Exceeding the manuals maximum is not a good idea. IMO. So far you look ok. Brass life may be short, as little as 3 to 5 firing, as the primer pockets expand a little at each firing.
Some high pressure
photos here> .
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?media/users/243winxb.11944/albums
Instead of pushing the 7mm-08 to its maximums, trade up to a magnum. There are more than a few available in 7mm or 30 cal.
Pressure signs many times come in twos and threes. One should always look for all of them and not one in particular.
IMO jumping into a magnum is not necessary in this case. The 7mm/08 is a very efficient case just like the 308 itself, but
with better ballistics.
Books and manuals are not always accurate and why is a good idea to cross reference things.
The maximum is a reference that sometimes is accurate and sometimes is not.
We have plenty of examples of this type of inconsistencies like illustrated below where
maximum values are all over the place. For example why Barnes would put a max load of 44.3gr
of CFE vs. the 43.2gr for a 140gr bullet when we know the barnes bullet leaves less capacity
due to the leadless construction? Anyone who knows CFE knows the high density allows to safely increase
possibly well past the Hodgdon advertised load. So with a 140gr spitzer one could go even higher.
I am not saying Barnes is right on his max load neither but this is to show nobody is right because
you might also use a different brass and possibly play with the COAL. So all this is just a reference
and nothing else. It doesn't really say the max pressure limit that by the way nominally is not even 48,900 CUP
but 52,000 CUP (62K psi). Manuals are a bit arbitrary and books are full of errors and inconsistencies like the Lyman
re-loaders book that is not cheap to buy by the way.
7mm-08
Hodgdon data
BARNES DATA
Case: Remington
Primer: Federal 210
Case Trim: 2.025”
Barrel Length: 24”
Twist Rate: 1:9.5”
Barrel: Bartlein
W/o knowing all the other variables is hard to say how it was determined and for that reason there are maximum loads in many calibers that
are well bellow the maximum for that cartridge. When you reload you see it, f you run your loads with Quick load you see it.
you buy commercial ammo that exceeds the maximum of any of their advertised loads for the same barrel and they do it safely so you see it there too.
Hodgdon for example has a lot of loads for many calibers below actual maximum given modern brass, bullets and the capability to adjust coal.
This doesn't mean one should ignore maximum advertised loads and treat with respect and attention to detail every aspect of the reloading
process.
Again,
1- know your brass - Winchester 308 formed might give you up to 2 extra grains vs. other casings. Get the spreads for each brass make and year/batch.
2- know your chamber - make a dummy round for every bullet to understand max coal given by the freebore and also adjust for jump/COAL x distance from the lands.
3- now your bore - For example a 3R bore offers less pressure on the bearing surface than a typical 6R enfield.
4- know your primers and powders. Choose wisely and stick to the method.
5- measure everything, assume nothing. Micrometers give precise spreads of brass changes at the web that is a consequence of high pressure.
6- Cross check data and converge the data and also QL is a great predictor for loads but even this is not 100% accurate and might need tuning depending on the variables you have.
Happy new year everyone!