I have a Custom Remington Model 7 in 7mm-08 and it has a 20" barrel. It has shot Federal Premium ammunition extremely well but I want to see if I can better my velocity.

Does anyone know from experience of a good powder/load for a short 7mm-08?

Many thanks.

Sam

eclemmons@hotmail.com

The same loads that give the best velocity is long barrels will also do the same in shorter ones. You won`t gain anything much over the load you have already tried.
I have found Varget to be one of the best powders for the 708 and have used it in my M700 24" BBL and M7- 20", plus a M700 I once had that carried a 20" Douglas. This is with 120/140 gr bullets, I prefer R19 for heavier ones. There are quit a few people that swear by R15 with the mid wgts, but I haven`t tried it in my rifles. None of these will give you any notable gain over regular factory though.

BTW the fastest stuff I`ve shot out of my rifles has been the 139 gr Hornady Lite Mag. This has had a few extra FPS over even the Federal Heavy mag loads in my 708s.

Sam,
I have 20" heavy barrel in 7mm08 and will share some nice recipes with you. All are Rem brass and CCI BR2 primers.
140TSX, 44.5 Varget, 2837 Ave FPS
120TSX, 45.5 Varget, 2996 Ave FPS
OAL is 2.783 for both.
Alway start a little less and work up for your rifle. I have no pressure signs in my rifle but yours may be different.
My practice loads are 100gr Sierra Varmint HP and loaded light for the same zero. 44.0 gr varget for the practice load with the 100 gr.

I have a custom 20" barrel Rem model 7, 7/08. My all-time favorite hunting load is 41.0 grains of 4064 behind a 140 grain accubond...consistant two-tenths inch groups at 100 yards! Great load on deer...drops em right there. I use a 210M primer.

Good luck!

Hank

I appreciate the in-put.

Thank you.

Sam

My 700 Titanium in 7-08 clocks

2785 fps 41.5 gr. IMR 4320 140 gr Sierra
2740 fps 42.2 gr. Varget 140 gr Sierra
2743 fps 46.0 gr. H414 140 gr Sierra

John in Oregon