My dad does my reloading and we use 45gr. of IMR 4064 with a 120gr. bullet and get decent performance. I know that this load is above the max. load shown in Hornady and Barnes reloading manuals but so many reloading manuals are written by lawyers today instead of reloading experts. This load shows no signs of excessive pressure. I'd like to get everyone else's favorite load for the 7mm-08, powder and bullet weight. Is there a best powder to use for the 7mm-08? Thanks.

WOLF,
I have several loads for the 7mm-08. All of these loads are book max and should be worked up to.

Rifle-Win. M-70
Sierra 140 grain SBT-CCI 200-Rem. cases-43.0 grains H-Varget-Vel=2805fps.
Sierra 120 grain SPT-CCI 250-Federal cases-48.5 grains of W-760-Vel=2967fps.

Rifle-Rem. M-700 BDL
Nosler 140 grain B.T.-CCI BR2-Win. cases-44.0 grains H-Varget-Vel=2883fps.

Rifle-Rem. M-700 BDL #2
Nosler 140 grains Pt.-CCI BR2-Win. cases-44.0 grains H-Varget-Vel=2866fps. E.S.=8.2 FPS--S.D.=3.6 FPS.

I had the best results with H-Varget in all three of these rifles. I hope that this is of some help. Good luck.

My 7-08 Remington likes Varget too. Use same loads as Big Bob, My first two shots print over each other. After that I forget what I am doing.....

44gr. Varget, 140gr. Nos. Ballistic.

Later.

My favorite hunting load is the 139 Horn SP over 42.5 gr Varget with a Rem primer seated .015 of the lands.
I also have had good results with the 145 Speer sp over 50 gr of R19 (highly compressed)and the 140 Nosler BT with 46.5 gr IMR4350. The most accurate load I`ve found in my Walther bbl`ed M700 is the 120 Horn V-Max and 45gr of Varget,Rem 9 1/2 primer, Win case, THIS IS VERY WARM in my rifle be sure to start lower.

mine likes varget also. 42gr.w/139gr. Hornady SP
about 2750 fps.

My 708 does great with a variety of powders. The ones mentioned do very well with 120 and 140 Gr bullets. I have settled on ww760 for 140 Gr and H380 for 120 Gr just because these powders meter so well.

Just to be different:
After doing a little research, I purchased a fresh can of Varget to shoot in a new Tikka 7-08. While the Varget produced extremely low SD, it only produced mediocre accuracy.
Top shooting powders in my rifle proved to be H4895 and H4350. Either one easily shoots under .5" @ 100yds with hunting bullets. I do use match quality brass, primers, dies and loading methods.
VH

Hi there,
I use IMR 4895 with great results in my Remington 700 a load of 46.5gr with a Nosler 120gr Ballistic tip for 3150 fps this load groups .75moa and is an outstanding deer load.
good shooting

I can duplicate Hornady "Light Magnum" performance in my 7mm-08 M700 Mountain Rifle with 43gr IMR 4064 behind a 140gr Nosler Ballistic Tip.

2850fps from a 22" barrel. Very low SD. Good consistant "hunting" load.