7mm-08, Barnes 139 LRX Load Development

[Taco280AI]

I haven't followed up with my testing, the birth of twin boys takes a lot of free time away.... or all of it   

[Taco280AI]

With twins it's hard to find the time to do some testing. Finally got out yesterday to verify the AI, and tried BG with the 139 LRX out of the 7-08. Going off a velocity flat spot, 49.1 was easily sub MOA but 49.0 went .495. I might try two more, going down .1gr each time, but happy with what I'm seeing.

[addicted]

Lots of new thinking is that the velocity flat spots will disappear if you run the test enough times.


How fast was it?

[Taco280AI]

Lots of new thinking is that the velocity flat spots will disappear if you run the test enough times.


How fast was it?

It wasn't... apparently Tikka barrels are pretty slow, 2816

[addicted]

Its a relatively stiff bullet. Are you going to shoot far enough to need more speed?

[jrebel]

2816 fps isn't that slow out of a 7-08.  I would think you could squeeze another 100 fps out of it with the right powder.....but wouldn't hesitate to hunt with 2816 if it is accurate.  Barnes says minimum velocity is 1600 fps (Lower than I would trust a Mono), which should make it a 500 ish yard gun. 

Accuracy trumps speed in my books.  Anxiously watching to see how these end up shooting for you.   

[Taco280AI]

Certainly don't need more speed, and I'll try a little less to see how it does accuracy wise. For all I know it might do one ragged hole, but using a fixed 6x I think a half inch @100 is pretty good. And have the 280AI for longer reach.

[addicted]

Barnes says minimum velocity is 1600 fps (Lower than I would trust a Mono),

Ditto, want to see a test of that one.

[jamesjett]

The mono’s like to be seated deep.  Start at .100 off lands and out to .175 off the lands.  I have reloaded Barnes for about 10 years now and had some good conversations with their tech guys.  The suggested I start at .075 off the lands and run them hot.

In my 7MM the 150 TTSX shoots .3 groups @ .090 off the lands and the 145 LRX likes .150…

[yakimanoob]

@7mmfan any update? Can't believe I missed this thread - I'm working on a 139gr CX load for my Savage 16 LWH 7mm-08 and have been closely eyeing the 139gr LRX bullets as potential options.

Just FYI for everyone - Barnes told me very clearly that the 1600 fps for 2x diameter expansion is specific to the 139gr 7mm LRX and does not apply to the LRX line in general or even the rest of the 7mm LRX bullets. Personally, I really appreciated their pointing out that each bullet is different due to the (vast) complexities of terminal ballistics.

[7mmfan]

I have not had time to delve into this yet. Taco's load is very similar to what I was planning on trying, so that gives me a lot of hope. What I know is my gun is very temperamental, so regardless of other's successes, it just might not work. I sure would love to have a confidence building load for that rifle though.