7mm-08 Deer-Elk

[YoteSmoker]

I am looking for a bullet suggestion that will cover deer, black bear and elk. The rifle is a m70 featherweight. I have had no luck in accuracy with 140 accubonds or ttsx trying go to powders for other 7mm08s to inlude both 4350s, Varget, 4064, and H4895. I am leaning toward trying 150 Partition or 154 Interlock next but would like your inputs before I proceed. Thanks!

 

[gerry]

The 150 gr Partition and 154 gr Hornady would be an excellent combo IMO, sounds like a good plan to me.

 

[R Flowers]

Since you included the elk in the mix, I too would recommend the 150 grain Partition. I have had real mixed success from rifle to rifle with the Accubonds.

If I were going elk hunting I would prefer a larger rifle (I usually use a 300 magnum). However for deer and black bear I would not hesitiate to shoot the load I am now using in my 7mm-08.

I was shooting 140 Partitions in my Remington 700 Mountain Rifle and was perfectly happy. Then this ignorant state of CA decided we could only shoot no-lead bullets in this area. I tried the 140 grain TSX with little success acccuracy wise. Then, on a lark, I tried the 120 grain TSX when loaded over IMR 4064. Bingo, even in that wimpy little barrel I was getting 1/2 inch groups and a velocity of 3000 fps. I have not shot anything with this load but paper, but I sure would like to try it on game soon.

 

[JD338]

Randy

150 gr PT all the way.

JD338

 

[Gm weatherby man]

I personally will be buying a 7m-08 for the wife in a savage, just a cool performer. And R Flowers I know you will like the performance of the ttsx.

 

[OU812]

Either the 150 NP or 154 interlock would work very well. I am surprised at the inaccuracy of the Barnes bullets. I have to say I have had better accuracy with TSX bullets over the TTSX but the TSX's have shot amazing accuracy wise in every rifle and caliber I have tried them in.

 

[gerry]

Either the 150 NP or 154 interlock would work very well. I am surprised at the inaccuracy of the Barnes bullets. I have to say I have had better accuracy with TSX bullets over the TTSX but the TSX's have shot amazing accuracy wise in every rifle and caliber I have tried them in.

I have had mixed results with the Barnes bullets, some guns have clustered them into small groups, others have been around the 1 inch mark but no better and others have not liked them at all. My 375 Ruger is one that grouped all the bullets I have tried very well except the 270 gr TSX, they didn't group well at all.

 

[OU812]

I have had mixed results with the Barnes bullets, some guns have clustered them into small groups, others have been around the 1 inch mark but no better and others have not liked them at all. My 375 Ruger is one that grouped all the bullets I have tried very well except the 270 gr TSX, they didn't group well at all.

I guess I have been lucky with the TSX bullets so far. I know what you're saying about some rifles not liking certain bullets. I've had 2 338 caliber rifles that no matter how hard I tried or what I tried they would not shoot a Partition bullet.

 

[Silentstalker]

Also look at the 139 gr. Interbond. They shoot well under an inch in my Wifes Savage with Varget.

 

[AzDak42]

For deer, I'd look at the 120 or 140g Btips. They shoot extremely well in my Nosler rifle.

Black Bear - I'd say give the partitions a shot - proven performer and at the ranges you typically get bear, the 7mm08 should be just fine.


Elk - I'd take a pass. I'd either want a larger caliber or a whole lot more powder behind it to drive a 175g Partition. (7RM is the minimum 7mm Elk rifle I'd personally want to carry.)

 

[ScreaminEagle]

Also look at the 139 gr. Interbond. They shoot well under an inch in my Wifes Savage with Varget.

Those and IMR-4320 make a great combo!

 

[wildgene]

I am looking for a bullet suggestion that will cover deer, black bear and elk. The rifle is a m70 featherweight. I have had no luck in accuracy with 140 accubonds or ttsx trying go to powders for other 7mm08s to inlude both 4350s, Varget, 4064, and H4895. I am leaning toward trying 150 Partition or 154 Interlock next but would like your inputs before I proceed. Thanks!

