Judging from 'Fire users of the 7mm-08 and powder/bullet company data, 2900 ft/sec is very doable at acceptable accuracy in 22-24" barrels. Is/has anyone chronoed the 139 LRX in their 7-08? Loads?

Assuming 2900 with the LRX is doable, there isn't a large difference between a 270 with a 129 and the 7-08/139. Plus you get a shorter, lighter rifle with less recoil.

Thanks.

I would think it is pretty doable with the good powders like SB6.5 and RL17 in the 7-08 BW. I haven't tried myself yet but it is on my to do list this winter. It was never any biggy to get 2850 from any 140, so I wouldn't be surprised to get 2900+ with the other powders out there available to us.

3140 from the 270. I am sure you could push it faster if hand loading.

The 129 LRX Calvin?

Yes. That’s Barnes factory ammo. I use it and verified it


I think the 139/7-08 would be pretty close to that 65CM and 127 lrx. LRX opens fast and straight up hurts stuff at close range, even on lung shots. Haven’t used it beyond 100yds yet.

It is tough to whoop the 270. That's a pretty strong combo.

Barnes shows 3200 with the 129 in a 270. I think thats a bit optimistic......... In previous 270s, 3050 with a 130 in a 22" barrel was about as good as I could get with good accuracy.

I use 47gns RL17 with 140gn Accubond in my Rem 700 7mm/08 23"bbl for an average of 2865fps. I doubt I could average more than 2900fps with that powder/bullet combo without running into pressure issues - an according to Quickload, R17 is the top choice with that weight bullet.

I use Big Game with 140 Partitions for 2880.

Different bullet and all, but I’ll bet you could get close enough that the difference in velocity would be meaningless.

I still like the 150 ELD-X at 2790.



P

You might be able to statistically measure a difference in "killing power" or "long range" results between the various LRXs mentioned so far after killing several hundred animals, but I doubt it....

I get 2882 with E-4451 and 139 Hornady IB in a 22" barrel. Big 6x6 elk fell to this just south of Y.N.P.

Love the 7mm-08. Love the 270. Have a bunch of the 139s but haven’t loaded them. I wish Barnes would make a .277 135 or 140 gr LRX. The 270 win and the other 270s have the coal to push it.

I built a 7-08 on a Rem mdl 7 action with a 24" krieger bbl. Chrono-graphed 140 gr nosler partitions at 2950. Thats better than I push 150gr in my 270 with a 22' bbl.

The gravel pit where I shoot is at over 8000' elevation so that helps a smidgen.

I agree! We have had great success with the 129gr. LRX, but I think a 135gr. LRX would be the ideal weight for any .277” cal. rifle. I get 3225fps with the 129gr. LRX out of our 24” 270 Wins. using 61gr. Of RL26 with less than 1” groups. I would love to see what a 135gr. LRX would do!

Elk Country

Years ago when my wife hunted with a 7mm-08 I loaded it with imr4350 but couldn't get anymore speed than 2850 with a 140NP and 24" barrel because of compressed load.
When hornandy came out with the light magnum stuff and claimed 3000fps with there 139 i bought a box and chronoed it because I thought B.S well it was 2999 so I pulled a round apart and they used ball powder so then I figured out how to get more in there.
Couldn't get quite to 3000 with NP140 and W760 but close.

I am getting essentially 2900 (2898) in my Tikka T3 (22.4") with 139 LRXs and 2000 MR with sub MOA 3 shot groups. Haven't shot anything with them yet. Loaded them up for a Red Stag and Tahr hunt in NZ in May of 2020. Covid blew up that trip.

Dunno about that bullet but a 140 grain Partition or AccuBond at that velocity will kill whatever you shoot, given proper placement.



P

I completely agree. I shoot 140 ABs with Big Game (largely as a result of your posts) at deer with great results in that gun, but I am getting around 2800. The 139 LRX did not do well with BG, so decided to try 2000MR. Was pleasantly surprised with the velocity and accuracy. Unfortunately 2000MR did not play well with the ABs. Decided to go with the LRXs for the extra velocity, energy, and flatter trajectory in case I draw a long shot.

I’ve been working on loads for a 7x57 and trying the 139 and 145 LRX mostly for supposedly better expansion at lower velocities. I’ll probably stick with 150 gr TTSX in the 7mm magnums.

A 140ish grain 7mm bullet around 2900fps is the magic number that kills most cartridge arguments.

