7mm-08 Load development

[FOTIS]

I recently purchased a Model 70 Win Featherweight in 7mm-08.
I scoped it with a 3x9x40mm Nikon and went out to the range. So you asked

............. I'd love to hear about your load development when you get to it.

I tried a bunch of loads with the 140 Ballistic tip and RL17. Velocities varied from 2700 to 2900 fps. Not a single group under 1" with RL 17.
Will be attempting CFE223 and Varget next. If these do not work I might swap to 140 PT or 140 TTSX while adding Big Game powder in the mix.

First 140 gr load over 2800 fps and consistent MOA wins.

 

[345 kv]

Big Game and a 140gr AB does well in my Tikka SL

 

[FOTIS]

I heard Big game is the powder in the 7-08. What is your load and velocity/accuracy?

 

[Blkram]

My wife's rifle likes the 140 gr Sierra Pro Hunter and IMR4350.

 

[desertcj]

Thanks for posting Fotis. FYI, I got great velocity with RL16 and 140gr bullets. Nipping at 3000fps! Accuracy in my rifle was only so-so however. I'm looking mostly at 120gr bullets now.

 

[HAWKEYESATX]

Hey Fotis,
I got this from Alliant website:
Min OAL 2.75 inches
Fed 210 Primer
Nosler 140 gr Partition
RL-16 47.2 grs Max 2952 fps

Or try:
Hornady 139 gr SST
Min OAL 2.78 inches
Fed 210 Primer
RL-16 45.8 grs Max 2897fps

Hope this helps

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[FOTIS]

Yup I knew I forgot something. I was going to try RL 16 also, along with the others. Thank you!

 

[FOTIS]

Thanks for posting Fotis. FYI, I got great velocity with RL16 and 140gr bullets. Nipping at 3000fps! Accuracy in my rifle was only so-so however. I'm looking mostly at 120gr bullets now.

Varget and 120 BT is the shizzle! 3100 fps easy and very accurate in my daughter's Marlin XS-7 8)

 

[desertcj]

I have heard a lot about Varget and 120's. I never saw anything very good accuracy wise out of my rifle though. I've been told over and over to try Big Game, but I'm currently working with IMR 3031. That was showing some promise.

 

[rquack]

I've ben using 42 grains of IMR 4064 with CCI benchrest primers and the 120 grain Nosler BT for decades. I shoot less than 1/2 groups with my Model 7 Remington through that pencil thin barrel. VERY light recoil, great accuracy and always a one shot kill... they generally don't go more than 30"... straight down!

 

[beerbucksducks]

I’m running varget and 120 b-tips at 3050 FPS in my wife’s rifle.
I also run IMR4350 with a 150 b-tip in my model 7 that I hunt on occasion. I’ve never chrono’d that load, but even at max book load, I bet it’s slow. It impressed the hell out of the one buck I killed with it though.


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[345 kv]

Fotis
I'll say a stiff charge of Big Game . Vel. 2900+ fps per Magnetospeed. Five shot group fits under quarter. Bullet seated to mag length. Rem brass ,LG rifle CCI primer. I did not keep alot of data as it's a hunting rifle and I only tried one bullet 140 gr Nosler AB as I have alot of them on the shelf. I also tried RL15 and Varget.

 

[fremont]

I got my 7-08 M70 Fwt around 2008 (pre-Big Game). Started off with 139 Horn SST and H414. Couldn't get it right. Worked up to book max Varget under 140 Sierra Pro-Hunter and was immediately sub-MOA both at 100/200 yds. Stopped. If I was beginning the process today, I'd probably begin with Big Game with a mag primer and see if I could duplicate Pharmseller's results at the range and field.

 

[frankm]

I have a 24" Rem 700 and daughter has 22" Rem 700.
Both guns have shot 42.5 grs of Varget with 139 Hornady and 140 Partition under MOA. Velocity 2900 in long barrel and 2825 in shorter one.... work up as its full pressure. Both guns like 44.5 grs of Varget with 120 s... just over 3000.

Also have gotten great results with H380 in my rifle with 139 s. Velocity right at 2900 and slightly better accuracy then Varget.

Good luck, the 7-08 will perform well with many different powders and bullets.

 

[jimbires]

this surprises me . I've had good luck with getting the 7-08's to shoot easy , it seems they shoot anything well . in my tikka I use IMR 4064 with a 139 BTSP . in Denise's X-bolt I'm using a slightly reduced load of H4895 with a 120 B-tip , in my 24" broughton bbl remington I use RL17 with a 140 Berger H- vld . the Tikka and X-bolt generally shoot under MOA out to 300 yards , the Rem shoots , " usually " about half MOA as far as I have shot it . I'll be real interested to see what you end up with .

the rifling doesn't feel rough , does it ? crown look , ok ? scope , ok ?

 

[desertcj]

Here's about the best my M70 featherweight 7mm-08 has done yet...

 

[desertcj]

120's...

 

[SJB358]

How’s the barrel on your gun DesertCJ? Seems like you’ve put a ton of solid combos through it and you’re still searching. I wouldn’t think any 7-08 would be that fussy. Just wondering if something else might not be askew.

 

[desertcj]

I'm not sure to be honest. I don't have a bore scope, but looking down it I can't notice anything. I've thought about bedding the action, it's all factory still.

 

[diverdown]

I've been using 47.5 grains of IMR4350 with 140 Grain Pro-hunters in my Model 700 titanium. This rifle is ultra light (right at 6LBS with scope and ammo) and I'm able to keep 3 shots under an inch off the bench. OAL is 2.780.