Back in 2003 many people recommended Varget as a great powder.

I happen to have 4 or 5 pounds of H4831 that works well for the 270/280 and 7 mag and Nosler bullets in 140 thru 175.

I realize that H4831 is a little slow for the 7mm 08 case BUT

but let me ask if anyone has used the H4831 and what results you got?

If you have a better load please throw it out there but for convenience want to stay with the H4831 if possible.

Thanks,

Jim

I do not have a 7-08, but have used many pounds of H4831 in the 7x57, which is close in case capacity. The rifles I use are a Ruger #1A and a Ruger M77. H-4831 worked extremely well with the 139 gr. Hornady (both flat base and boattail versions) and the 145 gr. Speer. The loads were 52-53 grains, depending upon the bullet. The two rifles also preferred slightly different powder charges. Velocities were a little low compared to some other powders but accuracy is excellent. About a dozen Texas Hill Country whitetails and at least 20 feral hogs did not care about the low velocity. For your 7-08, I would think H4831 would be worth trying.

4831 is a bit slow. It might work better with heavier tips seated out as far as possible. 180gr SMK is a bit stubby for its weight and might work with your chamber/magazine setup.

I've used a load of 47.0grs IMR4831 behind a 150gr Remington Corelok bullet for an average MV of 2580fps and very good grouping.

The 47.0gr charge of this coarse powder was about all I could get in the case without some work to tamp and compress.

IMR or H4350 (AR2209) is a good powder for the 7mm-08, I have used 47.0grs of this powder with 140gr Sierra Gamekings giving me 2900fps from a 24" barrel and very good accuracy.

With the right powder, probably Varget or H4350 you should be able to get 2700fps from 150gr bullets in the 08 cartridge.

Thanks for the replys.

If this is too slow what is the best powder though I still want to keep with the 4 lbs of powder that I have.

I see Varget mentioned a lot in 2003 posts
along with RE15, H414.

Hope someone has had good luck with H4831. Thanks

It depends somewhat on what you're trying to do. If you just want a "go bang" load using the components you already have, then 4831 behind a 140gr bullet will work, it just won't have the speed you can get with another combination. If you want something a little more optimum, you can use a faster powder behind the lighter bullets, or you can use a heavier bullet with the slow powder you already have. With the slower powder you can also try magnum primers. If you have time, you can also tap cases to settle the powder or use drop tubes to get another grain or two of powder to fit in the case. Check out this site for some ideas:

http://data.hodgdon.com/

I have loaded 140 grain bullets in 2 7mm-08s
Varget and RL15 worked well in both. One shot a little better with Varget. The other better with RL15. Nosler Partition, BT and Accubond

H4350 worked well with Hornady 154 grain RN
.

Eagle 27 is spot on - Varget (AR 2208) and H4350 (AR2209) work very well in my Kimber Montana 7mm08.

I tend to use Varget mostly as I now have at least 3 very accurate loads using 139 gr Hornady, 150 gr Rem corelokt and 150 gr Barnes TSX.

I am sure I have developed some other accurate loads as well. Re15 & VV N150 & N160 work well too.

H4831 or IMR 4831 are way too slow. Even with 160 gr bullets they would be too slow.

When I had my first 7-08 put together (it was still a wildcat) I called Hodgdon for some suggested loads. They suggested H4895. It worked so well that I've tried little else. As posted, H414 works well and H4350 with the heavies.

quote:

Originally posted by wasbeeman:
When I had my first 7-08 put together (it was still a wildcat) I called Hodgdon for some suggested loads. They suggested H4895. It worked so well that I've tried little else. As posted, H414 works well and H4350 with the heavies.

Agree H4895 40gr 150 (Sierra) Gk tried and tested.jc