I have a 7/08 w1/40grn bullets and a 308.w/150grn bullets. I currently am loading H4895 and IMR 4350, but need a can of powder. Any new ideas and load suggestions are appreciated. thanks capt david.

I would take a look at Varget or 4064. My 708 does real well with Varget and the 139 Horn or 140 BT. I have had pretty good luck with 4064 in the 308 and know more than one shooter that preferes it in his 708.

Ol` Joe said it right. IMR4064 is probably your best bet for a good performing powder in both cartridges. I decided to get on line for a few minutes before I headed into the reloading room. I was just about to load some 7-08 with 139gr Hornady's and IMR4064 for my dad's rifle. I load for my 7-08AI with RL19, but the standard 7-08 works very well with 4064.

Try WW760 or H414. High velocity. Good accuracy. Meters like a dream.

I forgot to mention IMR 3031. My dad's 7mm-08 is an older Model 7 with an 18.5" barrel, so I loaded up some rounds tonight with a little faster powder to try out. IMR Handloader's Guide lists 3031 as giving excellent velocities in the 7mm-08 (only 5fps behind 4064, whcih is listed as their fastest load) and the .308 Winchester (highest velocities of any IMR powder listed). 3031 gives outstanding accuracy in my 7-08AI, but I get a little more velocity with the RL19 in the longer barrelled Ackley. As for accuracy, your individual barrel will let you know what it thinks of your load combination.

For the 7-08 Varget is best for me fast and accurate very stable also. Next best powder was
N-140

capt david,

I've tried several powders in my .308, in my 7mm-08 as well as my daughters. H-Varget won hands down for accuracy and velocities in all three rifles. Extreme velocity spread was much less than any other powders used in all three. Good luck.

[ 02-16-2003, 00:06: Message edited by: BigBob ]

You might want to try W748 also. WOrks great in my .308 with 150 Nosler BT's.

Give H380 a try, it meters great and is extremely accurate out of my .308 and .243, can't imagine it wouldn't be in the 7-08, good luck.
Yardird

Varget or W748, just depends on which your rifle prefers. Between the two, you will find what you're looking for.

My standard .308 win load has always been IMR-3031 topped off with a 150gr Hornady flat base bullet. Then I tried Varget and that's what powder I use now.

RL15 or Varget, take your pick for either cartridge. Great velocity and accuracy in both, both powders were the top two contendors for the US military's 308win sniper loads.(RL15 was the final pick)
MtnHtr

Went to the range today with my dad's 18.5" barrelled Model 7 in 7mm-08. The loads with IMR3031 grouped much tighter than any of the loads I worked up with 4064, which has a very similar burn rate to Varget. My best groups with IMR4064 were with 43.5-44.0gr. IMR3031 grouped even better with loads of 39.5-40.0gr.

All loads were behind 140gr Sierra BT's with fireformed brass, necksizing die only, and CCI Benchrest Large Rifle Primers. No chronograph today. Just looking for pairs close together and maximum loads.

[ 02-17-2003, 10:23: Message edited by: SST ]