I am getting into this slowly just got 8# of Varget and will buy bullets next. What is a bullet that would be good for large mule deer
with high BC medium to high price. I am thinking 140 gr
I am shooting the Tikka T3 lite 1:9 twist and I think it has the 20" bbl. The area I hunt could see a shot out to 275 yrds so I need to start shooting now so I can get accurate at that distance.

140 grain Swift A-Frames and RL-19.

The 7-08 on mule deer does not call for a super premium bullet.
Now with that said I simply love how little of the eating parts are ruined with the solid copper bullets.
But if that is not an issue with you then I would load something with a high BC and that shot lights out in your rifle.
Ballistic tips come to mind.

I've had great sucess with the 139 gr Hornady in several 7mm's (7x57,7-08 280 & 7mm mag).Like Bucko already stated you don't need a super premium bullet but I've also used the Hornady Interbond. I would choose which ever bullet shoots best in your rifle and go hunting.

140 grain Nosler Partition. It is excellent at killing Deer, which is my only experience with the bullet. And, it is very accurate in four different rifles.

Don

Another vote for the 140 grain Partition.

For the 7mm-08 the Accubond is a perfect bullet.
IMHO.

In my 7-08, my choices have been

139 Hornady. Killed lots of game, no problems
140 Accubond. Great on paper, haven't hunted this bullet yet
140 Partition. Groups open up about .25" or so. Never used on game, but Partition stands on its reputation.

IME, any of the three above should give you excellent results out of your rifle.

I agree with the folks that say you don't need a top of the line premium in 7-08; it just doesn't stress bullets enough to go there. I buy lots (too many, really) of premiums for some guns but in the velocity range you're dealing with, Remington Core-Locts kill astoundingly well. After all, they've only had about 7 decades to get it right. Even if you decide to upgrade for hunting, you can buy 500-100- dirt cheap and use them for practice. Next step up for me would be another vote for Accubond bullets. I know medium bore Partions kill very well but I find that under 100 yards they expand really fast and damage more meat than I like.

the hornady interlocks will do what you need they are accurate enough too.
i have used the rl-19 and hornady combo to take elk,and mule deer in several 7 mausers and 7-08's,

quote:

Originally posted by Lamar:
the hornady interlocks will do what you need they are accurate enough too.
i have used the rl-19 and hornady combo to take elk,and mule deer in several 7 mausers and 7-08's,

140 gr Barnes TSX should also be on the list...

I have only used 140 NBTs over RL19 and 150 Barnes X and RL 22. Lou

139 hornady interlock or 140 sierra spbt. with 43. grs of RL-15. WLR OR CCI-250 primer. this will kill any size deer that walks

Try the 140 Partition and Accubonds. Both are great bullets and will cleanly take any mule deer. Use the one that gives the best accurac in your rifle.

they are not fancy premiums , but i have had very good ballistics and performance with winchester power points in 145 grain out of my 7x57. they are slightly high in SD, which is important for penetration, and have all been complete pass-throughs on mule deer.

I'd recommend a 120gr Barnes TTSX.

If you make the switch to copper NOW
you will be less upset when the greenies where you live manage to push through a lead ban.

AD

My wife has killed a bunch of deer with a 140 sierra pro hunter.

quote:

Originally posted by TJAY:
My wife has killed a bunch of deer with a 140 sierra pro hunter.

My bullet is also the 140 grn Sierra but in the Game King (Boat Tail) version. At 7-08 speeds it's perfect.

quote:

Originally posted by Allan DeGroot:
I'd recommend a 120gr Barnes TTSX.

If you make the switch to copper NOW
you will be less upset when the greenies where you live manage to push through a lead ban.
AD

And when they switch to zinc ? roger

The velocity window of the 7-08 makes it ideal for the garden variety of bullets. I've killed a lot of game (mulies included) with 140gr NP's and Core Lokts.

I tagged a 315 pound whitetail with a 7-08 using a factory 140gr CoreLokt. He dropped in his tracks without flinching. At 7mm-08 velocities, any 140gr bullet that shoots well in your rifle is perfect, because they will all kill deer.

I generally use 140gr Partitions in my 7-08AI until I get my big buck, then switch to Ballistic Tips for does.

Not a premium, but Speer 145gr. Hot Cores work very well out of the 7mm/08.

I havent shot a 7-08 in a long time. I aquired one in 1988 and bought a box of remington 120gr hps. They shot just under an inch. I wore those 20 brass out trying to better those factory loads but never did. Man those things turned deer a flip.
What im saying is dont be afraid to try 120 gr bullets in it and not necessarily premiums. Nosler BTs or Sierra pro hunters will take any deer sized game.

For your Varget, the 120 gr. bullets mentioned are a perfect. Also worth trying is the 130 gr. Speer Hot Core. Merg

A few years ago I used 120 gr Barnes TSX on several deer. The results were impressive. The lighter weight also allows more velocity.

With your varget, I reccommend the Hornady
interbond. I get great velocity and accuracy
with that combo. 139 grains of bullet is plenty.

If you don't like the interbond the plain ole
Hornady interlock has served me well in my .270,
.280, 30-06, and my .338-06 A.I.

For elk I'd jump up to the 160 grain Nosler
partition. If hunting elk, I'd use my .338-06
with RL 15 and 210 grain Swift Siroccos. I also
like the 225 accubonds.

quote:

Originally posted by acsteele:
Not a premium, but Speer 145gr. Hot Cores work very well out of the 7mm/08.

Exactly...

120 TSX or 140 Partition....maybe the 140 gr accubond or 120gr ballistic tip if your careful.

DON'T get duped to use the 140 gr ballistic tip. This bullet from a 7-08 has let me down too many times

Hey stubblerjumper....notice that there's not a single recommendation here for ballistic tips!

quote:

Posted 12 April 2009 18:37 Hide Post
Hey stubblerjumper....notice that there's not a single recommendation here for ballistic tips!

Your reading comprehension must be way off today.

quote:

I would load something with a high BC and that shot lights out in your rifle.
Ballistic tips come to mind.

quote:

I have only used 140 NBTs over RL19 and 150 Barnes X and RL 22. Lou

quote:

What im saying is dont be afraid to try 120 gr bullets in it and not necessarily premiums. Nosler BTs or Sierra pro hunters will take any deer sized game.

quote:

For your Varget, the 120 gr. bullets mentioned are a perfect.

quote:

Originally posted by ted thorn:

quote:

Originally posted by TJAY:
My wife has killed a bunch of deer with a 140 sierra pro hunter.

My bullet is also the 140 grn Sierra but in the Game King (Boat Tail) version. At 7-08 speeds it's perfect.

Best performance and accuracy I've had was from the 140gr sierra prohunter. Really good bullet!

About any of the 140 gr. bullets will work for your application. For "reaching out" you might try the TTSX.

The Varget will work well for you.

Good Hunting,

Bob

Gidday Vapo,

I will put my hand up for the 120 BT. Though I don't have a 7-08 it is probably the most popular cartridge in NZ at this time. A lot of the boys are tipping over big reds and tahr with the BT.

Its flat shooting, accurate and more that adequate for everything in the range you are after though incredibly boring in its reliability.

Happy Hunting

Hamish

I shoot 139 gr Hornady Interlocks but 140 gr. Partitions will do extremely well. Oh, and use Varget powder.