Morning, gents

Has anyone reloaded the 140 grain Trophy Bonded Tip in the 7mm-08 Remington? I've got a box left over from having used them as my hunting bullet last year in a 7x57 Mauser. Federal has loading data for that cartridge but only lists the 160 grain version for 7mm-08

I've got IMR 4350 and 4895 on hand.

Tagging this

Wondering the same thing, dye7barrel?

If I had access to a chrony I'd just start at the bottom end of some 7mm-08 data for another 140 grain bullet and work up carefully and see if I can reach 2800 FPS...but I don't.

47.5 grains of Big Game (maybe not available to you) gets 2880 FPS with a 140 Partition.




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My load is 140 TBT, 48gr h4350, hornady brass, wlr primer and col. I get just shy of 2,800fps and accuracy is good in my rifle.

I’ve used them in 7 mags, they work well!

Thanks for the heads up, guys!

Pharmseller, appreciate the recommendation. My usual is out of Big Game at the moment, but if I see any more in stock I'll snag it. Too bad the last batch was at a pretty good price too.

Obie, right on, thanks! Looks to be right in line with Hodgdons load data for the 140 grain bullet they chose. Happy it worked out.



Been hard to choose a bullet to start off with here, with so many good suggestions/stories on the 'fire...but since these ones are already here, eh? Think its obligatory with membership to eventually crack something with a 120 grain BT though

If you find Big Game, use a magnum primer.




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I would think the 140 gr TBT would be the ticket in 7-08. I'm switching all my hunting rifles to the TBT. From what I've seen so far, they shoot better than the Partition. I really dig the concept.

Seems like the best of both worlds to me, too!





Cool! What have you stuck with them so far?

Only put one to use on game last season and only on a dink of a spiker buck at that...but it seemed right nice! Good sized hole and didn't ruin much meat.

I’ve been using Bear Claws for 35 years. I’ve killed lots of deer and pigs with them. I like the new version better. They are a bit more accurate than the original bullets made by Jack Carter.

There is a bunch of 30 caliber original bullets on GunBroker. They are 165 grain, 80 bucks for 250 of them if anybody is interested

How does the 140 TBT differ in construction from the 140 Accubond?




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The back half of the Bear Claw is copper.

Just like hanco said, it has a solid copper caboose. Seems to have a slightly thicker jacket.






Now thats a better sample size!

I have bench raced the Federal 140 Throphy bonded tip in 7mm08 with QL.

It is a long bullet, 1.356" according to Federal's website. The plastic tip and copper base add length (both less dense than lead).

If you are loading to 2.800", you will run out of case capacity with some powders.

RL17 will be the speed king, ~2,900fps, 105% case fill
W760/H14 2,875fps, 103%
BigGame 2850fps, 99% case fill
IMR4895 2850fps, 98% fill
RL15 2830fps, 99%
H380 2820fps, 100%
Varget 2800fps, 101%

Again, this is not actual data (don't ask for charge weights). I used the old speer TBBC and lengthened it.

I'd pick one of these powders and work up, knowing my powder charge will be less than a typical cup/core bullet.

I still have about 5000 62 grainers for .223’s. They do a trick on pigs. FBI uses them, only reliable bullet on auto glass.

I thought Nosler entered that territory with the 64 grain BSB.



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We have a retired FBI member, that’s what he told me. Bear Claw is what FBI uses.

Isn't the Trophy Bonded also kinda the bullet that became the Mk318 "SOST"?

Thanks for the info! Its a LONG bullet alright, but that was coming in handy with the 7x57 Mauser I used last season...had a pretty deep throat, and the magazine length to accomodate it.

I can see why you start running out of room in the '08 family case a lot sooner, looking at pictures of loaded ammo, thats a lot of bullet inside that case.


Shame the AB is better looking in brass cases though

Any idea how H4350 works?

I loaded some up to try. Final work up was:
47.0 Big Game
Tula LRM primer
Nosler 1x fired brass
2.81” COAL

Got an average of 2,840 fps out of a 22.5” barrel.

IIRC the box of bullets came with a load guide, I’m thinking R16 was the speed champ. Will check when I get home.

That would surprise me, if BG was in the mix.



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QL predicts you will run out of case capacity with H4350 and RL16 before you reach max pressure with the 140 TBBC.

H4350, 108% case fill, 2730fps, 55kpsi
RL16, 108% case fill, 2800fps, 52kpsi

Again, we are bench racing here; sometimes bulk densities differ and you can fit more in the case than predicted and I estimated the bullet in QL.

They work great in my 7-08 over H4350

I have those powders, but if I was working up loads with 140's for my 7-08, I'd go with BG or StaBALL, which I also have. Check that data.

