Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Reloading for the 7mm-08

I've been loading for a new model 70 for in 7mm-08. So far it shoots well provided the bullets are 140 grains and the powder is IMR 4350. Velocity with 46grs and a 140 Nosler BT is 2600fps over my chronograph. 47grs and a 139gr Hornady flatbase is 2700. Accuracy is around an inch or slightly over at 100 yards. I've tried Varget, IMR 4064, and Big Game powders as well. I've also tried 120gr BTs and 140gr Sierra Gamekings. The rifle does not like either of those bullets and really dislikes the 120s. I've never owned a rifle that wouldn't shoot Sierras well, and this is a first for me. I was hoping to get a little more velocity, especially with the 140 BTs. Nosler data with a 26 inch test barrel shows velocity over 2800fps with a max load of 46grs of IMR 4350, and I'm a full 200fps under that with a 22 inch barrel. I realize "real world" velocities are often quite different than published data. At this point I'm thinking I should just call it good and shoot the Hornadys as I have an ample supply, but at the same time I feel like wanting to experiment more. I'm not sure where the magic lies or what combination of powder and bullets to try next. I'm open to suggestions.

I usually load H4350 with the 139-145gr cup/core bullets in 7mm-08. I'm right up around H's book max and get 2,700 with a 140gr Fusion in an 18.5" Rem 788 and 2,700 with a 145 Speer in a 20" Rem 700 barrel. The 700 barrel dislikes any 120gr load I've tried, but likes the 145 Speer BTSP loaded out near the lands, which the ogive allows, along with a OAL that fits in the mag box.

I’m using H4350 and 140 Sierra and the 140 Accubond. 48grs averages 2772fps with ES and SD in the low single digits. 48.5grs was 2802fps but accuracy wasn’t hardly as good so I backed down to 48grs.

My 7-08 came to life with H414. 2745 fps out of my 18 inch barrel using the 145 gr. Speer SPBT on top of Speer's max load. For my summer load I use 46.0 grains of IMR 4350 under a 140 grain partition. The two loads are within an inch of each other vertically. If your barrel is brand new you may see a velocity increase around 150 rounds of as much as 100 fps.

I think I've got a half a pound of H4350 laying around I could try. Not sure it will be all that different than IMR but worth a shot. I've been shooting this gun quite a bit and have a little over 200 rounds through it. Usually I clean it after each range session and let the bore soak over night with Hoppes because it likes to copper foul. I get nice green patches in the morning. I could take the JB and Kroil to it, and I have once, but I don't like using it on a regular basis. The 140 partition is a bullet I would like to try but haven't bought a box yet. Maybe I'll have to pick up some H414 as well. I did read in my Lyman 50th edition that H380 is a top pick too. Perhaps I just have a bit of a "slow" barrel, but I bet the deer can't outrun it..

41.5 Varget + 140 AB's = 2820 in my McWhorter.

Has anyone tried IMR 4451 as a substitute for the sometimes hard to find H4350?

Try IMR4451. It's the 4350 burn rate and has a copper fouling reducing agent.

Also try Bore Tech Eliminator instead of the Hoppe's.

It does well in my 243.

My near term plan is to try IMR4451 in a few 30-06 (165/168's) loads and the 7mm-08 (140's). I don't foresee enough time to be playing around much as time will run short as we head into the fall season.

Of all the powders I have used in the 7mm/08 Reloder 17 is the standout performer in terms of velocity, and that is pretty much confirmed by QUICKLOAD.

I get a chronographed 2846 with a 140 grain TSX and 44 grains of CFE-223 out of a 21 inch tube. Rifle shoots about .8 moa.

My favorite powder in the 7mm-08 in 8208 XBR but for speed I’ll run power pro 2000MR.

I can get 2900 using 140 gr bullets with RL17 and PP2000MR. W760/H414 will almost do it. in my 22" barreled TIKKA.

150 eldx
46.2 gr Big Game
Winchester Large Rifle Magnum primer

2790 FPS. Kilt deer and elk. Precision I won’t discuss so as not to be labeled a liar.




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I tried Big Game with the 140BT. I got pressure signs and a slightly sticky bolt at 46grs. I backed off to 44 grains but was not getting good accuracy in my rifle. I used a standard WLR primer. 46 grains with the Hornady 139gr was ok pressure wise, but didn't shoot well. I have no idea what my speeds were with it because I didn't take my chronograph to the public range. I've kind of given up on that powder in my gun. I wish it would work though because it runs through my Redding measure beautifully.

I thought you ran 45gr of big game powder. I'll have to bump up the charge weight of this load a bit.

Pharm, are you using 6.5cm mags so you can seat closer to the lands? Works great that way.

How's your accuracy, when I pushed with RL17 my accuracy went to crap. I may try again.

Accuracy was good with all three powders, This loads were shot last year. RL17 and PP2000MR both made 2900 easily.

The W760 was diffently a Max load, but it was also very accurate. The RL17 load was with 140gr Nosler partitions at 2901 FPS

And Sd of 8.8 The PP2000MR was 2910 FPS using 140gr Accubonds.

Long action bolt stop plus 30-06 mags. I developed the same load for my brother but the seating depth test showed accuracy inside the 7mm-08 magazine length.





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