I am getting 3165 + or - in a 308 with Barnes 130TTSX in a 22" barrel using TAC. Got some 150's loaded up for an elk hunt next fall.

Your goal is definitely achievable but I wouldn't sell the 270 short. It holds 10-11 more grains of powder...it's going to outperform a 7-08 loaded to the same pressure, but as you said, with more blast and recoil. A 24" 7-08 should be pretty pleasant to shoot.

That said, I built a 26" 270 (Kreiger bbl, tight chamber) that gets 3178 fps from factory Hornady 140 SST ammo (superformance). Even mild Federal blue box 130's go 3195 fps from that barrel. 145 factory ELD-x loads run at 3002 fps.

I have a feeling I can get close to 3300 fps with a 129 LRX, but who knows, I might be wrong. Should have a load worked up in the next month or so and I'll report back.

Bumping this up.

I was shooting my 7-08 with 139 LRX's yesterday. H-4350 grouped best at about 2775fps. Big Game got to 2875, but the groups weren't that great.

22" Montana was used.

Anyone else experimenting with these?

Magnum powder with BG?




P

WLR

Working on the 139 LRX with BG. Had 7 shots under an inch for a velocity test, going up in .2gr increments, but have only tried one load for accuracy so far and wasn't impressed. Max book produced 2817 with a 22" barrel.

I use Fed 215's with BG. I was shooting 120 NBT's over BG, MOA, then I ran into this load as the most accurate in my Hart barreled 700.

This gun was built by Bobby Hart. I traded for it, sold the stock that came with it, ordered a Hunter's Edge unpainted. I glassed it, free floated it, filled in the bolt handle slot, sculpted for a custom fit, then sent it back to McM for paint. To me, McM cuts too big a bolt handle slot. I like them tighter, fitting the handle without much slop. It has a Timney trigger.

I know, I know, just a three shot group. But, I've shot a number of them, half MOA and better. And, that bullet (140 gr. Sierra SGK HPBT) is a bit more expansive IME than the NBT, quick kills with good exits on WT's.

And you know I'm a BG fan. Just that this load caught my eye and I like it. Sometimes ya just gotta let the gun tell you what it likes. This one likes that load and it performs consistently.

The Conquest was sent back for an elevation turret a few years ago, before the price went up. It was then fitted with Ballistic Tape for this load. Conquest do twist bass ackwards, but adjustments are repeatable. To keep from getting confused, just read the numbers. Works out pretty well.

DF

I use WLRM






P

Tagged.

I would say no difference at all. That would be my bullet of choice if I was shooting a 7-08. But too entrenched in the 270WCF to change now.

I am working up a load for my 22" 270 right now with the 129gr LRX and H4831ssc. Fully expect to end up right around 3000fps. Do not think I will have it sorted out before deer season. It would be OK if Barnes came out with a 135 or 140gr LRX for the 270, but honestly do not think they would do much more than than the 129gr. That is my opinion after we have shot truckloads of deer/antelope and even elk with various 130gr mono metals.

I am getting 3000fps with my 1:8 twist 270 and the 155gr LRX with Rel 26. Bullet performed great on the spike elk and antelope I have put in the freezer so far this fall. Hoping to get a couple deer with that load come November.

This summer I picked up a left hand 700 7-08 built on a stainless short action, 21 inch Bartlein barrel, Mickey stock, Timney trigger. I had Win 760 and Hornady 139 Interbond bullets on hand. 46.0 grains is giving me right @ 2800 fps over the Pact chronograph. Groups 1 inch but I scoped it with a 1.5x5 VX3HD Leupold Twilight Hunter scope. With the firedot crosshair and low power not sure how much better my 66 year old eyes can do. Used Fed 215 primers, bullets seated @ 2.800.

Shot a meat doe last week @ 90 yards and was very happy with the performance. Have enough of theses components to last me as long as I will likely be hunting. I will work up another load for plinking.

That light magnum round was hot. I wish I knew their forumula for it as it shot great.

I tried Winchester StaBall 6.5 with 139 gr Hornady. The MAX is 3054 fps. I was getting 2990 fps with a less-than-MAX load.

My late business partner got 130 bullets moving out of his 270W at 3325 out of his 22” barrel. Sadly the case was only good for a single firing because the primers fell out and occasionally jammed the action of his pre64 M70. His formula was to use H4831 data but substitute IMR4831.

