7mm 120gr or 140gr Balistic Tip

[sako_75]

I just bought a 7mm-08 with a 20" barrell. This is my first rifle in 7mm. I was thinking about trying some Nosler Ballistic Tips in 120 or 140 gr to use on Whitetail deer. Which bulet weight would you guys recomend the 120's or the 140's, or maybe somthing diffrent alltogether? Also, what powders have you had good luck in the 7mm-08?

Thanks for the help.

 

[Sharps Shooter]

For mule deer I've had good results with Hornady 139 grain spire points and either IMR 4320 or Win 760 powder in the 7mm-08.

 

[MNgoldenbear]

No experience with the 7 mm BTs. The 120's are recommended even down to 7 TCU pistol velocity on whitetails, so you might want to go ahead with the 140s, unless you need them to expand at really long range (low velocity). Had some 165 grain BTs in a .308 that worked well, but seemed to expand almost too much on close range shots on feral hogs -- didn't recover bullets, but BIG exit wounds.

 

[PrimalScream]

140 gr slug without a doubt. I have found this bullet to be great for the most part.

 

[dakotasin]

i'm running 120 sierras in my 7-08 - but it is sort of a specialized machine.

140's are an excellent, all-around, when-in-doubt bullet for the 7-08.

i've had my best luck w/ varget/rl-15.

 

[sako_75]

In 15+ years of reloading I have yet to try any of the Alliant rifle powders. From what I've read RL-15 seems to be a popular powder in the 7mm-08. What type of powder is RL-15 (ball, extruded, granular) and how well does it meter? Everywhere I turn RL-15 and Varget are mentioned for the 7mm-08 and I have never loaded with either one. I have always found what I needed with IMR, AA, Win, or Hodgdon H series powders. No time like the present to try something new.

 

[Brian Williams]

I really like 140 ballistic tips and 150 SPBT with 42.4 gr of 4064, start low and work up. The 150gr load will do under an inch from a rest. 4064 is a stick powder and crunches when you meter it but it is very accurate.

 

[kimbernut]

7MM-08

Speer 130 gr. Spitzer SP BT/IMR 4064 works well in the Rem.mod.7