The Accurate Reloading Forums
7mm08 Bullet selection
31 January 2006, 02:27
Greenhorn7mm08 Bullet selection
I recently purchased a Rem700 LSS Mountain rifle with a 22" 1:9.25 twist tube. I have no experience with the 7mm08, but would like to find a good versatile hunting bullet that would be primarily for deer/antelope, but could also be used for elk. I'm considering the 140 or 160 accubond. Accuracy is the most important criteria for me. Any tidbits of advice would be appreciated ...
31 January 2006, 03:15
6.5BRGreenhorn, 139 Hornady's, 140 Noslers, etc all good for your use, and the 130 speer BTSP and SP would not be bad either.
I would strongly suggest trying IMR 4064, Varget and I hear RL series i.e. 15 and 19 do very well. Likewise the new Short Cut version of 4350 series, but I think 4064 will do all you want for accuracy and velocity.
WW brass is available and perhaps better than Rem and holds more powder.
31 January 2006, 03:24
BullieI got some decent sub 1" groups with the 140 AB. And a smallish 4 pointer.

I havent tried the heavier bullets in my 7mm/08. Probably will try Barnes new bullet this spring though. The Barnes will have to be pretty good to beat the .7-.9 groups I am getting out of my micro hunter.
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31 January 2006, 03:47
Jay Gorski139 Interbond should fit your needs from antelope to elk. Jay
31 January 2006, 04:09
Hank H.140 grain Accubond....41.0 grains of 4064...will drop any deer that walks and will shoot the most accurate groups you can imagine!
31 January 2006, 04:29
John358Gosh there are so many. I started with Hornady 139gr interlocks at 2700fps. I shot through both shoulders of a mature whitetail doe at 90 yards. There was less than a one inch exit hole. Then I shot another whitetail doe (smaller)at 75yards low in the neck. I dont know what that bullet did exactly cause I tagged her, checked her and gave her to the landowner. She did drop instantly and stayed down. I am still with that Hornady bullet.
I do have a box of Barnes 12o Triple shocks I would like to try. I read that Speers 130 FB behaves very well at 2800fps.
Almost any bullet should perform well at 7mm-08 velocities.
I too have a Rem700 LSS in 7mm-08. Its great as is but I had to go ahead and change the stock to lighten it up some.
Best regards, John358
31 January 2006, 04:51
fredj338The 7-08 is a bit short on powder cap. fo rthe long 160grNAB. Split the diff. & give the 150grNP a try. I would start w/ H4350. If deer are the primary, then the 140grNAB is a good place to start. I still like H4350 for max. vel. & good accuracy.
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31 January 2006, 06:04
vapodog139 grain Hornady Interlocks are all one needs to know for deer hunting with a 7-08
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31 January 2006, 06:31
mikethebearI actually got 2375 fps with H4350 and Hornaday 175 grain spire point. Look in their book for the load. Slightly compressed. Not the top load, and my rifle is a Winchester model 70 compact with a 20 inch barrel. Just shot 10 to crono and didn't shoot for groups. Using the spire points for 280 remington. Seated to cannalure and fed ok from the mag.
31 January 2006, 06:33
mikethebearBy the way the Remington green box 140 grain corelock is hotter than the Federal 140 grain NP by about 100fps.
31 January 2006, 06:36
DwightThe Barnes 140TSX will do all you want to do at 2800 fps and you will not be dissappointed. I get my most accruate loads with Varget.
31 January 2006, 07:22
joeweaselI picked up the same rifle this past summer and put about 200 rounds through it before finding a load that it liked. My Dad said it is already worn out!
I will probably try some other combinations but for this season I used 44.0 grains of W748 and a 140 grain Barnes TSX. Velocity average was 2830fps and 1/2 inch groups. This is a max load.
When using several types of powders and standard grade bullets I was usually getting groups up to 1 1/2 inches.
I decided to try a premium Barnes bullet. This was my first time ever using a premium bullet and they gave very tight groups with different powders.
Nice Rifle, Enjoy.

31 January 2006, 19:29
iwzbeemanI had my best results with H4895 and just about any 140gr bullet you want to choose. You can pay a buck a pop for the magic bullets if you like but a 140gr Rem Core Lokt will kill any deer or antelope you see. And give you a hole on both sides.
02 February 2006, 00:22
WYGreenhorn,
140 Barnes TSX(other 140 X's in the past), 44.0 Varget or 49.1 WW 760. Used in my ULA w/Pacnor s/s super match 25" 1 in 10" twist gives me an average measured velocity of 3005 fps. This is at my altitude of 6400'. I have never recovered a 140 X from any of my elk or antelope. Haven't shot any mulies with it because I don't care for the taste of them.
The accuracy is sub 1". It is my primary long range hunter unless I'm in bad bear country. There I carry a 375 H & H for longer ranges.
DRSS
NRA Life Member
VDD-GNA
03 February 2006, 06:34
ted thorn139 hornady's or any of the other 140's atop of Varget
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