Elk load for 7mm-08

[Bob33]

I don't know a lot about copper bullets, it just doesn't seem right to me to shoot an elk w/a 120gr bullet.

The concept to recognize is that a Barnes bullet will retain nearly 100% of its weight, while conventional bullets retain 50% to 70%.  The Accubond is designed to shed 30% to 40% of its weight inside an animal.  That means a 160 grain Accubond enters an animal with 160 grains, and it if exits the bullet weighs about 110 grains.  A 120 Barnes enters an animal weighing 120 grains, and exits weighing about 119.9 grains.

There are pros and cons to each, but in general you can use "light for caliber" monolithic bullets like the Barnes with results equivalent to using heavier, conventional jacketed bullets.

[Salmo]

My 12 yr old Daughter and I drew Cow Elk tags this year. She shoots a Win. youth mod. 70 ranger. She has taken 3 deer w/it 140 gr factory and 140 gr nosler hand loads. I was thinking of using 160 gr nosler AccuBonds, but it might kick a little much.

PA BEN,

You should be able to push a 140 partition close to 2800fps..  Also take a look at the  120TSX..  I know for a fact that 120TSX will go 3000fps in a 22" barrel.   I like the TSX at higher velocities which is why I'd go with the 120gr.   The 140NP  will do a great job..  I'm a partition guy!  They open up nicely and penetrate well..  Have used both  mentioned on elk without a glitch.  My current elk rifle is a .260rem with a 140 Partition at 2750fps!!   Congrats on the tag and have fun!

[bobcat]

140gr Nosler AccuBond
100yds-1820 ft lbs
200yds-1571 ft lbs
300yds-1349 ft lbs
160gr Nosler AccuBond
100yds-1940
200yds-1690
300yds-1465
Looks like the 160gr w/hit a lot harder and it is a 2" differents in bullet drop at 300yds.

To me, foot pounds of energy is practically a meaningless number. And the numbers you posted show very little difference in energy anyway. The thing is, if a bullet can penetrate an animal completely, that's all it needs to do. The energy doesn't matter (IMO). I used to always think the heavier bullets were better, but now, with the premium bullets, especially the 100% copper bullets, I like the idea of lighter/faster bullets. The additional benefit of that is less recoil. There really is no disadvantage to the light bullets. Now if you were talking 7mm magnum, I'd definitely go with the 160. But 7/08 I'd go 140. Even that 120 TSX would be one I'd consider.

[PA BEN]

Wow, this has been a good thread for me. Thanks. I'm going to try the barns 120 TSX and the 160 Nosler accubonds. I like the idea of the lighter bullet doing the work of the heaver bullet. You guys have used them and that specks a lot to me. Thanks.

[True Sportsman]

I just caught the tail end of this thread. I shoot a 7 Mag, and shot the 120 TSX for a season. It was going a lot faster than the 7mm-08 (3450 fps). I killed an elk, buck, and bear with this bullet. I was not a fan. All the animals died, but the penetration was moderate. Meat damage at that velocity was ridiculous. It turned meat into jello. On the elk, there was no room for error on shot placement.

Personally, I prefer a deep penetrating bullet to ensure I get to the vitals from any angle. A 120 TSX wont do that on an elk (my opinion). It will definitely kill an elk, but a heavier bullet is a little better.

Your 7mm-08 shooting a 120 TSX will have less velocity and less meat damage. Think twice about the 120... If I was in your shoes, I would pick something with a little more weight. I think a 140 TSX would be about perfect.

I now shoot the 160 Accubonds and love them. I actually loaded them down out of the 7Mag and they are moving about 2900 fps. They are great for me... Good luck.

[BOWHUNTER45]

I just caught the tail end of this thread. I shoot a 7 Mag, and shot the 120 TSX for a season. It was going a lot faster than the 7mm-08 (3450 fps). I killed an elk, buck, and bear with this bullet. I was not a fan. All the animals died, but the penetration was moderate. Meat damage at that velocity was ridiculous. It turned meat into jello. On the elk, there was no room for error on shot placement.

Personally, I prefer a deep penetrating bullet to ensure I get to the vitals from any angle. A 120 TSX wont do that on an elk (my opinion). It will definitely kill an elk, but a heavier bullet is a little better.

