7mm-08 loading recipes

[dodge]

I'm in the process of getting a 7mm-08 and have never loaded or shot this caliber before. I'm thinking of using the Sierra 140 SPBT for a bullet and the powders I have on hand is Varget, 4064, 748 and 4350. I'm hoping one of these will work out for me as I'm trying to limit the amount of powder I have on hand. So, please, give me you recipes so I have a starting point which I can work with.

 

[NCsmitty]

Hodgdon's website has the most up to date data to follow. Your powders noted are all very good for the great 7mm-08. Loads for Win 748 might be hard to find though.

www.hodgdon.com



NCsmitty

 

[Eagle103]

Not a 140 grain load but my pet 7-08 load is 44g of Varget with a 120g Sierra Pro Hunter using a CCI primer. Sub MOA, over 3000 fps, and positively LETHAL on whitetail.

 

[Kernel]

4350, Varget, and 4064 are all good powders with 140 gr bullets. I’d experiment with all three. 4350 is the slowest, and might give the highest velocity, at an acceptable pressure, with a compressed charge. Speed wise, Varget and 4064 are nearly identical.

If I was to narrow it down to one, needing to find a good load fast due to time constraints (fast approching hunting season), I'd probably work up loads with Varget, since it has such a great reputation for accuracy, and is insensitive to temperature extremes.

 

[dodge]

I'm not in that big of rush as I have other rifles for hunting season such as a 30-06 and a 308. I have plenty of time to work up a good load just wondering what everybody uses in their's.

 

[oneounceload]

760 also works well in my Model 7

 

[kimbernut]

Model 7 LSS

Model 7 LSS
IMR 4064 @ 42.0 gr. with 130 gr. Speer BTSP works well for me.

 

[GooseGestapo]

You'll enjoy your 7mm08.
I too am quite fond of the Sierra 140gr GK.
The 4350 (I'm assuming IMR4350) will fill the case before you reach max pressures. Even with that though, you'll probably find that accuracy is best at 46.5gr which is a compressed load, but not max.
I get about 2,750fps with that load and accuracy is the best my rifle is capable of. It just about duplicates the factory loads but with better accuracy.

My best friend used my Rem M7 to take a nice 1,100lb 6x6 Bull elk in '05. I sent him with 30rds of 140gr GK and 20rds of Nosler 140gr Partitions and above load. The Sierras were for practice and checking zero at hunting camp. He ended up mixing the ammo (expected, he's a shotgun shooter hence need to borrow an elk rifle) and ended up putting three Noslers through the elk (heart-lung, good hits), and a single SGK ended the elks struggles with a shoulder shot penetrating both shoulders and remaining balled up under hide on far side. 250yd shots. First shot to heart-lung would have been sufficient but guide said keep shooting..... Elk looked like swiss cheese. Everyone in hunting camp wanted to trade rifles with him (11lb magnums vs 7lb Remington 7mm08 that gave indistinguishable performance....)

I also like 44.0gr of Win748 with the 139gr Hornady's (flat-base, boat-tail, or SST). It's not quite as accurate as the IMR4350 load (but still sub-2moa) but velocity tops 2,800fps from the 20" bbl. This load may be too much for the 140gr Sierra's, however as the Hornady's have much shorter bore contact surfaces. Start at 40.0gr and work up with your rifle.

My efforts with IMR4064 were unremarkable. Velocities topped out at high 2,600's when pressures got high. However, I've read that most 7mm08's like 43.0gr of 4064 with the Speer 130gr bullets with superb accuacy.

Next time you buy some powder, though, get Reloader 17. It's the new Gold-Standard in the 7mm08. I'm getting 2,850fps and accuracy equal to IMR4350. I've seen 2,900+fps but accuracy isn't as good. It's really remarkable how close this cartridge is to the .270wcf but with a lot less powder.

Good luck with you efforts.

 

[BigBob3006]

dodge,

This load worked in two rifles and provided best accuracy with good velocity.
7mm-08 Rem

140gr Nosler Partition H-Varget 42.0gr Winchester cases CCI BR2 primers

This is a max book load in the Hodgdon 27 loading manual and I suggest you work up from below. Both rifles, a Win M-70 FW and a Rem M-700 BDL. Both rifles had been tuned and delivered 1/2 inch groups with five shots. My daughter took A very nice cow elk with her M-70.

 

[dodge]

Although I wanted to use 140 gr bullets the shop didn't have any in stock but did have some 150 grs. After trying a few different powders the best turned out to be 38 grs. IMR 4064, Sierra 150 gr SBT, Remington brass and CCI 200 primers. This is below max but should get about 2600 fps but gives me a 10 round group of 1 - 1 1/2" at 100 yards. I don't think any deer will notice the difference between a load doing 2600 fps and 2800 fps. Next spring I'll put this load across a chrony and find out for sure. I would do it now but the range is pretty busy what with deer season just around the corner and all. When I test loads across my chrony I like to have the range pretty much to myself that way I'm not interrupted and can concentrate on what I'm doing and not answering questions.

 

[Pacsd]

I spent a good part of spring and thru summer working up loads for the new Weatherby Vanguard carbine (20 inch barrel) in 7mm-08. Had alot of fun doing that. I had amazing results with 130 grain Speer BTs using 41 grains of IMR 4064. They patterned .624 and cronied 2796. On a lark I bought a box of Fusions with 140 grains when I got the gun and got pretty good resluts with a pattern of .722 and 2822 FPS. I did put a Tmney trigger on it though. sweet shooting little rascal.

 

[magnatecman]

I have been loading some 7mm-08 for my boys Remington with good results. I used Hornady 139gr. SST's with 41gr. of H4895 and Win. primers and was getting an avg. velocity of 2920 fps with sub-moa groups at 100 yards.