For my next African hunt my wife will be taking a Browning A-Bolt 7mm-08 with a 20 inch barrel. Can't talk her out of it and she likes the rifle. Now for the bullet. Should I go with a heavier bullet in say a 160 or 175 grain OR a 140 grain? Keep in mind that the barrel is 20 inches long. I am leaning towards a Partition, Swift A-Frame or a Barnes Triple Shock. All shots will be around a 100 yards or less and nothing bigger than a kudu.

Rac,

I don't think there is a better bullet then the TSX or the new MSX...a 21st century bullet design...alot of destruction will occur with the copper petals..

Mike

It's balistic twin the 7x57 made its reputation using the 173gn. I'd use the 175gn Partition. Don't be misled by the 'it's too long' bunch. None of the hottest loads in the nosler book list even a compressed load using the 175. capt david

The problem with the 175 is with the cartridge. In my experience, the 7-08 didn't generate enough velocity safely to ensure expansion. I hunted with a 7-08 (26" bbl)on my first trip in 2002. I had loaded some Barnes X 175 gr; had bad results ... one impala and one blesbok were 'pencilled' at ~ 100 yd.

Don't know about the 160, or about the newer TSX (which should show promise in the 7-08), but if I were to use the 7-08 again I'd prob be shooting 140 TSX's.

I also think the 175 gr are a bit long, especially a Barnes or Partition, for the little 7-08. I use the 160grNP in my .280 & would not hesitate to use it in the 7-08. If you are intent on the Barnes, then dropping to a 140gr makes sense. I doubt your wife will notice the diff. in recoil.

The Nosler Partition will open up and hold together. Barnes X's especially older X's were iffy at low speed. Had the same problem with 165 x's in a 30 caliber. Penciled. Had great luck with the old 180 X's at ranges from 30 to 425. I still gave up on them for deer and would do the same for elk or plains game. Nosler Partition of good weight for caliber.

Use the Swifts in 150-160 grains and shoot your Kudu!!!

I have used the 160 grain nosler accubond in my 7mm08 with great success. I have no experience with african game, but the bullet has performed very well on north american game for me. Very accurate as well. I am shooting a model 7 with a short barrel like the a bolt. The gun caliber and bullet has done everything I have asked it to do.

I'd go with the NorthFork 160 grain SS. I would not use a lighter bullet.

I have never seen a picture of one that did not function properly.

I'd be careful not to get a bullet so tough that it did not open - many of the heavy 7MM American bullets are aimed at 7MM Mags of one flavor or another. I had a miserable trip to RSA one time -- caused by Nosler Partitions that did not open. Beware of the Protected Points in non-Magnum cartridges.

I've used all of the 140 "X" bullets in my ULA 7-08 on everything up to and including small bull elk with excellent results.

RAC, WY is right about using the 140 Barnes TS. No need for a heavier bullet. I've used the 120gr X bullet in my 7x57 and killed a 250 lb bear with it and a bunch of deer. She ran less than 50 yd. Kudu are soft compared to elk and the 140 TS will work well. I killed a waterbuck with a 139gr Hornady bullet last year. I was a bit worried about using it but he ran less than 50 yd and died. Any of the new bonded 140gr bullets shoud work well also. Good luck on your hunt.

RAC,

If I had to choose I'd go with either the 160-175 NP which ever shot better in my rifle. There will be no issue with either bullet about expansion. You will get massive tissue destruction and plenty of penetration. If neither shoots well try the SAF in the same weights. I think there maybe some real issues about getting the tissue destruction you need with the TSX at velocities the short barrel rifle will generate. I want to shoot more animals with the TSX before I deem it the best for any application other than really big stuff.

Mark

The 7mm-08 is my favorite deer cartridge. I believe anything 150-165 should be fine. I had some 154 grain factory remington loads that performed great! Although the 140's will work,IMHO 150 should be your minimum. I also have a browning micro medallion in 7mm-08, It shoots bullet hole on bullet hole from a good rest.

Very interesting topic. I am going to Namibia in Sept and I plan on using my .284 Winchesther with Nosler Part. and TRX both in 150 gr. My PH would like heavier bullets but this rifle really likes the 150's. I believe that with good shot placement everything should work out just fine. A bad shot cannot be made up with 25 grains of extra bullet. Best of luck to you & your wife on your trip.

quote:

Originally posted by ARTP:
Very interesting topic. I am going to Namibia in Sept and I plan on using my .284 Winchesther with Nosler Part. and TRX both in 150 gr. My PH would like heavier bullets but this rifle really likes the 150's. I believe that with good shot placement everything should work out just fine. A bad shot cannot be made up with 25 grains of extra bullet. Best of luck to you & your wife on your trip.

What kind of rifle is your 284 Winchester? I have a ULA Model 20 in 284 Winchester but for this next trip I am going to take a Mauser in 9.3 X 62.

Not to try to hijack this thread but this is a Rem. mod 7 with a custom bbl, glass bedded with a spot of trigger work.It has a bead balsted finish and was put together by Grizzly firearms out of Colorado some years ago. I really like this little rifle. From what I have read it is only slightly hotter than the 7mm-08. The original attempt at magnum preformance in a short case. What a concept??

I would use the 120 grain Barnes Triple Shock. My wife and I returned last night from a hunt with CEC safaris in Namibia. She got complete penetration on a 39 1/4 gemsbok bull and blue wildebeest. Both were shoulder shots and the bullet lodged under the skin on the opposite side. The gemsbok was taken at about 120 yards and the wildebeest at about 80. I would have never guessed this with such a small bullet.