7mm-08 Deer Loads

[wvchevy3]

Dale, my favorite bullet for the 7mm-08 is the 120 BT its as tough as the 140 BT with extra fps. I use it in my .280 Remington.Lee

 

[preacher]

I've only shot one Texas Dall Ram ( deer size in chest thickness/hide/muscle mass) with the 7mm08. I used the older Hornady Light Magnum 139 SST. It was accurate, but the bullet was pretty fragile. I wouldn't use it on elk. I'm a big believer in Barnes so the 120 TTSX would be my suggestion for a combo bullet. Many good choices, including ( if your rifle will shoot them well) the 160 NP. On a combo hunt ( I've been on a few) I always felt the best way to go is set up for the bigger animal then make sure you shoot the smaller animal through the shoulders. Good luck to you!

 

[Firebird]

Cannot believe no one mentioned the 150 ablr! I shoot it with rl17 and it is as fast/accurate as any of my other per loads. I have the rem. 700 with a muzzle brake and my 91 pound 14 year old daughter shoots it with ease. Do not overlook the grand slam 145-My load is 48.3 of h-4350. Other favorites and glad others mentioned them, 140 pro hunter, mine over 48 gr of h-4350. AccuBond 140 also over 48 of h-4350. I had outstanding performance with scirocco 2 and 44 gr of h414 but it is slower than I want that bullet to be going. My experience indicates to keep lots of h-4350, h414 and blc-2 around, my fun loves those and is the easiest rifle I own to work up new loads for.

 

[elkeater2]

Yeah that Hornady 139 grainer has seen use in my Mother's 7x57 and also in a .284 Winchester (Savage 99F of course!) both at about 2700-2750 fps in their 24" tubes.

Never got to try that Speer 130 grain bullet but have heard great things.

The reason I am wanting to go at least 139 grain is my Father in Law is thinking he will get one of those general season cow tags for Tex Creek area and I think that should probably be a minimum bullet weight for this caliber.

I harvested 35+ elk in my serious hunting career with 139 Hornady interlocks, launched at about 2850 fps. At those speeds it performs perfectly.
EE2

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

Dale, my favorite bullet for the 7mm-08 is the 120 BT its as tough as the 140 BT with extra fps. I use it in my .280 Remington.Lee

Thanks Lee. I will give those a try too.

Dale

 

[35 Whelen]

Dale,
Its been 10 years since you posted this thread. Can you give us an update what you settled on for bullet and how it has worked for ya......?
I am an SST fan on deer sized game. 139gr bullet launched at 2950fps (Superformance) is totally just the .280 Remington in a disguise. My 7-08 has proved to take down 4 big Whitetails instantly, that would approach 300lbs live weight. 7-08 is a top performer on deer anywhere in NA.

 

[ReloadKy]

The 120 gr Barnes TTSX is an absolute deer slaying bullet in the 7-08!

 

[Orezona]

The 120 gr Barnes TTSX is an absolute deer slaying bullet in the 7-08!

I would like to try this.

 

[Orezona]

Dale,
Its been 10 years since you posted this thread. Can you give us an update what you settled on for bullet and how it has worked for ya......?
I am an SST fan on deer sized game. 139gr bullet launched at 2950fps (Superformance) is totally just the .280 Remington in a disguise. My 7-08 has proved to take down 4 big Whitetails instantly, that would approach 300lbs live weight. 7-08 is a top performer on deer anywhere in NA.

I have been running Lapua Brass, BR2's, 162 ELD-X, 39.0 grains IMR 8208 XBR, for 2653fps with a 4.7SD. Bergara B-14 that I skim bedded. I bump .003 with a Redding Body Die and follow with a Lee Collet Die. Works great on S. Indiana whitetails.

 

[SJB358]

Dale,
Its been 10 years since you posted this thread. Can you give us an update what you settled on for bullet and how it has worked for ya......?
I am an SST fan on deer sized game. 139gr bullet launched at 2950fps (Superformance) is totally just the .280 Remington in a disguise. My 7-08 has proved to take down 4 big Whitetails instantly, that would approach 300lbs live weight. 7-08 is a top performer on deer anywhere in NA.

That’s the beauty about that little 7-08. Just about anything works damned good on deer. It is a fantastic little cartridge.