got about 3/4lb of RL15 I guess I'll try. No H4350 at the moment, but I've got a big jug of IMR4350. Does it do as well as the H version?

H4350 is pretty tight fit in the case, and IMR4350 even tighter. It will probably shoot OK, but you may not get as much velocity as you'd like.

I couldn't get H4350 to shoot all that well in my X7 7-08. MD is right about the tight fit. Mine shot the 139btsp (not the FB version) very well over Varget.

My Sako really likes 140gr Sierra's over 46.0 grains of H4350 and CCI primers. Speed ranges from 2785 to 2768fps. Most importantly for me are the scary good 5 shot groups. Kills deer real good too!

If whitetail deer are the main agenda, either bullet will work fine. I've used Hornady 139 gr. FB' 140 Rem corelocts' 145 Speer Hot cores and Grand Slams and 160 gr.Grand Slams with little to no difference in performance. All resulted in 1 shot dead deer; some DRT; some after about 40 yds. Will also add 140 gr. Nosler Solid Base BT. Have used Varget, H4895, and IMR 4350 with velocities of around 2600 with 160's to between 2800-2900 fps with lighter weights. I don't try to push any rifle too hard; and after 40 years of handloading have also found it best to not overthink things.

I would choose the 139gr Interlokt over the IB...much better bullet in my opinion. powdr

43 grains of Varget will get me to 2850 FPS with the Interlokt

I was loading Varget with the 139 IL.

44g from memory which was nice and accurate.

I shoot the 140 SPH over 43.0 Varget. No complaints.

I've used and like both. The Sierra seems to expand somewhat wider, creating a large wound channel while the Hornady penetrates a little more and is a little more meat friendly.
Both are accurate. Which ever one you choose, hunt with confidence.

I'm striking out with a Montana 7-08 and 139 BTSPs. The Sierra flat bases are on the bench for the next session.

Big game.

Here's the load I use for my Ruger Frontier 7mm-08:


Bullet - Hornady Interlock 139 gr BTSP
Case - Winchester
Primer - CCI 200

H4895 - 40.5 gr

42.5 gr is maximum

This load shoots 3/4" groups out of my rifle.