Your 7mm-08 shooting a 120 TSX will have less velocity and less meat damage. Think twice about the 120... If I was in your shoes, I would pick something with a little more weight. I think a 140 TSX would be about perfect.

I now shoot the 160 Accubonds and love them. I actually loaded them down out of the 7Mag and they are moving about 2900 fps. They are great for me... Good luck.

i agree 100% I love shooting lesser grain bullets but just on smaller game like yotes and groundhogs....and out of the magnums I would go heavier than lighter too .....on big game....I just can not be convinced that their is a better bullet than the 140 ... everything I have shot has hit the dirt hard ...

[Bob33]

I know some hunters that use nothing but 100 grain TSX bullets out of a .257 Weatherby, and have killed everything from antelope to large elk with no problems. I'm not sure why a 120 grain out a 7mm should be a lot different.

[True Sportsman]

I don't know a lot about copper bullets, it just doesn't seem right to me to shoot an elk w/a 120gr bullet.

The concept to recognize is that a Barnes bullet will retain nearly 100% of its weight, while conventional bullets retain 50% to 70%.  The Accubond is designed to shed 30% to 40% of its weight inside an animal.  That means a 160 grain Accubond enters an animal with 160 grains, and it if exits the bullet weighs about 110 grains.  A 120 Barnes enters an animal weighing 120 grains, and exits weighing about 119.9 grains.

There are pros and cons to each, but in general you can use "light for caliber" monolithic bullets like the Barnes with results equivalent to using heavier, conventional jacketed bullets.

The fact that all Barnes bullets retain 100% of their weight can be misleading. I think the really light Barnes bullets pushed at high velocities can shed the petals of the bullet when the bullet impacts hard bone. I found fragments of copper in my elk, that I killed. I shot the bull at 25yds, and the 120 TXS was going 3450 fps.

Could be a freak thing, I dont know. But it was enough to have me switch bullets to something heavier. That and wind drift with the light bullets at 300yds plus was excessive.

[JimmyHoffa]

PA Ben, if you're reloading them and try using the load data for a regular bullet, you might actually have to start a little lower on powder because of the increased seating depth with copper.  Good luck.

[C-Money]

The Barnes manual seems to show some high velocities in their loads. I like sticking with the manual for what ever bullet I am loading. I know we have the wifes 7mm-08 set up with the 140 Accubond. She will hunt elk and deer this year with it. I need to find a chronograph to shoot threw an get some velocity numbers. It is a 22'' barrel, so I am hoping for some where close to 2700- 2800fps.

[carpsniperg2]

The Barnes manual seems to show some high velocities in their loads. I like sticking with the manual for what ever bullet I am loading. I know we have the wifes 7mm-08 set up with the 140 Accubond. She will hunt elk and deer this year with it. I need to find a chronograph to shoot threw an get some velocity numbers. It is a 22'' barrel, so I am hoping for some where close to 2700- 2800fps.

YES! Thats the best thing to do. There is a lot of difference in the powder companies load books. I like to use the info from the bullet manufactures.

I bet they will run in the 2700 range c-money.

[C-Money]

We are using 46gr IMR 4350 with the 140 Accubond. Our rifle worked out great with this load, showing no pressure issues on the case. Work up to it, dont take my word for it. Not saying it wont work, but the Barnes manual does not show the 120 XBT as a choice for elk, It starts reccomending the 130 XBT for elk.  You can load up the 130xbt to 2900-300fps pretty easy according to the manual. Guess if I was gonna look into Barnes bullets, I would load up some 130's and some 140 XBT's and see which one my rifle liked better.

[PA BEN]

My Ruger M77 7mm, REM. Mag. Stacks 160gr accubonds on top of each other. I use 61.3 grs of RL-19, Mag primer. I found that seating depth on my 7mm-08 is a BIG issue when it comes to accuracy.

[PA BEN]

So I picked up a box of 50 Nosler Partitions 150 grs. Just because I weighed each bullet.
16 at 150.2
16 at 150.5
15 at 150.3
2 at 150.6
1 at 149.7
I'm fairly new at reloading and don't call me anal, but is this a noticeable difference or is this common?

[C-Money]

I would say that is very close. A small nick in the lead tip could throw off the weight a bit. Good info! Please post your results, and maybe the load you choose, I am interested to know how it turns out.