getting started loading 7mm-08

R

ReloadKy

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Finally got a cartridge that I have been wanting for a while, 7mm-08 in a savage 110 hunter. I plan to shoot reloads out of this rifle. I am completely new to 7mm-08. I have done a lot of reading and research but believe that firsthand experience is better than material I can read. Now I know my rifle will be "its own entity" but what powders have you 7mm-08 shooters found to be the most accurate along with producing adequate velocities? Thanks in advance for the info!
 
RL17 gave me highest velocities up to 150gr.
H414, Alliant Power Pro 2000MR both gave decent velocities and better accuracy.
PP2000MR was top performer in accuracy. ES-6/SD-2.

The 140gr bullets really shine in the 7mm-08. My preference is the Nosler Ballistic Tip, and Berger VLD Hunting. Both spectacular performers!
 
7 mag I have some 140 Nosler ballistic tips on the shelf and another box on the way. Thanks for the powder info.
 
I use most of the ones 7 Mag uses but my accuracy powder is IMR 4350. My rifle has been great with any 140 grain bullet and does good with 120 grain also. I’ve found it to me a most forgiving caliber to reload for.
 
I'm hoping to bring the 7mm-08 back to competition in the form of a 7mm-08AI with 30" barrel. :D
Will my build be nationally competitive?
Sadly, no. But i'm nowhere near national match level, nor am i attempting to be.
Build would be for local groundhog shoots to 500 yards, F-Open matches (600 yards) and long range steel (800-1,000 yards).

The new 6.5 Staball is reportedly doing well in 7mm-08.
For 160gr+ bullets, RL19 has worked best for me, but you better have a long throat, and the powder is pretty compressed.
 
While we are on this subject, does anyone have any information (anecdotal or actual) of using Staball 6.5 with light-for-caliber 7mm-08 bullets (like the 120gr TTSX)?
 
StaBall

Re: StaBall 6.5:
Yes, I bought some, specifically for 7mm-08. I have not loaded any yet, but, my analyzing load data tells me it is even better suited for 7mm-08 than 6.5 Creed. It is far and away the highest fps of any other powder from Hodgdon/IMR/Winchester according to their data. Generally, 150 fps faster.
So, yes, you are on the right track. Reports I have read here indicate it delivers those velocities. I have no idea about the temp sensitivity, or lack thereof.
http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/rifle
Regarding light for caliber bullets, I bought a box of Barnes TTSX 120 grain bullets. The Hodgdon datacenter does not have data for those. Barnes data excludes Sta-Ball. Sta-Ball data shows 120 gr to 175 StaBall lists the fastest loads, including data for Barnes 150 grain TTX
I find data for Barnes copper bullets to be spotty, even from Barnes. Barnes data does not mention Sta-Ball.
Since StaBall is new, the only data for it is from the link above. The data not being available does not mean it would not be get satisfactory results. QuickLoad wouldn't help because they do not test list newer powders often.
 
Last edited:
Marco Califo said:
Re: StaBall 6.5:
Yes, I bought some, specifically for 7mm-08. I have not loaded any yet, but, my analyzing load data tells me it is even better suited for 7mm-08 than 6.5 Creed. It is far and away the highest fps of any other powder from Hodgdon/IMR/Winchester according to their data. Generally, 150 fps faster.
So, yes, you are on the right track. Reports I have read here indicate it delivers those velocities. I have no idea about the temp sensitivity, or lack thereof.
http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/rifle
Regarding light for caliber bullets, I bought a box of Barnes TTSX 120 grain bullets. The Hodgdon datacenter does not have data for those. Barnes data excludes Sta-Ball. Sta-Ball data shows 120 gr to 175 StaBall lists the fastest loads, including data for Barnes 150 grain TTX
I find data for Barnes copper bullets to be spotty, even from Barnes. Barnes data does not mention Sta-Ball.
Since StaBall is new, the only data for it is from the link above. The data not being available does not mean it would not be get satisfactory results. QuickLoad wouldn't help because they do not test list newer powders often.
Click to expand...
The weird thing about Staball is higher velocities and lower pressures. According to my shoulder, lower recoil.
 
I don't use much of the newer powder's. Something that has worked for me for years though is try the powder's that give the highest velocity with the bullet your using. Has always worked out well for me!
 
My 7-08 absolutely loves Barnes TSX over a me rate load of IMR 4895. It is a spectacular performer on white tails also. Some years back I tried to standardize many of the calibers I load for, IMR 4895 worked well for many of them. May not be the best in any of them but works well enough for me. .223, 22-250, .243, 7-08, .30-30 that I remember for sure
 
MY 7-08, a Rem Model 7 with the short barrel, likes a 140 grain bullet the best. Best accuracy was a Sierra 140 SPBT; close was a Nosler 140BT and then a Nosler 140 Partition

Several powders worked well, including Win760 and IMR 4064
 
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