I have two 7-08 rifles and need some help. The Tikka shoots most anything very accurately, but the Cooper is quite finicky.
I have found the following two to be accurate in both rifles (around an inch at 100 yards).
Nosler 140gr Ballistic Tip and Hornady Superformance 139gr SST.
What say you for whitetails with shots from 100-300 yards using a steady rest?
Any feedback from those familiar with these two will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
I'd definitely go through BT over the SST, although personally I prefer a bullet like the TTSX or Accubond.
Over the past 17 years and many dead animals later I have had the best experience imaginable with deer sized game at those ranges and beyond with the Hornady Superformance 139gr SST.
I have limited experience with the current SST and favor the BT load, but I'd bet both are very good deer loads. Most cup/core 139-150gr 7mm bullets are going to make for nice performance from a 7mm-08 in that arena.
I have an early Remington 700 Mountain Rifle in 7mm/08, wooden stock and pencil barrel. Believe it or not, I worked up a load years ago for a 160 gr Sierra Gameking boattail that shot lights out in that thin barrel. Half inch groups were the norm with it. Once took it on a combo Elk/Mule Deer hunt in Colorado and ended up taking a 4x4 Mule deer buck that was bedded at about 425 yards. This was before I even thought of a Range finder.....
I went nosler 140 gr for a sauer 100.
Try the 140gr SGK. My 16yo son has been killing deer and bear with it since he was 11 with no issues.
Probably either will be fine. I personally would have more confidence in the BT performance.
My BIL in uses the Federal and Win loadings with the 140 BT and man, it has been excellent for him so far. Accurate and also as good BT's are known to do, they plant bucks.
Cooper uses a 130 grain bullet to do loads in their rifle. I used a Speer 130 grain BTSP in mine when I had it.
I switched away from 139 grain Hornady SST Superformance loads when I stopped one in a buck. The deer fell at the shot, but I always want through and through complete penetration. The last several deer have also fallen at the shot from 140 BT’s, but gave adequate exit wounds. I did shoot one of those deer in the neck with the BT and what convinced me that the BT was expanding where I wanted it to was that the neck muscle and skin was stretched out.
A far cry from a deer I shot with a Barnes 140 TSX that had only a nickle size hole through both lungs. Deer and elk that I’ve shot with Interlocks, Core-Lokts, Silver Tip, Partitions, Accubond 12 gauge slugs, and arrows have nearly all run at the shot.
I personally have never met a rifle that didn't like a Nosler Partition. 140's are serious thumpers. Love a 7-08
My Tikka loves 150 gr ELD-X Precision Hunter.
My father uses the 139 sst and have good result using factor hornady superpeformance ammo. Killed about 5 deer in the past couple of years with them from 50 yards to about 200 yards most dropped. The ones that ran had a good blood trail and didn't go far. This is been out of a remington model seven with a 18 1/2" barrel.
I switched away from 139 grain Hornady SST Superformance loads when I stopped one in a buck. The deer fell at the shot, but I always want through and through complete penetration. The last several deer have also fallen at the shot from 140 BT’s, but gave adequate exit wounds. I did shoot one of those deer in the neck with the BT and what convinced me that the BT was expanding where I wanted it to was that the neck muscle and skin was stretched out.
A far cry from a deer I shot with a Barnes 140 TSX that had only a nickle size hole through both lungs. Deer and elk that I’ve shot with Interlocks, Core-Lokts, Silver Tip, Partitions, Accubond 12 gauge slugs, and arrows have nearly all run at the shot.
Love me some ballistic tips as well. I have shot deer with BT’s in various calibers and they have never let me down and are my go to bullets in every rifle I own.
BT is like a sore pecker!
if your rifle will shoot the 120 bt well.........then look no further.
Big Ed
Im currently using the Federal Premium with nosler bts in 140 in my MRC 7mm08. My ranges are generally 100-220 yards on whitetails.
Been using those for five or six years. Nothing I shot with those has walked too far from where I shot it. Im down to about 60 rounds left and wasn't able to find any to buy this year. I would like get some more of what been shooting as it shoots so well in my rifle but I would try the nosler bt ammo if some ever comes available.
If you are gonna shoot factory fodder Hornady American Whitetail 139 gr Interlock works well in my Montana.
I’ve been loading 140BT’s for my buddy for probably 20 years. He’s killed a bunch of deer with it. I’ve only personally shot the 139 boat tail spire points out of mine and I was very impressed by them. Never shot any of the SST. My mom has shot a few deer and several head of African game with the 140TTSX. When my 139sp are shot up im going to give the 120ttsx a try just so I can say I’ve done it.
if your rifle will shoot the 120 bt well.........then look no further.
Big Ed
This