[asnyder171]

Hi all,
I'm relatively new to hand loading. I have a Ruger m77 chambered for 7mm-08. When I immediately got into reloading, I started with a 120 gr V-max, CCI 200 Large rifle primer, remington brass, varying amounts of varget powder (which the max load ended up being best), seated to maximum C.O.L. This load did noticeably better than factory ammunition. Since, I have toyed around with varying loads of 162 gr A-max bullets. I found that if I seat the bullet to past the max C.O.L. it gives me slightly better groups. These groups are still unsatisfactory to me. I've heard that people can keep their groups down quite a bit smaller than the groups I am producing. I've also heard that distance for testing these loads can make a big difference. Example shooting 200 rather than 100 yards will produce a tighter group. Is there any truth to that? And does anyone have any load suggestions they're willing to throw out there? I would love to test as many loads as I desire but I don't have an infinite amount of money. Any and all suggestions are welcome.

[steve4102]

I found that if I seat the bullet to past the max C.O.L. it gives me slightly better groups.

SPECIAL NOTE ON CARTRIDGE OVERALL LENGTH “COL”
It is important to note that the SAAMI “COL” values are for the firearms and ammunition manufacturers industry and must be seen as a
guideline only.
The individual reloader is free to adjust this dimension to suit their particular firearm-component-weapon combination.
This parameter is determined by various dimensions such as 1) magazine length (space), 2) freebore-lead dimensions of the barrel, 3)
ogive or profile of the projectile and 4) position of cannelure or crimp groove.

[Pacsd]

I had real good luck with the Sierra 120's.
45.5 gr H-380
Rem brass
CCI 200 primers
.704 @ 100 yards
2797 FPS

130 Speer BT
41.0 IMR 4064
Rem brass
CCI 200 primers
.822
2796 FPS

I'm going to work up some 139s later this summer.

[interlock]

I have used lots of different bullets. the best i have found for accuracy and on game performance are hornady interlock 139 gr sp. i use 42 gr of N140.
Sierra 120 gr sp 46 gr of N140.

The length of both of these loads is dictated by other demands not accuracy... 139's to get them into the magazine. 120's to have enough bullet shaft in the neck.

I have found that the 120 gr load is really fast and the bullet is quite lightly skinned. it is very quite damaging to carcasses when firing point is a bit close.

I think almost equal to the 139's on game performance is speers 145 gr hot cor. Although i have found it to be less accurate FROM MY RIFLE.

The 7mm08 is a really potent game getter. good luck with it

steve

[ArchAngelCD]

If the 120gr bullets shoot very well but the 162gr bullets don't is entirely possible your rifle just doesn't like those bullets. Not every rifle shoots well with all bullets. It's probably not your reloading that's the problem since the 120gr loads are accurate.

As for producing tighter groups buy shooting longer distances, I think it's the direct opposite. The further you shoot the more difficult it is to shoot tight groups. The current accuracy gauge for accuracy is 1 MOA. At 100 yards 1 MOA is just a hair over 1" and at 200 yards just over 2". Both are 1 MOA but the further distance shots are 2" apart so I can't see how shooting longer distances can possible produce tighter groups. (I hope that makes sense the way I wrote it)

If this is a hunting rifle I wouldn't worry too much about super tight groups. Anything around 1 MOA is more than acceptable for any hunting rifle.

Welcome to the forum and to reloading...

[Skyshot]

I've had the best accuracy with 140 and 150 grn bullets with H380 and H335 powders. Nosler BT's and Sierra GMK have produced sub MOA groups and have made super hunting loads.

[Big Lew in NC]

Hey guys,

7-08 is a great round. What are the numbers you are getting on paper and what distances? It is possible to get better or non-linear accuracy at different distances but unlikely. 100 yards is the benchmark. IF, however, you can shoot some groups at longer distances go for it - more data is better.

