7MM-08 powders

[tecumseh]

I'm looking into getting a 7MM-08 barrel for my encore and want to know what powders the 08 shooters are using? I have a good supply of bullets on hand to try out from 120 gr - 160gr.

I have IMR4350 and 4831, H4350, Varget, IMR-4064 on hand to start out with. If I go ahead and get a barrel ordered.

 

[FOTIS]

Varget, RL19, IMR 4350

 

[jason miller]

I use varget and ramshot big game for 120's, and h4350 and rl17 for 140's and 162's.

You'll probably find a great load with the varget or 4064 you already have for lighter bullets, and any 4350 for 140's and up. Big game gets a little more speed with 120's for me, and rl17 gets more speed with the heavier bullets.

 

[Silentstalker]

My wifes rifle loves varget behind a 120 NBT. It shoots the 140 BT and 139 interbond really well also.

 

[Guybo]

I have a friend who uses imr4895 with the 120gr bullets in his 08. I've seen some of the groups he shoots with that combination, pretty impressive!

 

[steve4102]

BigGame for the 140gr-, Hunter for the 150gr+. R-15 works well for me also.

 

[tecumseh]

This should be a fun project to work on between now and the start of hunting season. The one thing I like about the 284 cal is the wide variety of bullets to choose from a reloading standpoint.

 

[YoteSmoker]

I have loaded for 3 different 7mm08 encore barrels and all three shot 1/2" to 3/4" groups with 46 grains IMR4350 fed 210M Win brass and 140 Accubonds.

 

[FOTIS]

This works well also!

Cartridge          : 7 mm-08 Rem.
Bullet             : .284, 120, Nosler BalTip 28120
Useable Case Capaci: 50.985 grain H2O = 3.310 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.800 inch = 71.12 mm
Barrel Length      : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder             : Ramshot TAC

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge   Vel.  Energy   Pmax   Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %       %    Grains   fps   ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-20.0   70    35.20   2396    1530   29466   7534     91.6    1.370
-18.0   72    36.08   2452    1602   31276   7760     92.6    1.338
-16.0   73    36.96   2507    1675   33192   7980     93.6    1.306
-14.0   75    37.84   2562    1749   35218   8192     94.6    1.275
-12.0   77    38.72   2617    1825   37360   8396     95.4    1.244
-10.0   79    39.60   2672    1902   39625   8592     96.2    1.210
-08.0   80    40.48   2726    1981   42020   8778     97.0    1.177
-06.0   82    41.36   2781    2060   44552   8955     97.6    1.145
-04.0   84    42.24   2835    2141   47230   9121     98.2    1.115
-02.0   86    43.12   2888    2223   50063   9276     98.7    1.086
+00.0   87    44.00   2942    2306   53060   9419     99.1    1.057
+02.0   89    44.88   2995    2390   56232   9550     99.4    1.030  ! Near Maximum !
+04.0   91    45.76   3048    2475   59591   9669     99.7    1.004  ! Near Maximum !
+06.0   93    46.64   3100    2560   63149   9774     99.9    0.978  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0   94    47.52   3152    2647   66922   9866    100.0    0.954  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0   96    48.40   3203    2734   70924   9944    100.0    0.930  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 5% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 5% relative to nominal value:
+Ba     87    44.00   3007    2409   57727   9331     99.9    1.019  ! Near Maximum !
Data for burning rate decreased by 5% relative to nominal value:
-Ba     87    44.00   2866    2188   48440   9393     97.2    1.101

 

[wildgene]

...another real "sleeper" for the 7mm-08 is IMR 4007-SSC, good MV's/ ES/ SD's for a wide range of bullet weights...

 

[JD338]

I had good success with RL 19 and 140 gr BT/PT's in the 7mm-08

JD338

 

[300WSM]

You have to go no further than the IMR 4350 you have. It is the best IMO for the 7-08. There are others that are accurate as well as the 7-08 is a hard caliber to make NOT accurate...but the IMR 4350 works so well.

As with other IMR powders it doesn't meter very well but from a shooting point of view...superb.

 

[Wincheringen]

I load Ramshot Big Game with 140 BT/ABs. I was so happy with the first load I never tried anything else, although I'm sure IMR 4350 would be very good as well.

I'm using Nosler brass and Rem 9 1/2 primers.

 

[JohnD386]

My X Bolt loves 39gr of IMR4064. Best was a dime size group at 100yrd.

 

[257 Ackley]

120 grain bullets use Varget or R15...140 grain and up move to a little slower powders like 4350 or 414/760.

 

[35R]

I'll keeping beating at the drums with Varget,R15, 4895, 414/760, and 4350 for the heavier stuff. I have had good results with all of them.

 

[SJB358]

Had some great results with RL17 in the 7mm Mauser. Running about 2940 with it and the 140 AB. The 7-08 and 7mm Mauser seem to like the same powders.

I think W760 would probably be as good and maybe easier to obtain?

 

[jimbires]

in my one 7-08 I'm using RL17 with a 140 berger VLD at 3080 FPS . this berger bullet has a very short bearing surface , so the velocity is high with normal pressure . I'd agree with Scotty that mid 2900's would be probably about the velocity with a nosler bullet .

 

[SJB358]

in my one 7-08 I'm using RL17 with a 140 berger VLD at 3080 FPS . this berger bullet has a very short bearing surface , so the velocity is high with normal pressure . I'd agree with Scotty that mid 2900's would be probably about the velocity with a nosler bullet .

That is a skippy load Jim. Have you tried any other bullets?

 

[jimbires]

in my one 7-08 I'm using RL17 with a 140 berger VLD at 3080 FPS . this berger bullet has a very short bearing surface , so the velocity is high with normal pressure . I'd agree with Scotty that mid 2900's would be probably about the velocity with a nosler bullet .

That is a skippy load Jim. Have you tried any other bullets?

No I haven't Scotty . these Bergers shoot so darn well I hate to switch . I've got to try to get a kill with this combo so I can see how these bullets work . so far it's only been a few crows and groundhogs , nothing bigger to see the results .