Big bullets, short barrel, 7mm08

[2lmaker]

I have been shooting a 7mm08 for 20 yrs. First a Browning A bolt micro medallion and now with a Browning X bolt micro hunter. I'm a little tired of the 140 gr. bullets and want to try a 168 gr.berger VLD but only have a 20in. barrel. Will this cause me any problems? Anytime I read about 168 gr. or bigger, they're using a 7mm Rem Mag or something with a 24in barrel. I'm new here and know I sound like it but would really like some advice here. Just too old to have one blow up in my face. Thanks for any replies

 

[Snyper]

The short barrel won't matter but you will lose a lot of case capacity with a bullet that heavy so don't expect high velocities

 

[jmr40]

I'm betting you'll still be able to find load that'll give you 2600 fps even from the shorter barrel. With a BC of .628 you don't need a lot of speed.

 

[2lmaker]

Thanks fellas. Dad always said speed didnt matter as much as the bullet goin where the crosshairs were. But that doesnt seem to be the most important thing anymore. But both would be nice. Thanks again. I think I'll try some of those Berger factory loads before I try any loading.

 

[Llama Bob]

I'm betting you'll still be able to find load that'll give you 2600 fps even from the shorter barrel. With a BC of .628 you don't need a lot of speed.

Yup - a full case of RL17 will do that with no problem. If you want less temp sensitivity you can give up about 50 ft/s and get it from a wide range of powders.

 

[TheSwede]

Your dad was right. Speed is for drop and BC is for wind. A slow high bc bullet is going to hit were the crosshair is if you compensate the drop. A fast bullet with low bc is much much harder to compensate. You get less drop but the wind is moving the bullet.

 

[redbullitt]

Just remember how your rifle shoots and drop is easy, always constant! Take whatever you can to fight the wind since it can mess up your shot even if you know your rifle and target perfectly.