Can you give me some advice thanks ? After much deliberation between 7mm/08, .270 and 30.06 I now have on order a Tikka T3 lite 7mm/08. At this stage I hope to work up a all round load based around Sierra Game King 140 gr. Mainly as I have always had good accuracy with Sierra's. Question is: For Fallow deer and below would a lighter but higher velocity load, give me any real advantages or better knock down. Secondly should a chance come up later in the year to try for Sambar, would a weight around the 160 grain offer better anything extra

From my experience with the 7-08 going lighter and faster will not result in improved knockdowns, but will increase meat damage/bruising....

The 140 game king will be fine on fallow, you could go lighter if you wanted too but no real advantage there and the 140 grainer would probably be better for longer range shots.

For sambar something around 160 grains would be a good choice, i'de look at the accubonds or interbonds, although the 162 hornady SST shoots very well in my 7mm-08 and would also be a good choice for sambar.

quote:

Originally posted by nightwalker uk:
From my experience with the 7-08 going lighter and faster will not result in improved knockdowns, but will increase meat damage/bruising....

I agree the 140 grain bullet in the 7mm-08 at around 2800 fps is good for fallow.

As for Sambhur (this I am told, by an Indian friend, is the correct spelling) try the bullets advised or the good old 175 grain Hornady RN.

I would generally use a heavier projectile for sambar, 160gn should be fine, 140gn for fallow. If you 160gn loads shoot well out to 200 meters, then use that for everything.