I picked one of these rifles up for my wife for an upcoming caribou hunt. Does anyone have any recommendations for loads using the Barnes 120 grain XXX?
My biggest fear is when I die my wife will sell my guns for what I told her they cost.
You did not mention bullet weight, I have loaded the 140 gr. sierra. with RL-15 from 42 to 44 grs. with WLR primer. shoots 1"in groups at 100 meters. this is a great powder. sinse you are hunting in real cold weather.
Posts: 1137 | Location: SouthCarolina | Registered: 07 July 2004
Not to be a smartass, but if you are going to use a 120gr bullet, why not buy one in .260? How do you like the litttle Kimber? I have thought about getting into the WSM fad w/ a Kimber.
LIFE IS NOT A SPECTATOR'S SPORT!
Posts: 7752 | Location: kalif.,usa | Registered: 08 March 2001
sorry, you did mention weight and i like fredj338 I also like the .260 I have one in a ruger M-77 S.S. with 120 gr. use RL-15 in it also. great round for deer size game but i think the 7-08 would be better on caribou.
Posts: 1137 | Location: SouthCarolina | Registered: 07 July 2004
I've been working on 120 TSX and Nosler BT loads for my 7mm08. I'm not yet finished but my best groups so far are with Varget. I've worked up to 45.5 grains that shoots great with the Nosler BT, the TSX acts like it needs a little more powder to reach the same velosity.
Dogzapper at 24hrCampfire is a big proponet of the 120 Nosler BT and he has killed big game up to Elk with that bullet. The 120 BT is a tougher bullet than the 140 BT.
The 140 TSX also shoots great in my gun with Winchester Brass, 49.5 grains of H4350, CCI 200 primer (2825 fps).
Florida...where you have to go north to get south.
Posts: 318 | Location: Pinhook River, Florida | Registered: 27 March 2004
Dogzapper at 24hrCampfire is a big proponet of the 120 Nosler BT and he has killed big game up to Elk with that bullet. The 120 BT is a tougher bullet than the 140 BT.
I gutted a 145 lb buck last fall that was shot with the 120 gr Ballistic Tip started at 2900 from a 7mm-08. The impact distance was 60 yds and the liver was hit. About half of the liver was torn up and the bullet did not exit. The deer ran 50 yds and fell.
Now almost anything will bag anything with easy shots but...........
Ok, someone said that bullet is tougher. I say it's not tough. So there.
florida, the 120gr is not a tougher bullet. Your friend has been fortunate if he routunely hunts elk w/ that combo. Eventually the hunting goddes will slap him & he'll have a real mees on his hands. The 120grNBT is a varmint bullet.
LIFE IS NOT A SPECTATOR'S SPORT!
Posts: 7752 | Location: kalif.,usa | Registered: 08 March 2001
Snowwolfe: we shot 46g RL15 in a Kimber 7-08 which is too hot for another 7-08 I have. Kimber has a bit more throat. 45-46 are good loads for it but work up in yours...3100fps, accurate rifle. Nosler manual sez 44g i think.
Plenty tough...
Posts: 151 | Location: MI | Registered: 01 February 2002
I use 40.3grs. H4895 with 120Hornady HPs, if that helps. Tried RE15, wasn't as accurate as H4895, but you can get a 100fps more velocity, big deal. Jay
Posts: 1745 | Location: WI. | Registered: 19 May 2003
My Montana is in 7/08. 140 grain Barnes TSX and Varget (42 grs in mine) to 3000fps is my deer load for big northern whitetails. Alsolutely love it. 6.5 lbs, with 1.75 to 6 Vari X III and 5 cartridges. Also shoot a 260 in "handgun" Remington XP100R. I get 2750 with Barnes 120 X and Varget .. out of a 15" barrel. Both loads are accurate and absolutely lethal.
