7mm08 and the 150 accubond long range

[Nealc]

I have an older Kimber Montana 7mm08 with 1:9 twist barrel. It is very finicky with ammo, but is capable of decent accuracy with the right load. I wanted it to like the 150 ablr’s but so far my hand loads have been very disappointing. Recently, out of curiosity, I purchased a box of Nosler factory ammo with the 150 ablr. 7 shots into a little over 0.75” - for this rifle, pretty decent. Certainly worth more effort, as it seems to be my loading and not the bullets.

Obviously, Nosler won’t tell us what their load is, but are there any thoughts for what you might try to somehow emulate the factory loading? I have:
H4350
Staball 6.5
RL16 & 17
Varget
Big Game

Also, what are your thoughts on the importance of temp stability for this caliber? With it being a 4-500 yard gun max anyway, the vertical difference caused by say even a 50 fps variance doesn’t seem that significant (maybe a couple inches at 500)?

 

[JD338]

The 7mm 150 ABLR is my go to bullet in my 280AI delivering sub .5 MOA accuracy and DRT results on WT deer from 50 to 500 yards.
In the 7-08 you are on the right track for powder selection. I'd start with Varget and Ramshot Hunter. Your 9t is just fine for the 150 ABLR.

JD338

 

[RL338]

I wanted it to like the 150 ablr’s but so far my hand loads have been very disappointing.

Could you describe the process that you tried on your hand loads?

 

[Nealc]

Thanks JD. What do you think of this bullet for elk?

 

[JD338]

Thanks JD. What do you think of this bullet for elk?

It will do the job, just put it where it needs to go

JD338

 

[Nealc]

Could you describe the process that you tried on your hand loads?

I have tried Big Game and Staball6.5 with these bullets. Winchester primers and Hornady brass, FL resized with standard Redding dies and competition shell holders to facilitate bumping the shoulders back. COAL has been about 2.8”. Groups have been poor with many in the 2-3” range at 100. Scope and mounting checked. The rifle shoots Barnes factory ammo well.

Now that I have verified this bullet CAN shoot out of this gun accurately, I will try the varget and maybe acquire some hunter if necessary.

 

[Johnly]

I'm shooting 41.5 gr. of RL-15 at a LOA of 2.840 in my Remington 700 Ti clone with a 20" barrel.
Accuracy is sub-MOA and the velocity is 2627 fps.

 

[Hunter26]

Have you checked the COAL or base to ogive on the factory loads compared to your handloads? ABLR's can be finicky at times with seating depth, often preferring to be seated deeper than normal cup and core bullets.

 

[Nealc]

Have you checked the COAL or base to ogive on the factory loads compared to your handloads? ABLR's can be finicky at times with seating depth, often preferring to be seated deeper than normal cup and core bullets.

Yes, I will definitely be copying the factory rounds CBTO length. The overall length was about 2.83

 

[Firebird24]

Same bullet I use in my rem 700 and it will be just fine for elk. I found rl-17 to Be the best for me and seating depth was very important.
7mm-08 150 grain on the left after taking down the kudu bull-