DF

Hold on... I thought you were contracted to only talk BG!?! All kidding aside, did I miss you show-n-telling about StaBall working with some of your 7-08s?

This is the Fire, afterall...

Who stays on topic around here, anyway...

StaBALL has some of the best data (maybe a bit too good), but impressive nevertheless...

And, I have a couple bottles, as well as BG and the others mentioned.

No show and tell to report. I'm using BG, haven't worked up StaBALL loads yet. Hornady seems to be pimping it pretty hard...

DF

Keep me posted on the StaBall.





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Me too please! Might be interesting enough to make me pick up a can.

If there is a load guide in the box of bullets as has been mentioned it sadly has to wait for me to look and see on my own. Its somewhere in the wardrobe and I'd have to dig through the missus' schit to find it. Not wise given she's currently sore at me for not remembering things she says or something. I can't recall hahaha.

Could be a while.

Lots of rain and now Cristobal with Louisiana in its crosshairs...

We'll see how this plays out..

DF

Check Hodgdon data for 140's with the 7-08..

They show StaBALL at 48.5 gr. NOT compressed, velocity at 2,976 fps with 59K psi.

Runner ups are the 4350's, all compressed, at around 100 fps slower. 4451 is almost 200 fps slower, also compressed.

So, how much is hype, how much is fact? That remains to be determined.

Reportedly StaBALL burns clean and has excellent temp stability, especially for a ball powder.

Of course, they don't show BG, as they don't sell it. My guess, BG will beat the 4350 group, maybe a bit south of StaBALL.

In my thinking the race will be between BG vs.StaBALL.

DF


Edited to add: Just got my new Western Powder Handloading Guide. They show BG data topping out at 2,880 fps.with the 140 gr. TTSX.

So, maybe StaBALL is the champ, around 100 fps faster with 140's. Will have to check on which 140. May be a C&C 140. Not sure that makes a lot of difference, but probably some.

This thread shows another huge benefit to loading the fantastic 7-08. Lots of different powders work, and work well. For instance, when loading 140's I reach for Varget first, and run it at 2820fps. Accubonds at that velocity and bullet weight are absolutely superb.

I think I'm starting to favor my 7-08 over my Creed. Both have custom barrels; both are great rifles.

There's just something special about the 7-08.

DF

I agree DF. I really enjoy the Creed, but I usually reach for the 7-08 first. Love everything about it.

I see you moving away from your big thumping 7RM.

Mine stays in the safe more these days, as well.

DF

Load and velocity?

My Montana loves 48 grns of H-4350 under Speer 145's for 2825 fps, but I'm looking for a new do-it-all bullet.

Having the devils own time deciding between the two right now

That’s a “high level” problem. A good one to have.

Ha!

DF

Okay so maybe a guy could have worse problems!

Wasn't trying to sound like a smart arse...

But, not a bad problem to have, considering all that's going on right now...

And, hard to go wrong.

DF

Best speed I got were with RL17 and PP2000MR, both gave over 2900 FPS. W760 was next fastest. I would us RL16 if I was going anywhere very cold.

Bad thing is RL16 are very compressed charges.

Nor did ya come off like one! As you said, things could for sure be worse these days.

Given they are both great calibers with little real world difference I think I'll let the 7mm-08 being stainless make the decision.

Would be interesting to know psi values with that RL-17 load. It has been said, when you do see pressure signs with '17, you're WAY over.

I've never used PP-2000MR in the 7-08. It is an excellent .223 powder. Some say pretty close to CFE-223, maybe the same basic powder with different anti-fouling treatment.

StaBALL has been tested at the posted speeds, so from that standpoint, it may be a better choice.

DF

If one goes the StaBALL route, think that much ball powder is deserving of a magnum primer? Or Winnie's regular large rifle primer should be hot enough?

Hodgdon data doesn't specify primer brand or type.

I'd try both and see.

With the 7-08, max charge with 140's is 48.5 gr., which may work with std primers. I've read that Win std. primers are hotter than others.

Bottom line would be groups, IMO.

Ball powders often do better with Mag primers. But, we don't know with StaBALL. Time will tell.

DF

Thanks, if thats what happens I will work up carefully with both and see.

It will be interesting to see how that works out.

I'm guessing, 48+ gr. of a ball powder would probably favor a mag primer. But that charge is sorta borderline, std. vs. mag...

But, add ball powder to the equation and the mag may win out. But ya just don't know 'till you try it.

DF

46.2 grains BG, WLRM, 150 Eldx. I get 2790 fps and great accuracy. Deer and elk, fully dead. It’s my new do-all rifle and load.





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I remember pictures of you and your clan with dead elk.

Is that the load you guys used?

DF

If it was my nephew with a 5x6, affirmative, 409 yards.

If it’s me and my brother flanking our dad, negative, that was a 140 AB, 225 yards.




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