...honestly, if you're throwing elk & bear into the equation, I'd accept the 1/4-1/2MOA more drop of a 160gr. w/ a considerably better SD & 400yd. energy, & regardless of which bullet weight you decide on, I'd try working up loads w/ slower powders like RL-19 or Big Game, picking up 100-200fps w/ the same bullet...

 

[PJGunner]

I am surprised that the Accubonds don't shoot well, but not so much with the TTSX. I don't have a 7-08 but I do have a Winchester M70 Featherweight in 7x57 an so far the 120 and 140 gr. TSX bullets are not thrilling me all that much. They're also not showing me much in a .280 Rem. as well, but I'm early on in load developement with those two rounds. The .280 is a custom on a 1909 Argentine Mauser and it's been very accurate with the cup and core bullets I've run through it. My .257 Robt. is finally showing promise with 100 gr. TSX bullets but the few TTSX I've run through it have been a disaster. Currently what work I'm doing with those TSX bulets is playing with the seating depth. I've gotten the .257 Bob down to almost one inch now and a bit more tweaking should bring it to either disaster of sub-MOA. :lol: Quite an improvement over the first 1.75" groups. 8) Funny thing is my ex-son in law has the same M70 FWT in .257 as I do and his has been sub-MOA with the TSX and TTSX right from the get go. :?:
On the x57 M70 FWT, it's been sub-MOA from the start with the Nosler ballistic Tips. They say you can just switch to the AccuBond with the same load and grouping. I just might have to look into that.
My hunting partner this year shot his elk with the 160 gr. AccuBond and 317 yards from a 7MM Rem. Mag. and they worked just fine on his elk. First bullet hit a bit far back and tore up the liver anchoring the animal and the second shot was the finisher. Conditions were not the best with temps at 30 with a 25 gusting 50 MPH wind during the hunt. Wind chill was something like negative 25 or lower. My shot was at 350 yards and the 225 gr. TSX from my .35 Whelen did the trick. Now if they'll just work that well in my smaller calibers, I'll be a happy camper.
If you haven't already done so, play with the seating depth. Seems like Barnes bullets like a rather long jump tp the rifling.
paul B.

 

[laylandad]

My go to load is a 150 gr PT over H414! Awesome combo.

 

[CatskillCrawler]

If elk was in the equation I'd try to find a good load using a 150/154/160gr bullet. Get your relative velocity above 2750/2700/2650fps and let the SD do its job. It'll slay an elk no problem as long you keep your range shorter than 225yds or so. One million plus dead moose from aenemic 6.5x55 loads will back that up.

 

[SJB358]

If my son draws a youth elk tag, I am pretty sure he'll use his 7mm Mauser with 160 PT's at 2750. The load shoots really well and I can't help but think out to 300 it'll work fine. If the 150 ABLR's drop, I am going to really give them a whirl, as the increased BC and speed, will keep it to 1500 FtLb's of energy to around 450-500 yards if the BC holds sorta close to what they are advertising. No elk is going to slip away with a decent hit with that bullet.

 

[JD338]

Scotty

The 150 gr PT would be just about perfect for the 7x57 (or a 7mm-08) for elk, black bear and deer.

JD338

 

[Teknys]

I'm loading up 140n PT for my wife and her Savage Lady Hunter. For her, shots will be less then 200yds. From coyotes up to elk.

 

[super-7]

Another one to try would be the 139 gr GMX from Hornady , it grouped noticeably better then the 140 tsx and 150 ttsx in my 7 mm RM. it also looks like the Speer deep curls are turning out to be good tough bullets worth s shot. If the PT shoots you can't go wrong with that choice either.

 

[YoteSmoker]

On a last ditch effort before buying 150 pt's and completely giving up on the 140 ttsx I loaded some up with some more H4895 and headed to the range. I was able to shoot rounds to 3/4" group with 39.5 grains. All other groups were double. Guess the rifle is really fussy...but if I can duplicate the accuracy, should be in business.