7mm-08 question...

[SSN Vet]

Has any one out there loaded the 162gr Hornady A-max in a 7mm-08?

Specifically, what twist would be required to stabilize this bullet?

I recently purchased a Savage 14 in 7mm-08 and was thinking about giving it a try?

The rifle has a 22" barrel, but because the rifle was older inventory (had been on the dealers rack for at least 2 years?, I don't know if I have the newer 11.5" twist or the older 9.5" twist?

I'll have to try to count the turns tonight when I get home from work.

Thanks for any insights...

 

[steve4102]

Has any one out there loaded the 162gr Hornady A-max in a 7mm-08?

No, but I load my son's Savage 11G with 160gr Partitions and Ramshot Hunter with outstanding result. Accuracy is excellent and velocity running just over 2720fps.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Don't count the turns. Just put a mark on a cleaning rod with a tight patch; Tnen measure how far it took to make 1 turn.

Re: Hornady A-Max 162gr.... I've loaded and shot a few in my Rem M7. It has a very short throat and tight chamber. I could only get 42.5gr of IMR4350 in the case an not bugger up the bullet when seating it.
Velocity was only about 2,575fps so I didn't get excited. Besides, my rifle is no tack-driver. Occasionaly a 1"-3shot group, but ususally worse. But, no problem, It's an outstanding hunting rifle.

I like the 150gr bullets over 45.0gr of IMR4350, or the 140's over 46.5gr. If I need more gun, I need a LOT more gun: like at least a .375 or bigger if this gun won't do the job. It's essentially a 7x57 in a better package, or what Jack O'Connor use to pay mega-bucks for in a custom rifle for less than $800 today. I can't see any difference in the performance of the 7mm-08 and the .30/06. Little more difference with the .338/06, but not enough to tolerate the extra 2lbs of gun weight.
YMMV.

 

[SSN Vet]

Uncle Mike over on the Rifle Country board hooked me up with this answer...

If your rifle has the bolt release/cocking indicator on the right, rear side of the receiver, then you have a 1/9.250" twist

so it looks like I lucked out and have the 1:9.25" twist...

A-max here I come

 

[interlock]

that is a big bullet. it must have excellant sectional density and ballistic coefficient.

 

[Encoreman]

I load 139 and 140 grain psp bullets for my son't Encore and he really like them. Pushing them with IMR-4895.

 

[Franco]

I'll be following this thread as I've considered the same bullets for my Browning xbolt stalker. My reservation has been that they just seem a tad heavy for that caliber. I now shoot 150 gr nosler partitions with outstanding results -- 1/2 to 3/4 MOA with almost no drop from 100 to 200 yds and low recoil. My 7mm-08 tops the very short list of my favorite rifles of all time (joins the 45-70 and 30-30 win).