[oneounceload]

MY best groups from my 18.5" Model 7 is with Sierra 120 and 140 bullets, with the Nosler 140 coming on close behind. Heavier bullets were just OK, and I use them in my 7 mag. The 7-08 seems to really shine with 140s

[GooseGestapo]

My advice on the 7mm08...
Buy some Hornady 139gr BtSpt, or some Sierra 140gr GameKing bullets. (Nosler 140gr Partitons or Accubonds are "ok" too... just more expensive.....)
Load 3 at 45.0gr of either RL17 or IMR4350, 3 at 46.0gr and 3 at 47.0gr. Which ever is most accurate, load the rest of them with that; sight it in 3" high at 100yds, and go hunting. Either will take down a 1,000lb+ elk with a well placed shot.
Practice, and go hunting..... Don't "over think" it....
My 7mm08 is my "screw it and forget it", "go kill something" rifle...... I've got, and killed deer with most everything between .22Hornet to .45/70 and 12ga shotgun. If I had to keep only one; I'd keep the 7mm-08......and I've got a .338MarlinExpress I adore, a .338/06 I love, a .300RUM I ask about "why", and a .375Ruger I'm still impressed by........and a .257Roberts I'd be loath to live without....... But I like the 7mm08 that much....
My opinion is that the Ruger's aren't the most accurate rifles around. And I've owned a few.... Neither is my Remington Mod-7. But, at 2-moa it is a game-killing fool. It just dosen't know any different or care. With a 140 or 150gr bullet, it just drops deer or elk without pity or remorse...... like a machine that it is.... attempts to "accurize" it have been limited in success. But, It's a "hunting" rifle, not a "target" rifle and neither it nor now, I, care..... It's a 7lb delight to carry. Much more enjoyable at 10,000' in the rockies in Wyoming than my 10.5lb .338/06 was at 10,000' in the Colorado Rockies..... and kills elk just as well......

[David4516]

Could it be a twist-rate issue?

Some barrels are better suited to either heavy or light bullets due to twist rate of the rifling.

I have a Ruger 77 MKII in .280 Remington. It likes the 162gr hornady bullets, more so thank it likes any of the others I've tried. Shoots a little under 1 MOA with the 162gr, but a little over with lighter bullets like the 140s

I've never loaded for 7mm-08 but I also suspect that the 140s might be better in this cartridge than the 162s. With the shorter case of the 7mm-08 and the longer bullet, wouldn't they stick down into the case too far?

[interlock]

Neither is my Remington Mod-7. But, at 2-moa it is a game-killing fool. It just dosen't know any different or care. With a 140 or 150gr bullet, it just drops deer or elk without pity or remorse...... like a machine that it is.... attempts to "accurize" it have been limited in success.

i fully agree. my remmy model 7 is an absolute reaper. It has paid for itself many times over. when i hold it in my hands and take it into the field with them hornady 139s nothing within 200 yards is safe! on muntjac through to the biggest lowland red stag it has taken them all with real authority. 7mm08 with a reasonable heavy bullet and midstream velocity is a real hammer.

[Swampman]

interlock - I'm familiar with the Red Stag (meaning only that I know it's a large deer), but what the heck is a "muntjac"?
Never mind, I looked it up, very interesting looking deer (18 to 40 pounds for a mature buck!) and proof that you must not have much of a coyote population in Great Britain.

I've never owned a 7mm/08, but have owned several flavors of 7mm Mauser (which has pretty similar ballistics) and I agree that it seems to kill much better than either size or ballistics would suggest.

asnyder171 - If you're worried about actually hunting, rather than bragging rights, my belief is that a rifle that shoots quarter inch groups isn't likely to be any more effective in most hunting situations than one shooting one inch, or even one and a half inch groups. Now before you p-dog hunters start gunning for me, please note that I said "most"!

[119er]

I am relatively new to reloading and for rifle, I started with the 7mm-08. I am using a Rem. 700 SPS Varmint 26" that has excellent inherent accuracy. ( I have a Rem. 700 ADL in .30-06 that I think is allergic to ammunition) As for 7mm-08 my rifle prefers heavier bullets. Hornady 154gr. SP's and 162 gr. A-max to be exact. I've used IMR-4064 and Win 760 and once I get to the pressure/velocity range it prefers the groups shrink right down to 5 shot keyholes at 100yds. I start with the beginning charge weight, then subtract one grain from max load then divide that into 5 five shot loads between beginning weight and one grain under max. Be sure to know your max OAL as measured to the ogive to keep your bullets out of the rifling. I've found some heavier bullets seated to spec'ed depths to be very close to touching. Shoot these loads to find the load it likes. Then fine tune your charge weights and seating depths to get your groups even tighter. This works for me. I am still learning a lot, but it's a lot of fun. Good luck!