Anyone load 7mm-08?

[7mmfan]

I purchashed a remington model 700 mtn. rifle last year, chambered in 7mm-08 and I love it to death. I killed my buck with it last year and can't wait for this year. I've decided that i'm going to just shoot handloads from here on out, (I've been shooting them out of my 7 mag for a few years now) but I don't know much about loads for this gun. I was curious if anyone loaded for this caliber and if you had a good load that you liked. I appreciate any help I can get. Thanks a lot!

[Huntbear]

Varget and W-760 is great powder for a starting point.

I am shooting 48 gr. of W-760 pushing a 140 gr. Ballistic Tip, with a Magnum primer.

Make sure you work up to that load, it is max.  The magnum primer, cause that is what the data I got called for, and all I have.

reloadersnest.com is a great resource as well.

[7mmfan]

Thats a great starting point thanks a lot.

[Huntbear]

Unless you have a real finicky rifle, you should see ragged one hole groups.  If you drop down to 120 gr. Ballistic Tips, you can get to about 3100 fps.   Also, the 120 gr. BT jacket is the same thickness as the 140 gr. fwiw.   I am seriously considering working up an Accubond load,  I hear it is deadly on elk out to 250 - 300 yards.

[Jamieb]

I've had good luck with RL-15 and 120's. The most accurate load I've tried in my current 7-08 is 45gr. or RL-15 under a 120gr ballistic tip.
44-45 gr of RL-15 with a 120gr. TSX shoots pretty good.

[7mmfan]

Thats all good stuff guys thanks. I've already purchased some 140 gr. hornaday interlocks which i've had good luck within the past with other loads the powder charge was what i was curious about the most. After this year i'm pretty serious about switching to accubonds as well for both my 7 mag and the 7mm 08

[runamuk]

I'm working on some 120 loads for mine they are shooting better than the 140 ....... I've read a bunch on it and the 120 loads just sounded like the one to try.....besides you can't buy over the counter much variety for the 7mm 08 if you can even find any ammo for it.....so far mine just kills paper

[PA BEN]

Just baught the dies for my 7mm-08. My Nosler book has some 160 gr AccuBond loads I'm going to try for elk. IMR4350, 40grs to 44grs, 2450 to 2650 fps.

[7mmfan]

Thats he other reason i'm going to start loading it. Last year I had a hell of a time finding ammo for it prior to the season. I ended up special ordering 4 boxes ( I USED to work at the Lake Stevens Joes). We were supposed to carry it but you know how that goes...I like the idea of the 120's though, esspecially in an accubond load, i'll have to give that a go next year, i think i'm going to roll with the 140's i've got for this year. Anyone load with H-380?

[Buckblaster]

7mmfan,
I  found your email address in your profile. I sent you my 7-08 load records so check your email. There's plenty of loads there to keep you busy for a while.

[runamuk]

Thats he other reason i'm going to start loading it. Last year I had a hell of a time finding ammo for it prior to the season. I ended up special ordering 4 boxes ( I USED to work at the Lake Stevens Joes). We were supposed to carry it but you know how that goes...I like the idea of the 120's though, esspecially in an accubond load, i'll have to give that a go next year, i think i'm going to roll with the 140's i've got for this year. Anyone load with H-380?

 H380 is the powder used for one of the 120 loads I did....I think with the barnes bullets would have to go look at my notes.

[runningboard]

I've had good luck with RL-15 and 120's. The most accurate load I've tried in my current 7-08 is 45gr. or RL-15 under a 120gr ballistic tip.
44-45 gr of RL-15 with a 120gr. TSX shoots pretty good.

I use the same recipe for my wife's 7mm-08, never tried the Barnes yet, though I have had excellent results in my 270 with Barnes.

[fremont]

I've settled on Sierra's 140 Pro-Hunter and Varget.

[ducksoup]

I'm shooting a Winchester 70 Featherweight and it has never been a "tack driver". I've tried some of the old standards like IMR4064, H4350, etc., but I recentally tried some IMR4007ssc I had been using in my .243 and so far groups have been very encourageing. right at 1". Load was in the Hodgdons annual free flyer I picked up at Sportco. Used Sierra 140 grain spitzer flat base, ProHunter.