He learned loading from an old WW2 veteran who determined maximum loads by adding powder until a primer was blown and then backing off by one-half grain! The same veteran counseled against M70’s because of the gas leakage. He said only a good 98 Mauser was safe.

Redlining your homemade ammo is always a great idea.

Depends on how much you like your hands and eyes.

Sorta like mine. If I need that .270 speed will get a .270 Wby.

I reload for good bud who has one. It’ll do with 130’s what the 26 Nosler will do with 140’s. And our WT’s can’t tell the difference.

Otherwise the old .270 does what it does well within its design parameters.

DF

Right on DF.

That light magnum round was hot.

This was quite awhile back but I shot the Light Magnum 139 SST in my little Kimber 84M Classic I had. They shot bughole groups. And yes, they were hot! I always had a sticky bolt and they clocked a tad over 3100fps! My Kimber might have had a tight bore, but they shot so well! I shot a nice Texas Dall Exotic at 200yds from prone over a gulch bank, pure set shot. He ran downhill 50yds and rolled. the SST fragmented, blew fragments that stopped against far ribs. Lungs/heart were shredded. I knew I would not use them on elk, but great deer loads.

A friend of mine, lives in Montana, he reloads for himself and for his family. One of his son's shoots a 7-08, with that rifle his son took a really nice Spring bear. His bullet of choice, for his 7-08 is the Barnes LRX 145 grains. He used the same rifle and load to take a nice bull elk, the opening week of rifle season in Montana. (2023)
His first shot on the bull, hit the bull, in the shoulder. Then he shot the bull again as the bull was still standing, the bull went down. He was hunting by himself; he gutted the bull then went for some help from his father and brothers.
They cut up the bull to get it off the mountain. They found one of his bullets that he fired at the bull. It was found in the offside shoulder. They cleaned up the bullet and weighed it, it weighed, 144.1 grains.

This young Montana hunter is 16 years old.

I think, he's doing okay for 16 years of age. He has graduated high school and has been accepted into college.

This world needs more younger people like this young man.

Take care.

[quote=shaman]

How was your accuracy?

Funny thing is that I know more than one person who screwed up their string of DRT kills by adding more velocity to their 270 loads when they chronographed their loads and thought they weren’t fast enough. Lots of things fall over dead right now when bullets at 2800 fps and change hit them. In the case of my Whelen 2550-2650 seems to work really well. As for LRX’s I have had zero luck with them on game or any other Barnes. Compared to lead core bullets everything runs. I have 175 LRX’s for my 300 win mag running a tad over 3100 fps in my rifle and a 150+ lb deer ran over 200 yards when hit perfectly in the vitals at forty yards. Lung was hanging out the off side. Maybe it’s just my s hit luck but I have had the same story with every Barnes bullet I’ve shot. Pisses me off because they have always been extremely accurate, I just wish they would start knocking things down and anchoring them for keeps.

I guess I've been lucky. I've only killed or been in on the killing of a few critters with barnes bullets, including 2 moose, but not a single animal has traveled more than 20 yards.

My experience is the exact opposite of this. We have killed truckloads of deer. antelope and elk with Barnes bullets. Sometimes they are DRT, sometimes they run.
It has more to do with shot placement than bullet construction. I have seen many animals run after being shot with lead bullets.

Better be trying your best to catch some bone if you want to use tough bullets on smaller animals.

Or go to a 30-30.

8 or 9 muleys from about 50 to 510 yards, most didn't go anywhere and the longest run was about 40 yards. And 2 elk from 170ish (didn't bother ranging it till after for a rough guess) to 433, both went less than 30 yards. All 145 LRXs, have been great. One moose from a 150 TTSX 308, less than 5 yards from 270ish.

I guess I did have a muley go about 90 yards, but that was rolling and sliding down the hill after dropping where he stood.

Not a 139 but a 145 LRX

What primer are you using?

Winchester 120 standard
remington brass.

fotis: what software is that ? is it an app? thanks

I haven't tried the 139 because up until recently I couldn't find any, but the 145 LRX has been available and has been working great. 46gr BG gets me 2850 and low SD with a rem mag primer, slightly slower and higher SD with a standard primer.

I plan to start with 47gr BG with the 139 LRX, which gives 2900 fps with 139 interlocks.

