Going to take a short break from my .375 in the thick stuff this time and use my light weight Kimber 7-08 for the steep stuff.

A long shot would be 200 yards, and more likely 30-75 yards for Elk & Bear size animals. Between the 140 TSX at about 2,800, and the 160 TSX at about 2,600, which will penetrate to anchor the animal better, in your experience?

I would prefer the 160 as long as it will open up and penetrate at 7-08 velocities.

Cheers.

I suggest you use the 150 and push it at top speed for that rifle. If you can hit a 9" paper plate consistently at 200 yards, you are good to go.

I have used quite a few TSX and found that lighter bullets at top speeds are deadly medicine. The biggest TSX I've pushed in my .06 is 168 and in my 270, it's the 130.

I don't own a 7-08 but have friends that do. Their choice is 150 TSX or TTSX.

I love my 7-08 and it is my favorite rifle. I would not shoot anything heavier than a 140.

The 140 and the 7-08 are peanut butter to jelly...or something like that.

quote:

Originally posted by ted thorn:
I love my 7-08 and it is my favorite rifle. I would not shoot anything heavier than a 140.

The 140 and the 7-08 are peanut butter to jelly...or something like that.

+1 on that Ted.

My go to load with my Micro Medallion is 43 gr. W-748, Fed. 210M primer, OAL 2.790",with a Barnes Triple shock or my personal favorite, the 140 gr. Nosler Accubond. Great accuracy, low recoil and kills stuff DRT.

Best,
GWB


This axis was 80 yds. away, quartering toward me. I hit him in the right front shoulder. The 140 gr Barnes TSX went all the way through this animal (+/- 36") and lodged next to the hide on the left hind quarter. 184 lbs live weight.


Took this black buck at +/- 220 yds. 140 gr accubond. He was DRT.


Works on Porkers also.

quote:

Originally posted by ted thorn:
I love my 7-08 and it is my favorite rifle. I would not shoot anything heavier than a 140.

The 140 and the 7-08 are peanut butter to jelly...or something like that.

But the 150 makes it a 3 layer sandwich.

Really like the 140 grn bullets in 7mm.

I'm loading some tipped triple shocks soon to shoot in 7-08.

I use the 140 gr. bullets in my 7mm-08, which is my primary big game rifle. That bullet and caliber combination is, well, what Doc said! I was using the TSX and just changed this season to the TTSX. It has taken plains game up to Greater Kudu (I used my 375 H&H for my Kudu, but lent my '08 to my partner to take his "surprise" Kudu), black bear, deer, hogs, javelina, and predators.

Good Hunting,

Bob

Here is a vote for the 160 TSX. At the ranges and velocities you are likely to encounter, the 160 will work flawlessly.

Good luck!

Great suggestions all! Now keep in mind that I'm purposely letting a bit of range go to be able to punch through a lot of muscle and bone of Elk sized game within 200 yards; to take out the shoulders and keep it from running to the bottom of a steep canyon. If the 140 will do it, or it takes a 150 or 160, but will also expand, then that's my goal.
I use a .300 for 250 yards out in open country, so not trying to accomplish both with the 7mm.
I did that for several years with the little 7 some years back, and it worked so well I sold my last .30-06 as a do all caliber. The 7 will be used when every ounce counts, and I need to drill a pissed off Bear in close so to speak.

Thanks guys!

I've seen a few moose crumbled with 120gr TSX out of the 7mm08. I wouldn't be afraid of using the 120-140s for any game animal with good shot placement.

someone sent me a video from youtube awhile back where a moose was killed with a 120TSX from a 7-08.

All I can offer say is that my fellow shooters have had 100% success with the 150. We're talking 10 grains up or down so I prefer the middle. This caliber can really make a 150 scoot and I like that little extra shank for penetration since you mentioned bears and elk.

Good luck with whatever your choice is.

quote:

Originally posted by kreyten:
Here is a vote for the 160 TSX. At the ranges and velocities you are likely to encounter, the 160 will work flawlessly.

...but will it fit in the Kimber mag without usurping too much powder space?

Have not used the 7-08, but have extensively used the 7x57 at similar velocities. I have had problems with both bullets you mention not opening up at all, but rather pencilling through like a FMJ. When they do work the game runs farther and bleeds less on average than game shot with lead/copper bullets. I won't use the TSX in a 7x57 any more.

Of course, you can get away with this in a lot of terrain. In really, really thick stuff, you need the blood trail and shorter death runs. What most folks consider to be too thick my friends and I consider easy walking.

The 160gr Partition will penetrate a tremendous length when driven at 7-08 velocities. I have shot lengthwise through many whitetails when using that bullet in the 7x57. I have killed up to moose with it and would not hessitate to use it on any non-dangerous game on earth

I just posted this on another post. Seen the 7mm-08 preform flawlessly on African Plains game from Zebra and Gemsbok on down. Longest shot was just shy of 400 yds. Ammo was Federal 150 gr. Hot Core.