The Accurate Reloading Forums
Heavy bullets in the 7mm-08
13 November 2008, 02:48
DuckearHeavy bullets in the 7mm-08
I have read the twist in most/all factory 7-08s is not too good for the 175 gr bullets.
I was playing around with a new load for my Steyr Forester this weekend.
139 gr SSt with RL15.....3 shot group .54"
175 gr Hornady with ...heck, cant remember powder.... but a 5 shot group .83"
Cant wait to try it at 200 to see if that precision holds out longer.
Anybody else shooting heavy bullets in their 7X57 or 7-08?
Hunting: Exercising dominion over creation at 2800 fps.
13 November 2008, 05:50
bartschequote:
Originally posted by Duckear:
Anybody else shooting heavy bullets in their 7X57 or 7-08?
Oh Ya.

roger
Old age is a high price to pay for maturity!!! Some never pay and some pay and never reap the reward. Wisdom comes with age! Sometimes age comes alone..
13 November 2008, 08:00
ted thornI loaded some 154 and 160's but just 3 each. I didn't realy like the ft. lbs. of energy vs fps and drop out to 300. I feel the 140 class is what I'll stick to. Just not enough case capacity for the heavy bullets in the 7-08 to suit me.
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13 November 2008, 08:29
DWrightYa, I used to shoot 175 Hornadys from my 08. Shot fine, and was a good penetrator at close range. But went back to 140s as they seem to be the best balance of ballistics in this caliber. If I need a heavier bullet, I use a bigger caliber. Trying to use just one bullet and weight per. rifle to keep from confusion with my scope settings.
13 November 2008, 23:15
mikethebearI once loaded up 20 7mm-08's with H4350 and 175 grain hornady spirepoints and got about 2450 fps with a 20 inch barrel. Didn't shoot for accuracy. I still have the rest of the bullets, but I guess they will go for the 280 if I ever get time.
14 November 2008, 01:55
Dave2431Been looking at twist rates and it seems that 1-10 will stabilise up to 160's and you really need 1-9 for heavier. l fancy 162 a-max's for 1000yrd field fire (MOD Hard Target), would be happy if they'll reach 2600+
14 November 2008, 05:50
390ishthe only thing i shoot of my ruger no.1 in 7x57 is 175 grain round nose hornady bullets. won't stabilize the 175 spitzer -- 1980s barrel, 1 in 9.5 twist. i use re22, max load in the new speer manual for their 175 spitzer, can't remember right off the top of my head, but might be 51.3 grains (i loaded a bit over because the bullet is seated way uptown). i use the ww brass. creates way much pressure in rp brass. great round
14 November 2008, 14:55
DKA1Not real heavy, but use 154Gr. at present, with good results. These are very accurate in my Remington SPS Buck Master, but also load some 140 Gr. and like them better.
Keep on doing what you are doing and you will keep on getting what you are getting.
14 November 2008, 20:41
rickt300I loaded them in my 7x57 for a while. My rifle has a 1 in 9.5 inch twist. They shot well but tended to tumble when they hit game. I had several bullets break in half at the cannelure. In my rifle I will stick with 160 grain bullets or less. Lately I have been shooting 140 grain Nosler Partitions and liking them.
Leftists are intellectually vacant, but there is no greater pleasure than tormenting the irrational.
15 November 2008, 01:11
PatagonHunterHi,
I normaly use 160 and 175 grs bullets in my 7x57 Mauser M98. It has a long throat chamber so the entire magazine lenght can be used with most bullets. I can get easely 2700 fps with the 160 grs and 2600 fps with 175 grs WW or R-P brass (adjusting the charge because the RP is around 20 grs heavier!) , standard primers, R19 or R22.
Regards
PH
15 November 2008, 04:42
390ishquote:
Originally posted by PatagonHunter:
Hi,
I normaly use 160 and 175 grs bullets in my 7x57 Mauser M98. It has a long throat chamber so the entire magazine lenght can be used with most bullets. I can get easely 2700 fps with the 160 grs and 2600 fps with 175 grs WW or R-P brass (adjusting the charge because the RP is around 20 grs heavier!) , standard primers, R19 or R22.
Regards
PH
how much powder do you shave off your load when the remingtons versus the winchester brass in the 7x57?
15 November 2008, 05:20
dirklawyer160-175 grain bullets should work the best with 1:9 or 1:10 twist in a 7x57mauser or 7mm08.
Dirk
"An individual with experience is never at the mercies of an individual with an argument"
17 November 2008, 02:45
33806whelenI hada friend with a ruger 77 tang safety pre warning that would shoot nothing but 175 grain bullets. He should have screwed the barrel in tighter as the freebore was huge in that gun. Try the barnes x bullet with as many different powders as you have. They have a good B.C. and may be the magic pill you are looking for.
17 November 2008, 04:09
bartschequote:
Originally posted by dirklawyer:
160-175 grain bullets should work the best with 1:9 or 1:10 twist in a 7x57mauser or 7mm08.Dirk
Hey Dirk, I'll be glad to let you use one of my 7mm scouts to knock down an Elk on Grand Mesa with some of my 175gr. bullets. Indian point , Blue lake and the Grandbys use to produce pretty good. Also have a .358x.404 IMP that I'd like to get baptized.

roger
Old age is a high price to pay for maturity!!! Some never pay and some pay and never reap the reward. Wisdom comes with age! Sometimes age comes alone..
17 November 2008, 21:25
vinesi never really liked to shoot what you call heavy. i like the 130 - 140's with its higher fps. if i wanted to shoot heavy ill go with a .280 or 7-mag..