I’d think with the LRX, which is supposed to be softer than a traditional X bullet, at a high impact velocity that it would expand rather quickly and dump a lot of energy. Just not my experience. I’ve shot a lot of deer and bear with a 300 win mag at various distances. Every type of bullets. Traditional cup and core, ballistic tips, bonded, partitions, XLC,TSX, TTSX, LRX. I’ve dropped deer and bear quicker with 200 and 220 grain partitions and A frames than Barnes X bullets. Again, just my experience. I will say they’ve always been super accurate. If I run them again in 30 cal for “deer” hunting I’ll drop down to 150 grains.

The Barnes 168 ttsx for deer. Barnes replied to this thread and posted some particulars to why.
https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...tthread/Board/2/main/1142303/type/thread

I may look into those. My particular 300 Win Mag is a Nosler M-21 which has a generous magazine and throat I currently have 200 grain Terminal Ascent’s loaded to 3.550” with room to go.

Have you shot anything with the 139LRX out of the 7mm-08, that the thread is about?

Not that particular combination. 280 Rem with 140 gr TSX. Same results as other Barnes I used in other chamberings. Very good accuracy but less than impressive on game with long runs after the hit. I went back to 145 Speer BTSP and dropping deer within 15 feet of the hit. Perhaps I need to drop the weight of the bullet significantly to increase the velocity. Not sure. The deer I shoot are in the 150 to 200 lb range give or take. Bear range from 250-450 ish. I’ll be sending an e- mail or phone call to Barnes directly to see what they recommend. I would really like to use them as I believe that the “non-tox” issue isn’t going away no matter what. And, they are very accurate in my experience. The B.C. Although not as high as say an ELDX Is adequate for the ranges I hunt at. Hopefully I’ll find the magic formula and start getting the results that others are getting but to date I’ve only had disappointing results on game. Right now they are my coyote loads as they are extremely accurate at all distances for me and they poke a nice neat hole through a coyote with minimal damage. I’m hoping I get some good information and results from Barnes. If not I’ll be going to Hammer bullets and giving them a try.

LRX opens fast and straight up hurts stuff at close range, even on lung shots. Haven’t used it beyond 100yds yet. [/quote]

Same opinion for both points my friend, I love them!

The 270 Win with 129s will go at 3,100 fps easily from a 22-inch barrel, the 7-08 easily at 2,850 fps from a 22-inch barrel.

In this case nothing is gained by the 7mm by way of BC. The 08 is a .470 BC, the 270 at .463 BC. Nor would there be a real advantage in WD.

Given the roughly 250 fps head start by the 270 Win, it would possibly be more beneficial at long range impact velocity given its 10 grain lightness and its significant speed advantage. This would yield better expansion at 400 yds plus.

The 7-08 would have an equalizer if it were to shoot 160+ grain loads with .600 - .675 BC loads out past 400 yards, especially with much less WD way out there.

Both would make fine mountain/alpine chambers in a 22-inch barrel.

How about a 150 ELDX (.574 bc) at 2790 fps at the muzzle?



P

130g Speer btsp-7/08
42g of IMR 4895
Rem case
Rem 9 1/2
3000 fps
tiny groups
really is an excellent deer killing load, great penetration and massive tissue damage on lungs and heart

In our deer clubs, many '06 shooters were converted after borrowing a rifle of ours with this load, as deer flop.

For sure. I use SB6.5 but same/same as far as results.

The 270 has no equal on this forum

For gayness

Yes sir.

Range buddy. APP and on line. for PC

For my first attempt with 139 LRXs in a 7-08, 4/19/24, I was getting 2925 fps with 48.2 Big Game. My only 3 shot group at that charge went 5/8" with two rounds in the same hole. I got 2990 at 48.6 BG, but accuracy wasn't there, opening up to almost 2".
This was also a 22" Montana.

Working with a 260 Rem this week, but I'll get back to the 139 LRXs soon.

That sounds like a load worth trying. 2900 and that LRX should sail through about anything hooved.

Last week I sighted in a new to me used 7mm-08 montana also with Big game/139LRX, not sure about FPS but 47g grouped very nicely so I stopped there.

Coal and primer used?

Coal and primer used?

CCI 200
2.800
.106 off lands

Excellent, thanks!

So far I haven't used the 139 grain LRX in my 7mm08, but I have used it in my .280 Remington with 54 grains of Reloder 16, which gives me about 3015 fps with good accuracy. So far I've only killed one antelope with the load, but it performed well on the antelope and the bullet exited.