loading for the 7mm-08 REM

romex2121 · Sep 6, 2011

i finally got a new barrel ( used but in good shape ) for my Encore ,, i took it out and got it sighted in with factory ammo,, now im gonna load for this one as well,, im looking for load suggestions with this caliber,, the powders that i have on hand are as follows
IMR-4350,,H-4350,,IMR-4064,,RL-19,,RL-17,, the bullet is a sierra 150gr gameking i wanted 140gr but the shop didnt have them,, brass is win. new and some once fired rem,,, im sure one of the powders that i have will do well enough for hunting,,, what do you think ???

YoteSmoker · Sep 6, 2011

I have an Encore barrel and have shot 1/4" groups but with 140 Accubonds if you can get some, using 46.0 grains IMR4350 (Nosler's suggested max), Win brass, Fed210, 2.780" OAL, 2795 FPS (after testing different seating depths). My wife will be using this combo for her deer/elk hunt in November.

I also found a good shooting load using 140 TTSX, Varget ( I think 42 grains but not positive on that - check Barnes book for suggested max) seated to Barnes recommended OAL, with Fed210. I haven't shot big game with this yet, but it worked great on a bobcat and was very accurate also.

4064, RL15, 4895 might work also for your 150 grain bullets. I'd start with 4350 personally.

jimbires · Sep 6, 2011

I have two 7mm-08's .
use caution with this data , start low and work up .

in my tikka I use rem / win brass ,a cci 200 primer , 43.2 grains of IMR4064 , with a 139BTSP . this gives 2840 FPS with a 22 inch bbl . it shoots under an inch @ 100 and about 1.75" @ 200 .

in my remington 7-08 I use norma brass , a cci 200 primer , 49.0 grains of RL17 , with a Berger 140 hunting vld . this gives 3075 FPS with a 24 inch bbl . it shoots under an inch @ 200 yards .

I'm going to try the RL17 powder in my Tikka after hunting season to see how it will do with the 139's . the last day I shot my rem through the chrony my speeds were ; 3077, 3077, 3080 , 3077 , 3081 . I put the chrony away .LOL this load had a very consistent velocity the last few range trips too . I really think RL17 is where it's at for the 7mm-08 . Jim

romex2121 · Sep 6, 2011

thanks guys,,,, im really wanting to try the RL-17 ,,, its been sitting on the shelve for awhile un-opend ,,i bought it to try in the 270wsm just have'nt got around to it yet :roll: im thinking one of the 4350's would also be a good load aswell it seems you cant go wrong with a 4350 :wink:

elkeater2 · Sep 6, 2011

You might check Alliant's site data, and see what it says about RL19 and the Speer 145's. I think it says 2933 with 51 grains. That's pretty amazing. I'm just getting ready to tr RL17 w/139's and will report. H414 didn't group for me but I'm still working on it. Now I'm going to try RL19 too - if it will kick those 139's out at 2950 or so with accuracy I'd be thrilled.
EE2

elkeater2 · Sep 13, 2011

elkeater2":kii8smmq said:
You might check Alliant's site data, and see what it says about RL19 and the Speer 145's. I think it says 2933 with 51 grains. That's pretty amazing. I'm just getting ready to try RL17 w/139's and will report. H414 didn't group for me but I'm still working on it. Now I'm going to try RL19 too - if it will kick those 139's out at 2950 or so with accuracy I'd be thrilled.
EE2

On the RL19, it must have been an Alliant typo. I started with 47 gr. and worked up to 51 with the 139's. No pressure signs and no wonder - max velocity was 2715 fps. 51 gr. fills WW cases to within 1/16" of the top before it's shook down.

Next to RL17, we'll see.
EE2