Not really looking for high velocity just some good accuracy loads and powders for 140gr partitions and accu bonds in the 7mm-08. I've worked with IMR 4350 so far, 45-45.8 has yielded decent groups but nothing to get excited about. Do you think 4350 is a little slow for a 21" barrel? Thanks

woods

I don't care what grain bullet you use, Varget gets my vote for the 7mm/08.

I never had much luck with IMR-4350 with the 7mm-08. Both Varget and IMR-4064 seemed to give better accuracy and velocity with 140 gr bullets. Maybe the 4350 might work better with 150 and 160 gr bullets. Others have mentioned H-414 as a good option, and I had pretty good results with Accurate's surplus SRB-118 in the 7-08.

Thanks for the suggestions guys......I have come up with H414, Re15, Varget, and 4064 to try so I will load a moderate load of each at the OAL the gun seems to like and see if any look like a winner. The 4350 in winchester brass with fed 210m primers is offering about 3/4" but the gun should be capable of much better and at over 45 gr's it is a compressed load. I notice most load data is for 24 or even 26" barrels except for hornadys, and with a new shorter pac nor barrel( 21") I thought my powder may be a tad slow.

woods

I am a little curious, what kind of rifle are you shooting? Is there good reason to expect groups better than 3/4 of an inch? With a hunting rifle a lot of folks would be real happy with that.

On the other hand, I own a Remington 700 VLS in 7-08 that will shoot under a half inch if I do my part. But, I do not expect much under an inch in my 7-08 Mountain Rifle.

As to powders, for accuracy you will be hard pressed to beat Varget or IMR 4064. I shoot Varget in the VLS with Sierra Matchkings for the best accuracy. I shoot H 4350 or Varget in the Mountain Rifle for hunting loads with Nosler Partitions.

Do not worry about the powder being compressed.
My hunting load for the Mountain Rifle is 48 grains of H 4350 behind a Nosler 140 Partition. It is compressed a bunch. No problems and it shoots great.

Sorry,I didn't mention that........its a savage with a trued and squared action, pac nor straight taper to .600 21" barrel, competition lug and timney trigger. Its bedded in a Rayhill stock with a headspaced and floated barrel. Shot from the bench it should shoot 1/2" or perhaps a lot better if I can get a load it likes.....I understand the paritions don't always shoot that well and am willing to try accu bonds if thats the case.

woods

The best powders i've used in my 7mm/08 with the 168gr Sierra match are WW760, H380, and H414.

OK its always been a pet peeve of mine that when someone goes on and asks a question that they never post back with results. I tried H414 - IMR4064 - H4350 - IMR4350 - Varget - RL15 in the rifle and heres what I found.....

The H414 and IMR4064 were not to the barrels liking at all........the H4350 and Varget both shot sub 1/2" with paritions......the RL15 was decent but overshadowed by the two best. I will now do the case weight sort,neck size, adjust run-out, and OAL length tune to see what it can really do. Then its start all over with accu-bonds and see what that will be. Thanks for all help and suggestions.

woods

i have loaded for the 7-08 for about 18 years and have shot every thing from 3031 to 4350 and i have settled on 44.0 gr.of RL-15 with 140 sierra b.t. wlr primer.in a 700 s.s. 24 in. at 2940 fps lot tighter groups than with varget or 4064 in mine. alot of it has to do with what your rifle likes not what you like.

Hard to come up with one load that seems to work in all the 7mm-08s I've had. However have had the best groups ( 1/2") at 100, with 45.0 of IMR4350 behind a 140 grain Barnes triple shock. Varget came in a very close second, but seems every rifle I've tried in this caliber, maybe 5 or so,liked something different. Most 06s and .45-70s have been easy, but not the 7-08s. Just my experience. BUT, when you find it, they seem to be VERY accurate.

Max load of Ramshot Big Game or Varget.
Follow the latest Nosler guide.

Varget and RL15 or the New AR Comp.. ( non temp sensitive version of RL 15) get my vote... as does good old IMR 4064 or 4895...

if you want tiny groups with 140 grain bullets down to 100s, 30 grains of RL 7....

No 140's...but....

120TTSX 51g Big Game @3129 = .28 @ 100yds
Browning X-BOLT

Here's the load that I am sticking with.

group in upper left was shot after installing action in a new Boyds stock. group on lower right was shot after scope adjustment. Groups shot same day, 10 minutes apart.

I just finished testing my 788 in 7-08. I was shooting 41.5 gr of reloder 15. I got just over 1 inch at 100 with 4 shot group and sighted at 1 1/2 inches high. At 200 yards I got just over 2 inches centered on the bullseye. This will be my go to deer load.

IMR 4064 is what I use in my 7mm-08 also.

I'd suggest trying the Accubonds, Partitions aren't supposed to be target bullets.

Has anyone tried as 2520 with 7-08