My scouting has me shooting 200 to 400 yards this deer season. I'l be shooting the Tikka T3 lite in 7mm-08 I am almost sure the bbl is 20" twist 9.5 I am new to the reloading so this first purchase I want for this coming up season. I am kind of leaning towards the 154 or 160 gr for the downrange punch. What do you guys think will the 140 gr deliver at 400 yards?
"I will not raise taxes on those making more than 250k"
With the normal Magazine length and throat depth plan on the 140gr. bullet. If you can really do your part at that distance the rifle and bullet are capable.
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Posts: 10226 | Location: Temple City CA | Registered: 29 April 2003
Practice at 400 yds. is probably going to be more important than bullet weight. The 140 gr. bullets will probably be your best bet, as Bartshe says. Last year I saw a 7mm-08 one shot a Zebra at 367 yds. using 140 gr. Federal power-shok ammo. The shot was a 14 yr. old's first big game animal, what a rush.....Tom
Shooting at 400 yards with a 7mm-08, in a 20 inch barrel, Mmmm, whilst it could be done, aren't there better cartridges barrel length combinations for shooting at this distance?
Posts: 1374 | Location: New Zealand | Registered: 10 February 2005
Originally posted by oldun: Shooting at 400 yards with a 7mm-08, in a 20 inch barrel, Mmmm, whilst it could be done, aren't there better cartridges barrel length combinations for shooting at this distance?
Either that or get closer. Even with a 250 yard zero, there will be an 18" drop at 400 yards.
Posts: 8827 | Location: CANADA | Registered: 25 August 2004
Originally posted by Michael b Freeman: My scouting has me shooting 200 to 400 yards this deer season. I'l be shooting the Tikka T3 lite in 7mm-08 I am almost sure the bbl is 20" twist 9.5 I am new to the reloading so this first purchase I want for this coming up season. I am kind of leaning towards the 154 or 160 gr for the downrange punch. What do you guys think will the 140 gr deliver at 400 yards?
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"I don't know what there is about buffalo that frightens me so.....He looks like he hates you personally. He looks like you owe him money." - Robert Ruark, Horn of the Hunter, 1953
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Posts: 12748 | Location: Kentucky, USA | Registered: 30 December 2002
Originally posted by oldun: Shooting at 400 yards with a 7mm-08, in a 20 inch barrel, Mmmm, whilst it could be done, aren't there better cartridges barrel length combinations for shooting at this distance?
All things considered, 400 yards absolute max rough terrain lots of hiking in to get there, I need a light rifle. Doubt there is much better in ultralite rifles. Rifle weight is big issue for me. I need to spend a lot of time shooting up and down mountains at incline for practice.
"I will not raise taxes on those making more than 250k"
In my very limited experience with the 7/08, I believe your 9.5" twist barrel won't properly stabilize the 160 grainers and might struggle with the 154 grain bullets to shoot at very long range. I think the 139/140 grian bullets are optimum for this cartridge. I made up some hand loads for a Rem model 7 in this caliber that I traded for as a gift for my daughter using 139 grian Hornady bullets and that little rifle put 4 shots touching at 100 yds. Then my S-I-L tried some 154 grain Hornadys and the accuracy just didn't seem to be there. This is not a very protracted trial and I could be wrong but I don't think so. On the other hand if using a 7Mag with the 160s, it might push them fast enough to stabilize them with the 9.5" twist, but that is just a guess.
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Posts: 1191 | Location: Ft. Morgan, CO | Registered: 15 April 2005
I think luckyduck is right, I'm not sure you are going to get enough vel. out of that short bbl. to do well w/ 160gr. You might try a bullet like the 150grNBT, but a good 140gr will do fine on deer size animals to 400. I prefer the 280 & 160gr but if you can hit & the bullet will expand, youy a re in good shape.
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Posts: 7752 | Location: kalif.,usa | Registered: 08 March 2001
Mr Freeman. In the 7mm08 I think your probably better off with the 140. But I recomend you take some shots at 400 yards on paper first. That is a long long shot. Been hunting and shootinf for a long time, And I try to limit my shots to 300. I might shoot farther but I probably should'nt...tj3006
Originally posted by Thomas Jones: Mr Freeman. In the 7mm08 I think your probably better off with the 140. But I recomend you take some shots at 400 yards on paper first. That is a long long shot. Been hunting and shootinf for a long time, And I try to limit my shots to 300. I might shoot farther but I probably should'nt...tj3006
I agree looking to get out and practice at that range, I figure if those guys at longrangehunting can do it I can.
"I will not raise taxes on those making more than 250k"
I know that we can ALL easily do it under ideal conditions at 400 yards.
The problem I see it is not taking the shot at 400 yards but KNOWING if it actually is 400 yards or more like 350 yards or 450 yards. Especially in hilly terrain where shooting across a valley or body of water can alter perception of the distance!
I'd invest in an accurate range finding system and then practice and know your sight settings for 350, 400 AND 450 yards!
Posts: 6823 | Location: United Kingdom | Registered: 18 November 2007
I shot 2 bucks and 2 hogs at 400 yards with my 7x57 using 140gr TSX's. 2 bullets recovered with text book expansion and all 4 animals were DRT. My muzzle velocity is 2820fps.
Perry
Posts: 2252 | Location: South Texas | Registered: 01 November 2005
Originally posted by enfieldspares: I know that we can ALL easily do it under ideal conditions at 400 yards.
The problem I see it is not taking the shot at 400 yards but KNOWING if it actually is 400 yards or more like 350 yards or 450 yards. Especially in hilly terrain where shooting across a valley or body of water can alter perception of the distance!
I'd invest in an accurate range finding system and then practice and know your sight settings for 350, 400 AND 450 yards!
IMO, wind is always the issue past 300yds. A rangefinder certainly helps but if you can;t judge wind, you are taking a poor shot much past 300yds.
LIFE IS NOT A SPECTATOR'S SPORT!
Posts: 7752 | Location: kalif.,usa | Registered: 08 March 2001
Originally posted by enfieldspares: I know that we can ALL easily do it under ideal conditions at 400 yards.
The problem I see it is not taking the shot at 400 yards but KNOWING if it actually is 400 yards or more like 350 yards or 450 yards. Especially in hilly terrain where shooting across a valley or body of water can alter perception of the distance!
I'd invest in an accurate range finding system and then practice and know your sight settings for 350, 400 AND 450 yards!
+1
Posts: 38 | Location: Between sunrises. | Registered: 14 February 2009
I bought one of the new FN Model 70's in 7-08, the featherweight version. The first load I made up for it was 140 Grain Nosler Partitions, with 45.0 grains of H-414, and Federal 210 Primers. After zeroing the scope/rifle combo, the next three shot went into a 1/2" group at 100 yards. My load testing was over!!!
With the normal Magazine length and throat depth plan on the 140gr. bullet. If you can really do your part at that distance the rifle and bullet are capable.
