Lads,

Preliminary... very preliminary results from my first shots w/the Stevens 7mm/08. Quite happy.

Mounted an older 3 X 9 Leupold VX II and bore sighted. Fired a confirming shot at the 30yd stump then moved on to the 100yd stump.

First 3 shots (numbers 2 through 4 from the new barrel) were into a 1" group w/2 touching.

Second group w/same brass & bullets were 2" high and 1.5" w/2 touching. Felt some recoil

Third was also high at 1" minimal dispersion. Same bullet and brass. Primers slightly cratered.

Here's the loads:

1st 47gr of IMR 4831 w/140gr Hornady spbt, CCI lrp and Rem case. Low recoil and no pressure signs. I'll load some more of these and confirm their accuracy.

2nd 42gr of IMR 4895, same bullet, case and primer. Felt hot, more recoil, no specific pressure signs. Might cut back by 2 gr and retry.

3rd was 45gr of H414, same bullet, case and primer. Felt good, but saw some cratering in the primers. Will load a few more and reshoot.

The bullets were loaded such that the transition from body to bt was at the base of the case neck. Bullets did not appear to touch the lands. Don't have the chrono set up, so no speed-trap info.

Off to a good start w/a $200 rifle!!!

I will pursue!!

Load suggestions solicited and appreciated.

Mike

Kudos on the excellent results.
Gotta love them 7mm chamberings!
140 grainers are THE bullets for a 7-08, or the 7x57. I use H-414 exclusively with 140 grain Partitions in several 7x57's.

Don

Lads,

There have been several threads lauding the Savage/Stevens accuracy, however, they truly are the "ugly duckings" of the rifle world.

My current bench rest needs some structural work to improve its steadiness, but the first shots under what I would consider close to hunting conditions were amazing!!!

I don't know what list price is for these rifles (mine came sans scope). As I mentioned, I only paid $200 from a friend, but that accuracy at twice the price is still a bargain.

These may be the least expensive, AMERICAN MADE, rifles available. Lets see... low cost, AMERICAN MADE, accurate, ugly (oh well, 3 out of 4 ain't bad). What's not to like. This combo might just get (and especially in these financial times), a young hunter into the field. Now, that may be the true "worth" of those rifles.

Naturally, lads, every rifle has its ammo favorites. This lass doesn't seem too fickle. I've got three good powders with which to experiment. I'll work on some more loads (and a steadier bench) and let you know.

QUESTION: can the Accutrigger be adapted to these rifles??? What a plus that would be.

Now... if I could only find some decent wood.

The saga continues,

Mike

DMB.. i am getting ready to load some 7-08 with W-760 and 140 sierra spbt, how are you groups with 414.. i have been shooting RL-15 with 44.0 grs.. shoots about .85 at 100 meters. but i have some 760 i need to use..

The accutrigger cannot be adapted to a Stevens. There are plenty of good aftermarket triggers that can be replaced, SharpShooters Supply (SSS), timmey, jewel. Some of the older three screw savage/stevens trigers can be worked down to a good hunting weight by changing out the springs. Check out http://www.savageshooters.com/ ofr $12 you can access all the how to articles and there is even a guy that will send you a replacement wire in the classifieds for the trigger spring for free.

this is what i shot with W-760 in my 7mm-08

sorry tried to post a photo.. 48 grs of W-760 140 gr. sierra spbt cci-250 .75" group.. 2997 fps. 7MM-08

LOVE my 7/08, Kimber Montana; 6.5 lbs of pure joy...that's scoped, slung and loaded with 5!
It feeds on 40 grains of Varget and 140 gr TSX. Acts like a big little-magnum that's gentle on my bad wing.